RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE UNITED METHODIST MOTORCYCLE  ENTHUSIASTS  (UMME) AS AN OFFICIAL AFFILIATE MINISTRY OF THE  
CENTRAL TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

  Presented by United Methodist Motorcycle Enthusiasts (UMME) Founders, Guy and Rev. Cathy Mordecai at the June 2005 Conference Session.  
 

WHEREAS the UMME are motorcycle riders who since July 2002 have formed chapters  
                     within their home churches to promote the Christian fellowship through a     
                     common interest and to provide a safe riding experience;

 WHEREAS there are currently six active chapters within the Central Texas Conference  
                     (Corsicana, Comanche, Granbury, Lorena, Mansfield and Round Rock), as  
                     well as established chapters in Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware, Indiana  
                     and Michigan, and chapters in the process of becoming established in  
                     California, Florida, Tennessee, Nevada and the Philippines;

 WHEREAS  these chapters are involved in local missions and support of local churches 
                     and are an effective means of outreach and of relational  evangelism; 
 
WHEREAS there are strict guidelines governing each chapter’s structure, activities and  
                     business, including the requirement that all chapter officers and governing 
                     board  members must be members of a local United Methodist Church, 
                     although membership in UMME is not limited to United Methodists;  
                    
WHEREAS each rider and chapter member signs a form releasing the UMME chapter,  
                    and the United Methodist Church from liability in the case of injury, damage  
                    or loss of life;  

WHEREAS the UMME Code of Conduct states that “any and all riders while  
                     representing UMME must conduct themselves in a respectful Christian  
                     manner and practice safe riding habits, so as not to cast a bad reflection on  
                     himself or herself, their UMME chapter, or the United Methodist Church;”  

WHEREAS UMME has been endorsed by the Pleasant Grove UMC in Corsicana as an  
                    official ministry of that church, and therefore was granted approval by the  
                    General Council on Ministries to use the Cross and Flame logo and the title  
                    “United Methodist;”  

WHEREAS UMME is in conversation with the General Board of Discipleship seeking  
                     recognition as an affiliate ministry, and anticipates being on the agenda  
                     for the 2008 General Conference (meeting in Ft. Worth) to vote on that  
                     recognition;  

WHEREAS recognition as an affiliate ministry places no requirement of financial  
                    obligation upon the local church, the Annual Conference or the General
                    Church;  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:  That the Central Texas Annual Conference approves  
                     and endorses the United Methodist Motorcycle Enthusiasts as an official  
                     affiliate ministry of the Conference, amenable to the Annual Conference  
                     through the Witness Council of Mission Ministries.