To my Christ United friends and family,

Those of you following the Special General Conference of 2019 know that the Traditional Plan was passed by the smallest of margins, bolstered by a strong international vote. The One Church Plan, which I favored, along with most of our Bishops and 2/3rds of American delegates, was defeated narrowly.

This General Conference has left us with two very different expressions of the church. At the denominational level, we are deeply divided and broken over this issue. The governmental process we use for making these decisions seems to bring out our worst instincts, leaving winners and losers, which is not the vision Jesus provides for Christian community.  At the denominational level there is deep pain, division, and not a small amount of dysfunction.

However, in our local churches and annual conferences, and in particular here at Christ United, we are as committed, strong and vital as ever before. Our mission to Love God, Serve our Neighbors, and Transform lives will continue to drive our passions and our work. All Christ United members, regardless of where they stand on issues of human sexuality, affirm that our doors and our hearts are open and welcoming to all people. We will continue to love and affirm every person as a child of God, who is deeply loved by their Creator and this community.

I am very grateful for each and every one of you, for your dedication to serving the kingdom of God, and for your commitment to bringing together diverse gifts and voices in order to make the love of Jesus abundantly present in a needy world.

I hope you will join me for a post GC 2019 briefing in Trinity Hall on Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Rev. Don Underwood