Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey observes the results from a Feb. 26 vote for the Traditional Plan, which affirms the church’s current bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex marriage. The vote came on the last day of the 2019 General Conference in St. Louis. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS.
2019 Special Conference Decision |
Pastor Cathy's MessageDear Friends,
Yesterday, the Special Called General Conference of The United Methodist Church approved the Traditionalist Plan. It retains the statement that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, strengthens prohibitions against LGBTQAI clergy, and strengthens punishments against clergy who perform same-sex marriages. The vote was 438 in favor of the Traditionalist Plan and 384 against, a difference of 54 votes. The leadership of our Annual and Jurisdictional Conferences are in prayer and discernment about next steps. Yes, there is a real possibility of a structural division of The United Methodist Church. However, these decisions will need time to form. Our Bishop has scheduled 11 meetings around the Annual Conference over the next few weeks with clergy and lay members to the Annual Conference. Jim Litsinger and Jill Fry are the lay member and alternate lay member for the Dixon United Methodist Church. There will be a meeting this coming Tuesday in Sacramento. Please continue to be in prayer for our Bishop and all of our leadership as they work together to discern God’s calling for this situation. Yours in Christ, Pastor Cathy Morris |