Dear Friends,
My name is Stephen Cady and I am a United Methodist. For most of my life, I have been proud to say that. Since the public humiliation of GC2019, however, I have grown increasingly circumspect in that revelation. Not because I am no longer proud of the rich tradition of vital piety and social holiness that birthed the Methodist movement, but because it has been hijacked by those who have forgotten the gospel warning about what happens when we choose law over love. I am not willing to surrender the church without a struggle and I pray that you aren’t either.
I write today as a board member for Mainstream UMC to ask for your help. This week is the last chance to take part in the challenge grant. Our fundraising efforts inspired a donor to make a $15,000 matching grant. For every dollar that we raise through September, the donor will match up to a total of $15,000. This is a great opportunity for you to give a gift this month, knowing that it will be matched and effectively double your generosity! Please give today to make sure we reach our goal.
As the pastor of a large reconciling congregation in the Upper New York Conference, I think the work that Mainstream UMC is doing is critical for the life of our church. In today’s world, no General Conference legislation can pass without thoughtful advocacy. If we want real change in the UMC that gives the US Church the governance capacity to honor LGBTQ persons, we need to help Mainstream UMC champion that change. Please join me today in making a donation to support the on-going work of Mainstream UMC.
You can give now at: www.MainstreamUMC.com/donate
Mainstream UMC remains a key voice for centrists and progressives as negotiations are underway with traditional groups in the church. We are committed to finding a path for the church in the United States to have autonomy over our mission field while staying organically connected in ministry to our Methodist brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. We believe that a new form of governance is necessary for the US church to be who God is calling us to be.
There are a number of proposals on the table that may work. But as we know, none of them will work if we do not communicate and advocate with delegates and people in the pews. Communication and advocacy are the strengths of Mainstream UMC. We have been the voice in the church most willing to call out false narratives and to push for the kind of change that the church needs.
We are very pleased with the role we have been able to play since GC 2019:
- We supported the election efforts in Annual Conferences.
- We have board members on the steering team for UMC Next.
- Our Executive Director, Mark Holland has been at the table for conversations with both Central Conference and US bishops.
- We hosted a very successful survey that drew over 13,000 responses.
- We have published data and maps that show the realities of the US Church.
Going Forward, we have more goals:
- We want to shape a new narrative about the church that directly challenges the slanted message coming from the conservative advocacy groups.
- We are bringing legislative recommendations for GC 2020.
- We will work to expand the existing coalition to pass the best possible outcome for the church.
- We will advocate for US autonomy.
- We will continue to collect and disseminate grassroots data.
We are asking committed United Methodists like yourself to contribute to Mainstream UMC and to help raise resources in your church, or through your network. We are asking for both one-time gifts as well as monthly pledges that will run through June of 2020. Please consider a generous contribution today. And, please pass this request along to your congregation for support.
On behalf of the entire Advisory Board, we want to thank you in advance for your generous consideration. With your help, we can build a church we can all celebrate! Thank you.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II
Senior Minister, Asbury First UMC, Rochester, New York
Mainstream UMC Board Member
Grace UMC in Olathe, Kansas is the host for Mainstream UMC. The Center of Grace serves as the fiscal agent and provides financial accountability.
Please make checks payable to:
Grace United Methodist Church
Memo: Mainstream UMC
11485 S. Ridgeview Road
Olathe, Kansas 66061
You can also give electronically at: www.MainstreamUMC.com/donate
Learn more at www.MainstreamUMC.com