A statement from the Dignity & Worth leadership team:
With Methodists in Britain and across the world, Dignity and Worth is praying for
all who are affected by the current Covid-19 pandemic. We thank God for the skill
and compassion of all those on the frontline of healthcare – nurses and doctors,
researchers and lab technicians- and the countless workers who, despite
desperately low wages, continue to deliver our goods, pack our supermarket
shelves and care for the most vulnerable.
The decision of the Methodist Council that the Conference should not convene in
Telford in the summer was the right one, given the current circumstances.
However, the decision to postpone consideration of God in Love Unites Us for
another year leaves us profoundly disappointed and frustrated.
We recognise that across the Connexion, many crucial consultations have been held in the past few months and we would not want that important work to be lost through delay. We
also acknowledge those couples who were hoping that they might be able to marry
in their own church by next year, and will now be told they have to wait yet another
year.
We recognise churches and circuits wanting to be able to express their
affirmation of LGBT+ people in this way are also still waiting.
Sam McBratney, Chair of Dignity and Worth, said:
“This crisis has released a huge amount of creative energy and new ways are
continually being developed to connect and communicate. Even the UK
Parliament is looking at how to conduct its important business whilst
maintaining the appropriate boundaries. We believe that ways can be found
to allow the Synods and the Conference to hear the results of the
conversations that have taken place and consider these important matters
sooner than June 2021.”