Removal of Harmful Language
Historic decisions ended a 50+ year long stance against LGBTQ people by an overwhelming majority vote of 523 to 161. This effectively ended the United Methodist Church’s exclusion of our queer siblings — a step in the direction of creating more open and diverse community that strives to include everyone.
More here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-ends-52-year-old-anti-gay-stance
Accessibilty
Here in The Channel, disability advocacy is important to us. We rejoice to share that at the General Conference, there was a clear effort to help those with mobility challenges, by providing motorized scooters to those requiring them. This empowered senior delegates, and those with disabilities making the event more functional and comfortable.
More here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/conference-attendees-power-through-mobility-challenges
View all conference images on Flickr here –>
Ordination / Clergy
Without a debate, on May 1st, the denomination removed the ban on self-avowed practicing homosexuals within the clergy. Delegates voted 692 to 51, to remove the 40+ year ban on LGBTQ folx called to ministry. At long last, we can celebrate that LGBTQ persons can share the fullness of their gifts and graces in leadership unobstructed.
More here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/40-year-ban-on-gay-clergy-struck-down
Solar Powered Coffee
As part of an environmental justice initiative, coffee makers utilized solar power. An alternate source of energy for disaster relief was on display – an array of panels and a trailer that can “power a 3,000-square-foot house, run refrigerators and medical devices, cool dialysis equipment and help medical centers.” The self sustaining energy source is from the North Georgia Conference.
More here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/solar-trailer-brings-power-in-disasters-and-coffee-at-conference
End Disaffiliation and Colonialism
The conference formally ended the period of disaffiliation, a pathway for congregations and clergy who wanted to exit the UMC on the basis of LGBTQ legislation. This officially closed the chapter in which about one quarter of the churches in the United States separated from the UMC, who desired to continue practicing rigid bans against LGBTQ folx in their congregations. In the future, re-affiliation will be available to those churches that would like to return to the UMC.
Regionalization also passed by easy margins. This is a plan to geographically reorganize the church, reducing the colonialist impacts of the U.S., by giving more opportunities for contextualized ministry, and more equitable voice and vote to United Methodists throughout the world.
More here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/disaffiliation-ends-regionalization-moves-forward
These stories and images by UMNews