By DSC Way Forward Communications Team
The Dreaming of a New Methodism Team is defining values and the purpose of a new Methodism. Although removing certain parts of the Book of Discipline is in order, the specific pieces to leave behind and new additions to adopt are to be defined. The team is developing a survey to compile data from across the Desert Southwest Conference so that their work includes the collective ideas from our Conference.
The recent Desert Southwest Annual Conference session voted to not support or live by the Traditional Plan, voted in earlier this year by the Special Session of The UMC General Conference. Further, the Desert Southwest Conference stated our churches will not exclude anyone regardless of race, gender, sexual identity, socio-economic class, or any other classification. The message is clear: God loves us all equally. No exceptions.
The Dreaming of a New Methodism Team is a group of lay and clergy people from across the DSC. This is one of ten teams convened at this summer’s Annual Conference. The team met to define values and the purpose of what a new Methodism could look like. Although they have discussed that removing certain parts of the Book of Discipline is in order, the specific pieces to leave behind and new additions to adopt are yet to be defined. The team is currently developing a survey to compile data from across the Desert Southwest Conference so that their work includes the collective ideas from people across our Conference.
Dreaming, researching, seeking opinions, and testing ideas is the work that the Way Forward Teams are tasked with during this time before the Special Session of the Desert Southwest Conference. The Special Session will take place on September 14, 2019, at Gold Canyon UMC. The teams are not making final decisions on behalf of the DSC. They will prepare, according to specified topics, for what may come from the decisions made during the Special Session. As such, the Amicable Separation Team can prepare for a possible break from The UMC, but it is the work of the Annual Conference and all the delegates in its makeup, to make that decision before actually moving forward.
Call to Action!
What can you do to influence or support this work?
- Engage your congregation to measure interest for separating from The UMC as a church or as individuals.
- Share your feedback with us using any of the “contact us” links on the dscumc.org/way-forward page and of course, participate in the survey this team is preparing when it is sent out. (A link will be available on The Way Forward website.)
- As the DSC Way Forward teams continue their work, you’ll receive the latest news in a condensed monthly article. You can also access each team’s meeting notes on the dscumc.org/way-forward web page.
