Dear Family and Friends of Front Street United Methodist Church, Undoubtedly you may have heard that the General Conference of our denomination has removed The United Methodist Church’s ban on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” — a prohibition that dates to 1984. (The General Conference is the ruling body of our church. Its delegates are elected from every Annual Conference around the world and its delegates are equally laity and clergy.) Many of you, we are sure, may be asking “What does this mean for Front Street?” It means we, like all United Methodist, will be known as a people on a journey, learning how to be extravagant givers of God’s mercy, grace and love. We, like many of you, have no idea what it is to be a gay, lesbian or a queer person. But we do know what it is to be excluded, marginalized and made to feel less than others. As Disciples, we desire never to be ones who marginalize people of any race, gender or orientation. The One we follow clearly modeled that he stood alongside those whom culture and religion tossed aside or judged, and commands us to do likewise. The General Conference action does not require clergy to perform same-sex marriages, nor does it require churches allow same-sex marriages to occur in a local church sanctuary. But it does protect churches and clergy who choose to perform and hold same-sex marriage ceremonies. We have been asked by some of you, “Will a gay or lesbian clergy be appointed to our church?” In our denomination, appointment of clergy is done “in consultation with the local church [through the Staff Parish Relations Committee], the District Superintendent and Bishop.” We must remember a bishop would not want to appoint a clergy-person to a church who they perceive may not be received well. It would not be fair to the clergy or the church. We have a long and established reputation of being a welcoming, mercy-giving, grace-filled, loving people in service to the world for Jesus Christ our Lord. We will continue to be so to the very best of our abilities. And, our mission to serve the people of Burlington and Alamance county, just as Christ is serving them, remains the goal and focus for all of us, the people of Front Street. Here is the United Methodist News post and a letter written to a local church by one of the greatest Bishops we have ever encountered, Bishop Ken Carter. Bishop Will Willimon precedes with a short praise of Bishop Carter’s words. The letter expresses our hearts as pastors better than we are capable of putting in ink. Bishop Carter has preached in camp meetings, prisons and jails, college and university chapels, megachurches and house churches, and in twenty countries on four continents. He was a local church pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference for twenty-eight years. Thank you for all you do for the Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ! In Christ’s Grip, Pastors Ray and Stephan

Can anyone explain why the more we attempt to control things, the less peace we have? The issue with attempting to control everything is that we become the divine force of our own lives. We attempt to control what isn't controllable—that is the reason control is a deception, a facade. There are great many factors we have zero control over. Try not to be hoodwinked about it! We endeavor to control our conditions when we want our external day to day routines to fulfill our inward lives. If we desire peace in our lives, it would be tremendously helpful if we can relinquish the things that are really not an option for us to change. Jesus himself reminded us not to stress over what we would eat or wear yet entrust God with everything about our lives (Luke 12:22-26). Might you at any point control how your children act? Of course, you can lead them into becoming kind and loving persons (and please do), however you have zero control over their souls. They are their own people. We find this as they become teenagers! Might you at any point control how your friends and co-workers treat you? Might you at any point control the climate? Could you at any point control interruptions that happen multiple times a day? Could you at any point control traffic? Might you at any point control how a stranger treats you? Treating your spouse with adoration and regard will pay off. But at any point can you control them? On the off chance that you have been married for any time at all, you realize the response is an absolute “no”! So why do we often attempt to do so? Knowing we can influence, and not control, gives everyone around us a great deal of liberation, grace, mercy, and joy. Well, that is, IF we give up control. Do want those you love to feel joy and peace? Do you want them to know mercy and grace? Then be loving influencers, and let go of control. Even our Lord God doesn’t control us, only invites us to walk with him, live like him, and experience loving freedom, joy, and peace. -Pastor Ray