Brothers and sisters in Christ,
I want to reach out to you after the General Conference decision two days ago. The Traditional Plan with restrictive language against the LBGTQIA community was passed, causing much hurt and pain. It is true that approximately 2/3 of the delegates from the United States voted against this plan. It is also true that we are a global church, and approximately 40% of the voting delegates come from outside the United States. We are a divided church.
The Plan will be reviewed by the Judicial Council of our denomination to determine its constitutionality. They meet again at the end of April.
For now - we in the Mountain Sky Conference, along with our sisters and brothers in the Western Jurisdiction, continue to live the values of the One Church Plan. We have a diversity of thought and opinion. We have traditionalists, centrists, and progressives in ministry together. I affirm the values of welcome and inclusiveness, of diversity and hospitality. We need each other. We need each other in the Body of Christ. I stand with you as you witness to the grace of God in the way you love your neighbors - all of your neighbors.
I am grateful for your ministry. I am grateful for your care and support for us as we made our witness at General Conference. Thank you for being the church.
May our attitudes, our words, our actions, reflect the spirit of Christ in the way we live.
If you have questions or concerns or simply need to talk, please be in touch. We are in this together.
Blessing,
Rev. Jan Witman
Montana West District
Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church
(406) 315.8122
PO Box 541
Great Falls, MT 59403
jwitman@mtnskyumc.org
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