In August (2022) our Church Council began an intentional process to prayerfully discern the future of Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church. All churches within the United Methodist denomination have been impacted by the growing tension and debate over human sexuality. Our Church Council seeks to find clarity around this question, “To be faithful in ministry in our community is it time for Higgins Memorial to withdraw from the United Methodist Church?”

The decision to disaffiliate from the United Methodist denomination is rooted in our conviction surrounding human sexuality. This decision is also multifaceted and complex. In navigating the complexities of this decision, our Church Council has invited all of us to join them in this season of discernment - a time of reflection and evaluation where we earnestly seek to discover God's will for Higgins Memorial Church. 

To assist us in our listening, praying, searching, and learning, the Church Council has adopted the following relational covenant agreement. These core commitments offer a way for us to live together as a community of faith. 

Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church
Covenantal Agreement

As the people of Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church, we acknowledge that we belong first to Jesus Christ, to his church, and to one another. We trust God is at work shaping us into the Body of Christ - reflecting his love and light for all to see. We strive to live together in the following manner:
 
  • By regarding our relationship to Christ and with one another more precious than any issue we face.
  • By speaking the truth in love at all times - seeking first to understand before demanding we are understood.
  • By approaching one another with humility, integrity, and respect, remaining open to clarification until there is understanding between one another.
  • By agreeing to disagree in love at times for the sake of our relationship with Christ and one another.
  • By going directly to the person(s) involved when we feel that we have been wronged in accordance with Matthew 18:15-20.
  • By clothing and encompassing all our conversations and interactions with one another in prayer.
Church Conference and Disaffiliation vote 
Thursday, February 2, 2023 - Higgins Sanctuary
Church members are encourage to attend the Church Conference. The members physically present will vote on the disaffiliation resolution (sample ballot below). Please review the membership list in the membership tab below. Please make Pastor Kent aware of any errors or omissions. Higgins Church seeks to ensure every member is properly identified in this process. 
​You can watch a the recording of our information sessions under the Information Sessions tab below.
Please click on all the different tab headings below to view all of the information listed.
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  • Disaffiliation Resolution
  • Membership List
  • Information Sessions
  • Disaffiliation Steps
  • Disaffiliation Q&A
  • Sept 9 Letter
  • Paragraph 2553
  • 2019 WNC Petitions
  • Council of Bishops Narrative
  • The Direction of the UMC
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Watch the first information session video at this link. This video offer some of the historical context as The United Methodist Church has tried to navigate the complexities of the human sexuality debate. 

Town Hall Video 1 - Watch the recording of the first Town Hall on
    YouTube here

​Town Hall Video 2 - Watch the recording of the second Town Hall on
    YouTube here.

Town Hall Video 3 - Watch the recording of the third Town Hall on
​    YouTube here.

Higgins Memorial UMC
​Disaffiliation Q&As December 2022

The United Methodist Book of Discipline paragraph 2553

2019 WNC Annual Conference petition 20 & 21

Council of Bishops Narrative of the United Methodist Church

In the videos below, two United Methodist pastors, Rev. Rob Renfroe and Rev. Adam Hamilton, reflect and respond to growing tension and likely separation within the United Methodist Church. Both men are leaders with our denomination. Rev. Renfroe is President and Publisher of Good News magazine, a national publication committed to the doctrinal integrity and spiritual renewal of the United Methodist Church. He is an influential leader in the new traditionally aligned denomination, The Global Methodist Church. 

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Kanas City, which is one of the largest United Methodist Churches in the US. Rev. Hamilton is a centrist within the UMC. He is in support of local churches continuing in the United Methodist Church. Rev. Hamilton’s teaching videos are in direct response to Rev. Renfroe.

Each video is approximately 15 minutes long. Together these two gentlemen proved a solid context for us to grasp the depth and complexity of the struggle the United Methodist church is experiencing. Thank you for taking the time to prayerfully stay informed as Higgins continues in this season of discernment. The links below will redirect you to YouTube. You may have to watch a brief advertisement before the video begins.