A Healthy Conversation


 

A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.The United Methodist Church (UMC) is preparing for the 2019 General Conference in February. The Commission on The Way Forward was established in 2016 to help the UMC find a new path forward on the topic of Human Sexuality. We are the last large umbrella denomination that has not split over this issue, and we are trying to find a different path forward.

On November 11 (from 2:00 – 4:00pm) and on November 14 (from 6:00 – 8:00pm), BUMC will host Healthy Conversations for The Way Forward. (These sessions will be the same and are offered twice to allow you to pick the one most convenient for you.)

Purpose: To share resources and model healthy conversation about the UMC’s A Way Forward in preparation for the called General Conference 2019.|

Objectives:
1. Share updates on progress and resources from the Commission on a
Way Forward
2. Engage participants in modeling healthy conversations.
3. Empower participants to have healthy conversations – not ignoring the
topic, not advocating for any position – leading to understanding of
where our congregations are in relation to where we are individually,
and how that impacts our point of view.

This time together will include information sharing and it will include practicing healthy conversations around difficult topics.

 

Background: The Commission on The Way Forward was established in 2016 to help the UMC find a new path forward on the topic of Human Sexuality. We are the last large umbrella denomination that has not split over this issue, and we are trying to find a different path forward.

In February 2019, the work of the Commission will be brought to a called session of the General Conference in order to try and vote on and approve a plan for the UMC. This conversation will present the three options our delegates will be considering. While there are a lot of unknowns, we want the congregation to be informed about these important decisions that are happening and to begin to prepare for what that might mean for our church. Above all, we want to hold our leaders in our prayers as we wait for the outcome in February.