March 9, 2021

Friends,

Last week we shared the news that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to another postponement of the 2020 General Conference. It will now be held August 29 - September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis. Click here to read the details, including a summary of the work that will be done this spring and summer.

We have also now learned that the traditionalists who are planning to leave the UMC have chosen Global Methodist Church as the name for the denomination they plan to launch. “We’re proceeding according to plan, which is we would legally form and operationalize the Global Methodist Church upon adoption of the implementation legislation for the protocol,” Rev. Keith Boyette, chair of the transitional leadership council for the Global Methodist Church, shared in a recent interview for a UM News article.

We lament the delay of General Conference and the delay this creates in our work for full LGBTQ+ inclusion, but we also understand the concerns that led to this decision. We feel that it is good news that the traditionalist group forming the Global Methodist Church remains committed to the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation legislation. Passage of the Protocol would pave the way for the post-separation UMC to remove the sections from the Book of Discipline which are harmful to our LGBTQ+ siblings, and help us live into our calling as fully inclusive disciples of Jesus Christ.

Why do we do what we do?
Each of us has a story to tell about our words and actions related to the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ siblings in our Church and our world. Virginia Methodists for a New Thing feels that it is important that we hear a multitude of voices across our Annual Conference sharing your motivations, your inspiration, your fears, your concerns on this topic. Hearing others' stories helps us to reflect on our own story, our own reasons for doing what we do. Hearing others' stories can also help us clarify our own values, call us to more faithful actions, and give us courage. We are a community here to support and inspire one another.

We have created an anonymous form you can use to share your story. Click here to access it. Answer as many or as few prompts as you feel called to answer. We have shared our two newest stories below. Scroll down and be inspired. 

Thanks for being a part of this movement of the Holy Spirit in Virginia and beyond.

Grace and Peace,

Josh Blakely
Rev. Beth Givens
Rev. Kendra Grimes
Alison Malloy
Rev. Jonathan Page
Ashley Parker