As the current and recent chairs of the church's governing committees, we are writing to provide you with an update regarding an important process that is happening now in The United Methodist Church. 

 

The world-wide governing body of our denomination will hold a specially-called session in February 2019.  The purpose of the session is to consider proposals addressing provisions in the church's governing document, The Book of Discipline, regarding human sexuality and options to maintain and strengthen unity of our global church.  Although The United Methodist Church is bound together by a shared mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, differing beliefs exist -- across our global church -- around how the church should minister to LGBTQ people.  Closer to home, we recognize and value the fact that members of the Myers Park United Methodist Church family also hold differing beliefs and emotions about human sexuality.  This diversity of opinion was reflected in our church-wide discussions about same gender marriage two years ago.

 

Although the specific features of the proposals to be considered in February will not be known until mid-to-late summer, we are communicating now to assure you that our church's leadership is actively monitoring  and prayerfully considering these developments.  We will keep you apprised as the proposals for "A Way Forward" become more clear and will provide opportunities for education, prayer, and discussion. 

 

We ask everyone in our church family to approach these issues with respect, love and openness to each other and the church as a whole.  In all of our efforts, we will be guided by the fundamental principles embodied in our MPUMC mission statement: "We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others." 

Dick Carter, Will Barr, Mark Kinghorn, Jim Rodgers, Richard Wood, Dennis Soter, John Clarkson, Beverly Shull, Tina Weinberg, Tom Harrall, Johanna Anderson, Michelle Vigor, Kate Maynard, Fred Bright