Conference Offers Status Report on Local Churches as Related to Disaffiliation

As we move through the disaffiliation process as outlined in paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline, the North Georgia Conference offers an update on the status of local churches in our Annual Conference in relation to disaffiliation.

Some churches have held a church conference on disaffiliation, some have requested a church conference to consider disaffiliation, and the majority will continue as United Methodist churches. For those churches that have held a church conference on disaffiliation, note that two thirds of professing members present and voting at a church conference must approve the resolution to disaffiliate for a church to go forward in the disaffiliation process. (Learn more about the process at www.ngumc.org/disaffiliation-process-and-information.)

Especially in this challenging season, our United Methodist connection is a gift. All North Georgia United Methodists are invited to join together in 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting beginning October 1 and a Conference-wide 24-hour prayer vigil November 9. (Learn more at www.ngumc.org/40-days-of-prayer-and-fasting.)

There are services of care and healing being held around the Annual Conference this month and next (reach out to your District Office for information in your area). A Women’s Advent Retreat is planned for December.  The Harbor UMC offers weekly online worship specifically for anyone who has been displaced from church.

More than 100 people have participated in the first four Lighthouse Congregation trainings, and five training opportunities are still to come. Lighthouse Congregations are particularly equipped to welcome those whose church has disaffiliated. (Learn more at www.ngumc.org/lighthouse.)

In every season we United Methodist Christians are called to proclaim the good news of God's grace and exemplify Jesus's command to love God and love neighbor. Our theological grounding is in grace and our mission is unchanging: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Find the report at www.ngumc.org/status-report-related-to-disaffiliation.

Note that this report is a working document. Ommissions and corrections may be sent to communications@ngumc.org. Updates will be made each Friday in the weeks ahead.