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
May 24, 2023
Guest Speaker: Lyle Holland (Global Methodist Church)
May 23, 2023
Updated information packet
Education Session PacketMay 9, 2023
Education Sessions have begun
Education Session PacketMay 10, 2023
Guest Speaker: Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett (UMC) (similar session recording)
May 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
Dear RUMC Members,
The Discernment Team announced that they will be hosting several educational classes. These sessions are intended to help provide education about the Discernment process.
April 23, 2023
The Discernment team met and discussed the results of the questionnaire. After review, the team decided the next steps will be to hold Educational Sessions for the congregation as well as to begin scheduling guest speakers. We also wanted to encourage everyone to utilize the Prayer Chapel before each service.
April 12, 2023
The Discernment Team released the Questionnaire for completion by full members of the church. This questionnaire is due back by 8pm on 4/19/2023.
March 19, 2023
The Discernment team met and discussed the upcoming questionnaire that will be sent out after Easter. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2023.
March 15, 2023
Since the formation of the Discernment Team on February 3rd, we have been meeting together and praying for God’s will to be done here at RUMC. During those meetings we have created and agreed to our Discernment Team Covenant as well as the overall process we will be following. Please continue to pray for RUMC, our pastors, staff, members, and visitors while we seek wisdom during this important time.
As we continue this process, we ask that you pray with us the words found in Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV, ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
We know that questions have come up and will continue to do so during this very important time. We have included links to our North Alabama Conference FAQ pages for your reference. You can find those links below:
FAQ about the United Methodist Church
FAQ North Alabama Conference and the Bishop
FAQ Local Congregations and Laity
For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our RUMC Discernment website (This Page)
Lastly, we wanted to share that at our next meeting, this Sunday, we will begin working on a questionnaire/survey to send out after Easter to help us gather the necessary information to help us determine our next steps.
In His Service,
RUMC Discernment Team
Discernment Process Discernment Team CovenantFebruary 26, 2023
The Discernment team met and discussed the Team covenant and timeline for discernment. Our next meeting was scheduled for March 19, 2023.
February 19, 2023
The Discernment team had an initial meeting with Rick Owen, District Superintendent of the North Alabama Conference (NAC). We discussed the general discernment process and reviewed the package distributed by the NAC. Our next meeting was scheduled for February 26, 2023.
February 3, 2023: Discernment Team Announced
Brad Snuggs, Chair
Terry Bagwell
Susan Camp
Susan Clopton
Lynn Coffey
Rebecca Horn
James Jockisch
Bruce Larson
Jennifer Patton
Craig Tolbert
Jeff Wallace
January 22, 2023: Discernment Announcement
The Board of Stewards voted 34-24 to enter into a discernment process of information gathering concerning our place within the United Methodist Church. This process will be led by a discernment team that is being formed now. Please be patient as we move forward in this process, and continue to pray for RUMC as we continue to Share the Joy of Christ.
January 11, 2023
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, RUMC held a church-wide meeting where it discussed the current state of the United Methodist Church, discernment and had a Q&A. The Board of Stewards will vote on Sunday, January 22, 2023, on whether or not the church will officially enter into the discernment process. Attached is the presentation made by the church’s lay leaders at the January 8th meeting.
Presentation Original Informational Document