Episcopal News Service: Resolution affirming goal of full communion with United Methodist Church gets approval by House of Bishops BY MELODIE WOERMAN Posted Jun 24, 2024 https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2024/06/24/goal-of-full-communion-with-united-methodist-church-gets-approval-by-house-of-bishops/

 Home

 

General Convention

 

Top Stories

 

Archives

 

Jobs & Calls

 

Events

 

Press Releases

Search

Resolution affirming goal of full communion with United Methodist Church gets approval by House of Bishops

BY MELODIE WOERMAN

Posted Jun 24, 2024

FacebookXWhatsAppEmailShare

Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer addresses the House of Bishops June 24 after it adopted a resolution commending the goal of full communion between The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church. Photo: Randall Gornowich

[Episcopal News Service – Louisville, Kentucky] On June 24 the House of Bishops approved the next step toward full communion between The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church by adopting Resolution A049, as amended.

The resolution states that General Convention “joyfully anticipates advancing towards full communion” between the two churches and encourages Episcopalians to learn more about these efforts over the next three years.

The Episcopal Church currently is in full communion with seven churches: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; the Moravian Church-Northern and Southern Provinces; the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, India; the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht; the Philippine Independent Church; and the Church of Sweden.

On April 30, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to establish full communion with The Episcopal Church. On May 1, delegates removed the denomination’s ban on ordaining gay clergy, and on May 3, they redefined marriage and ended official church condemnation of homosexuality.

Retired Montana Bishop Franklin Brookhart noted that one sticking point is the issue of lay presidency, because Methodist local pastors, who are not ordained as clergy, can preside at celebrations of the Eucharist. But this policy, Brookhart said, “has no real binding concern on us.”

San Joaquin Bishop David Rice quoted the Rev. Gregory Palmer, resident bishop of the Ohio West Area and co-chair of the United Methodist-Episcopal Church dialogue, by saying “Now is the time, this is the moment, we are the people.” Rice said, “We’re not there yet but are getting closer” on full communion, and he urged continuing work with Methodist bishops and among faith communities of both denominations.

On a voice vote, the bishops adopted the resolution, which included an amendment added in committee that would have the convention “celebrate with The United Methodist Church the historic and sweeping changes to the Book of Discipline and Social Principle” concerning ordination and marriage of LGBTQI people.

Palmer, who was in the house gallery to observe the debate, then was invited to address the house. After thanking the bishops for their action he said this movement toward full communion is “a sign for what God intends for all of us.”

— Melodie Woerman is an Episcopal News Service freelance reporter based in Kansas.

Tags

Ecumenical & Interreligious,

General Convention,

General Convention 2024

Press Release Service 

Submit a Press Release 

SSW’s robust scholarships and new curriculum with Beloved Community focus main topics of conversation at GC81

Seminary of the Southwest

The Church Pension Fund announces the election of Canon Anne M. Vickers as chair of its Board of Trustees

Church Pension Group

Shaping the Parish Series on Amazon

Order of the Ascension

Learn about VTS’ full scholarship package and new Christian Formation doctoral track at General Convention

Virginia Theological Seminary

Season of Creation liturgical resource approved for use in 42 dioceses

Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts

Church Pension Group releases its report to the 81st General Convention

Church Pension Group

CDSP announces major price reduction for seven-week continuing ed courses

Church Divinity School of the Pacific

University of the South brings Sewanee to Louisville

The University of the South

Shaping the Parish begins a new cycle

The Order of the Ascension

Confronting The Episcopal Church’s struggle against a tradition of racism in an award winning history

RGP Enterprise, LLC

Seminary of the Southwest announces election of Dr. Scott Bader-Saye as ninth dean and president

Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX

Featured Events 

Submit an Event Listing 

Meet Church Pension Group

 Louisville, KY

 June 22-26, Daily from 12-2 p.m. ET

Mission Advocacy, Racial Justice, and Reconciliation Retreat

 West Cornwall, CT (Trinity Retreat Center)

 Aug. 9-11

Featured Jobs & Calls 

Submit a Job Listing 

Music Director & Organist (PT)

 Boca Grande, FL

Senior Pastor

 Sunriver, OR

Endowment Advisor

 New York, NY (or remote)

Rector

 Saint Louis, MO

Assistant/Associate for Formation and Engagement

 Wilton, CT

Rector

 Gettysburg, PA

Senior Associate Rector

 Winnetka, IL

Communications Coordinator

 Los Angeles, CA

Director of Music/Organist/Choirmaster

 Bethlehem, PA

Rector

 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Priest-in-Charge (PT)

 Brant Lake, NY

Rector

 Flagstaff, AZ

Rector

 Great Falls, MT

Diocesan Director of Communications

 St. Louis, MO

Rector

 Palos Park, IL

Vicar

 Whiterocks, UT

Interim Rector

 Carmichael, CA

Assistant/Associate Rector

 Morristown, NJ

Rector

 Battle Creek, MI

Program Officer R&P Pre-Arrival

 Location TBD

Children’s Minister (PT)

 Washington, DC

Rector

 Chico, CA

Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries

 Colorado Springs, CO

Rector

 Decatur, IL

Rector

 Bismarck, ND

Executive Director – Episcopal Retreat & Conference Center

 Salt Lake City, UT

Rector

 Alpena, MI

Young Adult Community Fellow

 Indianapolis, IN

Associate for Formation & Pastoral Care (PT)

 San Diego, CA

Interim Rector

 Aptos, CA

Rector

 Joplin, MO

Rector

 Chapala, Mexico

© Episcopal News Service 2024

Home

 

General Convention

 

Top Stories

 

Archives

 

Jobs & Calls

 

Events

 

Press Releases

About

 

Contact

 

RSS

 

Terms of Service

 

Privacy Policy

 

Submission Guidelines

 

Sponsorship