2019 General Conference Update
A letter from Pastor Terry Williams

Grace and Peace from our Lord, Jesus Christ:

By now, you are probably aware that the special session of the General Conference (GC) of The United Methodist Church has completed its work. Approximately 850 delegates from around the world debated the issue surrounding human sexuality. Among those attending were delegations from every state of our union, along with delegates from as far away as West Africa, South Korea, the Philippines, and Russia. Every continent was represented. The UMC is a global church and thus many traditions surrounding this complex subject were debated during this time of Holy Conferencing.
 
By a fifty vote margin, the GC adopted the proposed Traditional Plan, retaining the existing prohibitions of same gender marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ persons to ministry in our UMC connection. Additionally, The Traditional Plan adds specific and non-negotiable consequences for clergy who violate the provisions of our Discipline. Scheduled to go in effect in January 2020, there exists the possibility that portions of this plan will be ruled unconstitutional by the church’s Judicial Council (our Supreme Court).
 
Regarding how this affects Englewood UMC. EUMC, as has always been our history, will continue to be in ministry to literally thousands of people locally and globally. We will continue to be “church” and there will be no noticeable changes in how we do ministry through our Nurture, Outreach, and Witness programs. As a local congregation, we will continue to reflect God’s vision of welcoming all to our fellowship of believers while remaining faithful to the provisions as outlined in our Discipline. There are no restrictions on membership or local church involvement from members of the LGBTQ community. As the pastor of this congregation and as I serve in various roles throughout the larger Rocky Mount community, I have always extended love, care, and grace to all. We will provide spiritual growth opportunities, that develop and matures us for faithful discipleship.        

For my friends, families of, and anyone connected with the LGBTQ community, my soul grieves for the pain this time in our history has caused and I weep with you. I do not believe you to be an issue to be resolved nor a problem to be solved. You are, as much as anyone, children of God and people of sacred worth who enrich us as the Body of Christ. Let me repeat; I have always been a pastor to all, and will continue to be such a pastor. I pray my faithfulness and love for all people is demonstrated visibly and that no one or no group ever ask that I compromise my ministry by excluding anyone from our fellowship.
 
As I continue with my duties as your pastor (administration, pastoral care, nurture, outreach, and worship), my schedule will not allow me to meet individually with each of you, but I am conducting a series of three table discussions that I pray will allow us opportunities to gather, reflect, and pray together. These discussion will take place in the Fellowship Hall on the following dates:
          Tuesday, March 5th @ 2 p.m.
          Tuesday, March 12th @ 8 a.m.
          Tuesday, March 19th @ 6 p.m.
 
In conclusion, I am honored to be appointed as the Senior Pastor of Englewood United Methodist Church. I love the United Methodist Church and I continue to pray that in some way we might one day find a way to become more emboldened in our search for how God would lead us to become a more unified Church. I solicit your prayers for continued strength, vision, and passion. I can say with honesty, I love each of you.
 
   Rev. Terry M. Williams
   Senior Pastor
   Englewood United Methodist Church