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| This bouquet of shards was a creative visual representation of the painful brokenness of the congregation. |
Maria Bowers
Praying for everyone involved.
Joyce Mink
We prayed for your whole church today at CSUMC. That's a hard thing to deal with.
Terrell Shaw
Joyce Mink just heartbreaking... I will lose my home church of 61 years.
Julie Adair
Terrell Shaw What happened???
Terrell Shaw
Trinity UMC voted to disband today (they use the euphemism of "disaffiliation"). I'm sure there will be a new church (independent? GMC? Other?) organized on the property, but we who choose to remain United Methodists will not be a part of that.
Carl Franklin
So sorry. What were the issues? How long have you been a member? Courage on your quest to find a new church home. Hard to believe you won’t be a part of the live nativity now.
Claudia Kennedy
Terrell Shaw I have recently joined the UMC of Carrollton. I felt so welcomed by the congregants. Our ministers are awesome! Even Tootsie, my support canine is welcomed! At seven years old in a tiny country church in Emmanuel County, I asked to be “Methodized,” saying my cousins were Baptized. Rev. Sanford Brown said, “Huh? Okay, with your mother’s permission we can do that.” After my husband, an Episcopalian, died last Feb., I came back home. The warm welcome was a balm to my wounded spirit. I pray for the best for everyone concerned. I am very thankful to Rev. John Simmons and Rev. Ken Stephens for their support.
Howard Smith
Terrell Shaw this vote is just another example of why I place so little “faith” in organized religion.
Terrell Shaw
Carl Franklin here's the ballot (I took a picture of mine) that states the issues pretty plainly. Those who voted yes are, in my opinion, primarily fearful of possible coming changes to the Book of Discipline regarding same-sex marriage and LGBT ordination. Interesting that actually those changes have not happened yet and are much more likely with the exit of the groups that are leaving.
Carl Franklin
Terrell Shaw Thanks for the info. This is a national issue for all major denominations. I know this is a sad day for you. Hope you can quickly regain you positive mindset. This country can’t afford to lose too many optimists.
Jamie Fergerson
I’m so sorry. There’s nothing anyone can say to make it better, but I will hold hope that this season has ended only so that something more Godly and loving can bloom. A church who is determined not welcome all of God’s people fully cannot be the best we can do. I hope another UMC welcomes you and my parents and appreciates the gifts/legacy you bring.
Cathy McDaniel Hart
I am so sorry
Christy Davis
I'm so sorry. That's a long time to have a church home, and to feel no choice but to walk away is painful. It's like a death.
Terrell Shaw
Christy Davis Yes. Thank you.
Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
I’m so very sorry for this loss. I don’t know why it’s so hard to follow Jesus teachings but I grew up Baptist and had to leave because my understanding of being like Christ doesn’t fit with many of the leaders of the faith anymore. It’s heartbreaking.
Bob Doster
So sorry. Go see the grands, they'll fix your broken heart.
Terrell Shaw
Good idea, Bob Doster.
Bob Doster
it always worked for me. Hope it will work for you and Shelia
Paula Barkley Fensom
As someone whose mother’s family attended Trinity UMC as a child, I am disappointed in all the people who call themselves Christians and Methodists without apparently understanding what both of those things mean.
Voting to leave the UMC over including ALL children of the Creator in ALL parts of the UMC is blasphemous.
And this argument amongst so called Christians and Methodists is why I haven’t returned to the UMC in 9 years.
Following the supposedly correctly translated words of Leviticus is NOT following the teachings of Christ.
Ann Gore
Terrell Shaw, I am sure that you are grieving. It is so sad. Sending our love to you and Sheila!
George Dean
Praying that you will get through this and find peace in spite of the circumstances..
Nancy Hunter
I know you’re heartbroken.
Marsha Yancey Atkins
I’m so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and Shelia. You two are Christians that I respectand admire for the way you live your faith. I wish the vote had gone differently.
Gretchen Dodson
A church split hurts like cutting off a limb. Knowing you are on the right side of history is little comfort. I pray for peace and guidance.
Jamie Fergerson
I appreciate you sharing so much of the news for those of us who are not there. I’m at Disney World and have shed more tears over this loss today than I imagined I would. While my faith in the institution of the UMC has long been shaky, I’d held on to faith in the goodness of the people who raised me. But it seems that many of the adults who taught me and welcomed me into their homes as a child voted to disband a whole church over the question of welcoming LGBTQ people - supposedly some while loudly speaking lies about us.
My parents shouldn’t have to find a new church after almost 50 years. Your family should not be the ones leaving what your family built. People like me don’t deserve to be furthered harmed and hurt by the church. But this is what is. Christ is betrayed again and again by faith leaders and politicians because of His love and welcome, not in spite of it.
Jamie Fergerson
The lyrics here seem appropriate.
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Leanne Hand Cook
Jamie Fergerson amazing song!
Nick Douglas
So sorry. So sad.
Martha Jane Montgomery
I’m so sad for you all
David Matheny
Wish I could have heard it.
Karyn Page-Davies
Oh, Terrell. How have actions and beliefs taken this unbelievable turn? Sad times. Love one another.
Holly S Kelly
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Bonnie Gardner
So sorry, Terrell. Wishing you peace
Terri Morgan
I’m so sorry.
Vincent Mendes
Sorry Terrell
Mary Caldwell
I know what a loss that is for you and Shelia, Terrell Shaw. It is such a shame. Trinity has been a foundation of community for so many. I am sorry.
Amber Clark Ware
I'm so sorry Mr. Shaw. I lost my faith in the church where I was raised (Southern Baptist) many years ago; Jim and I visited StPeters RomeGeorgia a few years ago and both quickly found our faith again. It hurts my heart that the church I loved for so many years as a child doesn't love so many of the people that need that love and compassion the most. We don't attend regularly (I could make excuses for being busy/work but none of them truly matter or are sufficient) but I feel certain that you would love The Episcopal Church and the hearts of the people there. It is so very true what they say about TEC....everyone is welcome.
Emily Robinson
Amber Clark Ware yes. This
Clayton Hensley
I had two childhood churches disaffiliate so I understand your grief. Luckily the church where I am a member and the church where I work have remained UMC. In the long run I believe the denomination will actually be stronger. Still those shards of glass really illustrate what's happening.
Lynne Crothers Williams
Prayers for your church.
Paula Graves
I’m so sorry to read this. I don’t understand how anyone can have hate in their heart for anyone. Why can’t we mind our own beeswax and just let people live? Again, I’m so sorry for you and Sheila.
Cindy Smith
Just too sad, Terrell Shaw.
Ann Pullen
Terrell, I am so sorry to learn about Trinity's vote. I know it is devastating for you, Sheila, and so many others in the congregation
Charlene Payne
John’s mother would be so saddened to see this happening. She loved Trinity-we all had a special place in our hearts for that sweet church.
I feel your pain-our church will vote in August to determine disaffiliation or not.
We are looking for a new UM church , just in case. I can’t support Global Methodist. This movement will be regrettable .
Terrell Shaw
Charlene Payne our mistake was allowing those who want to leave to go unchallenged. It is harder to get the folks who are happy with things as they are pretty much, and who are less likely to be paying close attention to the controversy to come to a meeting and vote. so the stay UMC group must be organized and must give lots of reminders and phone calls and work to get out their vote.
Lanette Adams Greene
I am so sorry. I believe God has a call for you. Just listen.
Fred Gould
I attended this wonderful church early in my career. Now may you have success in your endeavor to find a new church home.
Terrell Shaw
Thanks Fred— we still miss y’all.
This makes me truly sad. Proud of you for your leadership and your efforts to bring about a different result. The Centerville Methodist Church, where my brother-in-law, Jimmy Dunaway, served as Assistant Minister after retiring from full-time service, also voted to leave the United Methodist. Sad. Sad. These votes involve millions and million of dollars worth of property exchanging hands. I've got to wonder if this economic reality was a big factor in some preachers and some church members pushing for this result. It would seem that the rules established for such a watershed voted should have required a super majority of the congregation to agree.
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