Dear United Methodist Church (from Lynette Hendricks)

Dear United Methodist Church:

I believe the time has come for a split in the United Methodist Church. This General Conference has widened the schism between those willing to fully affirm the worth of gay and lesbians and those who are not ready for that. For those of us unable to accept this discrimination, and unable to change the hearts and minds of a sufficient number of delegates - it is time to leave.

I belong to Northaven UMC in Dallas - a reconciling congregation. And a church which pays its apportionments in full each year. To borrow a phrase from American History - this is taxation without representation. How can I support a connectional church which is fundamentally disconnected from me and my core belief that homosexuality is not incompatible with Christian teachings?

We've all learned the Wesleyan quadrilateral - the practice of our faith is based on Scripture, Experience, Reason, and Tradition. Let the conservatives elevate Tradition, the progressives cling to Reason, and we can all share the hemisphere of Scripture and Experience. Establish a Progressive Methodist Church, or an Open Methodist Church, or a New Methodist Church. Because whatever you call us, - we are not a United Methodist Church.

Lynette Hendricks

(Lynette and her partner, Stephanie Rhoades, are members of Northaven)

If you are a Northaven member/friend who would like to share your feelings about General Conference, email or write to Eric or Mindy in the church office.