Preparations for General Conference 2019 Observer

The Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church meets February 23 - 26 in St. Louis, Missouri. I will be attending as an observer. (Actually, I am a "credentialed" alternate delegate because I was elected as an alternate delegate for the 2016 North Central Jurisdictional Conference. However, I will not be sitting in any session as a delegate because there are several alternate delegates eligible before me.)

I will be "in the stands" of the former St. Louis Rams football stadium where the conference is being held. I will share information as events unfold at the Conference through this blog, Facebook (Sherry Parker-Lewis) and Twitter (@RevSherry). You can see events live streams at gc.michiganumc.org.

Please keep the delegates in prayer. Let us pray together that the work of the General Conference reflects God's will for the United Methodist Church.

Gracious Discussion in Faithful Community

As the specially called session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church draws near, I am hosting a informational gatherings at the church. The General Conference will meet in St. Louis, Missouri, February 23 - 26, and may take action regarding the United Methodist's guidelines on same sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT persons. Several legislative resolutions have been proposed, including steps to strengthen enforcement of current prohibitions or take away any prohibitive language.

I am talking with congregation members with two goals: first, to provide information and second, to share assurance and hope. This is not a time to fear, but instead, to put our trust in God's will for the church and the resilience of the church.

After the first two gatherings, I am in awe of God's grace. We met at the Whitmore Lake Campus on Sunday, January 27
and at the Brighton Campus on Monday, February 4. While it was clear that those who attended shared different opinions and theological understandings, there was a spirit of kindness and respect. I believe that when believers gather, even if the conversations are challenging, God's grace abounds.

Some have suggested that the leaders of First United Methodist Church plan our response to the actions of General Conference. Of course, we cannot make any kind of plan until we know the outcome of the conference. I pray that decisions made by our denominational leaders are within God's will and will aid in offering Christ to the world. In the meantime, I continue to trust in God's grace and love for the church. Whatever decisions need to be made in the months ahead, our church will make them prayerfully, loving God and one another.

Bishop David Bard, the United Methodist Bishop for Michigan cited Ephesians 4:1-3 as a call to unity of purpose in the name of Jesus Christ. "As a prisoner for the Lord the, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Town Hall Discussions Scheduled to Discuss General Conference 2019

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.

Town Hall Discussions Scheduled to Discuss General Conference 2019

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.