In our first communication with the Annual Conference, the Holston Invitation Team shared four commitments to the churches of Holston:
 

• We commit to being gracious with one another, attend to one another in prayer, and seek the mind of Christ as we humbly put ourselves toward the task at hand. 

• We commit to honoring theological and biblical convictions in the appointment making process. We will identify new systems and improve long standing practices to accomplish this.

• We commit to seeking paths for a gracious exit beyond General Conference 2024 for congregations that wait and then discover that their relationship with The United Methodist Church is no longer tenable.  

• We commit to focusing our efforts on discipleship and shared mission. 

 
Since then, our work has centered on giving definition and direction to each of these commitments. This is difficult work because so much is at stake, and because so much is unknown until after our next General Conference in 2024. We empathize with those congregations feeling rushed and pressured to make decisions around disaffiliation. This. Is. Hard.
 
Alongside the Conference trustees, we have worked and struggled to express in strongest terms, the Conference commitment to offer a fair, non-punitive, gracious exit beyond the expiration of ¶2553 on December 31, 2023. 
 
While resolution language can sound cold, impersonal, legalistic, and bureaucratic, we also believe it carries the greater weight of commitment and responsibility to see this commitment through. So, the attached resolution was recommended by the Invitation Team, approved by the Conference trustees and sent to the Extended Cabinet. The Cabinet passed the resolution using the omnibus motion that allows the extended cabinet to act on critical matters between sessions of the Annual Conference.  This. Is. Critical. 
 
The resolution is straightforward. It affirms the Conference Trustees’ commitment to honor a gracious exit within the parameters of the Book of Discipline for churches that choose to wait until after General Conference and then discern their affiliation with the UMC. This commitment will be supported at least through December 31, 2024. It also affirms the Annual Conference commitment to work with other Annual Conferences to promote legislation at General Conference to this effect. 
 
Our intention is to live into our first General Rule: to do no harm. This resolution offers a way of relieving the harm of forcing decisions upon churches before all the facts are known. Then, if and when a gracious exit is chosen, churches have the confidence of making an informed decision along with the commitment to a fair and gracious process. 
 
Thank you for the strength you continue to show during these difficult times. We invite you to continue praying for our local churches and our conference leadership teams. We also want to thank you for the ways you are continuing to offer Christ to our hurting world because when we do this we fulfill God’s call upon our lives.
 
Blessings,
 
Holston Conference Invitation Team