Multiple theologically progressive congregations in the UMC are in the process of leaving.

Holy Covenant UMC of Chicago on Diversity Parkway has only gone so far to crossing out the “United” on their front awning in their title making their name “Holy Covenant United Methodist Church.” They have not gone to the full extent of leaving the UMC.

But churches like Hope Gate Way, a congregation in Portland, Maine, voted to leave the denomination last March 2021, and Chebeague Island United Methodist Church, located on Chebeague Island, Maine, voted last February 2021 in doing the same.

Bering Church of Houston, Texas, voted to leave the UMC on April 18, 2021, deciding to join the more theologically liberal mainline denomination, the United Church of Christ.[8]

With 438 delegates voting to keep the UMC traditionally conservatively church versus the 384 wanting a more open and progressive church, it would seem that the conservatives won in the UMC being unwelcoming to the LGBTQ Community - also meaning to defrock any LGBTQ clergy, and gear toward more conservative theology. It was thought that the Progressive Methodists would have to accept the future of their church or leave the UMC.

Looking closer at the numbers, it became clear if the General Conference delegates were made up only of Annual Conferences within the United States, the all-welcome of LGBTQ peoples would have passed[9]. It was the African and Asian delegates that voted with the Conservative Methodists from the United States that bought their theology in the winning.

In other words, within the United States, the majority are the Progressive Methodists. This knowledge comes by the Progressive Methodists taking a stand stating they would not leave their church and continue the discussion.

Soon after the vote, protests erupted in the center of the arena where the General Conference had been held. Some delegates began singing church songs and chanting, “We’re queer,” and “This is our church!”

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The Great Banana Spilt

[8] It is ironic that Bering Church might have ties with the United Church of Christ [formerly know as Congregationalist]. UCRP’s current building was a former Congregationalist Church before the merge of the two churches – UMC and Congregationalist making United Church of Rogers Park.

[9] In recent years, progressive American members, including gays and lesbians, have been hopeful about greater inclusion. Six in 10 United Methodists in the United States believe homosexuality should be accepted.

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