From California-
Next year, delegates at the United Methodist Church’s General
Conference are supposed to consider a full-communion plan with the
United States Episcopal Church.
“We seek to draw closer in mission and ministry, grounded in
sufficient agreement in the essentials of Christian faith and order and
assisted by interchangeability of ordained ministries,” states the
current text for “A Gift to the World: Co-Laborers for the Healing of
Brokenness.”
This is not a merger proposal, but: “We see this
relationship of full communion as a step on the journey. … We are
blessed in that neither of our churches, or their predecessor bodies,
have officially condemned one another, nor have they formally called
into question the faith, the ministerial orders, or the sacraments of
the other church.”
However, events in the United Methodist Church have given some
members of that flock – especially LGBTQ clergy and laity – a strong
incentive to go ahead and investigate nearby Episcopal parishes.
A special General Conference recently voted to reaffirm current
doctrine that marriage is the “union of one man and one woman” and “the
practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The
historic gathering also passed pieces of a “Traditionalist Plan”
requiring UMC clergy to follow those laws in their Book of Discipline.
More here-
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2019/03/21/on-religion-union-possible-on-episcopal-united-methodist-left/
Opinion – 21 December 2024
1 day ago
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