The United Methodist News Service reports that a number of issues dealing with inclusiveness will be on the Judicial Council Docket at the Fall meeting in Minneapolis.
...The same-sex marriage item follows a string of actions over the course of the summer. After the state of California approved same-sex ceremonies, a group of retired clergy in the United Methodist California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference offered to perform such unions in spite of the denomination’s disciplinary prohibition on leading same-sex weddings or similar ceremonies celebrating homosexual relationships.
In June, the California-Nevada Conference approved a resolution commending those retired clergy, but following a request for a decision of law, Bishop Beverly J. Shamana issued a ruling declaring the statement "void and of no effect." All bishops’ decisions of law are automatically reviewed by the Judicial Council.
The United Methodist Church, while affirming all people as persons "of sacred worth," considers the practice of homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching." Its Book of Discipline prohibits pastors from conducting such union ceremonies, and those denominational standards were again affirmed by the 2008 General Conference...
The Alaska Missionary Conference is asking whether Paragraphs 214 and 225 in the Book of Discipline are constitutional under Paragraph 4, Article IV, of the church’s Constitution. Paragraph 4 states the inclusiveness of the church includes all persons; Paragraph 214 deals with the eligibility of members, saying that “all people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members of any local church in the connection.” Paragraph 225 deals with transferring into The United Methodist Church from another denomination.
In Decision 1032, issued in 2005, the Judicial Council ruled that “Paragraphs 214 and 225 are permissive and do not mandate receipt into membership of all persons regardless of their willingness to affirm membership vows.” The pastor-in-charge of a local church has the power to determine “a person's readiness to receive the vows of membership,” the council said in Decision 1032.
Another item with far-reaching implications comes directly from the floor of the 2008 General Conference and is related to the creation of a “regional conference” for the church in the United States.
During General Conference, delegates passed nearly two dozen amendments to the Constitution of the church that would allow for creation of such a U.S. regional conference. The amendments were proposed to make the denomination’s structure more international and would combine the church’s five U.S. jurisdictions into a regional body, similar to the church’s non-U.S. central conferences. This action would separate business that relates only to the United States away from General Conference.
The item before the Judicial Council deals with a specific petition that would change language in Paragraph 10, Article III, of the church’s Constitution from “central” conferences to “regional” conferences.
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
