June 27, 2015
Dear colleagues and friends in Christ Jesus:
Yesterday the United States Supreme Court issued a long-awaited and important decision regarding same-sex marriage. The decision now makes it legal for same-sex couples to marry throughout the United States. The decision also calls for any legally performed marriage done in one state to be recognized under the law in all states. At the heart of the decision was interpreting the 14th Amendment which guarantees “equal protection” and “due process” of law to all citizens.
Together we are all thinking about the meaning of the Supreme Court decision and the teaching and ministry of the church. The courts decision did not seek to resolve biblical, pastoral or theological debate of the church or any religious institution. The decision was directed only at state laws that bar same-gender persons from marriage. In fact the majority opinion affirms explicitly under the 1st Amendment the right of religious organizations to “protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and central to their lives and faiths…”
The authorized teachings and practices of The United Methodist Church are unchanged at this time. Every four years we hold a General Conference which decides what the official teachings and practices of The United Methodist Church will be going forward. May 10-20, 2016 the General Conference will meet in Portland, Oregon. An equal number of lay and clergy delegates from each Annual conference will make up the more than 800 voting delegates that will decide how United Methodists will live and work missionally for the next four years. They will take up the many petitions to the General Conference on a wide variety of topics. To be sure there will be many petitions on human sexuality, marriage and pastoral ministry. Please pray not only for the delegates from West Ohio but all the delegates. Pray for the missional work of the General Conference. Engage the process by submitting petitions if you feel led to do so.
In the meantime let us not demure in pursuing the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, of loving without reserve every child of God and embodying beloved community. As always I am
Yours through Jesus Christ,

+Gregory V. Palmer
Resident Bishop, Ohio West Area