Introduction
After hearing the presentation by Geoffrey on “What is Happening in the United Methodist Church” Wednesday evening, March 23, some of us thought it would be helpful if we considered who we are as a church. It appears that the only churches stating their intentions are those wishing to disaffiliate. We believe that our fellow United Methodists need to understand that most United Methodist Churches wish to remain United Methodist. Working from an initial draft, we thoroughly discussed, edited, and wordsmithed what we believe to be where PSJFUMC stands. The statement was adopted by unanimous vote of our Church Council. It reads as follows.
Church Council Statement of PSJFUMC
The Church Council of First United Methodist Church of Port St. Joe, Florida declares its love and support of our denomination, the United Methodist Church. During this divisive time where there is splintering in our denomination and fracturing in the wider culture, the leaders of our congregation wish to thank our denomination for offering an alternative-unity in Christ. We are especially grateful for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) which greatly supported our town’s recovery from Hurricane Michael, and our joint missions around the world especially our partners in Tanzania, and our mission to Ukraine. Our church seeks to be a church where everyone is welcome, where all persons can become disciples of Jesus Christ. We welcome conservatives, progressives, and anyone in between to follow Jesus with us and live out his coming kingdom. Where our denomination and church are in error, we pray for reform, and where we are spiritually stagnant, we pray for revival. We are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church with Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.
Special Edition of the NewsCONNECTION: UMC Q&A with Bishop Graves
https://www.awfumc.org/faqs?topic=About%20Us
