The Judicial Council has shared its ruling on the constitutionality of the Traditional and exit plans. You can read the Judicial Council’s Ruling No. 1378 at http://bit.ly/JCR1378 and No. 1379 at http://bit.ly/JCR1379. An explanation of both rulings is available at http://bit.ly/UMNSApr26.  For a great overview of the ruling check out UMForward’s site. 

The ruling of the Judicial Council and the rules of the Book of Discipline do not overrule the teachings of Jesus. Love God, love your neighbor. Many in our church and our world are still trying to find a loophole in defining who our neighbor is and isn't. The thing is there is no loophole. There is no neighbor, nor living creature, that is excluded. This ruling also does not change our work of resistance and seeking justice. We will continue to stand up and resist the exclusive, punitive, and mean spirited thinking and theology these pieces of legislation are rooted in.

Here are some things you can do:

• Begin having conversations in your congregation about making a public statement of resistance if you have not already done so and update your church and sanctuary public use policies. Click here for some examples from the Michigan Conference.

• Take a look at this list of regional responses and this list of ideas from MFSA coalition partner Reconciling Ministries Network.

• Renew your membership to MFSA and connect with your regional office to get involved in what is happening in your annual conference

• Become a Justice Seeking Congregation

MFSA is engaged in numerous conversations happening across our denomination concerning what will be next for our church. In all of these various gatherings and meetings, we seek to lift up and center the voices of LGBTQIA+ people, people of color, young people, and lay people. There is no way forward without centering the voices that our church has pushed to the margins over and over again. 

We encourage you to participate in conversations happening across our church. Here are two opportunities:

• UM Forward is sponsoring “Our Movement Forward” May 17-18 in Minneapolis, MN – A Summit to discuss the future of The United Methodist Church, centered on POC+Q+T (Person of Color, Queer, and Transgender) voices. Registration is open to all.

• The Western Jurisdiction is conducting conversations and creating working groups. See their website for information on how to stay connected and participate (http://westernjurisdictionumc.org/ahomeforall)

The intentional discrimination against our LGBTQIA+ siblings is also at the forefront of our political discourse in the United States and MFSA is part of a coalition of faith organizations supporting the passing of the Equality Act. 

• Equality Act Sign-On: We invite all people of faith to sign their name on this letter urging Congress to support the Equality Act. Sign your name today and send it along to others to join in.

• For more ways to stay engaged, check out these resources: What Religious Leaders Can Do to Support the Equality Act; What Faith Groups Can Do to Support the Equality Act

• To learn more check out this recorded webinar.

To our LGBTQIA+ siblings, know that you are loved. Surround yourself with those who love and support you in this very difficult time. Be kind to yourself and reach out for help when needed. You are a gift from God to this world and our church.