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A word from the Pastors on General Conference

Dear Harrisburg UMC Family,

As many of you already know, the special called session of the UMC General Conference met earlier this week to discuss three proposed plans that grew out of the work of the Way Forward Commission. Here is a brief overview of those three plans:

  • Traditional Plan
    Retains the current prohibitions of the Book of Discipline regarding same-sex marriage and the ordination of what the Discipline calls “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals.” This plan also strengthens penalties against clergy who perform same-sex marriage ceremonies or conferences that ordain “self-avowed, practicing” gay clergy.
  • One Church Plan
    Would remove the restrictive language of the Book of Discipline regarding homosexuality and would allow local churches to contextualize its ministry to LGBTQ persons. Each local parish could establish its own policy regarding same-sex weddings. Each Annual Conference could establish its own policy regarding the ordination of LGBTQ United Methodists.
  • Connectional Conference Plan
    Each annual conference would vote to affiliate with a new jurisdiction based on its theology of human sexuality.

The One Church Plan, which was supported by a majority of our bishops and American delegates, failed to pass, defeated by majority vote. A version of The Traditional Plan passed by a vote of 438-384. A total of 412 votes were needed for passage. The vote being this close is indicative of the deep division in our denomination over these questions.

At the moment, what all of this means for the future of the United Methodist Church related to outcome of this General Conference is unclear. As with all decisions made by the General Conference, the Judicial Council will be examining the Traditional Plan. It is a definite possibility that much of what was included in that plan will be deemed unconstitutional by the Judicial Council. For more information about the specifics of what happened and what the next few days and weeks might look like, we recommend that you visit the United Methodist Church homepage (www.umc.org).

For some in the United Methodist denomination, the decision of General Conference has been met with joy and relief. For others, this decision is a source of great pain and grief. For us as your pastors, our hearts are heavy for those who feel that they do not have a place in the church. We regularly teach and preach that God deeply loves all people. The pastors of Harrisburg UMC will continue to bear witness to the wideness of God’s mercy and love that is so much bigger than any limits we might attempt to put on it.

Regardless of any decisions made by General Conference or the Judicial Council, our work here at Harrisburg UMC remains unchanged: to cultivate authentic relationships with Jesus Christ by worshiping God, growing disciples, and loving our neighbors. We will continue to faithfully proclaim the love, mercy, and welcome of God for all people. Our church will continue to open its doors for everyone and we will continue striving to be a safe place for all people to experience the life-giving grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you would like to speak with any of your pastors, please reach out and let us know. We are here for you – to pray, weep, question, and seek understanding together, trusting that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead and guide us. We love all of you and we love the work that God calls and equips us to do at Harrisburg UMC!

 

Grace and Peace,

Toni Ruth and Wes