STRAW POLL OF MEMBERS AND REGULAR ATTENDEES
Please complete only ONE survey per person.
At the 2024 UMC General Conference, delegates representing the global UMC will vote on changing the language in the UMC Book of Discipline to allow for the ordination of openly gay clergy, for the election of openly gay bishops, and for the marriages of same gender couples to be conducted by United Methodist clergy in United Methodist churches.
This would change the 1972 language the General Conference added to the UMH Book of Discipline stating, “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” and forbids ordaining openly gay clergy, electing openly gay bishops, and marrying same gender couples by United Methodist clergy in United Methodist churches.
Recognizing there exists within our faith community sisters and brothers in Christ with differing theological stances around these proposed changes, Harmony’s Church Council is prayerfully seeking to discern our congregation’s opinions for moving forward as Christ’s body, Harmony United Methodist Church. To aid in this discernment, a “Straw Poll of Members and Regular Attendees” has been created. Since the Straw Poll is for information only, and not a binding decision, all involved in the life of Harmony may respond.
Harmony’s Church Council asks that you prayerfully complete this poll. Robin Good, HUMC’s Administrative Assistant, has created a poll through SurveyMonkey. To access this poll, click on the following link: STRAW POLL
Additionally, if you choose not to access the online poll, you may pick up a paper ballot and return your vote through your personal email account to rgood@harmonyva.org, US postal mail, or by placing it in a box labeled “Straw Poll” located on a windowsill at the back of the sanctuary. Please include your name on your ballot. Robin Good, Harmony’s Administrative Assistant, will be tallying the votes. Church leadership will not know how anyone votes.
Please respond by Monday, March 20th. The results of this straw poll will be reported to church leadership at the March 21 Church Council meeting.
Thank you for taking your time to make your decision prayerfully and discerningly. In-depth information regarding this issue and the steps Harmony UMC leadership has taken to research and communicate prayerfully its many complexities was distributed in January. Please refer to this as you discern your vote. You can find a link to the document here: The Way Forward Task Force Report
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
The Way Forward Task Force
Steve Evick, Tom Gatewood, Robin Good, Susan Hubbuch, Dave Nash, Merc Skaggs, and Pastor Debra
Dear Harmony Congregation,
Since the 1970’s, members of the United Methodist Church have debated changing the language in the United Methodist Book of Discipline to allow for the ordination of openly gay and lesbian persons and for the marriage of same gender couples in United Methodist Churches by United Methodist clergy.
In 2024, at the UMC General Conference, delegates representing the global UMC will vote on changing the language in the Book of Discipline to allow for the ordination of openly gay clergy and the election of openly gay bishops, and to allow UMC clergy to marry same gender couples. This inclusiveness extends to all LGBTQ persons.
This would change the 1972 language the General Conference added to the Book of Discipline stating, “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching,” and that gay ministers and marriages are not allowed in their churches.
Any changes made to the Book of Discipline at the 2024 General Conference touches all United Methodist Churches. Some churches anticipating there will be a change to the Book of Discipline allowing for the ordination of LGBTQ individuals and the marriage of same gender couples have opted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Other United Methodist churches have chosen a “wait and see” attitude. Still, other United Methodist Churches support these proposed changes to the Book of Discipline.
Knowing this decision will be before Harmony UMC at some time, on November 15, 2022, the Church Council formed a Task Force to review all aspects of the human sexuality issue and to make recommendations to the Church Council for moving forward.
A report detailing the work of the Task Force and its recommendations follows. Thank you for prayerfully studying this report.
For additional information, visit the link for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church at www.vaumc.org.
Yours in Christ,
The Way Forward Task Force
Dave Nash, Steve Evick, Tom Gatewood, Susan Hubbuch, Merc Skaggs,
Pastor Debra Lucas, Robin Good