By Ann Thompson Cook
My congregation Dumbarton UMC’s seminary intern is leaving both Dumbarton and the United Methodist Church.
Mike’s eyes are open. He knows that when it’s time to seek ordination, he and his new husband will not be welcome in the UMC. So we lose yet another life-long Methodist.
Mike submitted his letter of resignation to the Church Council last week. Please join us in the prayer we shared that night, tearfully offered by Rev. Mary Kraus.
O God, in the Spirit revealed in Jesus Christ,
we bring our anger and our sorrow
for the sinfulness of the United Methodist Church.
You constantly remind us that
we are created in your image and loved by you.
And yet tonight, our hearts ache at the church’s exclusion of our brother Mike
because of the way you created him.
We ask how long must the church continue in this way.
We ask why, and at times like this,
it is very difficult to hear or feel your response.
And so, all we can do is bring our laments and seek strength
to keep working for justice.
In the liberating power of the Christ, we bring you this prayer.
Amen.
Ann Thompson Cook directs the God Loves Each One Ministry, http://www.gleo.org
