Dear Oakdale Family,
It was great to see many of you at the Oakdale Forward Family Meeting yesterday. Even under the circumstances, it is good for the family to gather, and the Board is thankful that you took the time to be there in-person.
In case you missed it, or wanted a refresher, we wanted to share a summary of what the Board Presented at yesterday’s meeting:
- Financial Cost for disaffiliation according to the Book of Discipline and United Methodist Church
- $ 468,437
- $202,914 – Additional 12 months of mission shares
- $265,523 – Oakdale’s share of unfunded pension liability
- Additional Financial Penalty imposed by Baltimore Washington Conference for disaffiliation
- $ 3,636,950
- $3,636,550 – 50% of the assessed value of Oakdale’s property
- any unpaid mission shares for 12 months prior to disaffiliation date
- TOTAL: $ 4,105,387
- In addition to the financial burden (above) the Baltimore Washington Conference has added additional requirements churches must fulfill to be eligible for disaffiliation
- Host a screening of the Stay or Go webinar developed by the Conference
- Provide a 4-week study on human sexuality using provided materials
- Allow the District Superintendent (DS) to hold a Town Hall
- Have the final disaffiliation vote by April 30, 2023
The Board feels these additional financial penalties and requirements sanctioned by the Baltimore Washington Conference are unreasonable. They are exploring all options available for Oakdale but hope and pray we can come to a reasonable agreement with the Conference. As this occurs, and when new information comes to light, further meetings and communications will be sent out to the congregation.
You are invited to continue, as you have been doing, to pray fervently for the Board, staff, and especially that God will direct our church. Please also pray for softened hearts in our conference leadership and that God would part the Red Sea in front of us so that we can all move forward, Oakdale Forward, together in unity, as disciple-makers for God’s glory.