At the end of January, a letter went out to the church membership from our Church Council chair, Larry Templeton, and our Lay Leader, Jason Wilson.  The letter sought to explain the deep discussions that are ongoing regarding a possible separation the United Methodist Church.  The General Conference of the UMC, which is a world-wide gathering of delegates from around the world meets in May with the hope of determining what the path forward for our denomination will look like.  In the meantime, annual conferences and local churches are commencing discussions of how this may impact their local churches. 

Here at Central, there are two lay-led groups that have formed to engage in these discussions.  Both groups have been given permission to hold informational meetings at Central regarding their respective positions.  Both groups are reaching out to the church family through emails, phone calls, and personal interactions.  We want to be clear that neither of these groups is an official entity of Central UMC. Rather, they are lay-led coalitions that formed organically.  So, when you receive communications from these groups, please know that official church communications channels are not being used to disseminate information. 

The two groups are: Central Traditional Wesleyan and United for Central.  It is our understanding that when both groups reach out via email that they are providing an opportunity for people to unsubscribe from their emails.  Should you wish to connect with the Central Traditional Wesleyan group you may email them at christians@cumctraditionalwesleyans.com.  Should you wish to connect with United for Central, you may email them at unitedforcentral@gmail.com  

Central UMC will be holding two Family Conversations on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m.  These two identical meetings will be held in the Activities Center and provide an opportunity for the Central family to learn more informational about the legislation that will be considered at the General Conference level and to have some discussions as well.  These two meetings are sanctioned events of the church.  Also, prayer vigils held every Tuesday at noon in the Wesley Chapel are sanctioned events of the church.   

These are challenging times for our denomination and local church.  We invite you all to be in prayer for our future, for our leadership, and for us all to move forward in a spirit of love and gentleness. 

In His Service,

Dr. Jan Davis             Dr. Steve Pulliam             Brian Swain

Senior Pastor             Executive Pastor             Executive Director