Summary of CEM 2023 Conference Business

Wasn’t it exciting to gather for Canada East Mission Conference last weekend? The smiles, hugs, and reconnecting generated a palpable energy in the room. Much appreciation is deserved by the planning committee and especially the Woodfield congregation for a successful first hybrid conference. Those assembled online (58) and in person (70) brought a remarkable gift of presence. Thank you, pastors, for adhering to our bylaws and submitting delegate lists to CEM office two weeks prior to conference.

Here is a list of what we accomplished

• Adopted Standing Rules for CEM Hybrid Conferences which will help ensure efficiency and opportunity for the greatest number of people to provide input on matters before a hybrid conference.
  • Provides 5-minute debate for first speakers for and against, and
  • Three minutes for all other speakers unless translation is required 
  • Opportunity to speak twice on a matter 
• Sustained Mission Leaders and Mission Council
• Approved 2022 CEM audited Financial Statements
• Approved 2023 CEM Conference Report & 2024 budget
• Approved 2024 Congregational Assessments
• Adopted the recommendations from the Committee Report on CEM conference Bylaws
• Amended  Notice of Motion for CEM Conference to ensure a 60-day notice period for any subsequent bylaw changes
• Celebrated with two Sunday services – Ordination service at 10 am with President of Seventy John Glaser speaking, Vonda DenBoer ordained to the office of High Priest and Dawn Dawson ordained to the office of Seventy and Beyond the Walls Worship Service with our Apostle at noon

Clarification: CEM Conference Bylaw Article 5 does not deal with notice for legislation. A request came from the body for longer lead time to consider legislative materials prior to the conference. This year we provided legislative material to pastors 7 weeks prior to the conference with the expectation that this would be shared with members in the congregation. It is incumbent upon pastors to share this information with their congregation and provide opportunity for dialogue so that delegates have occasion to learn the viewpoints of congregational members. 

In the months ahead, we will develop tools for further dialogue on the issue of member vs delegate conference as recommended by the special committee report.
 
If you missed the Conference Reports, you can view the recordings here.