November 2022 Special Newsletter

HUMAN SEXUALITY & THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

An Update on the Challenges

2022

This special newsletter is offered as a resource to help you understand the ongoing division in The United Methodist Church regarding questions of human sexuality and how LGBT+ persons ought to be included in the life of the church Inside you will find a brief overview of the history of this debate in our denomination, resources to help you if you'd like to learn more, and information about our Conference's process for churches desiring to leave the UMC

This resource does not address the underlying theological questions of sexuality, marriage, and ordination. Some resources related to those topics are provided inside, and Pastor Katie would be glad to talk with you more if you have any questions

A communion chalice broken at the 2004 General Conference in protest of the church's stance on homosexuality mended and returned to the altar

Inside

A Brief Timeline of

Events

02 03

2553: A Process for

from the UMC

04

in the BWC

05

What Does the UMC Say

Sexuality?

06

07 08

New

the only body that can make change to The Book of Discipline

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

A regional, organizational unit of the UMC, and the yearly business meeting of that unit, both presided over by a bishop We are part of the Baltimore Washington Conference

BISHOP

A general superintendent of the church, assigned to a regional area Bishops are clergypersons elected and consecrated to their office.

A Brief Timeline of Important Events

2019

The United Methodist Church is formed There has been disagreement about human sexuality and LGBT+ inclusion from the start of the UMC

The General Conference asks the bishops to help lead the denomination out of the ongoing and escalating debate about human sexuality. In response to this request, the Commission on a Way Forward is created

The 32 member Commission was appointed to examine paragraphs in The Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and explore options to strengthen the unity of the church

The Commission releases three plans for the future of the UMC

The One Church Plan, endorsed by the Council of Bishops, would allow but not require UM clergy to perform same gender weddings where legal, and allow but not require annual conferences to ordain LGBT+ pastors

The Traditionalist Plan would maintain the church's teaching on human sexuality and increase accountability for those who do not follow those teachings.

The Connectional Conference Plan would create "values based connectional conferences" that allow churches and clergy to choose a conference that aligns with their views

A special session of the General Conference is called to consider the three plans put forward by the Commission

The Traditionalist Plan passes by 438 (54%) to 384 (47%)

1968

2016

2018

The Protocol is a bundle of legislations to be sent to the 2020 General Conference. If adopted, it would:

create a pathway for traditionalists to leave the UMC; allow churches to keep assets and employees to retain pensions; give $25 million over 4 years to a new traditionalist Methodist denomination

Helpful Terms

LGBT+

An acronym for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender," and an umbrella term used to describe the community as a whole

TRADITIONALIST

Someone with the traditional view that marriage is for one man and one woman, and who believes the church should not support or allow other expressions of marriage or sexuality

Someone who believes the church can include a diverse range of views and practices on marriage and sexuality, regardless of their personal view

PROGRESSIVE

Someone who believes in expressions of marriage and sexuality beyond the traditional view, and who believes the church should support and allow LGBT+ weddings and LGBT+ clergy

In response to this further postponement of General Conference, traditionalist leaders in the UMC launch a new traditionalist Methodist denomination This new denomination is named the Global Methodist Church.

The Protocol loses many of its endorsements and is no longer considered by many to be the most viable path forward

2019

An ad hoc group begins messting with a professional mediator Traditionalist, centrist, and progressive views are represented After several months of work, they release A Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation through Separation

2020

The scheduled 2020 General Conference, which was prepared to vote on the Protocol legislation, is postponed to 2021 due to the COVID 19 pandemic

2021

General Conference is further postponed to 2022, again due to the COVID 19 pandemic

CENTRIST

2022

General Conference is postponed to 2024 Organizers cite long projected wait times for visas as the primary reason for postponement Conducting General Conference virtually is discussed, but is not seen as a viable option

PARAGRAPH 2553

A Process for Disaffiliation from the UMC

Since 1796, there has been a provision in the Book of Discipline that states that a local church holds its property in trust for the benefit of the entire denomination. At the special session of General Conference in 2019, legislation was passed that relates to this trust clause It can be found in paragraph 2553 of the Discipline and is titled "Disaffiliation of a Local Church Over Issues Related to Human Sexuality

Paragraph 2553 outlines a process by which a local church can leave the UMC with its building and property The church must be seeking disaffiliation for " reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self avowed practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference OR the related actions or inactions of its annual conference " There is a time limit: the provisions of paragraph 2553 expire on December 31, 2023, and the process for disaffiliation must start early enough to complete all steps by this date.

While paragraph 2553 spells out some of the requirements for disaffiliation, the detailed terms and conditions are to be established between the individual local church and the Annual Conference Board of Trustees The motion to disaffiliate must be approved by a two thirds majority of the members of a church present and voting at a well publicized Church Conference, and ratified by a majority of members at a session of the Annual Conference

Helpful Terms

TRUST CLAUSE

The United Methodist trust clause is a statement included in legal documents declaring that the property of a local church or UM body are held "in trust" for the benefit of the entire denomination

This means that if, at any point, it becomes clear the congregation can no longer or chooses to no longer function as part of the UMC, it forfeits all rights to continue to hold the property, and the property and other assets transfer to the denomination.

DISAFFILIATION

A local church choosing to disaffiliate is choosing to end its relationship with The United Methodist Church After disaffiliation, the church would no longer be called United Methodist

CHURCH CONFERENCE

A meeting in which all members of a local United Methodist church are invited to attend and are extended the privilege of vote

Disaffiliation Cost

Specified local church payments, which apply to all disaffiliating churches:

A payment of 50% of the assessed value of the local church property

A payment of an additional 12 months of mission shares

A payment of the church's pro rata share of the unfunded pension obligation

Unspecified local church payments, which may apply to some disaffiliating churches:

A payment of any unpaid mission shares from the 12 months prior to the disaffiliation date

Payment of all outstanding loans from the Conference Trustees Congregation will pay off all third party debts, loans, and liabilities, or transfer them to the new church entity before the disaffiliation date

Congregation will return to the donor or the donor's heirs and assignees any restricted funds or endowments

Disaffiliation Discernment in the BWC

The Baltimore Washington Conference Trustees have established the following activity based process for churches exploring disaffiliation:

Contact the District Superintendent, who will provide a detailed packet about the entire process.

Host a viewing of "Stay or Go: Real Talk for United Methodists Exploring Their Future " This webinar brought together a panel of leaders with diverse perspectives to share about their visions for ministry in the UMC and outside the UMC after separation.

2018

Offer a four week study using the book "Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and The United Methodist Church " This book was written to help readers understand the debate on human sexuality within the UMC and what it means for the present and the future.

Host a forum open to the entire congregation and including the District Superintendent The goal of this forum is to create safe space for questions and answers that have arisen through the steps above.

Share the general terms and conditions from the Conference Board of Trustees and the calculation of the church's withdrawal liability payment from the Conference Board of Pensions with all professing members of the congregation.

Once a congregation has completed the steps above, they will work with their District Superintendent to schedule a church conference to vote on the disaffiliation general terms and conditions If a two thirds majority vote to disaffiliate is obtained, the Conference Trustees will then develop the Disaffiliation Agreement and work to have a Disaffiliation Resolution introduced at the next Annual Conference

What does the UMC say about sexuality?

The United Methodist Church has a long history of differing views about human sexuality.

The United Methodist Church affirms that sexuality is "God's good gift to all persons " The Church believes that all people are of sacred worth and are equally valuable in the sight of God The Church "implores families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends." These beliefs are outlined in the UMC's official statement on Human Sexuality; you can find more information on the resources page of this newsletter

The UMC's Constitution specifics the inclusiveness of the church: all persons may become members of a local church without respect to sexual orientation and practice, and everyone is welcome to worship and actively participate in the life of our churches (Paragraph 4, Article IV "Inclusiveness of the Church")

Since 1972, The Book of Discipline has maintained the position that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" (Paragraph 304 3) This draws a distinction between orientation and practice, or behavior

The Discipline also includes restrictions regarding clergy Pastors may not be "self avowed, practicing homosexuals" (Discipline Paragraph 304 3) and may not conduct ceremonies that celebrate same sex weddings or unions Such ceremonies also may not be held on church property (Discipline Paragraph 341 6)

Many United Methodists agree with and follow these restrictions And many United Methodists disagree with these restrictions, and some do not follow them In the Baltimore Washington Conference, openly gay clergy have been ordained and appointed to ministry Some pastors and churches have chosen to host and celebrate same sex weddings, and some people feel that there has not been appropriate accountability for this violation of our current church law

"Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may."

JOHN WESLEY

More Resources

There are many more resources than those listed here, but these are a good place to start Additionally, Pastor Katie is always glad to talk with you more about the challenges facing our denomination or the theological disagreements that underlie them

BWC "Resources for Disaffiliation"

A regularly updated page on the Baltimore Washington Conference website with information about disaffiliation generally and details specific to BWC

bwcumc org/administration/resources for disaffiliation/

UM News Service umnews org

The official source of comprehensive information and news about The United Methodist Church.

Webinar Recordings from the Baltimore-Washington

"Real Talk: Stay or Go Webinar," an April 2022 webinar with panelists from our Conference sharing their diverse perspectives on disaffiliation from the UMC

"Setting the Record Straight," a September 2022 webinar with Bishop Easterling addressing misinformation and confusion about the current state and future of the UMC

Both of these webinars can also be accessed at the BWC's "Resources for Disaffiliation" webpage listed above

Wespath Benefits & Investments FAQs

Wespath is the UMC's benefits and investments agency, and has been planning for various potential scenarios that might affect the future UMC This FAQ answers questions regarding church and conference disaffiliation Additional information is available on Wespath's website.

wespath org/assets/1/7/5857 pdf

Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality & The UMC

by David L Barnhart, Jr , Jill M Johnson, Rebekah Jordan Gienapp, & Alex Joyner

This book is designed to help readers understand the shape of the UMC's debate and what it means for the present and future. Each chapter includes background on the Bible, Christian theology, history, stories from diverse viewpoints, and United Methodist structure and practice to guide reflection and conversation

Available at cokesbury com or wherever you buy books online

So What's Next at New Hope?

The Administrative Council and other church leaders continue to follow news from our denomination closely. We are committed to keeping our congregation informed and acting with transparency. At this time, the Council does not feel that pursuing disaffiliation from the UMC is the next best step for our church; if you feel differently, we want to hear from you so we can fully and faithfully engage the necessary discernment process.