We begin a new sermon series in mid-July on “A Way Forward,” the United Methodist plan to discuss/decide on issues in the Book of Discipline dealing with human sexuality. A Commission, formed at the last General Conference, has been meeting for 18 months and will release its final report and recommendation in July. Issues in the report will be voted on at a called General Conference in February 2019. The outcome of the vote will call for change within the United Methodist Church.
In preparation for this, we have planned a series of events over the next few months. We begin with a “book club” in August. This is a new format for us although it will follow a familiar routine with Tuesday night dinner at 5:45 p.m. and discussion at 6:30 p.m. We will discuss a book per week with questions available prior to the evening. That means you should begin reading now.
- All books are availale in E-book or other format from AmazonSmile.
- Two Kindles will be available at church for limited (one week) checkout
- At least one copy of each book is available in the Church Library
- If you completed one of these earlier, consider sharing your book/s
Here are the books we will be discussing:
July 7 – Living Faithfully
Designed to help you understand the shape of the debate within the UMC and what it means for the present and the future, each chapter includes background on the Bible, Christian theology, history, stories from diverse viewpoints, and United Methodist structure and practice to guide reflection and conversation.
July 14: For The Sake of the Bride
This book presents a balanced theological reflection on the crisis facing The United Methodist Church today. Reflecting upon Scripture, tradition, and the work of E. Stanley Jones, Harper lovingly proposes a way forward.
July 21: The Anatomy of Peace
What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work, and conflicts in the world stem f rom the same root cause? What if we systematically misunderstand that cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve? Every day. This book instills hope and inspires reconciliation.
July 28: Unafraid an Unashamed
Nothing is needed more in the contentious dialogue surrounding human sexuality that threatens the unity of the United Methodist Church than a resource created to nurture the souls of all United Methodists. This book cultivates faith, respect for disparate opinions, appreciation for the Wesleyan means of grace, and commitment to the church.