Dear Friends of the WV Conference,

Yesterday, Friday, January 3, news and social media were filled with stories about the splitting of The United Methodist Church. Has the church split? No.
On Friday, an independent mediation team – comprised of eight bishops and eight representatives from advocacy groups – announced a proposal for the separation of The United Methodist Church that it intends to introduce to the 2020 General Conference. I received and read this proposal with the rest of the world yesterday morning. 

While there were some bishops involved in this mediation process, this proposal does not come from the Council of Bishops but is the property of the independent mediation team. The proposal entitled, “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation” is one of several proposals that have been prepared for consideration by the General Conference. It is important to remember that the General Conference is the only body that can speak for the denomination and make changes to The Book of Discipline. At this point, no decisions have been made and none will be made until the General Conference meets May 5-15 in Minneapolis. The Protocol itself says it was developed in service to the General Conference delegates who will decide on its adoption or amendment. Other plans and legislation have already been submitted and will be considered. Significant questions remain to be answered about what is contained in this and other plans. The Judicial Council will need to rule on constitutionality. The feasibility of its financial provisions must also be evaluated.

On a personal note, I must admit my spirit and heart are grieved by the current conversations around splitting or separating. There is no doubt that we shine Christ’s light brighter, stronger, and more powerfully when we work together. It grieves my heart to think that we would give up on finding a way to move together – and yet I realize that we have forgotten or maybe never learned how to speak and work with one another in the midst of disagreement without attacking or putting down the neighbor who is different from ourselves – and that has resulted in great harm and damage to many of God’s children. I grieve the harm that has been experienced. And so, I grieve, but I do so not without hope. God is greater than all this. Christ’s light will continue to shine. God’s spirit will continue to move in transforming ways and I pray that The United Methodist Church will allow itself to be transformed.

So what now? Please join me in praying for our West Virginia Delegates and all delegates to the General Conference. These delegates have been elected to make decisions about the future mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Pray for the movement of God’s Spirit among them that they may hear God’s voice and discern God’s preferred future for The United Methodist Church. Additionally, let’s keep focused on walking with Jesus – praying and seeking for God’s Will in each of our lives – individually and as a church; and let us not forget the mission to which Christ has called us – it is a life-saving mission of making disciples, shining Christ’s light, being messengers of Grace, and bringing God’s hope, healing and life to a very conflicted world. 
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-Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

United Methodist Update from Rev. Lantz

Many of our United Methodist friends have heard the recent news about a “United Methodist Church spilt...” and you may be wondering what this means.

First of all, the news comes to us as a press release from a group of United Methodist leaders who want to help the churches and people of our denomination find their way forward following what was a very divisive special General Conference this past spring. The issue addresses the conflict concerning two very different perspectives relating to proposals to change church law allowing homosexual marriages within our Church buildings and the ordination of gay clergy in our United Methodist denomination. 

This proposal and the release of information was all new to most of us! (January 3, 2020) It certainly was to me, but I think it's a welcome instrument to facilitate the division within the United Methodist denomination due to irreconcilable differences. So this news represents a separation strategy that will be proposed at General Conference. There are a few other proposals of the same nature that will be addressed, as well. This one that was announced today admits they are still working on the proper legislation details prior to the May General Conference, so what we have is a summary of the main points. 

Click on this link to read more from the U.M. News site, www.umnews.org.  

I think the most talked about issue around the debate to separate has been about our church buildings and property. If I understand the summary that I'm reading, local churches will be released to join another Methodist-type denomination and keep its assets and liabilities.

Here's a quote from the UM News Service:

• The leadership body of a local church considering disaffiliation could determine a threshold of a simple majority or two-thirds for the vote on whether to separate. Decisions about disaffiliation must be made by December 31, 2024.

• A local church affiliating with another Methodist denomination “pursuant to the protocol” would keep its assets and liabilities.
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• The pension plans of The United Methodist Church would remain in place for all current clergy and lay employees, even if they affiliate with another Methodist denomination under the protocol.

Keep in mind: This is not yet church law. This is a proposal. But it may be a pretty fair dissolution plan as far as I've read. But the full consequences of such a plan will continue to unfold as others begin to evaluate the merits of the plan. Let's wait and see what else happens. 

You can go to the web site below and find a link that allows you to print the 9-page document that serves as the full press release. 

-Rev. Kevin Lantz

Diverse leaders’ group offers separation plan | United Methodist News Service

Read the "Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation"

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P.O. Box 346
​733 Shaw Street
​Barboursville, WV 25504
​304-736-4583

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Welcome, Friends in Christ!

The purpose of Steele Memorial United Methodist Church is to ENGAGE with people in order to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord;
to CONNECT them in their journey of faith;
and to offer opportunities to DEVELOP their relationship with the living God through love, worship, and SERVICE. 

We hope that you choose to worship with us to celebrate the love of God in Jesus Christ.

RightNow Media

Church family-
 
We have a free gift for you! I’m excited to share that our church now has access to an extensive, new video library called RightNow Media!
 
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-Steele Memorial United Methodist Church Staff-
 
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/steelememorialumc

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