Denominational Update

Legislation to implement the plan, as well as consideration of other plans which are listed below, will likely be amended and would still need to be voted on at the General Conference during May 5-15, 2020 in Minnesota. As stated in the article, the protocol “ has unanimous support from a diverse 16-member mediation team, including representatives from “UMCNext; Mainstream UMC; Uniting Methodists; The Confessing Movement; Good News; The Institute on Religion & Democracy; the Wesleyan Covenant Association; Affirmation; Methodist Federation for Social Action; Reconciling Ministries Network; and the United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus; as well as bishops from the United States and across the world.” ”

A signed copy of the 8-page Protocol Statement discussed in the article can be viewed below in PDF.

This is the beginning of a long process and does not change Wheatland Salem Church as we continue to the be the Church who Love God, Love Others, and Change the World by being connected, devoted, and generous followers of Christ.

At this time we would like to provide the following steps as we each continue in our walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1. Become a great student. Take responsibility for researching and learning all you can by staying connected with all the information we provide, searching outside sources and sharing your knowledge with others. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” (Proverbs 12:15)

2. Develop a Prayer and Fasting Study group. Collect people from church to pray and fast with you as you learn together as a group. Also, click here for a resource for tips of fasting created by Community Christian Church.

3. Provide a safe place for others to share their concerns. “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” (James 1:19)

Additional resources Heading
towards the General conference in May 2020

United methodist
Jurisdictions, conferences, and our district

The Northern Illinois Conference is an Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Our conference serves the northern part of the state of Illinois and is part of the Northern Central Jurisdiction. The current Bishop of our conference is Sally Dyck.

The Northern Illinois Conference is further subdivided into six smaller regions or “districts”. These districts are named as: Aurora, Chicago Northwestern, Chicago Southern, Elgin, DeKalb, and Rockford. Wheatland Salem Church belongs to the Aurora District.

For a historic account of the formation of the United Methodist Church please read the General Council History 1968-2016.

Below are links to our North Central Jurisdiction and then specifically to Northern Illinois Conference
as well as the United Methodist News website. Some relevant articles are posted below.

As the process moves toward the General Conference 2020 the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation initially calls for the formation of a new Traditional Methodist Denomination, see below, and accommodates the potential for additional new Methodist Denominations. How these will play out within our Conference is yet to be determined but we will provide new denomination formation as legislation moves forward.

events and dates

With input from The Pastoral Staff and Leadership Team we will do our best to provide information for all of us to share and learn together.