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 The Book of Discipline provides that members can be removed from the membership role if they "transfer, die or have withdrawn from membership."The ONLY way to be ENTIRELY removed from The UMC is transfer. This is grounded in our theology of baptism and 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. If a pastor is informed that a member has without notice united with a church of another denomination, the pastor shall make diligent inquiry. Reject preferential treatment in the church on the basis of wealth and income. We reaffirm our historic concern for the world as our parish and seek for all persons and peoples full and equal membership in a truly world community.