Mississippi Bishop's Header
Several weeks ago, I shared with you the outcome of a called church conference held at First United Methodist Church of Louisville due to the members of that congregation expressing a desire to leave The United Methodist Church. That called conference began the process of discerning the viability of that church as explained in paragraph 213 in The Book of Discipline.
After much discernment, prayer and work by our faith community formation team, a meeting was held Wednesday, May 23 at 11:00 a.m. with the leadership of First UMC of Louisville to announce the findings of the completed viability process. First United Methodist Church of Louisville is a county seat church with more than 150 years of history. After exploring the potential viability for ministry, the leadership of the Mississippi Annual Conference deemed that it is vitally important to sustain a strong United Methodist presence in Louisville and Winston County. Therefore, the conference has decided that First UMC of Louisville will continue as a United Methodist church and Rev. Carl Grubbs will serve as interim pastor there effective Thursday, May 24.
As the paragraph 213 process concluded for First UMC of Louisville, its former pastor, Rev. Mike Childs surrendered his credentials as a United Methodist pastor.
We appreciate the years of service that the members of First UMC of Louisville have dedicated to sharing the Gospel with their surrounding communities. We also encourage your continued prayers for Mike Childs and those persons who are now leaving The United Methodist Church. Blessings,
Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.