Friends,
   After meeting last night with the leaders of our Church family, I wanted to share a few thoughts about the denomination's General Conference this week in St. Louis, which you may have followed. The dream was to achieve unity in the thick of decades of debate on human sexuality - the kind of unity we have strived for and enjoyed in our own church family here.
   Not too surprisingly, this did not occur. By a narrow margin, the "Traditional Plan" was passed. That's a misleading name. "Tradition" is often beautiful and good. In this case, the church's "tradition" has been condemnation of LGBTQ people - and this current plan is the old plan but fiercer, with severe enforcements and policing. You may agree with the outcome, but I have to share with you that the tone of it was a bit mean-spirited and hurtful frankly to most people in the room.
   It's important for you to know that more than two-thirds of American delegates voted for a more open, diverse policy. A coalition of U.S. conservatives (not the right term either), Russians, Africans and others carried the day, refusing to be in fellowship with centrists, moderates, progressives and young people in the denomination. Interestingly, portions of the adopted plan have already been ruled unconstitutional. Nothing takes effect immediately, and more rulings are to come.
   While our denomination does great things around the world in ministry together, and it's been a privilege to be part of it, it's important to say that this General Conference is not the Church. Church for us is our Church, where we worship, care, serve, love, support and welcome all people. Our mission has not changed. We do what we do here, and will do what we do here, not for the denomination, but for people who come seeking God and the Church's blessings, which are for all people.
   We have not yet discerned what we as a Church might do in response to this going forward. It's never wise to make hard decisions under duress. We are quite sure though that we will love, embrace and welcome all people, and stand firmly and joyfully with those for whom this decision is devastating.
   The fact that we have dared to be a diverse, welcoming Church isn't unnoticed. In St. Louis, people from all over the country expressed so much appreciation to me for the Church that we are. We are a bright light of hope, an example people hold up of what Church should be like. They need us. The worst thing we could do now would be to abandon ship or withhold funds. A strong Myers Park matters more than ever, and it will matter going forward toward whatever the future will in fact be for us and other Methodists. You'll hear from our Administrative Board soon.
     I am weirdly and solidly hopeful. God is still God, and I sense a grassroots shift in mood toward a beautiful, joyful and inclusive Church that is already beginning to dawn out of the darkness. God really is good, all the time. I hope and pray that I will see you in worship this Sunday.
Much love to you all,
James