Results from Charge Conference
(annual meeting) on November 10, 2019
The United Methodist Church is no more.
No matter what happens in 2020.
No matter what happens in 2075.
No matter what happens in 4791.
The United Methodist Church is no more.*
This grieves my heart, but it's a fact.
The church that I know and love is gone.
It is fractured and what happens next is unknown.
What I do know is this:
The Church in Ocean Park is strong and is not going anywhere!
You all demonstrated the character of the Church in Ocean Park on Sunday.
You showed up when it (literally) counted!
Thank you for unanimously passing the following motion:
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"The position of the United Methodist Church regarding human sexuality
is in direct conflict with the faith and understandings of the members of the
Church in Ocean Park United Methodist Church.
Therefore, the Church in Ocean Park UMC declares its intention to
disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church
per paragraph 2553.3 as amended by General Conference 2019.
We understand that this is the first step in a three part process. Disaffiliating will allow us to more fully live into our calling
to help create a more beloved community for all people."
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We are not living in fear of the future. The future is wide open.
This is an exciting time of rebirth.
Many institutions become focused on institutional survival after a while and lose their focus and their ability to be who they claim and want to be. Organizations and Institutions fight to stay alive even when they are no longer providing the service they were originally created for. It's difficult for the people who created the organizations or those who are invested in them to see what's happening. It's clear to me that the UMC is not functioning in a way that reflects who they believe themselves to be or who they want to be. There is no "way back" at this point, but there is a "way forward".
The UMC is fracturing. The Church in Ocean Park is not. We are strong and we are working with others to create new connectional opportunities that are relevant, viable and true to who we are as the Church in Ocean Park.
All of you who were here
All of you who are members
will be kept up to date as things unfold.
When decisions need to be made, you will be invited to the table.
If you want to be a part of any of the working groups, please let me know.
Nothing will happen TO the Church in Ocean Park.
Together we will make the decisions about the future.
You are the Church in Ocean Park.
We cherish your input and we are grateful that you're a part of this community!
Pastor Janet G McKeithen
(Photo by Linda Laisure)
*(Note: The Church in Ocean Park is interfaith, but is hosted by the UMC.
So what happens with the UMC directly impacts the Church in Ocean Park)
