The Good, The Sad, and The Hard
Bishop Karen Oliveto (right) and her wife, Robin Ridenour, who is a Deaconess, react on May 1 after the 2024 United Methodist General Conference, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., voted to remove the denomination's ban on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” — a prohibition that dates to 1984.
Photo by Paul Jeffrey/UM News.
UMVIM WJ was represented at General Conference with both Louise Kienzle, Board Chair and Ronda Cordill Jurisdiction Coordinator splitting their time during the 2 weeks. We were so excited to see so many partners and friends that we have met over the past few years, some who we had only seen in those little boxes on our computer. That is part of the GOOD: seeing our friends and partners from all over the world. The work of the Conference was more than anyone expected, and the consensus of the participants was one of respect, listening and focused on what God’s church can be.
The SAD was when Eurasia was allowed to begin the path towards autonomy. For many years we have been saddened by the disaffiliations and how we could no longer work together. Saddened by the conflicts among friends with votes of disaffiliation dividing congregations. Congregations were split between leaving the denomination or being without a church home. Where do you go for fellowship and worship? Those feelings of loss and confusion do not go away easily on either side. We are saddened by all the damage we as the church did to our LGBTQIA+ siblings and all the healing that still needs to be done.
Which leads to the HARD. There was so much hurt that healing is going to take many, many years. There is so much hard word to do with the vision of regionalization. There are other really challenging questions like can we really make the types of changes we need to make all of “THIS” work.
We need to move forward looking for ways to serve Christ through the many ways he taught us. The adage “time heals all” may not be true here. I am talking about love and hope and doing the hard things to recreate a UMC for all God’s people. How are we going to do that? With love, listening to each other, being open to new ideas, new ways of doing things. The church is so creative we have the start of new things to fulfill our purpose with God’s love and help in the center of it all.
It is not just for the GC delegates, the Bishops, or the General Boards Staff to do. It is each one of us who are being called to help. We must get involved in some way - somehow. Listen to those nudges from the Holy Spirit. Take Risks. Let God’s LOVE show through you and your actions.
