{"id":10357,"date":"2015-05-18T12:05:17","date_gmt":"2015-05-18T19:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=10357"},"modified":"2015-05-18T19:26:24","modified_gmt":"2015-05-19T02:26:24","slug":"the-connectional-table-votes-to-submit-legislation-proposal-related-to-homosexuality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/the-connectional-table-votes-to-submit-legislation-proposal-related-to-homosexuality\/","title":{"rendered":"The Connectional Table Votes to Submit Legislation Proposal Related to Homosexuality"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nashville, Tennessee<\/strong>: Meeting in Nashville today, the Connectional Table voted to submit a compromise legislative proposal to the 2016 General Conference that removes prohibitive language from The United Methodist Book of Discipline concerning homosexuality, while making only minor changes to the existing Social Principles.<\/p>\n

The proposal would allow United Methodist clergy to perform ceremonies that celebrate same-sex unions in United Methodist churches if they wish; clergy who do not wish to perform such ceremonies would not be required to do so. The proposal also removes being a practicing homosexual or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies from the list of chargeable offenses for clergy. In addition, the proposal removes the language that says the church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers it incompatible with Christian teachings, while recognizing this has historically been the position of the church.<\/p>\n

The Connectional Table voted 26-10 with one\u00a0abstention to submit the proposal, which they described as a possible \u201cthird way\u201d to help the church end its impasse on homosexuality. The proposal would end church trials over homosexuality, allow the exercise of conscience by United Methodist clergy, yet retain the authority of annual conferences to discern suitability for ordination.<\/p>\n

\u201cPart of what I observed throughout the\u00a0process in Maputo<\/a>\u00a0and again today here in Nashville is what I would hope could happen in our congregations, in our living rooms, in our annual conferences and at General Conference \u2013 and that is a very thoughtful, respectful heartfelt discussion and earnest desire to discern God’s will,\u201d said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, chairperson of the Connectional Table.<\/p>\n

The proposal was drafted by a legislative writing team appointed by the executive committee from among the Connectional Table\u2019s membership, led by The Rev. Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai, a district superintendent in the West Michigan Conference.<\/p>\n

In doing their work, the writing team said they grounded themselves with these three theological assertions:<\/p>\n