April 25, 2017

Judicial Council holds hearing on Oliveto Election

Today the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church is meeting in New Jersey. Among the several items being considered by the council, which acts in a way similar to the Supreme Court on Church matters, is the election of Bishop Karen Oliveto by the Western Jurisdiction.

This morning the council heard one hour arguments from the South Central Jurisdiction (they requested the decision) and the Western Jurisdiction (in defense). These are the only oral arguments which will be heard, and the only part of the meeting that will be open to observers. In addition, many people and groups have submitted written briefs to the council.

Following the open hearings, Bishop Elaine Stanovsky and Bishop Karen Oliveto spoke to reporters and supporters in a press conference. Bishop Oliveto shared about the tremendous amount of mail she has received in support of her election, and the stories of the pain that exclusion of LGBTQ persons she has heard. She said she would be praying for the Judicial Council, and that, “I am not the first gay bishop, and I will not be the last.” Standing with them were other Bishops of the Western Jurisdiction and leaders from the Mountain Sky Area.

Watch the video of their press conference

The decision from the council will come at the end of their meeting - Thursday, Friday, or Monday.
Any news or comments in the meantime can be found on social media by following hashtag #JC2017. Follow the Oregon-Idaho Facebook page, and the Western Jurisdiction Facebook page for posts and updates.
Conference leaders have invited the people of the Greater Northwest Area and Oregon-Idaho Conference to be in prayer for the Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church, and Bishop Oliveto during this challenging week. You can read their invitation on the Greater Northwest Area website.
 

Council of Bishops sets called session of General Conference

The Council of Bishops today announced that a called session of General Conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, February 23-26, 2019.

The purpose of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference will be "limited to receiving and acting on a report from the Council of Bishops based on the recommendations of the Commission on a Way Forward."

The 32-member Commission was appointed by the Council of Bishops to assist the bishops in their charge to lead the church forward amid the impasse related to homosexuality. The Commission's task includes examining paragraphs in The Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and exploring options to strengthen the unity of the church.

Per the Constitution of the Church, the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference shall be composed of the delegates to the 2016 General Conference or their legal successors or alternates, except when a particular annual conference or missionary conference shall prefer to have a new election.

Read the full press release.

And read the letter calling for the session.