The Discernment Process
The Discernment Ad-hoc Committee of Trussville First UMC would like for you to be as informed as possible. Please take advantage of reading the sections below so that you can prayerfully discern your position concerning the future of our congregation. Because there are strong feelings from all perspectives, we have tried to provide resources that are as unbiased as possible.
If you have questions that were not answered here, please email your questions to Allen Hatcher at dahcop1@icloud.com and someone from the Discernment Team will contact you.
The results for Sunday, April 23, 2023 disaffiliation vote:
Disaffiliate - 296
Stay UMC - 83
78% to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church
To the Church Family,
In August of 2022 the Church Council voted for Trussville First United Methodist Church to enter into discernment concerning the possibility of disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church over issues related to human sexuality per Paragraph 2553 of the Addendum to the 2016 Book of Discipline. On March 12, 2023 the Discernment Team made the recommendation to the Church Council that a Church Conference should be held for the purpose of allowing the membership of Trussville First United Methodist Church to vote on the matter of disaffiliation. The Church Council then voted to hold a Church Conference. The District Superintendent was notified and set the date for the Church Conference for April 23, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. for the purpose of voting on disaffiliation. This may well be the most important decision that this Church has ever made since 1968 when we became United Methodist.
As we move closer to this date, my hope is that Church members pray daily for God to place in their hearts his will and not theirs, as this vote will affect the Kingdom of God, the congregation, the staff, and the community. I am aware that individuals on both sides of this issue are recruiting others for the purpose of voting. Some of these individuals are members on the Church roll who have not attended or supported the Church for some time. Other individuals are non members recruited to become members.
I can only believe that these individuals are here to faithfully participate in Trussville First United Methodist Church by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness. I would hate to think they are here, only to vote and then disappear into the darkness, as this is a major decision for our church. Again, I encourage those intending to participate in the vote to seek the will of God and consider your vote and whether you should vote.
Trusting faith over fear,
Allen Hatcher
Chairman, Discernment Team
Church Conference
There will be a called Trussville First United Methodist Church Conference on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 12:30 pm for the sole consideration of the following matter: Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church over issues related to human sexuality per Paragraph 2553 of the Addendum to the 2016 Book of Discipline. Also, per paragraph 246.7, no other business may be conducted at this meeting. The vote will be by written ballot and disaffiliation will require a two-thirds vote of those professing members present and voting. Members present constitute a quorum. The District Superintendent of the Cheaha District of the North Alabama Conference, Rev. Sherill Clontz has consented to and will preside over this called Church Conference.
IMPORTANT! Please be aware that once the Called Church Conference begins, a 5-minute grace period will be given for any late members to receive a ballot. After that grace period, no ballot will be distributed.
Due to member voting restrictions, new members will be processed until Monday, April 10th, then will resume after April 23rd. New members received between April 10th and April 23rd will not receive a ballot to vote.
Sunday, January 22, 2023, 12:30* p.m. - Lunch and Learn: Global Methodist Church
Monday, January 23, 2023, 6:30 p.m. - Discernment Leadership Team Meeting
Sunday, February 5, 2023, 12:30* p.m. - Lunch and Learn: Independent Methodist Church
Thursday, February 9, 2023, 6:30 p.m. - Discernment Leadership Team Meeting
Sunday, February 12, 2023, 12:30* p.m. - Lunch and Learn: Wesleyan Methodist Church
Sunday, March 5, 2023, 12:30* p.m. - Lunch and Learn: Stay UMC
Thursday, March 9, 2023, 6:00* p.m. - Dinner and Learn: Free Methodist Church
Sunday, March 12, 2023 - Church Council Meeting/Discernment Leadership
Sunday, April 23, 2023, 12:30 p.m. - Church Conference
*Bring your food and join us. Childcare will be provided.
2023 Important Dates & Information
Discernment Covenant and Timeline Agreement
First United Methodist Church Trussville
North Alabama Conference Cheaha District
Question for Discernment: What is God calling our Church to do, and who are we called to be?
Goals and Mission of Discernment:
· To understand the vision and mission of this congregation. How does the community perceive our Church? Does the congregation know the mission of the Church?
· To understand the implications of remaining a United Methodist Church.
· To understand the implications of withdrawing from the UMC. What are the options?
· We will study and try to understand the current crisis in the UMC as it relates to theology, human sexuality, fiscal challenges, episcopal leadership, and local governance.
· To provide an opportunity for members of the congregation to become more informed about the implications and to be able to express their views on the above issues.
· For members of the congregation to individually consider what they believe and why they believe it?
· To develop a recommendation to the congregation that is acceptable to as many members as possible.
· To engage as many members as possible in this process.
· For the Church to be strengthened by the process
Process and Timeline:
September request was made for a disaffiliation number. Made by Finance chair Curtis Garner and Dr. Stephen Strange.
August 28, 2022 - Church-wide council meeting whole Church was invited. (181) Church Council vote to enter discernment. Vote was 19-0 to enter discernment one abstained; one was absent.
August 28, 2022 - District superintendent notified that we were officially in Discernment.
August 29, 2022 - Congregation and Staff notified of Discernment process.
September 1, 2022 - Consultation and reminder to DS that we were entering discernment.
September 26, 2022 - Administrative board nominated and ratified the ad-hoc discernment team.
October 5, 2022 - Request was made for an updated Disaffiliation number.
October 10, 2022 - 21 Days of Prayer
October 26, 2022 - Met with District Superintendent Rev. Sherill Clontz to adopt timeline and Covenant agreement.
December 10, 2022 - 21 Days of Prayer
March 2023 - Recommendation from Discernment team, Church conference to follow.
Covenant of Conduct
To be agreed upon by all members of the Discernment Team
To be used as a model for all members of the congregation
As Christians called to model the body of Christ, we will
· Be intentional in developing relationships with one another in order to build and maintain a Christian community and foster trust;
· Reply on prayer, scripture, listening and deep engagement with Christ and each other;
· Act in a spirit of truth and love, honoring the truth that God works through each member of the body;
· Engage in conversation and ongoing study together;
· Seek to provide adequate, unbiased information;
· Learn about the various perspective on the topic;
· Use “I” messages to speak openly and transparently regarding one’s intentions, concerns, values and interests;
· Speak from our person experience related to the subject;
· Listen attentively and with respect and openness to our sisters and brothers; believing that all desire to be faithful to Jesus Christ;
· Go out of our way to listen to persons with whom we disagree, and listen with an open heard to glean new insights and wisdom;
· Respond after restarting what we have heard and asking for any clarification;
· Focus on ideas instead of questioning people’s motives, intelligence, integrity, or faith;
· Refrain from name-calling or using labels;
· Desist from “calling for the question” in order to remain open to the vision God holds for us and find win/win solutions where possible;
· Articulate what the largest portion of the body senses is the leading of the Holy Spirit.