Thoughts on General Conference

Dear Valencia UMC Friends – We are part of the United Methodist Church – a worldwide denomination that meets regularly to discuss issues that matter to its members and to the mission of Christ.  

The issue of human sexuality continues to be a place for thoughtful conversation and on February 23-26, 2019 a special session of General Conference will happen in St Louis, Missouri.  This post is to make you aware and give you resources for prayer and information.  

My experience is that good people of great faith hold a variety of opinions on these issues and I believe the strength of our church is that all are welcome as together we lift up Jesus Christ as Savor and Lord. But there is no doubt that these are significant issues and that people have strong feelings about them.  

Those involved have put forward various plans to address these issues.  Those at General Conference will vote on these plans.

A couple resources I’d recommend if you’d like to learn more:
1. Bishop Hagiya’s Presentation – an almost 2 hour presentation 
2. A summary document of all the options.
3. Regular updates on our local UMC Conference Website:

If you’d like to discuss this, I will be hosting a time after worship this Sunday at 11:45 AM. Grab a cup of coffee and join me in a time of prayer and humility before God. I will do my best to answer your questions.

And let me say clearly so you have no fear as we go into this time, what happens at the global level will not change our local congregation and how we do ministry.  

Grace and Peace, Rev. Nicole Reilley