We intend to update the congregation on important developments related to discernment within the United Methodist Church and what Riverchase is doing in the midst of it. Below are some documents and lists to help keep you in the loop. We will do our best to keep this page updated with the latest information concerning RUMC and the UMC.
Guiding ScriptureUpdates
July 17, 2023
Dear Riverchase Family, On July 17, 2023, Rick Owen, South Central Alabama District Superintendent, presided over a church wide vote at Riverchase. The vote was held to determine if Riverchase would disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church under the provisions of Paragraph 2553 from the Book of Discipline and align with The Foundry Network. No matter what the voting results are, there will be members who are pleased with the outcome, but also those who are disappointed. Please continue to pray for our church. The final voting results were: 269 (34.1%) NO votes against disaffiliation 520 (65.9%) YES votes for disaffiliation Since the 2/3 majority required for disaffiliation was not reached, Riverchase will remain part of the United Methodist Church.
July 10, 2023
Dear RUMC Member, A church wide vote will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 6:45 PM in the Sanctuary. This vote will determine whether Riverchase UMC will disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church or stay with the United Methodist Church. Voting is in person, and each full member has a vote. There is no quorum. However, a 2/3 majority of votes cast is required to disaffiliate. The North Alabama Conference will be administering the vote. Please review the attached procedures thoroughly to ensure there are no issues with receiving your ballot and voting. We are expecting a large number of people, so please make sure to arrive early. I have also attached a FAQ information sheet. Please let me know if you have any questions.Church Conference Procedures Disaffiliation FAQ
June 28, 2023
Member Vote Announcement
Dear RUMC Member, A church wide vote will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 6:45 PM in the Sanctuary. This vote will determine whether Riverchase UMC will disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church or stay with the United Methodist Church. Voting is in person, and each member has a vote. There is no quorum. However, a 2/3 majority is required to disaffiliate. The North Alabama Conference will be administering the vote. The Conference recommends arriving early to complete the check in process and receive your ballot. As we learn more details regarding the vote, we will share those with the congregation.Member Vote Announcement
June 26, 2023
Riverchase Family, On June 25, 2023, the Board of Stewards voted 40 to 12 in favor of accepting the recommendation of the Discernment Team to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church and join The Foundry Network. We will contact the North Alabama Conference to set a date for a congregational vote regarding disaffiliation. The North Alabama Conference will administrator this church wide vote. As soon as this date is finalized, we will notify all RUMC members. Jennifer Morrissey-Patton Lay Leader James Jockisch Chair, Board of StewardsDiscernment Recommendation
June 23, 2023
Dear Riverchase Family, Earlier today, the RUMC Discernment Team delivered their recommendation to the Board of Stewards. This recommendation is attached for your review. On Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary, the Board of Stewards will vote to either accept or reject the Discernment Team's recommendation. If the recommendation is approved, a congregational vote will be scheduled for a later date. Please note that all Board of Stewards meetings are open to any RUMC member who wishes to attend. However, as is the case in all Board of Stewards meetings, only current members and ex-officio members of the Board of Stewards will be able to participate in the discussion and vote on the Discernment Team's recommendation. The voting results from Sunday's meeting will be emailed to Riverchase members on Monday, June 26, 2023. Thank you for your continued prayers. RUMC Discernment TeamDiscernment Recommendation
June 15, 2023
Dear RUMC Members,
The Discernment Team has been dedicated and diligent in our commitment to discern God’s will for RUMC. We have engaged in many discussions and researched multiple issues.
After completing the educational phase of our discernment process, the RUMC Discernment Team will deliver a recommendation to the Board of Stewards via email on Friday, June 23, 2023, to which this will be voted on Sunday, June 25, 2023. All members will receive the recommendation via email on Monday, June 26, 2023.
As we began this discernment process, we turned to scripture for guidance and wisdom. At this time, we turn to the same verses from Philippians again.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
As we proceed into the future, we ask that you continue to pray for RUMC and remember that our “prize” is to continue to “Share the Joy of Christ”.RUMC Discernment Team
June 13, 2023
June 8, 2023
June 7, 2023
May 24, 2023
May 23, 2023
Education Session PacketMay 10, 2023
May 9, 2023
Education Session PacketMay 2, 2023
Dear RUMC Members,
As we shared in our email last week, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett is coming to RUMC to hold an information session in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, May 10th at 6:30 PM. If you have a question for her, please email your question to Discernment@riverchaseumc.org and title email “Question for Bishop” BEFORE 5:00 PM ON MAY 5.
Lyle Holland, representing the Global Methodist Church, will be coming on Wednesday, May 24th at 6:30pm and his presentation will be held in the Gym and will also include Q&A. If you have a question for him, please email your question to Discernment@riverchaseumc.org title email “Question for Lyle” BEFORE 5:00 PM ON MAY 19.
Bryan Collier, from The Orchard Church which is part of the Foundry Network, will be coming on Wednesday, June 7th at 6:30 PM in the Gym, with Q&A. If you have a question for him, please email your question to Discernment@riverchaseumc.org and title email “Question for Bryan” BEFORE 5:00 PM ON JUNE 2.
In His Service,
Discernment Team
April 28, 2023
Learning SessionsApril 23, 2023
April 12, 2023
March 19, 2023
March 15, 2023
Discernment Process Discernment Team Covenant
February 26, 2023
February 19, 2023
February 3, 2023: Discernment Team Announced
Tony's Email to the CongregationJanuary 22, 2023: Discernment Announcement
January 11, 2023
Presentation Original Informational DocumentResources
- Riverchase Church Conference Procedures 7.17.23
- FAQ regarding disaffiliation
- Member Vote Announcement
- Discernment Recommendation
- Foundry Network
- NAC Trustees Statement
- RUMC Education Session 5-23
- RUMC Education Session
- RUMC Discernment Team Covenant
- RUMC Discernment Process
- Tony Discernment Team Announcement
- United Methodist Church Information
- Riverchase Information Meeting