Beginning May 3rd, First United Methodist Church will offer a series of seminars on the conversation around human sexuality in the United Methodist Church. These seminars will concentrate on topics before the General Conference of the world church, in particular possible changes in the ordination of LGBTQIA+ clergy and the recognition of same sex unions, which may come to a vote at the August-September 2022 General Conference.
The first seminar will be held at Wesley Hall at First United Methodist at 7:00 pm on Monday, May 3rd. It will also be offered via Zoom. For in person, social distancing will be observed and mask required. That seminar will be conducted by Cathy Thompson who is the wife of Reverend Jon Strother, the District Superintendent of the Sound District. Mrs. Thompson is also a delegate to the 2022 General Conference.
The second seminar will be a Zoom presentation on Monday, May 10th at 7:00 pm and will be conducted by Reverend Ben Williams, Pastor of Christ UMC in Chapel Hill.
The final session on Monday, May 17th will be via Zoom and will be led by Reverend Doctor Ken Carter. Dr. Carter is Bishop of the Florida Conference and was chosen to chair the committee commissioned by the General Conference to resolve many of these issues and to find a way forward for the worldwide United Methodist Church.
To participate in the upcoming seminars and find out more about how these issues may affect the local church, you may ask to be included by sending that request to cooperfmly@aol.com. Shortly before each seminar you will be sent the Zoom address for that particular seminar.