Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

In March, over 50 MFSA supporters gathered in Austin to hear comments by a panel of six persons who attended (or watched) the GC2019 proceedings in St. Louis.  Panelists were Rev. Sid Hall, Joy Butler, Shelley Walters, Jay Brim, Trevor Harper, and Cindy Johnson.  They all generally expressed shock, dismay, and anger as the Traditional Plan was approved at the conference.  They discussed possible plans for the future of the UMC and the possibility of the Traditional Plan being found unconstitutional by the Judicial Council later this month.  Several expressed hope that this vote has awakened centrists and others who have not been paying attention to the increased fundamentalism in the UMC.  There was discussion of the dissent that has arisen after GC2019, including a huge increase in the number of individuals and communities who are affiliating with the Reconciling Ministries Network.  It is important that progressive delegates to 2019 annual conferences elect delegates to GC2020 who are not supportive of the Traditional Plan.

Links to videos:
Rev. Sid Hall: https://www.facebook.com/208934022460155/videos/364762250793142/

Joy Butler: https://www.facebook.com/208934022460155/videos/2423197347691739/

As you should all know by now, the Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church was held in St. Louis February 23-26.  Many Rio Texas MFSA supporters attended, as delegates and observers, and witnessed as part of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition (LYNC).  LYNC offered worship, counseling, and support during the pain-filled meeting.  The result of conference was devastating to those who support equal rights for our LGBTQI+ members.  The delegates voted to continue – and worsen – the UMC’s ban on same-gender weddings and options for clergy.  The “Traditional” Plan passed by 53%, but several portions of the plan have been challenged as violative of the UMC Constitution.  The Judicial Council is expected rule on the challenges in late April.

So what do we do now?  Many churches have made it known that they will leave the UMC; others have indicated they will stay and resist the discriminatory policies.  Many Rio Texas churches are not even aware of the raging debate.

Join us on Thursday, March 14, as a panel of Rio Texas MFSA supporters, observers and delegates offer their perspectives about GC2019 and the future of the UMC.  We have invited Jay Brim, Sid Hall, Joy Butler, Shelley Walters and others to share their experiences.  We will share what various churches inside and outside of Rio Texas are discussing.

The meeting will be at Saint John’s United Methodist Church, at 2140 Allandale Road, in Austin.

Snacks and mingling begin at 6:30 pm, followed by the program at 7 pm.

Contact rcurry@austin.rr.com for more information

A Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church will meet in February 2019 in an attempt to resolve the denomination’s differences over homosexuality.  This summer, the Love Your Neighbor Coalition (which includes MFSA and RMN) met at a convocation – For Everyone Born – that included planning the coalition’s witness at the Special GC.  At our meeting on Thursday, September 13, we will hear from Rev. Nancy Mossman, who attended the convocation and will report her impressions and the plans that are being made for witness by those supporting an inclusive church.

More than a dozen MFSA supporters from Austin have expressed their intent to travel to St. Louis for the Special GC in February.  We will discuss plans and needs for that important and historic witness in the life of the denomination.

Location:  Saint John’s UMC, 2140 Allandale Road, with snacks and mingling at 6:30p and the program at 7p.  All are welcome!  Hope to see you there!