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Dear Members and Friends of Boone United Methodist Church,
Many of you have seen the news over the weekend about an announcement made from the United Methodist Church last Friday regarding a new “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation”. Some of the news articles have been unclear about what this is and what it means. We wanted to offer some clarity.
As you are likely aware, our denomination has reached an impasse regarding matters related to human sexuality in the months since the special session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church last February, 2019. In response to this impasse representatives of major United Methodist advocacy groups and bishops around the world have recently signed an agreement or “Protocol”. Below you will find three important links in order to learn more:
1) The press release, which includes a link to the original protocol.
2) A response from our Bishop Paul Leeland.
3) FAQ that provides helpful answers to further questions you may have.
We invite you to take the time to read these links. We are still processing this ourselves as this is new information for all of us. We are studying the Protocol in order to better understand what it means specifically for Boone UMC so we can better answer any further questions you may have. But there are a couple of important points to highlight.
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This Protocol is a plan that will be submitted for approval by the delegates at General Conference May 5-15, 2020 before anything can be enacted.
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It is significant that representatives from across the varying perspectives worked together to negotiate this protocol. That is a first. And each of these groups has agreed to support the protocol moving forward.
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As Bishop Leeland encouraged us to do, now is the time to “Reflect rather than react” as we listen and pray about what this might mean for all of us.
What we as leaders of Boone UMC continue to know to be true is that our church will continue to “love our community and invite all to discover life with Christ” just as we have been doing. We will continue to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that we do. This is who we are as a church and that has not nor will not change.
Your Servant Leaders,
Boone UMC Clergy and Executive Team:
Rev. Lory Beth Huffman, Senior Pastor
Rev. Vern Collins, Pastor of Discipleship
Rev. Jeff McClain, Pastor of Congregational Care
Chuck Eyler, Chair of Staff Parish Relations Committee
Andy Harkins, Lay Leader
Mary Louise Roberts, Chair of Trustees
Jason Triplett, Chair of Finance
Danielle Wade, Chair of Church Council
David Winkler, Vice-Chair of Church Council
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