COMING UP SOON
Vacation Bible School & Summer Theater
are both full!
Call or email us if you'd like to be added to the waiting list.
Head here for a volunteer form for VBS!
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From the Pastor’s Pen
UNITED OR UNTIED METHODISTS?
This week, the UM Judicial Council (our Supreme Court for the denomination) met in Evanston to decide about legislation passed this past February at our Special General Conference on the issue of homosexuality. We have emailed news about that event to you in the past, but wanted to give an update about where First UMC La Grange stands now. Our Church Leadership Council voted to remain a Reconciling congregation, no matter the denomination’s decision. We are committed to ministry with the LGBTQ community and all persons, in our leadership and in all our work.
The legislation passed in February by one third of our U.S. delegates and others of our global delegates was to add punitive measures for clergy and bishops who do not follow the U.M. Discipline restrictions to NOT ordain LGBTQ pastors, and to NOT perform weddings of LGBTQ persons.
Our congregation has begun forming a task force to investigate our options for moving forward as a Reconciling congregation. Contact Pastor Lisa or Hattie if you are interested in serving. We will be considering steps taken by our annual conference (which may also form a task force to consider options for a new way forward), and we will be in consultation with our annual conference reconciling churches. We will also consider options for connecting with the Western Jurisdiction UM churches, which have said they will not abide by the punitive measures passed in February. We may also look into affiliating with other inclusive denominations, or going solo. Many aspects of ministry need to be considered, such as theology, leadership structure, pastor recruitment, pension and insurance support, property insurance and ownership, mission engagement and support.…
We hope and pray that we will find positive ways to continue to build on our inclusive United Methodist history and traditions, and to continue to support our inclusive global mission outreach.
Blessed to be on the journey of faith with you,
Pastor Lisa
UNITED OR UNTIED METHODISTS?
This week, the UM Judicial Council (our Supreme Court for the denomination) met in Evanston to decide about legislation passed this past February at our Special General Conference on the issue of homosexuality. We have emailed news about that event to you in the past, but wanted to give an update about where First UMC La Grange stands now. Our Church Leadership Council voted to remain a Reconciling congregation, no matter the denomination’s decision. We are committed to ministry with the LGBTQ community and all persons, in our leadership and in all our work.
The legislation passed in February by one third of our U.S. delegates and others of our global delegates was to add punitive measures for clergy and bishops who do not follow the U.M. Discipline restrictions to NOT ordain LGBTQ pastors, and to NOT perform weddings of LGBTQ persons.
Our congregation has begun forming a task force to investigate our options for moving forward as a Reconciling congregation. Contact Pastor Lisa or Hattie if you are interested in serving. We will be considering steps taken by our annual conference (which may also form a task force to consider options for a new way forward), and we will be in consultation with our annual conference reconciling churches. We will also consider options for connecting with the Western Jurisdiction UM churches, which have said they will not abide by the punitive measures passed in February. We may also look into affiliating with other inclusive denominations, or going solo. Many aspects of ministry need to be considered, such as theology, leadership structure, pastor recruitment, pension and insurance support, property insurance and ownership, mission engagement and support.…
We hope and pray that we will find positive ways to continue to build on our inclusive United Methodist history and traditions, and to continue to support our inclusive global mission outreach.
Blessed to be on the journey of faith with you,
Pastor Lisa