A Letter From Pastor Derek-March


From the Lead Pastor ...
We have talked a lot over the past few months, and more over the past few weeks about the special called session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in St. Louis this past weekend. The session concluded today and the results of that gathering are ... muddled.
Sorry, that's the best word I have to describe it. By a slim margin the delegates voted to approve the Traditional Plan, a plan that was declared in violation of the UMC Constitution in a number of areas. Some amendments were also approved, but it doesn't appear that it was enough to bring this plan into compliance. What the issues are, I am not sure.
The Traditional Plan was put forward by the more conservative wing of the church and would not only keep the prohibitive language against same sex relations in the Book of Discipline, but would also greatly enhance the punishment for those who decide to go against those prohibitions.
Our Bishop, Bishop Julius Trimble, posted a video expressing that Jesus Christ is still Lord of the Church and that the implications of the General Conference decisions for Southport and all Indiana United Methodist Churches will become more clear in the future. Right now, frankly, we don't know what this will mean for us as a local church community or as a denomination around the world. There are many who see this as the end of the UMC. While others feel it is a biblical mandate for faithfulness.
 Here is what I know for sure: While I am still pastor of Southport Church, we will welcome all. We will serve all. We will include all. We will be led by and will lead all. The table at which we receive grace will be open to all. The font at which we are baptized into Christ will be available to all. Every person is a person of worth and value and is beloved of God, just as you are. Just as you are. You are loved. And we will do our best to show that every day to everyone - gay or straight, immigrant or native born, person of color or white. You are welcome here.

God's Shalom be on you and on our Church,
Pastor Derek C. Weber


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