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We've been talking about merger for at least the last four years. A number of factors bring us to this place, but suffice it to say that most of us on the Boundaries Task Force felt that merging together was a strong choice for the future of the UMC in the New York State area. It's a risk, of course. Membership in the UMC in the Northeast is declining. Merging will give us more collective resources, but unless we really change the way we're doing things at some critical and basic levels, we'll just continue to declined together. So it is a risk, but also an opportunity for real change, real discipleship. We voted, and decided: YES! We're recommending to Jurisdictional Conference a merger, to take place in 2010. The NEJ has to vote on our recommendation, but we feel optimistic.
Here's some notes from worship:
Listening for God’s Call in a New Day
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-10
God said, Go. Abraham said, Where? God said, I will tell you when you get there. Abraham believed, trusted. “and I would include Sarah” – when do we have to trust when we are not even the ones directly receiving the message? (my question)
A hope that we can be God’s faithful people
We have stayed in a land that has become comfortable
Not a true promised land, but it’s been “ok”
Focus on survival and maintenance.
People of God have never remained settled for very long
Hard to move from what is even when we know it isn’t what ought to be
1) We can discern God’s call when we engage in truth-telling – face truth about current situations. Truth-telling was catalyst. To speak and hear the truth.
2) New future requires risk-taking vision. No GPS in wilderness. Every new awakening has begun in the Northeast.
3) Trust in God. Not trying to control every part of plan ourselves.
Comments
What would happen to the extra bishops if the merger proceeds?