Dear Socastee UMC Family, October 31, 2024
What a whirlwind the past two plus days have been. Filled with announcements, information, misinformation, emotions that run the gamut from anger to joy, and anxious anticipation of where we go from here and how we get there, this has again been a frontier none of us have navigated before.
All the while, I was preparing for a pastoral consultation on Wednesday morning preceding our charge conference next Wednesday. With most of the work for the charge conference completed and the consultation behind me, I wanted to take a moment to address and hopefully clear up some things about the Judicial Council announcement shared with you on Tuesday.
Please read the following, borrowed from Rev. Will Malambri at Belin Memorial UMC regarding the Judicial Council: “The Judicial Council is the denomination’s highest court, similar to the Supreme Court in the United States’ judicial system. It is made up of five clergy members and four laity members who serve voluntarily. It determines the constitutionality and legality of acts or proposed acts of the General, jurisdictional, central and annual conferences based on the church’s constitution and other parts of The Book of Discipline. Judicial Council members are nominated by the Council of Bishops and General Conference delegates and are elected by the General Conference. Members sometimes have a legal background; several active and retired judges have served.”
On October 26th, the Judicial Council released Decision 1512 in which they ruled on a petition from the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference regarding using Paragraph 2549, the Paragraph referenced and used by our Conference Agreement to Separate, as it related to the policy or process for SC UMC churches to separate from the denomination.
It essentially reads that Paragraph 2549 may not be used or cited by Conferences to allow churches to separate from the UMC.
Thus, this action ended the efforts and discernment of churches in the South Carolina Conference (or any Conference) currently seeking to separate from the UMC.
This was a known possibility as was noted in the cover letter of the Trustees Checklist for Closure and Separation 2025 that the group from our church and others were using for their work towards a vote and possible separation. However, that does not negate the disappointment and despair that many, who hoped to have a vote decide the future of Socastee UMC, are feeling. On the other hand, there are those feeling a great sense of relief and happiness that this congregation will remain, as it currently is, part of the United Methodist denomination.
So, now the questions and decisions become more individual and personal.
I urge you to not react to emotions. First, above all, seek the will of God in your decisions, as I have said the entire four months that I have been blessed to be your pastor here. In addition, Bishop Fairley urges us to anchor ourselves in the Word of God found in Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” We are not the first of God’s faithful to face desperate times and we will not be the last.
Finally, I implore you not to demonize those who think differently, or those who are led to make different decisions than you might. Remember your desire to come through this in love and that we will still live together in this community well after this dilemma is resolved. Even more importantly, we have an opportunity to share our witness as Christians to others by the way we conduct ourselves. We are all part of the Body of Christ: “As it is, there are many members yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” (First Corinthians 12:20-21) Though we differ, we are all indispensable to the work of Christ in the world and indeed we can and must find a way to live together. It is not my place or intention to tell anyone what decision to make regarding church membership. My shepherd’s heart aches for Socastee UMC as the Body of Christ, and for each one torn and spiritually wounded by these circumstances. Regardless of how you are led and what decision you and your family make, you have my blessing and hopes for a rich life of faithfulness in Christ. I will assist you in any way possible going forward. The leadership team and I are discussing approaches to coming together and sharing the ways we feel God calling us to move toward the future. Stay tuned and feel free to share your own ideas with me.
and remember……
“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things will be well.” Julian of Norwich
Grace to you and peace in the one who is, who was,
and will always be Lord of all,
Pastor Paula
