Stanovsky: ‘We will not leave divided’

Translate Page

On the last day of the 2016 General Conference, Bishop Elaine Stanovsky of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area reminded those attending that “we will not leave divided because God is not finished with us yet!”

As she recalled Jesus’ resurrection story in the book of Matthew, she asked each person to “get out of that tomb.” This included assumptions about the LGBTQ community and African delegates.

“If you believe that the Bible condemns homosexuality, but have never asked a gay Christian how they understand the Bible, you gotta get out of that tomb.  If you believe that all African delegates are voting from somebody else’s game plan, you gotta get out of that tomb,” Stanovsky said.

Throughout her sermon, Stanovsky illustrated “tomb” moments where we face choices for life or death. This was especially true with the church’s involvement with the Sand Creek Massacre, in which nearly 200 women, children and elderly in the camp were killed and many more left wounded.

“Having worked with descendants of the Sand Creek Massacre for six years, I live with a constant and sobering awareness of the capacity of the church to choose death over life,” Stanovsky said, “and to convince itself that it is doing the will of God when it serves up death time and again.”

Proclaim the good news

But life is out there, Stanovsky emphasized. As in the Matthew story, she said United Methodists are called to proclaim the good news that Jesus Christ is risen, as Mary Magdalene did.

And she warned against being distracted by naysayers who only deal with death.

She added it is easy to be caught up with General Conference, and “to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Romans 12:3), and to imagine that what we do here is Gospel. But it is not.”

Stanovsky concluded that the real work is done once the 10-day event has finished. She gave the General Conference assembly an assignment to “choose life” as they talk about what has happened here in Portland.

“As we return to our homes, we become storytellers,” she said. “The story isn’t over once the church has spoken.” She cited Romans 8:16 in that “the Spirit bears witness with your spirit” to tell a good story.

“What good news is there from The United Methodist Church?” Stanovsky asked.

Robledo is Mountain Sky Area director of communications.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
General Conference
The next General Conference is scheduled April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking body, long delayed by COVID, will see multiple options for the church’s future when it meets next year. But preparing all the legislation for delegates’ review takes months. Image courtesy of charlottesgotalot.com.

What comes after General Conference deadline?

The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking body, long delayed by COVID-19, will see multiple options for the church’s future when it meets next year. Preparing all the legislation for delegates’ review takes months.
General Conference
A key leadership body has given unanimous approval to submitting a proposal to General Conference that aims to give Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the U.S. equal standing in church decision-making. The approval by the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters puts the legislation on a likely trajectory of making it onto the General Conference floor for consideration by all delegates. Globe by OpenClipart-Vectors, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Regionalization plan heads to General Conference

A key United Methodist leadership body has given unanimous approval to moving forward a proposal that aims to give the Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the U.S. equal standing in church decision-making.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Dr. H. Ward Greer. Photo courtesy of the author.

Black United Methodists strive for a better future

In every reorganization, merger, split or reconnection of the Methodist movement, race — not sexuality — has been at the center.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2023 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved