Reports for information

The Uniting Table coordinates the conference's mission and ministry through four Vision Teams tied to its four pillars. This report shares its 2035 visioning, the development of proposed Strategic Priorities, the 2027 budget it affirmed, and the resolutions it forwards to the Annual Conference.

Spells out the four proposed Strategic Priorities for the conference—trust, discipleship, belonging and voice, and breaking barriers with neighbors—each with a short statement of intent that delegates are invited to live into.

The Standing Rules Committee explains that the Standing Rules provide the framework for how the conference conducts its work, organizes leadership, and meets its responsibilities under the Book of Discipline, and lists the committee's members.

Describes the Finance Table's Disciplinary purpose, 2025 receipts and the proposed 2027 budget, and sets out the conference's operating policies—the funds list, the apportionment formula, fund-balance and carryover rules, DS compensation formula, approved conference-wide offerings, and audit and fiscal-year requirements.

Sets the conference's reimbursement rules for official in-conference meetings—mileage, meals, lodging, childcare, and flight-booking timelines—and encourages digital meetings and local-church support for delegates attending Annual Conference.

The Audit Committee, which reports to the Finance Table, is reviewing audits of the 2025 financial statements; the Río Texas Conference and Board of Pensions audits will be published in the Conference Journal later in 2026. Lists the committee's members.

The Board of Pensions chairperson reviews the Board's oversight of clergy and lay benefits in partnership with Wespath, including the new Compass Pension Plan (effective Jan. 1, 2026) and HealthFlex, and notes three reports submitted for conference action.

Affirms that the restricted Rio Grande Legacy Fund will continue funding employer benefits (Compass, CPP, HealthFlex, and UMPIP) for clergy appointed to former Rio Grande Conference legacy churches, in keeping with the 2015 Contribution Agreement.

Describes the 2027 church direct-billing structure for clergy benefits (Compass, CPP, and UMPIP) and explains the plans involved, including the new Compass Pension Plan that replaces CRSP and the historical pension plans from 1972 to 2025.

Details the 2027 HealthFlex health benefits: four medical plans, an average 8.6% rate increase, a $1,182/month individual premium credit (up 8%), transition and family grants, 2027 rate tables, default plans, and ancillary benefits.

Notes that the 2025 financial statements of the Rio Texas Conference are being audited and that the completed audit will appear in the 2026 Conference Journal.

A 'For Information Only' report naming the 2026-27 Pension and Health Benefits Budget; no budget figures or table accompany the heading in the report text.

The Transforming Communities Vision Team equips, educates, and supports congregations in mission, ethnic concerns, and justice, promoting 5-Star Giving through the Advance Program and engaging the Board of Church and Society and Native American Ministries.

The Uniting Peoples Vision Team fosters unity, witness, communication, justice, and intercultural competency, pursuing eight focus areas for 2025-2028 and launching a Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring process at the 2026 Annual Conference; it has absorbed the work of the Anti-Racism and Equity Coalition.

Disaster Response reorganized into three districts with sub-district coordinators, responded to devastating 2025 floods across the conference with UMCOR kits and rebuilding teams, faces a Sager Brown warehouse closure, and is transitioning leadership from Eugene Hileman to Jim Balthazar on July 1.

The Anti-Racism and Equity Coalition states its values and animates the conference to embody Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; it recounts 2025-2026 work with consultant Pam Benson Owens, Divine Conversations gatherings, and its new connection to the Uniting Peoples Vision Team, then lays out near-, medium-, and long-term goals developed with the Bishop and Cabinet.

Reports 2025 Rio Texas giving to Global Ministries—missionary support, Advance project support, and UMCOR Special Focus giving totaling $248,027.56—names supported missionaries and 2026 itinerating missionaries, recognizes St. John's UMC Austin, and lists the conference's six active deaconesses.

UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) is a church-wide Special Sunday and one of two requirements for Five Star status; Rio Texas churches gave $22,171.77 in 2025 (down 6.4%), with San Antonio La Trinidad giving the largest single offering of $10,293.75.

Explains the Rio Texas Advance as an accountable, designated giving channel where 100% of each gift reaches its project, defines the five mission criteria for Five Star status, and reports 62 congregations earned Five Star status in 2025; the report includes a district-by-district roster of those churches.

Introduces the UMC General Board of Church and Society (umcjustice.org) as the home for the denomination's social justice concerns, noting it offers statements (including one protecting transgender civil and human rights), education, and training resources for local churches.