May 8, 2024

Trinity Family,
Even though TOTH has disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church, many of you have been asking what actions took place at their General Conference the last two weeks in Charlotte.

I am sharing with you these recaps. 
·      From UMC.org, an official recap of the conference: General Conference Legislative Recap
·      Here is the official General Conference Resource website: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020/legislation
·      From Chris Ritter of “People Need Jesus.” Chris was a longtime UMC pastor and is now serving as a GMC pastor. Chris has been a very reliable source for all the comings and goings in the UMC the past several years. What Happened at the UMC General Conference v2.2
·      Ready to Harvest YouTube video: Change has Come to the United Methodist Church. The author states: My topic is making videos on Christian Denominations, presenting them in an unbiased way, which I hope allows you to see that the information I give is credible. Many have found through the saga of the UMC over recent years, he is true to this mission. You can find the very informative, fast-paced, 20-minute video here: https://youtu.be/nbwIxBM1-0Q?si=AhGM3lZeyInJLYkZ

A late add to Christ Ritter’s Compendium at: https://peopleneedjesus.net/2024/05/06/um-fallout-a-compendium/
The new Par. 425.1 of the UMC Book of Discipline reads: “¶ 425.1. Responsibility—1. Clergy shall be appointed by the bishop, who is empowered to make and fix all appointments in the episcopal area of which the annual conference is a part. Appointments are to be made with consideration of the gifts and evidence of God’s grace of those appointed, to the needs, characteristics, and opportunities of congregations and institutions, and with faithfulness to the commitment to an open itineracy. Open itineracy means appointments are made without regard to race, ethnicity origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or age, except for the provisions of mandatory retirement. Annual conferences shall, in their training of staff-parish relations committees, emphasize the open nature of itineracy and prepare congregations to receive the gifts and graces of appointed clergy without regard to race, ethnicity origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, economic condition, sexual orientation, or age. The concept of itineracy is important, and sensitive attention should be given in appointing clergy with physical challenges to responsibilities and duties that meet their gifts and graces. Through appointment-making, the connectional nature of the United Methodist system is made visible.” 
Per Petition 20315-HS-¶425.1-G

Feel free to share this information.

Thankful to be in it with all of you.

Let the church roll on,
Pastor Scott