Interpreting through reason, tradition, and experience

On March 30 and 31, about 1,000 people gathered in three different settings across our conference to talk about what happened at General Conference 2019 and what it means for our local churches. While I believe in a “traditional marriage” between a man and a woman, my own interpretation of Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience leads me to a more inclusive understanding of marriage; that of a same-sex relationship of two consenting adults who lead a monogamous, lifelong, loving, and committed relationship.

Bishop's Pastoral Letter

As most of you may know, yesterday the Judicial Council, the nine-member top court of The United Methodist Church, released their rulings from February’s Special General Conference related to the Traditional Plan and disaffiliation legislation.

Judicial Council OKs part of Traditional Plan, exit plan

The United Methodist Church’s top court has found that while some provisions of the newly adopted Traditional Plan remain unconstitutional, the rest of the plan is valid as church law. That was the Judicial Council’s ruling on a requested review of the Traditional Plan, which was approved during a special denomination-wide legislative session in February to strengthen enforcement of bans on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy and same-sex weddings.

Bishops call for prayers for Judicial Council

The Council of Bishops is inviting the people of The United Methodist Church to be in prayer for the Judicial Council, which is in session this week in Evanston. The Judicial Council will be discussing the constitutionality of matters related to the Special Session of the General Conference held in February.

Bishop Dyck's Easter Message

We can be assured that God is with us and loves us through all our struggles: “I will be with you forever,” Jesus said to his disciples at the very end of the gospel of Matthew in chapter 28. This wasn’t the end! In many ways, it was just the beginning. On this Easter morning, let us all live in the hope, joy, and peace of the risen Lord!

Sympathy Notice: Rev. Kwame John Porter

Rev. Dr. Kwame John R. Porter, retired clergy of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away April 8, 2019. Rev. Porter was a well-known community activist who joined the civil rights movement with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s.

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