You're always free to leave your congregation and join another, and you have not an excuse but a reason you will not be attending. The Book of Discipline provides that members can be removed from the membership role if they "transfer, die or have withdrawn from membership."If the member does not comply with any of the available alternatives over a period of two years, the member's name may be removed. (See Paragraph 241) The bottom line is the ONLY way to be ENTIRELY removed from The UMC is transfer. If a pastor is informed that a member has without notice united with a church of another denomination, the pastor shall make diligent inquiry. This 2019 Book of Discipline presents the history, theological roots, and global contemporary mission of the Free Methodist Church – USA. (FMCUSA).