Here is the email the Senior Pastor sent out today:
Dear ,
You may have already seen in the press some mention of a plan for separation of The United Methodist Church into conservative and liberal entities. As you are surely aware, the people of The UMC have not been of one mind about the issue of homosexuality since the early 1970's. We even had a special called session of General Conference in February 2019 in an attempt to address the issue in a constructive way.
While the proposal that has been released to the press is of interest, please remember that it is only one proposal constructed by a small group. It will assuredly be offered at the next regularly scheduled General Conference, which is scheduled for May 2020. Many other similar plans/proposals will probably also be offered at General Conference by other groups. You are seeing this one because the group that constructed it released it to the press.
Our Bishop has released a statement about it, which out of respect for her I share below.
Dear United Methodist friends,
Grace and peace to you in this new year.
I write to encourage your gracious and prayerful attention to the proposal for the future of the United Methodist Church released today by a diverse group of United Methodist leaders. The proposal is the outcome of a skillfully mediated process in which these leaders came to a unanimous sense of possibility for our future. The proposal is offered to the church in humility and hope. I urge you to read the proposal and accompanying resources.
Styled by some media as a split, all the participants understand this to be a continuity of the UMC with provisions for separation for those who desire to do so.
As the year unfolds, there will be continued discussion and discernment relative to this proposal across the church as we move toward the General Conference in May. General Conference is the place where any decision will be made.
Thank you for your prayers for our church in this time and for your patience and perseverance. Together let us share strong hope for ministry configurations of our shared life that offer space for all to worship, grow in grace, and serve with faithfulness and joy.
With the shared confidence we have in God's providence, power, and grace,
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward
My friends, please remember that the only group that can speak on behalf of, and make decisions for, The United Methodist Church is the General Conference. No one bishop can do that, nor can the Council of Bishops. Also, just because a plan is leaked to the press doesn't mean it will pass as legislation at General Conference.
With that said, if you are so inclined feel free to read the proposal and accompanying resources by following the links below:
https://cdnsc.umc.org/-/media/umc-media ... Separation
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/protocol ... ration-faq
It is good to stay informed about the possibilities surrounding the future of our denomination. However, while you are staying informed, please also make it a priority to pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit in the decisions of General Conference, in the lives of all of our church leaders, and in all of our local congregations. Pray for peace, for clarity, for hope, and that the cause of Christ would be lifted up. And even if, at the end of the day, we do not agree on what the cause of Christ looks like, I hope you will join me in praying that we can have that conversation in Christian love.