Clergy are currently meeting in Lincoln, NE for our annual Orders and Fellowship Gathering. Bishop Saenz answered questions regarding the Protocol on Wednesday, January 15, and we were very encouraged with his leadership. He supports the Protocol and shared that he will live into the spirit of the Protocol and honor the abeyance by not processing charges for LGBTQ+ clergy and clergy who officiate same-gender weddings before Genera Conference. This is huge news! Thank you to everyone who wrote the bishop and shared your stories. We know he has heard us and will stop the harm that charges and trials have caused our LGBTQ+ siblings. We are so grateful the Bishop is joining with his colleagues in support of the Protocol and helping us move forward with grace and hope. He cast a vision for the Great Plains that would seek justice for people of color, women, LGBTQ people while making space for a diversity of theological views. In the Great Plains UMC, there is a place for us all. As Junius said, now we work to help pass the Protocol and to inspire people to remain and embrace a bold new future.