UMCG Response to Recent Judicial Council Ruling
On Friday, April 28, 2017, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church announced it’s ruling on Decision 1341, declaring that the consecration of the first openly LGBT+ Bishop, Karen Oliveto, was against church law as set forth in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. However, Bishop Oliveto “remains in good standing” until an administrative or judicial process is completed.
Karen Oliveto served faithfully, skillfully, and honorably, as Senior Pastor of the 12,000 member Glide Memorial UMC in San Francisco for eight years before being named Bishop to the Mountain Sky Area.
Bishop Oliveto’s ministry is being placed on line as she is brought up on review, not because she is unqualified, not because she has been unfaithful, but because she is openly LGBT+ and married to a woman.
At the United Methodist Church of Geneva, we welcome all persons as created in the image of God and as individuals on their own faith journey, and embrace the spirit of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. Let us pray for one another and the church as we move through this challenging time.
Rev. Rich Darr, Rev. Esther Lee
Carolyn Sprawka, Gary Dittmer & Jordan Poremba
Chairs Church in Society and All Means All Team
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UMC NIC Bishop Sally Dyck's Response
Click here for NIC UMC Bishop Sally Dyck’s letter in response to this ruling.
In her letter, Bishop Dyck states, “The divide in our views about how the church deals with matters concerning human sexuality are profound and will require continuing prayerful and careful attention. But I am deeply concerned that elements within The United Methodist Church continue to obsess on human sexuality while our communities and world around us are in such great need. I am convinced that a persistent focus on our differences regarding how we view LGBTQ persons does not communicate the “highest ideals of Christian living” to a skeptical and fractured world nor bear evidence of our abiding love for and embrace of all people both within and beyond the church."