Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
– The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 368
I have been a United Methodist my entire life. During confirmation class in junior high I learned that The United Methodist Church has a complicated past to say the least. Like a windshield hit by a rock the UMC has had many fractures and splits over theological and leadership differences through its long history.
Today we are continuing to face the pressures of a changing and complicated society that is challenging us as a worldwide church. From February 23 to 26 a special General Conference of The United Methodist Church will be held in St. Louis to consider 78 legislative petitions regarding The United Methodist Church’s stance on homosexuality. This is a conversation that has been ensuing for decades without any forward movement. This conversation has not undone us as a church to this point and I have faith that we as a church will see our way through this challenging time, because the solid rock of our church, no matter our individual theologies and beliefs, is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
With that said, three main proposals will be presented at the General Conference and their full texts are available at www.umc.org I encourage you to read these proposals before February 23, and I invite any questions or conversations regarding the General Conference and the proposals they are considering. For those who would like to hear more information about the special General Conference and the legislation that is being considered, we will have a prayer and questions session on Sunday, February 17 after the 9:30am worship service.
Above all, I seek your prayers for The United Methodist Church and our church leaders as they prepare to gather, dialog and vote on this important matter, and as they work to help us move forward to focus on our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
To God be the glory, amen.
Blessings, Pastor Stacy