Methodist Dispute: 2 Elmhurst Churches Stay Put

ELMHURST, IL – Two of Elmhurst's United Methodist Churches are reminding the public they haven't left their larger conference.

First United Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Church are staying put. That's not the case with the third one, Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church.

Earlier this week, the regional conference announced Faith Evangelical was among those leaving. That's because the national conference is open to a larger role for the LGBTQ community, particularly on same-sex marriage and the ordination of gays.

In a message on Patch on Friday, the Rev. Jim Fu, one of the clergypersons for First and Christ, said the two churches are not leaving the denomination "over the human sexuality issue."

"Whatever your position on this issue, or on Christianity or religion in general, I hope you can understand that this debate invokes strong feelings and the breaking apart of any group of people that have journeyed together can cause a lot of pain and anxiety," Fu said in the message.

He said he wanted to clarify the status of the two churches because it does affect Elmhurst.

In an email to Patch, he said, "(E)ven devoted Methodists are having trouble keeping track of what's happening in our denomination."