FINDING A WAY FORWARD

Read more below about how St. Paul's and the United Methodist Church have responded to issues regarding human sexuality and governing church rules.

Welcoming Statement

As part of our Reconciling journey, lay leaders from across our congregation, with community input and Church Council oversight, collaborated to create a "Welcoming Statement," which was adopted through a Special Church Conference vote in 2020. This statement is meant to be reflective of our community values. While the wording is entirely our own, a welcoming statement for churches who are members of the Reconciling Ministries Network must also demonstrate an explicit and intentional welcome to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and other historically marginalized groups. This statement does not replace any other mission statement, but serves as a new way to express long-standing values of welcoming all who seek God's grace.


Welcoming Statement


“We, the community of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Kensington, welcome you in love. Jesus Christ accepts all, excluding none. 


So we welcome and affirm you who are gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer. We welcome you without regard to your sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, culture, race, ethnicity, ability, education, or age. We welcome you no matter your immigration, marital, or economic status. 


Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we welcome and affirm you as one of God’s children into our community of God’s unbounded love. All are celebrated here and all are safe."

REport on DIsaffiliating Churches

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership has issued a new report on UMC congregations choosing to leave the United Methodist Church through disaffiliation. Click the link below to access the full article:

https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/report-on-disaffiliating-united-methodist-churches-through-2022/


Excerpts from the Report:


Approximately 2,000 churches disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church through the end of 2022 following the passage of special disaffiliation legislation in 2019.... The 2019 legislation made it possible for a church to disaffiliate and keep its property after fulfilling certain financial obligations. This report seeks to examine in what ways the departing churches are similar to or different from the profile of United Methodist churches as a whole.


There are more similarities than differences in comparing the cohort of disaffiliating churches with the total pool of all United Methodist churches. However, there are differences as well. The areas in which disaffiliating churches appear to vary most prominently from United Methodist churches as a whole include:

  • Disaffiliating churches are less likely to have an active elder as pastor.
  • Disaffiliating churches are more likely to have a male pastor.
  • Disaffiliating churches overwhelmingly have a majority white membership.
  • Disaffiliating churches are overwhelmingly in the South.
  • Disaffiliating churches are in less heavily populated counties.


The Lewis Center for Church Leadership was formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003 to promote the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training so that congregations and denominations thrive, serve, and grow. Read more at www.churchleadership.com/

More about...

the Reconciling Ministries Network

Members of St. Paul's voted to become a Reconciling Congregation and part of the Reconciling Ministries Network. The following information is also covered in the handout from 2019 "Reconciling Process FAQ's" 


What is Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)? 

The Reconciling Ministries Network is a network of over 40,000 United Methodists and over 1,000 churches and communities seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of The United Methodist Church.


Who can join the RMN?

Any individual, small group, or whole congregation can join RMN. A number of individuals and small groups from our congregation, including St. Paul's Youth, joined before the entire church voted to do so.


Can we be part of the RMN and still be part of The United Methodist Church?

Yes! Joining the Reconciling Ministries Network does NOT affect our status as part of The United Methodist Church. Congregations of The United Methodist Church that are also members of RMN must still abide by the UMC's Book of Discipline, but are committed to "change from the inside."


Will the RMN dictate the type of worship or other programming we can offer? 

No. As a member of RMN, St. Paul’s UMC would retain complete authority over our worship, programming, logos, and all other aspects of our shared life and community.


What is the process for joining RMN?

Churches undergo a discernment process prior to a vote that includes Bible study, sermon series, small group discussion, and prayer. Churches must craft a welcoming statement that intentionally welcomes those of the LGBTQ+ community and other historically marginalized groups. To join, RMN congregations must then hold a church vote resulting in at least 75 percent casting their vote in favor of membership.


Do we pay a fee to be part of the RMN?

No fees or dues are required. Congregations are encouraged to make an annual contribution to support the work of the RMN.

News from The United Methodist Church:

General Conference postponed to 2022

"The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly — postponed from May 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic — faces multiple proposals to resolve longtime debate around LGBTQ inclusion by splitting the denomination along theological lines. Planning the assembly comes with multiple moving parts that must align. These include securing visas, hotel space, transportation, interpreters and a large-enough venue for a gathering set to draw 862 delegates and 66 bishops from four continents as well as potentially thousands of others. General Conference, the only body authorized to speak for the church, typically meets in late April or early May." (Heather Hahn, UM News Service, 26 May 2020)


Excerpts from "General Conference Postponed until 2022" 

February 25, 2021

Press Release from UM Communications (Contact: Diane Degnan)

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/General-Conference-Postponed-to-2022


Meeting on February 20, the Commission on the General Conference made a decision to further postpone the 2020 General Conference until August 29 – September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the safety of mass gatherings and travel. [...]


In making the decision, the Commission determined that it was not feasible to safely hold an in-person meeting involving all delegates as currently scheduled for August 29 - September 7, 2021 due to a number of barriers:

  • The number of COVID cases [...].
  • Vaccine is not expected to be widely available this year in many countries, and new variants of the virus which may be resistant to vaccines are emerging globally.
  • International travelers to the U.S. must show proof of negative COVID-19 test results no more than three days prior to travel, but in many places, testing is not readily available or provided free of charge.
  • Visa services remain limited in some areas.
  • There also remains the possibility that a temporary six-month visa bond program which requires bonds of $5,000 - $15,000 per person for residents of some countries could cost up to $2.5 million in bonds for affected delegates if the program should be extended beyond June.


The Technology Study Team analyzed a variety of options, including an entirely electronic General Conference with participation from individual locations; an entirely electronic General Conference with delegates gathering at regional satellite hubs; and two sessions, with the first part being electronic and the second part in-person when it is safe to convene. None of these options were determined by the study team to be viable....  Their report recommended utilizing mail ballots for making a limited number of “Emergency Interim Actions.”


Some of the concerns mentioned in the report regarding having a virtual session [which must include all delegates globally] include:

  • Lack of infrastructure in some areas, including Internet access, Internet speed, and electricity
  • Lack of technology for equitable Holy Conferencing
  • Complexity of the legislative committee process
  • Concerns about accurate credentialing and verification of identity
  • Difficulties in seating reserve delegates properly
  • Security of voting
  • Safety concerns about regional satellite gatherings


“The Commission shared the study team’s findings and recommendations with the officers of the Council of Bishops in a collaborative effort...,” said commission chair Kim Simpson. ... Simpson said that the Commission regrets the fact that these dates once again conflict with the start of the academic year in the U.S. which a group of young adults had asked the Commission to avoid, but there were no other dates available.


Older articles of interest:

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2020-venue-cancels-events-into-may

www.umnews.org/en/news/new-generalconference-dates-announced


Image below: The Minneapolis Convention Center, exterior, photo by Dan Anderson.

Reconciling Congregation Vote

In 2019, we launched a journey of exploring whether to be identified and live into the understanding of a reconciling congregation. We reached the decision-making moment after an 11-month-long discernment process and the preparation of a congregational Welcoming Statement.


The Special Church Conference was held Sunday, Oct. 18 at 3:00 p.m. There were two votes on two questions:

1. Whether to adopt the Welcoming Statement for use by St. Paul's.

2. Whether to join the Reconciling Ministries Network.

More information about these two topics can be found in the sections immediately above.


Our District Superintendent Rev. Green deputized Rev. Dr. Pat Allen to oversee the proceedings. Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton managed the Zoom seminar, with Bill Butz and Travis Stalcup giving a brief presentation and answering questions. The voting was carried out by secure online form or by phoning the church office. As Membership Secretary & Administrator, Erin Steele tabulated the responses and confirmed voters' church membership status. Both votes showed a decisive percentage voting in favor. The detailed breakdown is:


Adopting the Welcoming Statement

Yes: 94

No: 2

Total: 96

(98% voting in favor)


Becoming part of the Reconciling Ministries Network

Yes: 88

No: 6

Total: 94

(94% voting in favor)


If you have questions, the FAQs in the section below may be helpful. For more information, you can contact Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton (kfulton@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 103).

St. Paul's journey

Summary & FAQs

Click here for the *pdf of the Reconciling Process FAQs, addressing many of the questions raised during and after the Reconciling Info Session (Sept. 22, 2019) and Samoan Circle Panel (Sept. 29, 2019). 


At the global General Conference of The United Methodist Church, which ended 26 February 2019, delegates voted 438 to 384 to adopt a "Traditional" plan regarding church policies on homosexuality. Since 1972, the Book of Discipline has stated "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve" in the church (¶304.3) and clergy are prohibited from conducting same gender weddings (¶2702.b). The new legislation added mandatory automatic penalties for UM clergy who would defy the Book of Discipline and created a process (now contested) for congregations wishing to leave The United Methodist Church. In its review, the global church's Judicial Council ruled in April 2019 that the new rules may stand, and went into effect January 2020.


St. Paul's lay leaders and clergy formed leadership teams to help St. Paul's navigate this time of transition. They explored the process and laid out the steps for becoming part of the Reconciling Ministries Network of UM churches that affirm LGBTQ+ persons should St. Paul's wish to pursue RMN membership, communicated with other local UM churches to see how they are addressing the issues posed by the Traditional Plan, and monitored regional and national developments as other possible organizational frameworks, legal challenges, and alternative plans arise. 


St. Paul's convened a number of Processing Groups, aka Small Groups for Discernment. Processing Groups for Discernment included members and friends of the church and were loosely organized geographically. Each Group was led by a trained facilitator who guided the discussion. Afterwards, facilitators reported back to a Steering Committee about areas of disagreement, areas of consensus, and what next steps might be useful, without sharing confidential or personal details. The Church Council, made of St. Paul’s clergy and lay leaders, used the Processing Groups' feedback as they examined what options were “on the table” and what impact each might have on the church’s leadership, finances, and future.


In response to this feedback, St. Paul's also embarked on a new discernment process to clearly answer the question: Should we become part of the Reconciling Ministries Network? This year-long process, begun in October of 2019, culminated in a vote regarding membership in the RMN. Questions about the RMN are addressed in the handout and in the section below. The "Come to the Table of Grace" series offered intentional engagement opportunities to consider what this means for our community and included:

  • Reconciling Panel – Members of the Reconciling Steering Committee held an open meeting on Thursday, January 23 at 7:00 PM where representatives from area congregations that have joined the Reconciling Ministries Network discussed their experiences. 
  • Faithful & Inclusive – This six-unit video study was led by Pastor Pat Allen beginning on February 2. The study, authored by Rev. Rob Fuquay, examines biblical texts regarding homosexuality using a United Methodist understanding of Scripture that honors Scriptural authority, tradition, reason, and experience, known commonly as the “Wesleyan quadrilateral.” 
  • Refuge - This retreat at West River offered an inclusive faith-building weekend for LGBTQ+ youth. St. Paul's Reconciling Team helped plan and sponsor the event. 
  • The Better Humans Book Club – The Reconciling Steering Committee and Justice & Compassion Team are co-hosting this book club which is open to everyone. Books have been chosen to challenge, illuminate, and encourage readers to explore issues of race, gender, and public policy.  
  • Lenten Devotional - The booklet "Come to the Table of Grace" features prayers and reflections written by members and friends of St. Paul's as they consider what it means, in the spirit of Christ, to welcome the outsider.

At the special church conference on October 18, members of St. Paul's voted to adopt a Welcoming Statement (98% in favor) and to join the Reconciling Ministries Network (94% in favor).


Since the first St. Paul's Info Session in March 2019, we have worked to make information clear and accessible. Marge Higgins, lay leader, and Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton, Associate Pastor, compiled and updated written summaries of the UMC legislation and how it impacts the local church.


Click here for the *pdf version of the Church Council's detailed letter updated 5 July 2019, following Processing Group meetings. This letter was mailed to church members.


Click here for the *pdf document "Discerning a Way Forward," updated 4 June 2019 to include information about recent activities at the Baltimore-Washington Conference's annual convention.


You are welcome to contact Pastor Kate directly (kfulton [at] stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext 103) if you have additional questions or concerns that are not addressed here.

Previous Events:

Reconciling Ministries Network Info Session

and SAmoan Circle Panel

The Reconciling Team from St. Paul's held an information session in the Fellowship Hall on September 22, 2019  to describe what the Reconciling Ministries Network is, what is involved in becoming a member church within the network, and why the Reconciling Team recommends this as a step on St. Paul's Way Forward. 


A Samoan Circle, a panel where people with different perspectives can share their views on controversial topics, was held on September 29, 2019.


A Special Church Conference convened on Sunday, October 13, 2019 to hold a vote on whether or not to begin the process that leads congregations towards joining the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). District Superintendent Rev. Gerry Green presided and all full members in attendance voted by ballot. 


The vote was 205 to 22 in favor of formally exploring possible membership in the Reconciling network. 


Please scroll down to the "Summary & FAQs" section to find a summary of our steps on our Way Forward and for the *pdf file with "Reconciling FAQs," clarifying many of the questions that came up in these sessions. If you have additional questions, please contact Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton.

LOADING PLAYER…

More About...

The Price tag of Disaffiliation

Excerpts from "Exiting Congregations Face Hefty Price Tag "

by Heather Hahn, UM News Service

June 13, 2019

Photo at right: Rev. Derek McAleer, South Georgia Conference Treasurer

For the full article, click here.


For the first time in its history, the UMC denomination has set procedures for U.S. congregations to withdraw from the denomination and take their buildings with them. Before a departure, those congregations could be on the hook for more than a million dollars. Annual conferences — church regional bodies — have the final word on what their churches owe. As U.S. annual conferences meet this year, some already are reckoning with how to calculate those costs.


For an exiting church, the biggest cost will likely come from what their conference determines is a fair share of unfunded clergy pension liability — that is, what conferences will owe retirees. A church’s pension contribution not only supports the church’s current pastor but those who previously served the congregation. Conferences are pension plan sponsors and legally responsible for paying benefits.


Exiting churches also must pay for transferring the building title or other legal work. They additionally must pay two years of apportionments — the amount conferences apportion to their churches to support regional, national and international ministries. Still, pensions are where the dollars can add up. Generally speaking, the larger a church and more pastors on staff, the larger its pension obligations are likely to be.


The South Georgia Conference acknowledged this challenge at its June 2-5 meeting when its members approved its own pension and disaffiliation policies meant to augment what General Conference passed. The Rev. Derek McAleer, the conference’s treasurer and benefits officer, told those gathered that the conference has to make sure it can pay the promises it has already made. “The amount of money is so huge that everybody has to stop and take a deep breath,” he said. “We’re talking about 586 churches and $30 million bucks. There is no way to divide $30 million into 586 and get a small number.” 

WHat happened at the

UMC General Conference 2019?

The Special General Conference of the global United Methodist Church met February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri to review language about human sexuality and issues of LGBTQ+ inclusion in our governing Book of Discipline.


1) The Traditional Plan, as amended, was adopted by a vote of 438 to 384. This language affirms existing church policies on homosexuality and strengthens enforcement. As it stands right now – and as it has been officially in the UMC since 1972 – 'self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve' in the church (2016 Book of Discipline, ¶304.3). In addition, the church prohibits its clergy from conducting same gender weddings (¶2702.b). (http://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/umc-seeks-a-way-forward/)  Delegates further referred the Traditional Plan to the Judicial Council for determination if it is constitutional. The Judicial Council addressed the request at its next scheduled meeting April 23-25 in Evanston, Illinois, and found the majority of the new language to be legally sound and enforceable.


2) The One Church Plan, which was endorsed by the Council of Bishops, including Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, was not adopted at the Special General Conference. The One Church Plan would have removed restrictive language limiting LGBTQ+ participation, while also protecting those who disagree by not requiring any annual conference, bishop, congregation, or pastor to act contrary to their convictions.


3) On Saturday, March 2, 2019, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling led the people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in a time of information sharing through a live-streamed video feed, viewable at numerous church locations throughout the conference and online platforms. Leaders from St. Paul's met at Hughes UMC (Georgia Avenue, Wheaton) to watch and listen.


4) On February 27, 2019, the pastors of St. Paul's released a letter recognizing the challenges and questions that the General Conference rules pose for members and friends of St. Paul's. A copy of the letter is available to download in *pdf format.



As the church works to understand what this means for St. Paul's and tries to articulate how this Conference decision will affect our church family, our bishop has invited us to reflect on the words the Apostle Paul wrote: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  ~Romans 8:38-39

A Way Forward At St. Paul's

Getting ready for what The United Methodist Church decides about human sexuality and church policy.


On Saturday, May 19, 2018, St. Paul's held the Way Forward at St. Paul's Workshop. The free workshop included 75 people, from youth age eleven to adults in their nineties. 


Through breakout groups, activities, and discussions, this group attempted to ask and answer questions about essential beliefs and values of the people of St. Paul's. Our objective: To explore how our St. Paul’s congregation might respond to and address the United Methodist Church’s eventual decisions, not then known, regarding policies addressing sexual orientation and homosexuality.


Our gathering was guided by three main questions:

  1. As Christians and United Methodists, what do different people at St. Paul's believe? Among these varying beliefs, which ones would all of us at St. Paul's agree on? In other words, what makes up the shared bedrock of our faith? This question was further divided into sections focused on what people believe about God's relationship to us, the Bible, worship, how people relate to each other, and how we address differences.
  2. What, concerning human sexuality and our church, might members of St. Paul's disagree on?
  3. Of the different ways decisions are made at St. Paul's, what might be a good way to proceed when choices related to human sexuality arise?

The goal was not to focus on debating individuals' personal opinions, but rather to fathom and report on the diversity of beliefs and thoughts that might be found across the congregation. 


A longer summary of the workshop and details about our discussions are available as *pdf files for download here:

"A Way Forward: The Collective Wisdom of 75"

Attachment 1: Questions and Exercises

Attachment 2: Workshop Agenda

Attachment 3: Workshop Evaluation & Feedback


The Way Forward Workshop was organized for the St. Paul's UMC community by Bill Butz and Emily Sama-Miller. We give special thanks for these Breakout Group facilitators: Meg Baker, Alison Clark, Jay Codner, Rich Higgins, Steve Lillie, Martha Lipscomb, Phil Rush, Ray Ruskin, Susan Schwarz, Micah Smartt, and Travis Stalcup.