Reconciling Ministries Team Q&A

Nardin Park’s Reconciling Ministry team hosted three all-congregation “Holy Conferencing” informational opportunities this summer in preparation for our consideration to become a reconciling church. With feedback from the congregation who attended, the team has written a welcome statement for Nardin Park Church.

Recognizing that all church members were not able to attend one of these events, we are sharing the Welcome Statement and answers to questions you might have. Also recognizing that we do not know all of your questions, you are invited to come to “A Discussion on the Reconciling Congregation Decision,” Sunday, Nov. 3, immediately after worship in Mercer Hall.

Pastor Melanie and members of the reconciling ministry team will be available to answer your questions.

The Welcome Statement proposed for congregational vote is:

Nardin Park UMC celebrates that everyone is created in God’s image and is of sacred worth. We welcome all into full participation in our church without regard to age, race culture, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, family configuration, religious background, socioeconomic situation, citizenship, language and/or ability.

Q and A regarding the new welcome statement and Reconciling Ministries

Why do we need an official Welcoming Statement, I thought we already believed God loves everyone?

Because of the decisions made by the General Conference this past February, as well as the non-binding straw poll vote taken by the Michigan Annual Conference in May, leaders in our congregation felt that we at Nardin Park needed to be explicitly clear, especially with our neighbors, about who we believe God loves and who we are as a congregation.

If adopted, how will this welcome statement affect Nardin Park Church?

Day to day activities and ministries would not change. What would change is that this statement would become the official welcome statement of our church and Nardin Park would become an official reconciling congregation and would join the world-wide Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The statement would be printed on the front of our Sunday bulletin, we could use the RMN logo on our electronic sign and we would continue to honor the full participation in our church of every one of God’s children.

What does “full participation” mean?

Full participation means:

• Sacraments: Baptism, Communion, Marriage
• Pathway to membership
• Pathway to ministry

Have we had any people leave Nardin Park because we are considering becoming a reconciling congregation?

Faithful United Methodists do not all agree on matters of human sexuality and we at Nardin Park also do not all agree on these matters. We don’t have to agree to be in the same congregation. Over the summer, our Reconciling Ministries Team hosted three holy conversations where people were invited to talk with one another about what they believe about human sexuality.

We currently know of some persons who have officially indicated that they are no longer attending Nardin Park Church because they are not in agreement with the welcome statement and its theological implications.

We also know that some people have decided to start attending Nardin Park Church because of our welcome statement and its theological implications. In addition, we know of some people who have indicated they do not agree with the welcome statement but they are not going to leave the church over it.

Will there be a congregational vote on this welcome statement?

Yes. There will be two opportunities to vote on the welcome statement. The first will be Sunday, Nov. 17, right after the worship service during a special congregational meeting. The vote will be by ballot. This will be a NON-BINDING straw poll vote.

What is a non-binding straw poll vote? Why are we doing a straw poll vote?

It is a vote that simply helps us to understand where the church stands at this particular moment on this particular matter. Because it is a straw poll vote, the results are not binding on the congregation. A straw poll vote is advised from many other churches who have also done this same voting process on these same matters.

Will there be an official vote that is binding? If so, when?

Yes. The second and official vote will be at a future date determined by the reconciling ministries team in consultation with our church council. It will be announced and explained and will also be a ballot vote taken during a congregational meeting after worship.

Who can vote in the straw poll and in the official vote?

Full members, affiliate members and retired clergy who have made Nardin Park their church home are eligible to vote.

Can I vote if I am not present for the congregational meeting?

No. In the United Methodist Church, in order to vote you must be present at the meeting.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday, Nov. 3, Mercer Hall, immediately after worship:  “Discussion on Reconciling Congregation Decision”

Sunday, Nov. 17, Mercer Hall, immediately after worship: Straw poll vote to help the reconciling ministry team understand the congregation’s response to becoming a reconciling church.