Release and Blessing

On Saturday, April 22, things will get very real for the Florida Annual Conference as we engage in the first of three Special AC Sessions to vote on the disaffiliation of churches for whom the issue of Human Sexuality is a church-defining issue. In some ways, this moment is the culmination of a decades-long journey that we have been on as members of the United Methodist Church. In other ways, it’s the capstone of a year’s worth of hard work and discernment that these churches have gone through as a part of the requirements of ¶ 2553 in the UMC Book of Discipline.

The Special Session is historic as it marks the departure of churches from the UMC who hear God’s calling in a different way from most of the Annual Conference. They are stepping into the unknown into new beginnings. Most of these churches leave rich UMC legacies led by clergy and laity who sought to fulfill the mission of making disciples for transformation of the world. Many are multi-generational churches. In these churches, people have deepened their understanding of God in meaningful ways: they have been married, have baptized children, and bid farewell to loved ones. There have been joyous celebrations of holy days, church suppers, pancake breakfasts, children’s plays, Vacation Bible School, and all the other ways that we navigate life together by being a church. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of inclusion, if tomorrow doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, a lump in your throat, or at least cause you to take pause, please see a cardiologist – you need your ticker checked.

That said, this is also a day of release and blessing. Sometimes in life we find ourselves in places that we never thought we’d be or want to be. For many, this is one of those times. And sometimes the healthiest thing to do is to move from where we’ve been to a place where we think we can become more than who we are now. That’s my prayer for tomorrow. Not just for those churches who are leaving, but for those who are continuing in the FLUMC as well. Despite the issues we are facing, there are still those who are hungry, homeless, sick, emotionally hurting, and spiritually depleted in the communities we serve. Our calling as the UMC hasn’t stopped or diminished. If anything, we will be tasked with shining our light (as my good friend Derrick Scott III says) even brighter to a world that seemingly sees darkness all around.

I cannot imagine being on this journey without each of you. As our future continues to unfold, I am grateful that we don’t travel it alone (figuratively and literally). And lest we forget even in these moments, this church is not our church, it’s Christ’s beloved church. Led by the Holy Spirit, I truly do believe our best days as a Conference of the United Methodist Church are yet to come. And I believe that we each are playing a key role in what the UMC will become. Friends, it’s up to us to boldly answer God’s calling to make room for all at the table. And I look forward to seeing what lies ahead as we faithfully take our next imperfect steps on our walk towards perfection.

Grace and peace to you all,

Alice Williams
Co-Lay Leader of the FLUMC

Back to the Laity Space Weekend Update for April 22.