At the request of the Beloit First United Methodist Church Council, the Hutchinson-Salina District Superintendent called a special church conference for the sole purpose of considering possible disaffiliation to end their relationship with the United Methodist Denomination and the Great Plains Conference.
The following motion was considered in accordance with the process set forth in paragraph 2443 of the Book of Discipline as enacted by the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference and in accordance with the policies and process adopted by the Great Plains Annual Conference that Beloit First United Methodist Church disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church for the reason of conscience related to actions or inactions of the Great Plains Conference of the UMC related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-evaded practicing homosexuals.
All professing members of the Beloit First United Methodist Church, as recorded in the membership records, were eligible to vote. 137 members attended the special Beloit United Methods Church Conference yesterday.
At the church, on Sunday, February 26, a two thirds majority was needed to vote yes to allow the Beloit First United Methodist Church to disaffiliate from the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Since 137 members voted, 92 yes votes were needed to disaffiliate. The final vote tally was 100 votes for disaffiliation, 37 members voted against disaffiliation. Thus, the disaffiliation process will continue and, if all the requirements are met, will be voted on during the 2023 Great Plains Annual Conference.
