I want to thank each of you for your support during this time of Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church.  You have given of yourself emotionally and financially to move Christ Church in the direction of God’s will which you helped discern.  As of today, 10/30/2023, we have on hand $53,761.62, with another $3,250.00 pledged but not in the bank yet.  This leaves a balance of $14,041.86 that we need to pay.  We have the option to loan this to ourselves with a structured repayment plan and will do so if needed.  However, as I said yesterday in worship, I believe God can provide the rest.  I don’t know from where or from whom the funds will come, but He is able.  In any case, the fact that we are in a position not to have to take a bank loan is a sign of His blessing and a confirmation of your decision. 

Thursday Evening, the Clergy and Delegates to the Western North Carolina Annual Conference will hold an online session to talk about disaffiliation prior to the Convening of the Called Annual Conference on Saturday.  Voting will be open all day Saturday following the online session. The conference does not plan to announce the official votes until Wednesday to allow some mail-in paper ballots.  I do not anticipate any trouble with the conference allowing our disaffiliation.  Still, we will email the results (and a link to the full slate of disaffiliating churches that were voted on) to the e-newsletter list and post the results on our webpage as soon as possible after the announcement by the conference. 

I invite your prayers for all the churches and clergy that are disaffiliating.  We also want to include all the churches that will remain United Methodist and the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Though we have disagreements enough to separate, we pray for God’s glory to be fulfilled in those who stay and those who depart that in all congregations, He might be praised, and that the world may come to know Him.

Peace,

Burt