Tag: conference

Three things I hold

Becca Girrell1 Comment

I am a member of both my Annual Conference's Delegation to General Conference 2020, and of our Conference Task Force exploring whether and how Methodists in New England might become a new and inclusive Methodist movement. Between juggling these roles and my own passion for the future of ministry in my local Methodist church and… Continue reading Three things I hold

Setting my face toward General Conference

Becca Girrell1 Comment

"The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."  - Acts 15:39-41 I dropped my kids off for their first… Continue reading Setting my face toward General Conference

UMC, this is the moment.

Becca Girrell1 Comment

I try not to be too dramatic. Okay, maybe I try not to be needlessly dramatic. But I'm convinced that with hindsight it will be clear: This is the moment that a new structure for an existing denomination-- or an entirely new denomination-- will begin its birth pangs. I hope it's that first thing, hear me.… Continue reading UMC, this is the moment.

How did we get here?

Becca Girrell3 Comments

The New England Annual (regional) Conference of The United Methodist Church experienced a watershed moment this week-- so many watershed moments that it's clear this is not a moment, but a movement. I speak not only of the passage of an Action of Non-Conformity with the General Conference of our denomination, but of the whole… Continue reading How did we get here?

Broken Circles, Shattered Hope

Becca Girrell4 Comments

Every time someone sidesteps or over-steps the marginalized, every time someone stifles holy conversation or the ministry of lay persons, every time someone uses the order given us not to guide and protect but to circumvent and then consolidate power and privilege, every time someone allows prayer or a call to follow Jesus to be hurtful rather than to build up the body, I will be there-- objecting, amending, opining, and advocating. Every. Time.

An Invitation from the New England Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Becca Girrell11 Comments

Here is the full text of the motion I made, as amended and adopted by the 2014 session of the New England Annual Conference: An Invitation The New England Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church strives to be an inclusive conference that celebrates, develops, and affirms God-given gifts for lay and ordained ministry. We… Continue reading An Invitation from the New England Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

In Loving Tension (of Ogletree, McLee, and the UMC)

Becca Girrell5 Comments

I get headline notifications on my smartphone from both NBC news and the AP. This means that I can have Olympic results spoiled, know who won a country music award for music I dislike, and be in the know about the deaths of celebrities I've never heard of, all in nearly real time (which is… Continue reading In Loving Tension (of Ogletree, McLee, and the UMC)