Aftermath - U.S.A.

These are articles with links to official statements of jurisdictions, conferences, organizations, churches, pastors and groups of pastors, news stories, and commentaries of resistance, defiance, non-compliance and revolt against the actions of the General Conference of 2019.

(From WMJM.org 5/3/19 - most old links are dead)

Last Updated: Friday, 03 May 2019 02:17

Published: Saturday, 26 January 2019 16:56

Here is a collection of opinion pieces about the Special Called General Conference of The United Methodist Church held in St. Louis, February 23-26, 2019.

Review this backgrounder on the four major plans, especially this article on the final 78 petitions deemed "in harmony" with the amended call to this Conference.

Important articles from Central Conference members and delegates

The Evil We Vow To Resist

Albert Otshudi Longe is a layperson from the West Congo Annual Conference, currently living in the United States. He is a graduate of United Methodist-related Africa University. He exposes currently-alive neocolonialism in the UMC.

Grace is not up for a vote

The Rev. Israel I. Alvaran is an elder in the Philippines Conference. He is appointed to serve as Western Regional Organizer with Reconciling Ministries Network and is active in WMJM. He writes from the experience of colonization, and points out some parallels with the Traditionalist Plan. He recalls the baptismal covenant as the first covenant with United Methodists.

Read more: What's The Best Way Forward?

By Heather Hahn
Jan. 7, 2020 | UM News article

Across the United States, some United Methodist churches kicked off the year with worship services and other events aimed at showing solidarity with LGBTQ Christians.

At First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, some 575 people packed the 120-year-old sanctuary — including the balcony — for a special Holy Communion service Jan. 5 that sought to affirm the image of God in all people.

“The church itself was just filled with God’s spirit,” said the congregation’s senior pastor, the Rev. David Freeman. “Many people have said, ‘This is what the church should look like. This is what worship should feel like.’”

Read more: Resistance to Traditional Plan accelerates

Same-sex Unions to Be Included in 'Covenantal Celebration'

[An update from Cynthia Astle on happenings this season]

by Cynthia B. Astle
December 19, 2019 (Used by permission of United Methodist Insight.)

First United Methodist Church in Dallas will take a big step into the fray over LGBTQ+ acceptance on Dec. 29 when it holds a special service of blessing for marriage – all marriages, including gay and lesbian couples.

According to a Dallas Morning News article by Sharon Grigsby, On eve of church’s LGBTQ clampdown, Dallas’ First United Methodist will celebrate all marriages in special service, senior pastor the Rev. Andy Stoker says First UMC’s “Covenantal Celebration of Holy Marriage” will be “part pastoral and part social justice.” Ms. Grigsby quotes Rev. Stoker that the event is “about seeing and recognizing all congregation members, to help us really see one another.”

Read more: First UMC Dallas to Bless All Marriages Dec. 29

By Sam Hodges
Dec. 6, 2019 | DALLAS (UM News article)

The South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church is suing Southern Methodist University, claiming the Dallas school improperly moved last month to sever ties with the conference and denomination.

The dispute deals with who has ultimate control over SMU and comes as The United Methodist Church faces uncertainty about its future, given internal division over how accepting to be of homosexuality.

Read more: SC Jurisdiction Sues SMU

by Gilbert H. Caldwell, retired Mountain Sky Clergy
August 9, 2019

Special to United Methodist Insight

Bishop Ernest Lyght has shared with me the letter of the president of Asbury Theological Seminary responding to Asbury students, etc. who have publicly disagreed with the Traditional Plan and its Asbury supporters. Bishop Lyght has called my attention to this portion of the letter:

“We believe that those who are demanding that the Church change its position regarding the Christian view of the body and human sexuality have not offered a compelling biblical, historical, and theological case for such a dramatic change in the historic ethic of the Church." –Timothy C. Tennent, President, Asbury Theological Seminary

I suggest that reflection, discussion, and responding to these words, shaped by prayer, could shape a United, not divided UMC, for the 21st Century. My thoughts: [on UM-Insight]

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