Beloveds,
Every
single person who walks through the door at ANC is welcomed and
celebrated. Period. It is through this lens that we want to share some
thoughts on the LGBTQ vote by United Methodist Church delegates.
As many of you know, UMC delegates gathered 2/23-26 for a special session of its general conference. The focus of the session was
to choose a path forward regarding the denomination's stance on LGBTQ
issues. The voting body reviewed three plans that offered varying levels
of support for the LGBTQ community and granted individual churches
varying degrees of leeway in exercising their own beliefs.
On Tuesday (2/26 2019), by a narrow margin, UMC delegates approved the Traditional Plan,
which prohibits same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy. We
are deeply saddened by this vote, and we stand with the 46.7% of
delegates who voted against the Traditional Plan.
Inclusion
of the LGBTQ community is non-negotiable for ANC. We are one of
hundreds of local churches responding to the vote and reorganizing
around a core value of love. To that end, we are collaborating with our
district superintendent and our bishop to explore options of how to move
forward operationally while maintaining our integrity of faith. We will
share more information with you as conversations progress and when we
have more details.
To
our LGBTQ community: you are a vibrant part of ANC, and our church
would not be the same without you. We love you, we respect you, and that
will never change. You are always welcome at ANC to participate fully
in every aspect of our worship.
Thank you to everyone at ANC for creating a community where ALL are welcome.
In peace,
Your ANC Board