OUR DISCERNMENT HISTORY:
List order is most recent (top) to oldest (bottom)
ALL MEETING VIDEOS ARE INCLUDED
SEP 25 & OCT 1, 2023 - CALLED CHURCH CONFERENCE FOR VOTING ON DISAFFILIATION
AUG 22, 2023 - FOLLOW-UP EMAIL REGARDING AUG 21 ADMIN BOARD MEETING & VOTE
AUG 21, 2023 - VIDEO FROM ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MEETING
AUG 7, 2023: VIDEO FROM DISCERNMENT UPDATE WITH GUEST FROM THE MCC
JUN 14, 2023 - ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023 BETHANY DELEGATION REPORT:
- Pastors: Tom Deviney, Stella Burkhalter, Don McAvoy, Thomas Johnson
Connected Deacons: Brian Fitzgerald, Barry Sharp
Lay Delegates: Dick Cram, Phyllis Cram, Dan Hinderliter, Ramona Hovey, Scott Hovey, Tamra Kerns, Jenn Nussbaum, Kyle Rudd, Kerry Stevens, Rita Thompson
MAY 6 & 16, 2023 - RIO TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS IMPACTED BY DISAFFILIATION:
- Some churches have been approved for disaffiliation; others have been sued by the Annual Conference. Learn more HERE
MAY 3, 2023 - METHODIST COLLEGIATE CHURCH (MCC) INFORMATION SESSION UPDATE:
- On May 3, six Bethany members and two Bethany pastors attended an info session about the Methodist Collegiate Church (MCC) at another church in our area. This visit was an additional opportunity to learn more about the MCC. Two MCC presenters shared their vision for this denomination and answered questions. See some key takeaways HERE
APR 17, 2023 - ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MEETING: VIDEO HERE
- The Administrative Board voted to pause our Discernment Process:
- Letter from Administrative Board Chairman (4/18/23)
- Discernment Pause Discussion Guide for Groups
Submitted Questions Q&A (Online Submissions & Congregational Meeting Questions)
Mar 5, 2023 - SESSION 3: VIDEO HERE
Official Denomination Links & Session 3 Presentation Slides:
- United Methodist Church(UMC) - Rio Texas Conference Link
- Methodist Collegiate Church (MCC) Link
- MCC Session 3 Presentation Slides
- Additional Q&A Responses from Reverend Jon Reeves, MCC - Global Methodist Church (GMC) Link
- GMC Session 3 Presentation Slides
- Additional Q&A Responses from Reverend Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory, GMC - Submitted Questions Q&A to read in preparation for Session 3
Session 3 Discussion Guide for Classes & Groups
Feb 15, 2023 - SESSION 2: VIDEO HERE
Jan 22, 2023 - SESSION 1: VIDEO HERE
Nov 15, 2022 - Message from Pastor Tom about Discernment Process
Nov 14, 2022 - Administrative Board Meeting vote to enter Discernment Process:
- Video 1: Lead Team Presentation to Ad Board (Nov 14, 2022)
- Video 2: Question & Answer (Nov 14, 2022)
- Video 3: Closing Comments (Nov 14, 2022)
- PDF Slides: Lead Team Presentation to Ad Board (Nov 14, 2022)
- The Discernment Process Begins with 40 Days of Prayer (Nov 14, 2022)
- FAQ following Nov 14, 2022 Ad Board Meeting (Nov 2022)
Aug 2022 - UMC Denominational Info:
- Bethany Update on the UMC Denomination (Aug 2022)
- A Message from Pastor Tom & Ramona Hovey (Aug 2022)
- PDF Summary of Video (Aug 2022)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Common Misconceptions about Disaffiliation (Rio Texas Conference of the UMC)
- Rio Texas Conference Discerning Pathways Information
- A Brief Overview of Bethany's Discernment Process
- PDF Chart: "United Methodist: A Connected Church"
- Website: "We Are UMC"
- Video: "The United Methodist Church Split" (created by YouTube Channel, Ready to Harvest)
- History of the UMC Debate
- How Bethany and the UMC are Governed
- Lead Team & Administrative Board Members
Bethany Story Wall:
A place to share, listen, and grow in understanding
QUESTIONS?
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We want to understand what additional information we need to provide. Please note that we will do our best to answer questions in a timely manner, but it may not be possible to answer every question immediately.