Dear family and friends of CUMC,
This Tuesday, February 26 the United Methodist General Conference delegates passed the Traditional Plan with 53% favor in 438 votes.
The Traditional Plan aims to strengthen the denomination’s current position on prohibitions against clergy being “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and pursuing ordination or officiating same-sex union by adding further punitive actions for those who violate the law.
It is disheartening to face this outcome when we seek to be a fully inclusive church by welcoming all people as a Reconciling congregation and as the followers of Jesus who taught us the radical hospitality and love of God through his own life.
While we are hurting with our messy, broken, divided, and wounded church, I ask you to reach out to your LGBTQ family, friends, and allies and let them know that we stand with them and love them. Nothing – not even the institutionalized church laws, nor our biases or fears, can separate us from the love of God in Christ.
I also ask for your prayers for others who might have a different perspective than yours.
We’d better not give up in finding the creative center, the middle, where we can live together despite our disagreements and various theological understandings. I believe that the work of the Spirit builds up the Body of Christ and is neither divisive nor wanting to break us up.
Lastly, but not least, let us pray for our beloved United Methodist Church. Our founder John Wesley went to preach everywhere people were waiting to hear the gospel of grace by proclaiming “the world is my parish,” which embodied his message of God’s salvation for all. We will continue to gather and worship and make disciples for the transformation of the world.
In a darkest and painful time as such as now, God is calling us to be the beacon of love and mercy and compassion. May the Spirit heal us, guide us, and strengthen us for our journey ahead. May God’s grace and justice prevail indeed.
Love and Peace,
Pastor Mi-Sook
Look for a post-General Conference message from the Bishop in a special eNews on Friday, March 1. More coverage will be in the March Reporter and online at www.umcnic.org/GC2019.
After Session Debriefings
Bishop Dyck invites you to join one of three debriefings across the Conference:
…Saturday, March 30 at 9:30 am – Orland Park: Faith UMC, 15101 S 80th Ave., Orland Park.
…Saturday, March 30 at 2 pm – Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington.
…Sunday, March 31 at 3 pm – Oregon UMC, 200 S. 4th St., Oregon.