General Conference – refer to the commission

A sign spotted in the observer section of the convention hall:

1980 Study – No Effect
1988 Study – No Effect
2008 Study – No Effect
2016 Commission – Suspect Effect
No Pressure : No Effect

A couple tweets suggest going up to bishops and asking so when is the first meeting of that commission?

Yesterday delegates voted to wait on all the petitions having to do with human sexuality and refer them to the special commission the bishops are forming. More details of all of this in the official UMC news.



Not sure what to make of this one. There was apparently a motion to hold that special GC in 2018 or 2019 at Africa University or in an African country. I'm not sure what happened to this motion. The standard GC in 2024 or 2028 is already scheduled for Harare – with the provision it be held there only if LGBT delegates and advocates can be safe.



Three denominations, Episcopal Church, Oregon Diocese, The United Church of Christ national officers, Society of Friends (Quakers), New England, have written letters of support and encouragement for the UMC to be more inclusive of LGBT people.



GC has withdrawn UMC membership in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice even though the denomination contributed no money. Support will continue through UMW and the General Board of Church and Society, though the effective voice will be smaller.