FLUMC Lay Leader Update

April 29-May 1 Update

I don’t know about you, but it feels hard to keep up with all the news in the United Methodist Church. A great deal is happening, and more is to be announced soon. 

This past week the Council of Bishops met virtually. In the next few days, we will hear more about their gathering, but a powerful address was given at the beginning that I want to focus on. Bishop Harvey gave her final address as the president of the Council of Bishops. I highly encourage you to listen to the address. It was extremely uplifting and encouraging. Her address was on Romans 12, in which Paul proclaims: “We are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other.” She expressed that “Every part of the body is important to the whole, but that it is also time to bless and send our sisters and brothers who cannot remain under the big tent.”

We do belong to each other. As much as we disagree, we do belong to each other and must continue to find ways to be siblings in Christ. We can continue to serve together and continue to make disciples of Christ. I often find myself focusing on the “negative” things I am hearing in the church. But there is so much good we can focus on.

In her presidential address, Harvey spoke of why people stay in The United Methodist Church now and where she sees God at work in the denomination. She pointed to the work United Methodists have done to feed the hungry, address racism, work for climate justice, welcome immigrants and help disaster survivors rebuild. “While some have worked to divide our church, there are those who have done more to unite the church in its work for justice and full inclusion than ever before with grit, determination, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” she said.

On May 1st the Global Methodist Church will launch. May 1st means nothing to us. It changes nothing for us as United Methodists. A little over 130 churches have used paragraph 2553 to depart the UMC out of 30,500 United Methodist churches in the U.S. Sometimes I read about the launch, and I get very anxious. But then I am reminded nothing changes. We will continue to be the church. We will continue to serve our communities and love our neighbors. Our doors will be open in our local United Methodist Churches. Our campus ministries will be continuing to love college students. The work of the United Methodist Church continues!

Bishop Harvey reminded us “I believe in The United Methodist Church, and I believe in you, Continue to be the people of God that boldly and courageously tell the story of a church that is big enough for the left, the right, and the in-between.”

Let us continue to believe in the UMC. Let us continue to strive to work on our imperfect church to make it the church that welcomes all. Let us continue to be a church that unites instead of divides.

Molly McEntire - First Lay Elected to FLUMC 2020 Delegation