In the Community Center. Since 1972, the UMC has struggled with the recognition and inclusion of LGBT persons in the life of the church. Many predict this contentious struggle will lead to a schism in the denomination. In 2016, General Conference asked the Council of Bishops to create a plan to resolve this seemingly unresolvable debate. The Council responded by creating the Way Forward Commission to propose solutions that will be presented at a special General Conference in 2019. Since then, commission members have been studying, praying, and discerning the best options for making the UMC a truly inclusive church. The commission is now finishing its work and sending its final report to the Council of Bishops. Dave Nuckols, a layperson from Minnesota and member of the commission, will speak at our Community Center on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00pm. Since Tennessee has no members on the commission, this will be a rare opportunity to hear from a Way Forward commission member and learn about its proposal. Please come and stay informed about the future of our denomination.