Thank you for writing to the United Methodist
Council of Bishops to express your concern regarding the pastoral letter
that was released on Nov. 2 from our meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C.
We have received hundreds of emails from United Methodists expressing
their views on the recent Judicial Council decisions and the role of
gays and lesbians in our denomination. Because of the volume of
correspondence, we are unable to respond to each _expression of concern
individually.
We believe the unanimous statement of the Council of Bishops was a
clear, measured response to issues raised by the Judicial Council. We
believe the Constitution and Social Principles of our church are clear.
We believe our churches must be open to persons seeking a deeper
relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter what their sexual orientation
may be.
The Council of Bishops' role in this process is pastoral. Because it was
not a formal party in the cases, it could not intervene. We believe the
path we chose makes it clear that membership in The United Methodist
Church is open to all, including gays and lesbians.
We ask for your prayers as we move forward.
Again, thank you for taking the time to express your concern.
Grace and Peace,
Bishop Roy I Sano
Executive Secretary
Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
100 Maryland Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-6270
