Trinity as a Corps of Discovery

The Annual Conference's vote

  • On Tuesday, 23 May 2023, at 6:30pm, the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church convened a called Annual Conference session specifically to consider the issue of churches disaffiliating under the provisions of paragraph 2553, UMC Discipline. The conference proceeded without issue and the vote allowing eighty-three (83) churches to disaffiliate was 541-yes to 21-no (unofficial numbers). Our credentialed delegates voted. Other members of the congregation viewed the proceedings in the church sanctuary.
  • Trinity is now in position to complete  the remaining requirements of the disaffiliation agreement and seperate from the United Methodist denomination on 30June2023.

The Disaffiliation Agreement

  • Tuesday, 11 April 2023, Trinity representatives signed the formal Disaffiliation Agreement with the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (IAUMC). The Agreement was then emailed to the Chancellor of the IAUMC on 14 April with receipt acknowledged.
  • Wednesday, 5 April: Trinity received her Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the US Internal Revenue Service (date of notice: 04-04-2023) and her Certificate of Incorporation as a non-profit religious corporation (Albia Trinity Church, Inc.) from the Iowa Secretary of State (effective as of March 17, 2023, 2:58PM). We worked through our attorneys at the National Center for Life and Liberty (NCLL) to get these. These documents are on file in our church office.
  • What's next?
  • Tuesday, 23 May 2023: ​Albia Trinity Church will participate in the Bishop's special Called Annual Conference for the purpose of voting on the disaffiliation of select churches.  

The Vote Results

Tuesday, 6 December, 6pm: The District Superintendent, Reverend Doug Cue, convened our Church Conference in the Albia Trinity Church sanctuary in order to vote on a motion to disaffiliate from the United Methodist denomination. The results of the vote were as follows: 103 votes cast, 97 votes Yes, 6 votes No. Disaffiliation passed by 94 percent. For the record, the vote was taken in a quiet, somber mood; there was neither angst nor joy, just a serious necessity.
  • A set draft of bylaws for a proposed nondenominational governance structure is being drafted. These bylaws will become affective, in their final form, on July 1st, 2023. 
  • Members can see the latest version by contacting the church office to receive either an electronic or paper copy to review. This structure seeks to emulate our current faith statement and structure as nearly as possible.

The Second Decision

On Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, Trinity's Administrative Council voted unanimously to form a non-denominational church government effective July 1st, 2023, subject to a vote for disaffiliation by the Church Conference, on 6 December at 6pm in the Albia Trinity Church sanctuary. This vote was taken to offer the congregation something to vote for, not just something to vote against. The bylaws of the new Albia Trinity Church are in draft and being revised by committee appointed the Administrative Council. They will be presented to the congregation when ready.

The First Decision

On Tuesday, October 11th, 2022, Trinity's Administrative Council voted to pursue disaffiliation under the provisions of Paragraph 2553 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. On Wednesday, 12 October, we wrote to the Iowa Annual Conference's Golden Valley District Superintendent to inform him of the decision. We also notified the National Center for Life and Liberty (NCLL) of our decision. (Albia Trinity Church has joined the NCLL, which will help us establish our new identity.) The District Superintendent will schedule a Church Conference vote within one hundred and twenty days. That vote will need two thirds majority of the members present to pass. The only choices will be "Yes" or "No". There is no "Abstain" vote; an abstention is counted as a "No" vote. 
The other choice the Council might have made was to join in a lawsuit brought with the help of the NCLL in order to negotiate a lesser amount of ransom to the Annual Conference. This course of action was rejected by the Council because the timeline for final separation could stretch out indefinitely and there is no guarantee that our ransom payment would be that much reduced. Also, the Lord has provided us with funds that appear sufficient to disaffiliate under Paragraph 2553 without greatly damaging the fiscal health of our church.

The First Vote

Our Administrative Council President said that the Council is humbled by the mandate now set before it; he announced the results during a potluck dinner that was held after the vote on July 17th, 2022. The announcement produced a quiet sense of relief in the congregation for the eighty-nine (89) percent "Yes" majority.  However, there was no cheering or rejoicing. All members understand the hard work is just beginning and that this is a regrettable but necessary path.
Please read below for more information about our preparation for this vote.
We understand that this is not a Church Conference vote pursuant to the UMC Book of Discipline. However, it was necessary to give the Administrative Council the Congregation's advice.

Preparation to Vote

The slides below were presented to our congregation on 26 June 2022 (see YouTube video for that day's service). They were presented in preparation for a vote on remaining in the United Methodist denomination. We are moving ahead to an unknown destination like the Corps of Discovery led by Lewis and Clark. Watch this page for relevant information pertaining to our journey.
We liken the milestone of a congregational vote to Lewis and Clark's decision at the Marias fork of the Missouri River. The success or failure of the entire expedition rested on this decision. Similarly, the future health and witness for Christ of our congregation rests on this decision. 
Updates:
  1. Alternative voting times: those who could not attend worship on July 17th, were allowed in-person early voting at the church office on Wednesday, July 13, from 9:30am to 2:30pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm, and on Thursday, July 14, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. 
  2. Revised Ballot Question: Shall the Administrative Council of Albia Trinity United Methodist Church be authorized to use ways and means to gain congregational ownership of all local church assets from the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, thereby separating Albia Trinity United Methodist Church from the United Methodist denomination to either remain an independent church congregation, or to subsequently affiliate with a denomination of the congregation’s choosing?
    (The ballot question has been slightly revised from what originally briefed to more accurately reflect our context.)
  3. We were helped by a local sister in Christ, not affiliated with our church, who served as independent Auditor and Certifier of our vote results.

Selected Resources for Researching Disaffiliation
from the United Methodist Denomination

Albia Trinity Church
1117 Benton Avenue E
Albia, IA 52531
Office hours:
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.​
Office phone: 641-932-7393
​email: admin@albiatrinity.church
ALBIA TRINITY CHURCH ~ ALBIA IA