MALTA & NORTHWEST MALTA
UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES
Every Wednesday Evening: Bible Study 6:00 p.m. / Prayer Group 6:30 p.m.
4th Tuesdays and 2nd & 3rd Fridays of each month –
Cub Scouts meet at Malta UMC at 6:30 p.m.
2nd Thursday of each month –
4H meets at Malta UMC at 6:30 p.m.
2nd Saturday of each month –
Men’s Breakfast at Martha’s Restaurant at 8:30 a.m.
4th Saturday of each month –
Women’s Breakfast at Martha’s Restaurant at 8:30 a.m
GENERAL CONFERENCE ACTION PLAN 2019
SPECIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE 2019
To help prepare you for the upcoming General Conference.
A Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church will be held on February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The General Conference is made up of 864 delegates (half lay and half clergy) from around the world. Forty percent of delegates are from outside the United States. The General Conference is the highest legislative body of the United Methodist Church and the only body that can speak officially for the denomination.
The Northern Illinois Conference is represented by 6 clergy and 6 lay delegates. Please pray for our delegates and for our beloved church.
The purpose of this General Conference is to receive and vote on a report from the Commission on a Way Forward along with other legislation. The Commission on a Way Forward was formed by the 2016 General Conference and asked to find a way forward for the church that would move us beyond the current impasse related to human sexuality. Currently our Book of Discipline (BOD) states that all our churches are open to anyone, all people are welcome at the communion table and baptism fount, and all are person of sacred worth and included in the ministry of Jesus. As the same time, the BOD considers homosexuality to be incompatible with Christian teaching and does not allow our clergy to perform same-sex weddings, our churches to host same-sex weddings, or for LGBEQ persons to be ordained
The Commission’s report includes three plans:
- One Church Plan – removes the current BOD restrictions that do not allow clergy to perform same sex weddings, churches to host same sex weddings or conferences to ordain LGBTQ clergy. Adds in protective language that would ensure no one has to act against their convictions. Churches could continue to operate the same way they do now with no votes required. If churches wanted to host same-sex weddings it would require a church wide vote of approval. Bishops would work with churches to appoint pastors that match their convictions.
- Connectional Conference Plan – restructures the church to create three smaller bodies (connectional conferences) within the denomination with their own Book of Discipline and rules around same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy. One part of the church would continue the current restrictions, another part would allow churches and clergy to decide, and a third part would require clergy and churches to perform or host same-sex weddings. General Agencies would be reduced, and the role of the Council of Bishops would be redefined. Churches would have an opportunity to vote to choose which part of the church they wanted to be in if they disagree with the choice of their Annual Conference. Each part of the church would have its own unique name and logo.
- Traditional Plan – keeps the current language around homosexuality and increases accountability by streamlining the processes to enforce penalties for violations of The Book of Discipline related to marriage and ordination of homosexual person. Those who cannot live within the current Discipline requirements could create their own self-governing church that would be connected in some way to the United Methodist Church.
Each of these plans would need a majority approval by the General Conference and the connectional Conference Plan would require a 2/3 majority vote. It is possible that none of the plans will be passed, in which case the current Book of Discipline would remain. If a plan is passed, it would not become official church law until January 1, 2020.
If you have questions or concerns about the upcoming General Conference, please speak to your pastor or lay leader. You may hear and read stories about the General Conference in the media. Be sure you are getting information from a reputable source. We will have time to process this General Conference as a church. And no matter what, we will continue the important ministry we do in the community.
You can follow the General Conference live stream at www.umc.org/gc2019. Bishop Carter will be preaching the opening service at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 24th. For more information/questions or to see a list of Florida delegation go to www.nic.org/wayforward.
COMMISSION on a WAY FORWARD Council of Bishops
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
MARCH 1st – WORLD DAY OF PRAYER / CELEBRATED on
MARCH 2nd at THE SALVATION ARMY, 830 GROVE ST. in
DEKALB, IL at 10:00 a.m. For more information call Michelle Graham
at (815) 756-4308 or email: michelle.graham@usc.salvationarmy.org
MARCH 2 & MARCH 9 – DEKALB SPRING LAY ACADEMY
at ROCK FALLS UMC. Registration thru Feb 25 is $30/after 25th -$35
Schedule: 8:30-230 on each of the dates. For more information call Rev. Meyers at
(815)252-8233 or email jpmeyers2003@yahoo.com
MARCH 6 – WEDNESDAY – ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE AT
MALTA UMC at 7:OO PM
MARCH 10th, Sunday – TACO BAR DINNER / 4:30 – 6:00 P.M.
Dinner includes: Taco(s), Rice, Beans, Taco Bar Condiments,
Chips, Salsa, and Beverage. Carry-outs Available.
1 Taco $5.00; 2 Taco $6.00; 3 Taco $7.; Taco Salad $7.00
Ticket Deadline: Sunday, March 3, 2019
If you want to be contacted for tickets, call (630) 248-5695
and leave your name & phone number. We will call you back.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT MALTA COMMUNITY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!
MARCH 27, Wednesday – UM NIGHT with THE CHICAGO BULLS
at the United Center. Chicago Bulls vs Portland Trail Blazers
BENEFITS THE BISHOP’S APPEAL FOR NIC YOUTH CAMPS.
Purchase tickets: https://groupmatics.events/event/Northernillinois 21
APRIL 2019
APRIL 14 – PASSION/PALM SUNDAY
APRIL 19 – GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP AT NW MALTA UMC at 7:00 PM
APRIL 21 – EASTER SUNDAY