Grace Notes Monthly Newsletter (pdf)

 

i am thankful for several things about our General Conference.  First, that the global chief legislative body of our denomination, which meets every four years, managed to evade the local headlines.  You may remember that often advocacy groups seek to use the opportunity of this event to pressure the delegates and grab headlines, only to embarrass hoosier United Methodists.

I was able to listen on the web to many of the opening day speeches and presentations and rejoiced to see recognition that our church has its tensions, like many denominations, and also that the UMC is global, which many of us have trouble appreciating.

I liked the appeals to our Wesley heritage made fresh for our day.  For example, the General Rules:

• Do no harm
• Do good
• Keep in love with God

And finally, I heard afresh a renewed commitment to calling United Methodists to commit ourselves to both personal holiness and to work to correct social evils in our world.

I hope you take the opportunity to:

• Read Pastor Chris's blog entries on General Conference
• Check out General Conference News
• Come and hear Kayc Mygranz, our Conference Lay Leader