My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As many of you know, we in the United Methodist Church have been engaged in a decades long debate about how we as a denomination are going to relate to and be in ministry with our LGBTQIA+ siblings. These debates have been heated and hurtful. They have hurt individuals, families, churches, and the denomination as a whole. They have consumed a disproportionately large portion of our resources, time, and energy. Our witness has been hindered and our ability to engage in faithful, transformative ministry with our neighbors and in the world has been compromised.

We are now headed toward yet another General Conference (May 5 – 15 in Minneapolis) where these issues will be once again debated, deliberated, and, it is hoped, decided. Numerous plans have been submitted that propose different ways to move forward. Virtually all of them call for the separation and restructuring of the United Methodist Church. The plan that is generating the most momentum right now is the Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation through Separation (see separate article for further explanation). What all this means for us here in Northern Illinois and at FUMC of Dundee has been a concern for many of us.

As part of the lead up to the General Conference, Bishop Sally Dyck called for a series of “conversations” to be held across the conference. These conversations were jointly hosted by the Cabinet, our General and Jurisdictional delegates, and the NIC Exploration Team (chaired by Rev. Chris Winkler). Tom Miller, Steve Grandholm, Marcia Buchs, and I attended the most recent one held at Sycamore UMC this past Sunday.

As the Exploration Team was concluding their work, they put together a document, entitled NIC 2020+ which was shared at the conversations. This document details a vision statement/motto, a mission statement, an identity statement, and a covenant statement. As Pastor Chris stated at the conversation, if the NIC has to decide a future direction this document will provide the core values that will guide our discussions and decision. This document will be included in the bulletin this week and will be available in the Fireside Room after that. 

On Sunday, April 5, we will hold our next all-church conversation following the worship service. At that time, we can discuss this document in more depth and share any news that may emerge between now and then. Please make every effort to attend this conversation and share your thoughts and questions. 

I know that this is a confusing time in the denomination and much is uncertain. But one thing is certain: we will continue to DO BE LIVE Church. We will worship God with passion,  we will develop deep and meaningful relationships with one another, and we will reach out to our communities to share the transformative love and radical justice of Christ. This is the work we are called and equipped to do. 

This Sunday, Rev. Winkler will be preaching at FUMC and I will be helping to lead worship at Barrington. 

Your Partner in Ministry,

Pastor Wendy