Dear HFUMC Family,

Earlier this Summer, a brief email update was sent to our congregational family providing clarity about recent reports in the news about the United Methodist denomination (read it here). Throughout this year, there have been several significant developments in our denomination including the decision made by the Council of Bishops earlier this Spring to postpone the next General Conference until 2024, the recent launch of the new Global Methodist Church, and subsequent reports of some United Methodist Churches choosing to disaffiliate from the UMC. Though there will not be any official change of polity within the United Methodist Church until the 2024 General Conference, many of these developments have sparked renewed discussions about the future of the UMC in many local churches and conferences. We know that within our own church at HFUMC, many of you have been asking important questions about these developments and how they may potentially impact the future of HFUMC. In light of these important considerations, we feel it is vitally important for our congregation to be well-informed and postured in prayer as we seek God’s will for our future as a local church and denomination. 

On Sunday, August 21st, our HFUMC Council of Stewards approved the formation of a new Education Committee to Discern the Way Forward (ECDWF). The task of this team will be to provide factual, unbiased information to our congregation about the issues currently facing the UMC, while also providing constructive forums for congregants to ask questions and initiate in prayerful dialogue together. To be clear, the ECDWF will not be responsible for making any decisions on behalf of HFUMC. Rather, the scope of work within this team will be to educate the congregation on the issues facing the United Methodist Church as they relate to HFUMC and to facilitate a fair and open discourse so that the congregation is informed. The committee will be posting summaries of committee meetings and educational information via email, the church website, and hard copies outside the church office.

The ECDWF is a 12-member team, composed of individuals who exhibit the gifts of spiritual discernment and deep care for HFUMC. This team also provides representation of the many different ages and backgrounds within our congregation. The members of the ECDWF are: 

1. Dennis D. Cavin (Chair)
2. David Bair (Chair of Staff Parish Relations Committee)
3. Ted Brown 
4. Dave Cleary
5. Mike Fussell (Chair of Christian Legacy Committee)
6. Kelley Hess
7. Don Hutchinson (Senior Pastor)
8. Mary Cay Koen
9. Patrick Parker (Chair of HFUMC Trustees)
10. Tracey Silverman (Chair of Council of Stewards)
11. Joshua Strader (Associate Pastor of Connections)
12. Rebecca Wells (Chair of Children First Committee)

We are deeply thankful for the team members and their commitments of service and discernment during this important season. In the coming weeks, the ECDWF will be providing information and opportunities for congregants to learn, share thoughts, and join in the discernment process as we seek the Holy Spirit to guide our discussions, awareness, and considerations as a church body. We invite you to join us in concerted prayer for this team, HFUMC, and the future of the UMC.

If you have questions about the ECDWF or the scope of their work, please feel welcome to contact Dennis Cavin, the ECDWF Chair (cavindd@gmail.com), Pastor Don (don.hutchinson@hfumc.org), Pastor Joshua (joshua.strader@hfumc.org), or myself (tracey.b.silverman@gmail.com). 

Thank you for your ongoing commitments to HFUMC and Christ.

In Christ's Love,

Tracey Silverman, Chairperson 

Council of Stewards