Reaching New People – This is proven, current, methodology for “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” UMC BOD, 2016, ¶ 120, It utilizes local church strengths and people to “project the church’s presence” into the community. 

The Rev. Melissa Dunlap has agreed to be our consultant. She is coming on Sunday, September 18, from 3-5pm, to lead an introductory workshop. Everyone is welcome with the goal that there will be a Reaching New People team, made up of both volunteer and recruited members, that will meet monthly with our consultant over a twelve-month period. 

This is the second of a series of articles we will present to offer accurate responses to such misperceptions or misinformation. This article focuses on matters relating to human sexuality. The first article in this series focuses on matters relating to theology and pensions. 

We welcome your questions, and invite you to contribute to future articles in this series by sharing what you are hearing about the process of disaffiliation or the future of The United Methodist Church. Write to AskTheUMC@umc.org.

The Vermillion River District of The Illinois Great Rivers Conference voted unanimously to approve the certification of Mr. Isaac Simmons as a candidate for ordained ministry in 2021. The Book of Discipline prohibits “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals” from being certified as candidates for ordination. Mr Simmons identifies as a gay man, but not as a practicing homosexual. He also performs under the drag name, Penny Cost, for the purposes of evangelism in audiences made up of people of many sexual and gender identities. Nothing in the Book of Discipline disqualifies persons who are gay but not practicing or who perform in drag from consideration or certification as a candidate.

The reference to supporting the worship of “Queer God” comes from a chapel service at Duke Divinity School sponsored by an LGBTQ+ student group. Duke Divinity School serves students of many denominations, not just United Methodists. And students of many denominations make up the LGBTQ group that sponsored the service in question, as that service has been described in some publications. Exactly one of the students named is identified as United Methodist, and that student is, at this point, a candidate, not yet clergy in The UMC. Further, such “group sponsored” services represent the views of their sponsoring organization, not the Divinity School, nor its faculty. Such services are not a basis for making any statements about the beliefs or views of The United Methodist Church. General Conference establishes the official statements of The United Methodist Church and its ritual. Chapel services in a seminary do not. 

The bishops of the Western Jurisdiction have publicly stated that they will not "withhold or challenge ordination based on a candidate's gender identity or sexual orientation." 

The statement by the bishops of the Western Jurisdiction also says, "We are unwilling to punish clergy who celebrate the marriage of two adults of any gender or sexual orientation seeking the blessing of God and the Church for their covenanted life together." Bishops do not apply "punishments" as part of the complaint process. Rather, bishops oversee the process to its conclusion. If a church trial is necessary, bishops preside at the church trial. If guilt is found in a church trial, it is not the bishop who imposes a "sentence." It is the jury of peers who both reach a verdict and set a sentence. The Discipline names a mandatory minimum sentence the jury must apply to those found guilty of having conducted a same-sex marriage or union ceremony: one year suspension without pay. No other offense has a mandatory minimum sentence. See ¶2711.3 of the 2019 revision to the Book of Discipline. Since bishops do not "punish" in the complaint process, this statement does not ignore the requirements of the Discipline. Instead, it expresses the intent of the bishops not to be punitive.  

The district superintendents in the Iowa Conference have announced they will "grant contextual permission" for clergy of the conference to preside at same-sex weddings in Iowa effective in January 2022. 

While there are few examples that come close to "ignoring the Discipline," a number of bishops and some cabinets have indicated their commitment, in the words of the Minnesota Conference extended cabinet, to hold in abeyance all... administrative and judicial complaint processes addressing restrictions in the Book of Discipline regarding gay and lesbian clergy and/or same-sex weddings until after General Conference meets and action related to the separation of the denomination can be considered." 

This approach to dealing with such charges began with the development of the so-called Protocol legislation, announced in January 2020.  

While the Protocol legislation has no effect unless or until a General Conference approves it, the process of developing it included a commitment by all of its signers, including key leaders of traditionalist organizations and eight United Methodist bishops from across the connection. Article V of the agreement states, "As one expression of reconciliation and grace through separation, the undersigned agree that all administrative or judicial processes addressing restrictions in the Book of Discipline related to self-avowed practicing homosexuals or same-sex weddings shall be held in abeyance beginning January 1, 2020 through the adjournment of the first conference of the post-separation United Methodist Church. Clergy shall continue to remain in good standing while such complaints are held in abeyance." 

The part of the Protocol agreement calling for abeyance for some period of time, originally signed by eight bishops, has since also been committed to by several other bishops in the United States. Signers of this statement also included Keith Boyette, formerly leader of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and currently leader of the Global Methodist Church. Boyette has separately stated his agreement with a practice of abeyance on such charges until a General Conference can meet to decide next steps.

From https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-is-the-umc-really-part-2

“From what you have, take an offering for the Lord.  Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering.”  Exodus 35:5

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Calling all Shepherds!  If you like working with children (ages PreK - grade 6) and are willing to help distribute materials, and assist children in the classroom, we'd love to have you join our Children's Sunday School team!

Presentation of Bibles to Children September 25.

More information at https://penderumc.org/events/

The Virginia Conference United Women in Faith (UWF) Young Women’s Event will be held Saturday, September 17, from 9:00 a.m. – noon via Zoom. It is open to all young women ages 18-40. They do not need to be a member of United Women in Faith, The United Methodist Church, or any church.

This is a time set aside for young women ages 18 to 40 for their spiritual refreshment and growth. They will consider “Who Can We Be Together? – Building Communities of Hope and Joy.” The Rev. Kendra Grimes, Chaplain and Director of Church Relations at Randolph-Macon College, will lead this mini-retreat.

Sponsored annually by the Virginia Conference United Women in Faith (UWF), this Young Women’s Event will continue this year virtually with no registration fee. However, Please register by Sept. 14 by clicking on this link:  Young Women’s Event Registration  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcodOuvqT4oGdfQ4JhmJgExleR-KKADsfF7, or at www.vaumw.com/events.

Confirmation will be sent by email containing information about joining the meeting.

Information: Marlene Dakita, Va. Conf. UWF Mission Coordinator for Membership, Nurture & Outreach (MNO), mdakita@comcast.net / 703-244-4524 (cell)

Pender Members can add your own events to the calendar through MyPenderPage. 

Log onto MyPenderPage, find "Events" on the menu bar, then "Calendar". On the right top, click on "Add Event" to add it to the Pending Calendar.

If you need a paper form, you can download it here.

You can also help by ordering from Amazon for delivery to WFCM. Rice, beans, canned fruit, diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6), pasta, pasta sauce, etc.