This past week the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church met in Athens and agreed to let 70 churches leave the denomination.

The Methodist Conference approved the disaffiliation of the following area churches: Finley Chapel, Fishers Chapel, Lawrence Chapel, New Hope – Summerville, and Oak Hill Methodist Churches.  The United Methodist denomination has been preparing the way for churches to be able to leave due what many see as an unavoidable split.

Sybil Davidson, Conference Communications Director, issued a statement earlier reading in part: “Our denomination has a clear process for disaffiliation and we are walking alongside the churches that want to take this path. While we do not wish to see any church disaffiliate, we are committed to a clear and healthy process. Our hearts are with those who desire for their congregation to remain a part of the denomination, and also with those who vote to leave.”