Waiting is not easy. Waiting is not often fun…. But we are committed to the slow, intentional work of faithfulness and justice as we, the Body of Christ, grow in love and in the image of Christ.
Read MoreThis season, as we anticipate what 2020 will look like for the United Methodist Church, I have connected deeply with the pain, agony, and unpleasantness of the more realistic portrayals of the birth of Jesus.
Read MoreAs we enter the season of Advent amidst all of the uncertainty in the UMC, Mohamed asks us, “Do you wait (!) with excitement and assurance? Or do you wait (?) with fears and doubts?”
Read MoreReviewing the variety of plans being put forward for the future of the UMC, Edmund Baird suggests we keep our mission statement at the center of our deliberations to see how each plan would help us make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Read MoreRandolph-Macon College freshman Melanie Fleischer reflects on the recent Just Resolution, “I wish that the Just Resolution never had to happen. I wish that it would be over with already. But it gives me hope that there are clergy who are willing to take the risk to be who they are and stand up for what they believe in. The LGBTQIA+ community needs more of that. The UMC needs more of that.”
Read MoreLearn more about the September Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection. The gathering focused on the future of the UMC, and ways to build a more inclusive church as the denomination prepares for General Conference 2020.
Read MoreAs an African American woman, Michelle had a unique perspective on the recent conference on the future of the UMC held at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. “I want all oppression to end,” Michelle shared. “As a liberationist I understand that if ALL of Christ’s beloved children are not free, then neither am I. That’s my priority.”
Read MoreBrian shares his journey, coming out as a gay man and stepping down from his appointment as a Licensed Local Pastor in the Virginia Conference. “Let it be known,” Brian proclaimed. “God called and continues to call me to ministry—I haven’t forgotten that.”
Read MoreRev. Michelle Matthews reflects on the power of community storytelling, brought to life in the Cultivating Beloved Community event. “Together we combed through the tangles of these last six months and identified where we were seeing and sensing God’s beloved community being cultivated.” Six more sessions are scheduled through September 28, 2019. Visit the Events section on the website to learn more.
Read MoreAs a Baptist student at Randolph-Macon College, Addison has a unique perspective on the UMC. “While I knew how bad it felt and how hopeless the situation seemed, I knew the only way things were going to change was to get up and do something about it.”
Read More“Since Wesley at Virginia Tech became intentional about welcoming LGBTQ+ students, queer folks have come to Wesley who were forced out of other campus ministries, who had never heard of welcoming churches, and who never doubted that they were loved by their parents, their church home and their creator.”
Read MoreAs students head back to college, we’re taking a look at the impact campus ministries can have on their college experience. As one LGBTQ+ student shared, “The ministry has saved my life. It really gave me a safe space to challenge my social anxiety and to learn and to grow. It was great that I had a place I could go when I felt scared, lonely, or anxious, and I knew someone would be there. Wesley made me feel safe.”
Read More“I never liked fasting,” confessed Josh Blakely. But he feels God calling him to this spiritual discipline. “As we continue to discern next steps for our movement in the Virginia Annual Conference, it seems right to stand in solidarity with the hungry yearning for full bellies, hearts, and spirits.”
Read More“As a Christian, I am not called to a feeling of hope. I am called to a practice of hope.” These wise words inspired Alex Carney. “When everything seems lost,” she shared, “our hope is an act of defiance.”
Read More“There’s a danger in our victory at Annual Conference,” warns Rev. Isaac Collins. “Dear siblings, putting our hopes in the 2020 General Conference, after decades of disappointment and failure, is not doing a new thing. We have to set our sights higher than that extremely low bar.”
Read MoreEleven of our newly ordained elders and deacons share their reflections with us, “With this letter, we add our perspective to the concert of voices who have already cried out in opposition to the Traditional Plan.” And they share their unique perspective on choosing to be ordained in this denomination at this time.
Read More“As someone who has been ‘practicing homosexuality openly,’ Annual Conference and conversation about my compatibility with Christ often causes high blood pressure and anxiety. But this year the spirit moved us to and beyond a new place.” - Emily Howdyshell
Read MoreAt our recent Annual Conference, there were concerns expressed about the lack of racial and ethnic diversity on the newly elected General and Jurisdictional Conference delegations, particularly among the lay delegation. Martha Stokes shares her concern that, “The challenge is much larger than the makeup of the delegation. It is an overall lay leadership challenge.” Martha calls all of us, both laity and clergy, to be part of the solution.
Read MoreAs Annual Conference comes to a close, we give thanks for the tremendous work that was done. And now, S. A. King encourages us to take a Sabbath rest. “Set aside time to simply be with God. Still your heart and mind. Turn off the noise.”
Read More“Hope is being unleashed,” proclaimed S. A. King as he encourages us to join him in planting olive tree seeds at the end of the world. This hope has inspired him to answer a call he’s been resisting for many years. Where is the Spirit calling you?
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