By Michael Boeglay | UMC News
The Resident Bishop of the Libraria Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., has called upon United Methodists to inspire others by living a Christlike life. Delivering a powerful sermon at the Gbaota United Methodist Church in Bong County, Bishop Quire urged congregants to embody their faith in ways that make Jesus Christ visible in their daily actions.
Addressing members of the Jorqulleh District Conference and the wider community, Bishop Quire warned against the pitfalls of being Christians in name only. He emphasized that true faith should be reflected in every aspect of one’s life, not merely professed verbally.
At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Quire held a congregational meeting with members of Gbaota UMC and the Jorqulleh District to discuss the recent General Conference held in the United States in May 2024.
In his remarks, Bishop Quire took a definitive stance on the issue of same-sex marriage. He stated unequivocally that the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church does not support same-sex marriage, underscoring that such practices are contrary to the church’s traditions and the laws of Liberia. He reaffirmed the Conference’s commitment to the traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Additionally, Rev. Caleb S.G. Dormah, the Director for At-Risk Youth of the LAC/UMC, addressed the topic of regionalization. Rev. Dormah clarified that regionalization does not support same-sex marriage but aims to enhance ministry effectiveness within the LAC/UMC context. He highlighted that the focus of regionalization will be on advancing education, health, and agriculture within the region.
The service was well-attended, including notable figures such as Bishop Quire’s Administrative Assistant, Rev. J. Joel Gould, the Director of Connectional Ministry, Fth. P EmMersyn Harris, and District Superintendent Anthony Karpee, along with members of the Gbaota UMC. The gathering provided an opportunity for meaningful discussion and reaffirmation of the church’s core values and mission.