Prayerfully Discerning Our Way Forward
Discernment Team Recommendation
On Wednesday, October 5, the Church Council of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church met to receive the recommendation from the Discernment Team concerning possible disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church (UMC). The recommendation of the Discernment Team was to disaffiliate from the UMC and immediately become an independent Methodist church. You can find the full recommendation statement and rationale below.
The Church Council then voted (16 in favor and 4 opposed) to disaffiliate and become an independent Methodist church, upholding the decision of the Discernment Team.
The next step is for the congregation of VHUMC to vote on the issue. As soon as that date is confirmed by the District Superintendent, we will send notification with all details to the congregation.
Information and Listening Sessions
Information Sessions
The purpose of these sessions was for the Discernment Team to share information with the congregation related to the current option to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church before the end of 2023. The team presented the same information in all three meetings (on August 28, September 7, and September 11) in order for church members to have a variety of opportunities to attend when convenient. There is a video available, along with a written script for these meetings for those who were unable to attend.
Listening Sessions
The purpose of these sessions is for church members to have an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions with the Discernment Team in person. Three Listening Sessions were held on September 11, September 18, and September 28.
Prayer Services
Prayer is integral to this process and every church member is invited to join the Discernment Prayer Team. For more information, click below to email Jill Kimbrough. We will also have monthly times for prayer and fasting. We encourage fasting beginning Tuesday at sundown until we break our fast together on Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 10 at 6:00 pm in the Chapel
Wednesday, September 14 at 5:00 pm in the Chapel
Wednesday, October 12 at 5:00 pm in the Chapel
Wednesday, November 9 at 5:00 pm in the Chapel
Join Our Prayer Team
Prayer is integral to this process and every church member is invited to join the Discernment Prayer Team. For more information, click below to email Jill Kimbrough.
Resource Library
We have compiled many resources throughout this process, click below to read the full text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click below to read some of the common questions we have received.
Questions and Comments
Don’t see the answers to your questions? Please submit yours here and we will respond as soon as possible.