As you may be aware, the United Methodist Church's General Conference 2024 has made several significant decisions regarding human sexuality. In light of these actions, our local church has the opportunity to determine how we will approach the use of our facilities, specifically concerning wedding ceremonies.

The Board of Trustees values the input of our entire congregation as we consider these matters. We invite you to participate in this survey to ensure that your voice is heard as we make decisions that reflect the values and beliefs of our entire church.

1. Overview of General Conference 2024 Actions

General Conference took action that removed paragraph 304.3 from the United Methodist Book of Discipline, which removed language that was considered discriminatory against LGBTQ+ persons. This action was affirmed by more than 93% of the worldwide body.

With the removal of this language and the passing of additional legislation related to human sexuality, several areas of the Book of Discipline will be revised:

• Pastors will have the right to choose what weddings to perform.


• Local church Boards of Trustees will have the right to determine which weddings to host.


• Persons are not prohibited from ordination due to being in a same-gender relationship.


• The Conference Board of Ordained Ministries and District Committees on Ministry will continue to have the authority to recruit, examine, confirm the calling of, and discern the qualifications of those considered for credentialing into licensed and ordained ministry.


• The Bishop and Cabinet will continue to use careful and prayerful consultation in the appointment process to ensure clergy/church matches for effective ministry.


• The superintendent shall not penalize any clergy for performing or refraining from performing a same-sex marriage service.


• The superintendent shall neither require any local church to hold or prohibit a local church from holding a same-sex marriage on property owned by a local church.

2. Local Church Policy on Facility Use for Weddings

Our local church has the ability to create specific policies regarding the use of our facilities for wedding ceremonies. The Board of Trustees is considering whether or not it is necessary to add a supplement to our building use policy that would limit usage to the traditional view of marriage.

3. Congregational Input

The proposed supplement reads as follows:

"In alignment with our traditional interpretation of Christian marriage, we affirm that the covenant of marriage is a sacred union established by God, and is designed to be a lifelong commitment between one natural-born man and one natural-born woman. Therefore, all wedding ceremonies conducted in our facilities shall reflect this belief."

We ask for your input on this important decision: