Welcome! Please make a nametag and create a table where all the sugar packets are represented.

We’re so glad you’re here tonight. Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here tonight.

GUIDELINES FOR OUR CONVERSATION Listen with respect and in love to everyone who chooses to speak Listen first, speak second Honest not hurtful

GUIDELINES FOR OUR CONVERSATION Careful not to make assumptions Speak only for yourself No one is here to win an argument

What are the issues before us?

THE ISSUES BEFORE US IN THE UMC Disagreement about Book of Discipline Language Same Sex Marriage Ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexual persons

THE ISSUES BEFORE US IN THE UMC Our ability to reach LGBTQ persons and include them in the life of the church Disagreement on the interpretation of Scripture related to same-sex relationships

THE ISSUES BEFORE US IN THE UMC People leaving our churches – both progressive people and traditional people

The “Sugar Packet” Video from Rev. Tom Berlin A helpful Framework The “Sugar Packet” Video from Rev. Tom Berlin

Video Link: http://revtomberlin.com/talking-about-lgbtq-inclusion-in-the-umc/#sthash.mL3QhhhR.dpbs

Overview + Three Possible Plans The Way Forward Overview + Three Possible Plans

UMC 101 General Conference Jurisdiction Annual Conference Local Church

UMC 101 General Conference (meets every 4 years: 2016, 2020, etc.) Jurisdiction Annual Conference Local Church (Northeastern Jurisdiction, meets after each GC) (Baltimore-Washington Conference, meets every May) (SPUMC)

UMC 101 General Conference Council of Bishops Judicial Council GC is made up of reps from each annual conference, clergy and lay Judicial council ensures that everyone (including Council of Bishops and General Conference) is following BOD properly

UMC 101

3 Things to Know about the Book of Discipline UMC 101 3 Things to Know about the Book of Discipline

UMC 101 1. It is a book of legislation that governs how the United Methodist Church operates.

2. It can only be modified by the General Conference. UMC 101 2. It can only be modified by the General Conference.

3. It contains bylaws, theology, a constitution, and more. UMC 101 3. It contains bylaws, theology, a constitution, and more. It takes different types of legislative voting to change different parts of the BOD, just like with US law.

4. Three statements about homosexuality were added to it in 1972. UMC 101 4. Three statements about homosexuality were added to it in 1972.

What Does the B.O.D. Say? Regarding ordination: ¶ 304.3 The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.

What Does the B.O.D. Say? Regarding Same-Sex Marriages: ¶ 341.6 Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.

What Does the B.O.D. Say? Regarding Human Sexuality: ¶161F We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God…

What Does the B.O.D. Say? Regarding Human Sexuality: ¶161F …The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.

What Does the B.O.D. Say? Regarding Human Sexuality: ¶161F (cont’d) We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.

This is the “Restrictive Language” No ordination No weddings Homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” *All added to the Book of Discipline in 1972 and contested at each General Conference since.

We Needed a new way Forward. Council of Bishops May 2016 Commission on the Way Forward Summer-Fall 2016 General Conference

We Needed a new way Forward. Met regularly from 2016 to 2018 32 people 9 nations All jurisdictions 5 states Men and women Straight and gay Laity, elders, deacons, bishops Full span of generations Across the ideological spectrum We Needed a new way Forward. Council of Bishops May 2016 Summer-Fall 2016 Commission on the Way Forward General Conference

We Needed a new way Forward. Council of Bishops May 2016 Commission on the Way Forward Summer-Fall 2016 General Conference now-2019 now-2019 2017-now

Three Possibilities

Option 3: Traditionalist Plan Keeps “restrictive language” Strengthens it for clarity Streamlines process to enforce penalties for BOD violations Maintains current church structure Continues current relationships between churches & agences

Option 2: Connectional Conference Plan Creates 3 values-based connectional conferences: Progressive, Traditional, and Unity Each branch would have its own BOD with or without “restrictive language” (according to beliefs) Greater freedom, less unity

Option 1: One Church Plan Removes “restrictive language” Does not require any annual conference, bishop, congregation, or pastor to act contrary to their convictions Maintains current church structure Continues current relationships between churches & agencies Recognizes the diverse theological and scriptural understandings of our global church

TIMELINE July 7, 2018 Final report published in four languages Summer/ Fall 2018 Delegates prepare for General Conference February 23-26, 2019 Special Session of General Conference

Scripture Study

Wesley’s Quadrilateral SCRIPTURE – primary source and criterion; Jesus Christ is the living Word of God; the Bible is the sacred canon and the source of all that is necessary and sufficient for salvation; we are guided by scholarly inquiry and personal insight; we properly read Scripture within the believing community. TRADITION – represents a consensus of faith over time and in a diversity of human cultures EXPERIENCE – the personal appropriation of God’s forgiving and empowering grace; and the corporate experience of God’s people. REASON – by reason we ask questions of faith and seek to understand God’s action and will. All truth is from God, including truth of science and nature.

Interpreting Scripture You shall not lie with a male as with a female; it is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22, NRSV) If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. (Leviticus 20:13, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NIV)

Interpreting Scripture 9 Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven… (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 23b The next day [Peter] got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 25 On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26 But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean… (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ— he is Lord of all… (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Interpreting Scripture 34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ— he is Lord of all… (from Acts 10, NRSV)

Small Group Discussion How does this issue impact you and your loved ones? Which aspects of the three plans do you agree with or find most hopeful/encouraging?

Small Group Discussion Which aspects of the three plans do you disagree with or find most frightening/discouraging? If you had to pick 1 of the 4 categories presented in the “sugar packet” diagram, which best describes your view right now?

Small Group Discussion How does this issue impact you and your loved ones?

Small Group Discussion Which aspects of the three plans do you agree with or find most hopeful/encouraging?

Small Group Discussion Which aspects of the three plans do you disagree with or find most frightening/discouraging?

Small Group Discussion If you had to pick 1 of the 4 categories presented in the “sugar packet” diagram, which best describes your view right now?

Instant Polls The Wi-Fi password for SPUMCWIFI is Baltimore3 Closing Thoughts Instant Polls The Wi-Fi password for SPUMCWIFI is Baltimore3

Instant Polls Of the 4 categories in the “sugar packet” diagram, which best describes where you are on this topic right now? Our Wi-Fi password is Baltimore3

Instant Polls Of the 4 categories in the “sugar packet” diagram, which best describes where you think our church is on this topic right now? Our Wi-Fi password is Baltimore3

Instant Polls Of the 3 plans before the UMC, which best reflects what you desire for our church? Our Wi-Fi password is Baltimore3

What have we learned tonight? Closing Thoughts What have we learned tonight?

Thank You