Victor United Methodist Church/585-924-2621

Sisters and Brothers,

I pray this email finds you all well. Many of you may know that in this last week there was a gathering of global United Methodists at General Conference. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the United Methodist practices and polity I wanted to share some brief basics.

The United Methodist Church’s structure, doctrine, and practices can be found in the Book of Discipline. The Book of Discipline has been in use since our founder John Wesley and others gathered at the first Conference wanted to be methodical in their practice of faith. From then on every four years the Book of Discipline is changed at the global General Conferences to fit the context of the age so that the people called Methodist could continue to strive toward sanctification.

At General Conference 2016 in Portland Oregon there were discussions regarding human sexuality and what the Book of Discipline and Scripture says about it. There were many disagreements so there was a unique call for the Bishops to organize special conversations with the local and global churches to discuss how we could move forward as a denomination. This would be later called The Commission on A Way Forward. This diverse group was given the task to come up with a plan that could assist the church moving forward together as a denomination by the time a special General Conference that was called to only discuss this issue in 2019.

Fast forwarding to this last week, the General Conference voted and passed the Modified Traditionalist Plan by a vote of 53% for and 47% against. The margin of votes was very close, showing that the church is still divided in its stance regarding human sexuality. To be very clear that Modified Traditionalist Plan reaffirms what was currently in the Book of Discipline that “self-avowed and practicing homosexuals” cannot be ordained or married within the United Methodist church. There is no policy or polity within that church that states that we are to remove people from the church. We still welcome all people within the church.

With that being said, I want to affirm for our folks that what we say in our Book in Discipline and how that makes people feel can be two very different things. There are many hurting and frustrated people. It is important for me to share that there is still work being done. Another part of the body of the United Methodist Church is our Judicial Council which decides if new legislation that is passed is constitutional (our United Methodist constitution not the United States) or not. This Council has not yet made their ruling yet. It is also important for me to share that in 2020 there is another General Conference in which there will be more discussions regarding the Book of Discipline.

Beloved, may you hear that there is much work in front of us. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. This calling is difficult at best but now in the midst of our frustrations from either side of the fence or in our sadness we find the calling to be even more difficult. I continue to invite you to help us at VUMC to discern God’s vision for our church. We will be meeting as a congregation this upcoming Sunday March 10th to talk in detail what happened and what is next follow General Conference 2019.

I would like to encourage everyone to continue to use this email chain for the prayers of our hearts. We have a wonderfully large connection with folks in and outside of our community. We continue to pray for those concerns that are brought through this email chain. I would like to encourage you to please send your prayers to sister Lisa who ensures that everyone receives the request. Her email is wlbrotsh@aol.com. If you would like to chat about General Conference or about anything please know I would love to chat with you. I invite you to email me atpastorbenlalka@gmail.com or call me at 518-779-5991 to set up an appointment so we can talk.

Lastly, as we enter the Lenten season, we are called to remember the weight and pain of the Cross. We remember what it meant for Emmanuel to suffer and die for us. Join with me in remembering the pain of the Cross as we journey together. Remember alongside me that even in the suffering of the Lenten season that Easter is coming.

Never forget who and whose you are!

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Benjamin Lalka

Bishop Webb today announced that the clergy meeting and 6 regional meetings to discuss the results of the Special General Conference and path forward have been replaced with 1 Conference-wide event, which will take place on March 17 from 4-6 p.m . The location for that event will take place at in our district will be at the Rush UMC.

Please listen to this message from Bishop Webb released today.

• https://vimeo.com/321531574?fbclid=IwAR3qY_Jw0vgWdSro80K-35TzZ7fmHWWvGHSCj0FW7q4R0twXjWBXi45xgHQ

What VUMC is doing:

Pastor Ben will hold after services this Sunday (March 10th) at our church a Church Meeting to discuss what happen at the Special General Conference and to answer any questions you may have.

If you have any questions or what a personal conversation please do hesitate to call Pastor Ben (585-779-5991) or myself - Audrey Gavin - 716-480-2660.

What was the Special General Conference of the UMC all about:

The Special General Conference was held to discuss and vote on several proposes regarding the UMC's stance on the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual).

What happened:

LGBTQIA people have not been banned by The United Methodist Church.

Paragraph 4 of the Book of Discipline has not been changed. It still reads, “The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.”

304.3 Qualifications for Ordination - I'm not sure if this section has been change, but I do know that it was substantially upheld by the proposals. Current text of 304.5: While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals1 are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.2

1. "Self-avowed practicing homosexual" is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, board of ordained ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual.

However, several of the proposals that were passed have been preliminary been determined to be unconstitutional under the UMC Constitution.

The Church acknowledges that many LGBTQIA people, their loved ones and allies were hurt by the speeches, rhetoric and decisions of the General Conference and is asking for pray for healing and forgiveness.

The United Methodist Church has not split. Clearly, the UMC is not of one mind on these issues. The disagreements are deep on a number of subjects. Through it all, however, we remain one church that continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

What you can do right now:

Keep VUMC, all our church leaders - local, district, conference and globally, the UMC, and the LGBTQIA community in your prays!

Audrey Gavin

Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee Chair

Beloved of God,

For the last few weeks we have been journeying together discerning about the Kingdom of Heaven. Specifically, we have asked ourselves what gifts do we offer and give to the Kingdom. A part of the gifts we offer the Kingdom are our financial gifts. We have asked our church body to pray and discern where God is leading them in giving to our church. Below you will find attached this year’s pledge cards. Take time with God in prayer about how God is leading you to give. After doing so, I ask that you place your pledge card in the offering plate during our Tithes and Offerings, during service. Lastly, I strongly encourage all to look at our Narrative Budget. The Narrative Budget is a great outlook of what we are doing here at VUMC. May you also use it to help find where God is leading you to serve the Kingdom. Beloved, I truly believe God is doing something in our midst. I have been so blessed and proud to see so many of our church becoming invested into the Kingdom. These steps forward can be scary and difficult but I want to remind you that you never take these steps alone. You are a part of the body of Christ. Together we can overcome all things! Thank you for the faithfulness you have shown to strive after God. May God keep and bless you all.

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Benjamin Lalka

Narrative Budget

Pledge Card

March:  Sandwiches & Soup;  peanut butter & jelly, tuna fish, canned chicken, ready to eat soups, canned pasta (ravioli), etc. 

The church office email has changed to:  umcvictorny@gmail.com  

NIMS is asking for volunteer drivers at this time.  If you have an afternoon or day that you might be able to drive a Victor resident to the doctor, dentist, or hairdo, NIMS needs your help!!  Please see Nancy Kidd or contact the office 924-2621 to get a message to Nancy.