On February 23-26, 2019 the United Methodist
Church will hold a special session of the General Conference in St. Louis,
Missouri. Delegates will gather to consider proposals regarding church policy for
same-sex marriage and ordaining and appointing LGBT clergy.
In 2016, the General Conference found itself
at an impasse on issues of human sexuality. Current church rule (The Discipline of the United Methodist
Church) prohibits clergy from performing same-sex marriage and
“self-avowed, practicing homosexuals” are not allowed to serve as clergy in our
churches. Many in the church accept these rules and many do not. These
differences are made all the more challenging because the United Methodist
Church spans continents and cultures.
“The Commission on a Way Forward”, a diverse
group appointed by the Council of Bishops, has offered three different plans
for Conference delegates to consider in February. You will find more
information about the plans in handouts provided on the information table
outside the sanctuary or in the Community Room.
Bishop David Bard has prepared a recorded
presentation that explains the plans and changes that would follow if a plan is
adopted. You can view the video here.
I have scheduled town halls to discuss the
plans and future of the United Methodist Church and invite you to attend:
Sunday, January 27 at 11:00 (Whitmore Lake Campus); Monday, January 28 at noon
with lunch provided (Brighton Campus); Monday, February 11 at 6:30 pm
(Brighton) and February 17 at noon (Brighton).
Please keep these delegates who will attend
this General Conference and the United Methodist Church in your prayers.
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