Letter from Pastor Chris about Membership Affirmation
Dear Church Member:
On January 22, the professing members of Geneseo First Methodist Church voted by a margin of over 90% to both disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church and affiliate with the Global Methodist Church. We are currently working with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the UMC and the Transitional Leadership Council of the GMC to complete this transition by May 6, 2023. You will experience First Methodist as the same Jesus-focused congregation… both now and following this transition.
It is the philosophy of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference (UMC) that each member of our church is a United Methodist unless he/she requests otherwise. To that end, they require that each of our members indicate that they wish to remain members of Geneseo First following re-affiliation. Although we do not share this philosophy, we agreed to this step as part of the larger disaffiliation process. We understand from our district superintendent that those members that do not express their intent to exercise future membership at First Methodist Church will be transferred automatically by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference to the membership of Geneseo Grace United Methodist Church. This is the default unless you take action.
If you wish to remain in the United Methodist denomination, there is nothing you need to do. If you wish to be part of the membership of Geneseo First Methodist Church following re-affiliation, you may do so by completing this short online form indicating your wishes. If you prefer a paper form, there will tables set up before and after all services the weekends of February 4/5 and 11/12 where you may sign a hard copy version.
There are other membership options not associated with disaffiliation. A member of any church may opt to withdraw their church membership. Please notify us in a letter or e-mail if you wish to withdraw. If a church member withdraws their membership but continues to worship with us, we would likely add them back on our roster of “constituents.” A constituent is a person in our church family who is not a member. Church members can also transfer to a church of their choosing. We ask that these transfer requests come to our church office from the receiving congregation.
We continue to be excited about the future God has for us as we draw people to Jesus, develop people in Jesus, and deploy people for Jesus. We love our entire church family and community and will do all in our power to make sure everyone lands where God is leading them.
Because People Need Jesus,
Pastor Chris