During a meeting Wednesday in Williamsport, 141 churches were given the green light by the Susquehanna Conference to cut ties with the United Methodist Church in the latest round of defections fueled by disagreements over the church's position on LGBTQ people and other issues.
“At the start of the session, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball acknowledged the difficulty of the evening,” the summary noted. “‘Tonight, this work is not easy,’ she said. ‘And we recognize that we will look differently when everything is over. Yet, in the midst of disaffiliation, God is present and God is faithful.’”
In an email to PennLive, Liz Lennox, the director of communications ministry for the Susquehanna Conference, outlined the financial responsibilities of the churches that are disaffiliating: Churches must fulfill their fair-share obligations to the United Methodist Church pension fund for retired clergy.
Churches must also pay unpaid debts to the Susquehanna Conference, clergy compensation through June 2023 and $1,000 in legal fees.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
United Methodist churches in Pa. could cut ties over LGBTQ issuesDelegates to the Susquehanna Conference will consider the request of churches to cut ties with the denomination due to its stance on LGBTQ issues.
Read more »
Methodist Hospital co-owner HCA to take over San Antonio's FastMed Urgent Care clinicsNashville-based HCA Healthcare Inc. will soon take over FastMed urgent care centers across Texas, including 16 in the San Antonio area.
Read more »
Church founded by immigrants still flourishes in San Jose's JapantownEstablished in 1895 and founded by Japanese immigrants, the church served as a foundation for what would become San Jose's Japan Town, one of three remaining Japan Towns in the country.
Read more »
Putin gives church Russia’s most important icon after ‘numerous requests’President Vladimir Putin gifted one of Russia's most venerated images to the Russian Orthodox Church after 'numerous requests,' Patriarch Kirill announced.
Read more »
Pilsen Church Opens Its Doors To House Migrants in Chicago as More Shelters SoughtChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stopped by the 12th district police station Tuesday afternoon to meet with migrant families just one day after being inaugurated as efforts continue to find housing in the city.
Read more »