This communication contains important instructions regarding the Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy. It is critical that leaders of churches with BSA charters read this entire article.

BISHOP DAVID BARD
Michigan Area

November 15, 2021 | LANSING — Many Michigan Conference United Methodist churches received a large packet of materials from the Boy Scouts of Area. In that BSA packet is a document titled, “Participating Chartered Organization Opt-Out Form.”

WARNING … checking that Opt-Out box and returning the document will put your congregation at great financial risk. SHRED OR THROW AWAY THE OPT-OUT FORM. DO NOT check the box. DO NOT opt out. DO NOT return the form. Simply throw the opt-out form away or shred it so it cannot be completed by mistake.

This is a sample of the “Participating Chartered Organization Opt-Out Form” … 

A second form some (not all) churches may have received is titled, “Ballot for Class 9 (Indirect Abuse Claims).” If you received this document, DO NOT ACT on it at this time. Keep it in a safe place where you can find it later. You will receive advice from your District Superintendent and BIshop Bard by the end of November on how to complete that ballot.

This is a sample of the “Ballot for Class 9 (Indirect Abuse Claims)” …

Negotiations are still ongoing at high levels. A final decision has not been made on the best way for United Methodist churches to complete this ballot. That final decision will be coming soon. 

If you have questions regarding these documents, please contact Clergy Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Jennifer Browne at [email protected]. 

Please continue to pray for The United Methodist Church, the Boy Scouts of America, our future relationship with each other, and all the victims of past abuse.

Last Updated on November 22, 2021