Yes. There have been calls for separation for years, particularly regarding issues relating to LGBTQ marriage and ordination rites. There was hope in early 2020 of a separation that could be amicable. I believe it was the Holy Spirit who prompted Bishop John Yambasu of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference to call together leaders at different ends of the theological spectrum for the purpose of reaching a healthy separation. The Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation through Separation, known simply as The Protocol, was the result of this call and much expert mediation. Traditionalist leaders sought to continue the church’s prohibition on LGBTQ marriages and ordinations in the UMC. Progressive leaders sought to remove such prohibitions…
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Church Leadership Team Officers
Johnnie Hargrove
Chairperson
Steve Smith
Vice-Chairperson
Linda Akenhead
Recording Secretary
JoAnn Gardner
Asst. Recording Secretary
Church Staff Members of the CLT
Dr. Rev. Byron Vance
Senior Pastor
Bill Crosby
Associate Pastor
Brittany Camp
Associate Pastor
Joe Vonderheide
Assoc. Pastor & Dir. of Student Min
Coy Hallmark
Associate Pastor
June Wilson
Associate Pastor
Sallie Colwick
Associate Pastor
Jillian Gardner
Director of Music
Eliza Spearman
Director of Family Ministry
Jamie Chance
Director of Children Ministry
Jill Gardner
Church Administrator
Ex – Officio Members
Richard Webb
Church Lay Leader
Amy Epps
Lay Members to Annual Con.
Art Hargrove
Lay Members to Annual Con.
Mary Ena Heath
Lay Members to Annual Con.
Kathy Rains
Lay Members to Annual Con.
Kay Jacobson
Reserve
Bo Harrison
Rep, Committee of Finance
Loren Gross
Church Treasurer
Quimby Rains
Rep, Board of Trustees
Warne Heath
Rep, Staff-Parish Relation
Nancy Van Valkenburgh
Rep, Nominations Committee
Sheila Irby
Rep, United Methodist Women
TBD
Rep, United Methodist Men
Andrew Dillard
Rep, United Methodist Youth
Pat Moore
Rep, Older Adult
Doni Harrison
Stewardship Chair
Mary Ena Heath
Go Committee Chair
At – Large Members
Derrick Simpson, Howard Fry, Trina Waites
2019-2022
Robert La Branche, Vann Bragg, James Sweeney
2020-2023
Don Colbath, Sarah Lauren Kattos, Steve Cragon
2021-2024