This report from Episcopal News Service (ENS) highlights the impact that members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus are having on legislation making its way to the floor at our upcoming General Convention. Great job, team!

Resolution A093, which commends to the church a document created with the United Methodist Church that lays the groundwork leading to full communion between the two churches, was amended by the committee to include language to show support for LGBTQ+ members of the United Methodist Church. The language of the amendment was suggested by the LGBTQ+ Caucus, a group of more than 100 General Convention deputies. The amendment stated, “That this Convention expresses its particular, prayerful support for the LGBTQIA+ communities among both the lay and clergy members of the United Methodist Church,” and it became one of the “resolved” clauses of the resolution.

Deputy Terry Noble of Indianapolis, a member of the committee, said she is a member of the LGBTQ Caucus, which wanted the church to express its support for the LGBTQ+ community within the United Methodist Church. The worldwide United Methodist Church for a decade has been debating the role of its LGBTQ+ members and will vote in 2024 on a proposal to allow conservative Methodists to leave the church and form new denominations, paving the way for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ members in the United States. Full communion discussions between The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church have been paused during this period.

The committee then voted to recommend the amended resolution be adopted, with deputies voting to place it on the House of Deputies’ consent calendar.