After the Special Session of General Conference, I and many others in The United Methodist Church came to the painful conclusion that we just can’t go on like this. Through the legislative process of our church, we came away with winners and losers regarding deeply held faith commitments as they relate to ministry with and by LGBTQ persons.
Read MoreJuly 2020, your delegation of the Northern Illinois Conference will attend the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, July 15-18, where among many other actions, we will elect new Bishops for our Jurisdiction. While the times are uncertain as is the number of Bishops to be elected, we prepare in anticipation.
Read MoreAs we gather for this special annual conference session, I want to take the opportunity to express a few thoughts about where we are as the UMC in light of the Traditional Plan which is to go into effect January 1, 2020. To say that many clergy—LBGTQ and straight as well as concerned and allied laity—are very anxious is to understate the situation.
Read MoreGeneral and jurisdictional delegates from the North Central Jurisdiction released a statement acknowledging and apologizing for harm to LGBTQ individuals in the past and for potential harm that could begin Jan. 1, 2020, when the Traditional Plan goes into effect.
Read MoreAfter a revote, United Methodists around the globe have amended the denomination’s constitution to proclaim “men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God.”
Read MoreLegislation setting special provisions for United Methodist churches deciding to leave the denomination took effect immediately at the end of the special General Conference last February, the church’s top court has ruled.
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