Pre-Conference Workbook - North Carolina Conference of The ...

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNITY DIALOGUE
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
For fifteen years, the Bishop’s Unity Dialogue has been practicing civility and offering
space for Christian conferencing on the matters of homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church.
Hundreds of lay and clergy from across the North Carolina Annual Conference have attended the
Dialogue, sharing their experience, studying the scriptures and writings of our day, calling for
truth and justice, hearing one another for deeper understanding. Through it all we have sought
God’s guidance and endeavored to listen in love for the Spirit’s lead. The issues have evolved; so
have many of our relationships with one another. Now with the support of a third Bishop, we
offer this brief synopsis of the worshipful work we have undertaken. (LHC)
"I move that the resolutions presented to this Annual Conference entitled 'Resolution for the
North Carolina Conference to Be a Transforming Conference,' 'Resolution: Becoming a
Confessing Conference,' 'Support for Bishop Edwards and the Cabinet,' and 'A Call to Christian
Conference and Conscience' not be brought to the 1998 Annual Conference for discussion or
action.
"Rather that they be used as resources for the facilitation of discussion at the meetings on
diversity called for by Bishop Edwards in his State of the Church Address. Further, that
members of the 1999 North Carolina Annual Conference be strongly encouraged to participate in
these discussions."
(At the NC Annual Conference meeting at Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC on June 11-14,
1998, this motion was made by Rev. William Braswell and adopted by a vote of 456-337. [North
Carolina Christian Advocate, 07/07/98])
September 21, 1998/United Methodist Building/Raleigh, NC
"Christian Dialogue: In Search of Unity," a group convened by Bishop Edwards and his cabinet,
gets started with Dr. John Stephens and Rev. Mike Wendt as facilitators.
October 26, 1998/United Methodist Building/Raleigh, NC
A Planning Group begins to plan dialogues that can take place throughout the districts.
A Unity Dialogue "Statement of Purpose (Working Draft)" surfaces. It reads [with editorial
comments in brackets]: "To design and to put in place district sessions primarily for the lay and
clergy members of Annual Conference in which dialogue, and not debate, will be used to explore
issues of theological diversity, especially as this diversity expresses itself in the issue of
homosexuality. At the center of this process will be careful examination of the church's
[doctrines,] teachings and positions[, and careful listening of all those present]."
January 26, 1999/United Methodist Building/Raleigh, NC
The planning of dialogues in the four clusters of three districts intensifies. These events do
indeed take place, in the district clusters, in the Spring of 1999.