From Bishop Delores J. Williamston

General Conference has been a powerful and centering occasion for United Methodists worldwide. The delegations from around the world, including those from the Philippines, Africa, Europe, and the United States, demonstrate God's infinite grace, mercy, and care. Delegates voted to remove restrictive and harmful language from the United Methodist Book of Discipline after more than fifty years of intense, prayerful debate. 

We all know how powerful language can be, as many people have experienced hurtful and diminishing language daily. We are reminded, though, of the words of Jesus to the community when he says, 'Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.' (Luke 6:45) And we all will be held accountable one day for our language or words. And Wisdom says, 'Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) Yet, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be bearers of good fruit.

No person is incompatible with Christ's teachings to love one another. At this historic moment in the life of our church, we must acknowledge the harmful language of the “incompatibility clause.” These words have caused intense hurt to our friends and families who identify as LQBTQIA+ persons. No person is incompatible with Christ's teachings to love one another.

We, the United Methodist Church, weep at the exclusion, pain, and hurt these words have inflicted and perpetrated for so long. Yet, there is hope! And we are in a pivotal moment in the life of our beloved United Methodist Church. It is time to reconnect with each other as the body of Jesus Christ, redeemed by Christ's blood, answer God's call, make new disciples in new places, and promote health and wholeness by compelling others to come and know Jesus Christ.

Friends, it is time for us to move forward with hope, to build, connect, and equip all of God's children to be disciples of Jesus Christ, being mindful of the language we use as we seek to heal those harmed – by spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to transform the world. So, let us follow Jesus Christ and transform our neighborhoods, communities, towns, and the world together!

Amen!