Victor United Methodist Church/585-924-2621

We will be starting a new sermon series September 8th focusing on the book “The Class Meeting” by Kevin M Watson. If you would like to pre-order a copy please contact the office or Pastor Ben.

Thank you.

August 17th from 9am-12pm

For moe information on donations or how you can help, please contact Karen at karenhansen7@hotmail.com

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

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.