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Resolutions for the Closed Churches - AC2021

Resolutions for the Closed Churches - AC2021

June 11, 2021

Bishop Laurie Haller offered a prayer before the Resolutions for Closed Churches were read and affirmed at the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference's final day, saying, "O God, as in your great goodness you have blessed the many ministries carried on by these congregations in their buildings, so now, and in the days and years to come, we pray that you may greatly bless your many ministries in your ongoing Church. Bless those persons who have worshipped in these Church's buildings and will now be worshipping in other congregations and other buildings. As disciples of the risen Christ, may we be channels at all times of your steadfast love; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Closed Churches

Alexander, Community United Methodist Church

WHEREAS the Alexander, Community United Methodist Church located in Franklin County was founded in 1888 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Alexander, Community United Methodist Church voted on November 21, 2019, to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Alexander, Community United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Dows United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexander, Community United Methodist Church be closed effective August 31, 2020, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Hartley United Methodist Church

WHEREAS the Hartley United Methodist Church located in O'Brien County was founded in 1880 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Hartley United Methodist Church voted on August 17, 2020, to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Hartley United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Sanborn United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hartley United Methodist Church be closed effective August 29, 2020, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Williams United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Williams United Methodist Church located in Hamilton County was founded in 1877, and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Williams United Methodist Church voted on June 22, 2020, to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Williams United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Webster City, Faith United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Williams United Methodist  Church be closed effective November 1, 2020, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Greenbrier United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Greenbrier United Methodist Church located in Greene County was founded in 1892 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Greenbrier United Methodist Church voted on August 31, 2020,  to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Greenbrier United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Jefferson, First United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Greenbrier United Methodist  Church be closed effective June 1, 2021, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Mackey United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Mackey United Methodist Church located in Boone County was founded in 1855 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Mackey United Methodist Church voted on September 2, 2020, to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Mackey United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Boone, Marion Street United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mackey United Methodist Church be closed effective October 4, 2020, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Murray United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Murray United Methodist Church located in Clarke County was founded in 1873 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Murray United Methodist Church voted on October 2, 2019, to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Murray United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Osceola United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Murray United Methodist Church be closed effective September 28, 2020, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Van Wert United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Van Wert United Methodist Church located in Decatur County was founded in 1856 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Van Wert United Methodist Church voted on April 27, 2021, to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Van Wert United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Leon, Loving Chapel United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Van Wert United Methodist Church be closed effective July 1, 2021, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Amor y Paz United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Amor y Paz United Methodist Church located in Polk County began in 2012 as an emerging Hispanic-Latino outreach ministry of Las Americas Comunidad de Fe, and that ministry continued in partnership with Miller United Methodist Church then the Marquisville United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the leadership team of the Amor Y Paz United Methodist Church voted on to discontinue the ministry; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the assets be transferred to the Conference Board of Trustees; and

WHEREAS the consent to discontinue has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ministry of the Amor Y Paz United Methodist Church be discontinued effective September 30, 2020 and that the assets shall be transferred to the Iowa Annual Conference.

Thrive United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Thrive United Methodist Church located in Polk County began in 2013 with the partnership of the Ankeny United Methodist Church.; and

WHEREAS the leadership team of the Thrive United Methodist Church voted on October 21, 2020 to discontinue the ministry; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the financial assets be transferred equally to the Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church and Bidwell Riverside; and

WHEREAS the consent to discontinue has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ministry of the Thrive United Methodist Church be discontinued effective November 15, 2020 and that the assets shall be transferred equally to Trinity Las Americas and Bidwell Riverside.

Raymond United Methodist Church


WHEREAS the Raymond United Methodist Church located in Black Hawk County was founded in 1869 and has a long and proud history; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Raymond United Methodist Church voted on May 16, 2021 to close the church; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the closing of the Raymond United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to Waterloo, Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended that the property be sold.

WHEREAS the consent to close has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Raymond United Methodist Church be closed effective July 1, 2021, and the property be transferred to the Trustees of Iowa Annual Conference.

Living Faith Parish (Monona-Giard-McGregor)


WHEREAS the Living Faith Parish (Monona-Giard-McGregor) located in Clayton County was founded in 2004 and has had a strong impact and ministry; and

WHEREAS the church conference of the Living Faith Parish (Monona-Giard-McGregor) voted on February 21, 2021 to dissolve the parish; and

WHEREAS the district superintendent, in consultation with the local church, has recommended the dissolution of the Living Faith Parish (Monona-Giard-McGregor) and transfer of membership to The Monona and Giard United Methodist Churches; and

WHEREAS the superintendent, in consultation with the District Board of Church Location and Building, and vote of the Charge Conference, the property and assets be transferred to the Monona and Giard United Methodist Churches upon their organization and charter; and

WHEREAS the McGregor site voted not to reorganize and charter, the superintendent, in consultation with the District Board of Church Location and Building and the remaining members has recommended to the Conference Board of Trustees that the property be transferred to The McGregor Historical Society;

WHEREAS the consent to dissolve has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building; and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Living Faith Parish (Monona-Giard-McGregor) be dissolved effective July 1, 2021, and the property be transferred to The Monona United Methodist Church, The Giard United Methodist Church, and the Conference Board of Trustees.