Reconciling Ministries Network

The Signs of Love Conquering Fear Are Everywhere!

A Letter from the RMN Board of Directors

The signs of love conquering fear are everywhere! Supporters of Reconciling Ministries are doing more than ever before. The RMN Called to Witness campaigns in 2011 celebrated 67 regional events where 1595 reconciling persons engaged strategy, reconciling process, public narrative storytelling, and building teams. Of the 682 participants at Sing a New Song, over 100 were young adults.  We placed 500 calls to United Methodist delegates to General Conference. We gave $891,812 to support the mission locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally through Reconciling Ministries Network.

Your generosity made it possible for RMN to gather in coalition with the Methodist Federation for Social Action and Affirmation in early 2011 to plan Love Your Neighbor for both a regional and churchwide impact. Now we are living into the reality of a multinational church and underwrote our first staff persons to engage central conference relationships. You even helped us contract with media experts to conduct focus groups in Cote d'Ivoire and test messages in Uganda, Liberia, South Africa, and other countries to find common cause and build bridges.

Can We Sing a Song from The Same Page

By Peter L. DeGroote

(The following has been written with input from several long-term companions on the reconciling journey. I am thankful for their help but they are not responsible for errors of fact or judgment.)

Marriage equality was legally established in New York because Governor Cuomo required that the various, and sometimes competing, LGBT groups get on the same page. His support required their unity, which he saw necessary for success.

This lesson of “the same page” runs through my mind as I think about the various LGBT related resolutions heading to General Conference, which is often as convoluted and nefarious as any state legislature. Chief among them are those that would provide the following:

• Elimination from the Discipline of the declaration that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings.” (¶161.F)
• Elimination of the Disciplinary prohibition of the ordination of LGBT candidates.  (¶304.3)
• Allow the celebration by our clergy and in our churches, at the discretion of the pastor, in those civil jurisdictions that have approved civil unions or marriage equality laws.  (¶341.6)
• Complete removal of all restrictions and prohibitions on the celebration of marriage or civil unions by our clergy and in our churches. (¶341.6)
• Acceptance of the fact that the church suffers from institutional discrimination toward LGBT people and that all negative provisions concerning them should be removed from the Discipline.

Some argue the first priority should be elimination of the declaration that the practice of “homosexuality” is incompatible with Christian teaching. First adopted into the Social Principles in 1972, it served as the foundation for the exclusion from ordination, the ban on celebrating marriage/unions, and even the Judicial Council’s finding that local pastor can deny membership to LGBT people. Those supporting this priority claim that removal of the cornerstone would result in all else eventually falling.

Supporters of resolutions allowing for ordination of LGBT folks point to the many instances of highly qualified people being denied ordination, giving up their calling, or leaving the UMC for another denomination. Further momentum arises from those conferences that do not do not consider sexual identity a relevant factor in determining the qualifications of their candidates, the result being the routine ordination of otherwise qualified LGBT candidates. Further, the recent declaration of support for LGBT ordination by 33 retired bishops brings this into focus for many, their rationale being a clear statement of the many issues. (Note: the retired bishops proposal would eliminate only one of the two versions of the incompatibility language. The foundation declaration at ¶161.F would remain.)

The marriage equality resolutions differ in scope. The first allows for the celebration of marriages in those civil jurisdictions having adopted civil unions or a marriage equality law. It arises out of the many challenges faced by local churches and pastors in those jurisdictions: How do we respond to the pastoral needs of our LGBT members and community expectations?

Those who support the broader marriage equality resolutions take note of the quiet celebration of marriages and civil unions in our churches for quite some time, even where there is no civil legislation to provide a legal context.  For many a church marriage remains a marriage in the minds and spirit of the couple, the pastor, and the congregation. To them, restricting the celebration of LGBT marriage to those civil jurisdictions that have passed the necessary legislation not only seems prejudicial but an abandonment of the Church’s prophetic role, turning the church into an agency serving the state.

Back to the all on “the same page” lesson:  The above alternatives, and others, are related but energized by different experiences and values. Could they all pass? Could a single omnibus resolution including them all pass?  Can we figure out a strategy that allows us to find agreement on priorities and prevent our working against each other?

General Conference procedures further complicate the matter. As in most civil legislatures, resolutions first go to a legislative committee that can endorse, recommend against, combine, or let them die. Further, all LGBT resolutions will not go to the same committee. While the committee assignment of resolutions is not yet entirely clear, our ability to relate to the work of several different legislative committees is a critical factor. It is possible that some of us will go our own way without regard to an overall strategy, thereby diluting our ability to influence the outcomes.

One of the major advantages we have is that many of the people necessary to help us figure out a strategy will be at Sing a New Song in Port Huron, Ohio at the end of August. I do hope we are able to find a way that we can all sing from the same page.

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Peter is a second career pastor who has served in several churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Prior to his ordination, he was a secondary-school teacher, a university lecturer in Government, an Associate in a government related professional association, CEO of a national financial institution. Peter was involved in Mid-Atlantic Affirmation, served on the National Council of Affirmation, and sat on the Board of the Reconciling Congregations Program, the predecessor name for RMN and has worked with BWARM (Baltimore-Washington Reconciling United Methodists).

Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Church

by Rev. Gilbert Caldwell

On Friday, July 22, 2011, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Joint Chief of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen and President Barack Obama sent a notice to the Congress declaring that "...military readiness would not be hurt by a repeal of the 17 year old Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy." This new policy will be in force in 60 days.

The debate about whether the Church should change culture or follow culture has been long-standing. Sadly, the Church has sacrificed much of its justice credibility over the years by "screening out" those whom culture has in time, "screened in". Thus, the Church has been in the forefront of proclaiming exclusion when, after much struggle, society has become inclusive. The history of colonialism, racism and sexism is a history of much of the church playing "catch up" with a changing history.

It is difficult for many of us to comprehend why The United Methodist Church since 1972 has held to its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy vis-a-vis same gender loving clergy. The military, the President and the Congress have decided that maintaining the DADT policy would compromise the values and commitments of the military as well as the values it expects of those who serve in the military.

The United Methodist Church in its Book of Discipline language and legislation expresses the belief that affirming clergy who acknowledge that they are in committed same gender relationships are "incompatible with Christian teaching".There was a time when "Christian teaching" justified colonialism, racism and sexism. The words of the Scriptures that were used to justify these isms have not changed, but the teaching and practice of Christian faith on these isms has changed!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (The Mormons) disavowed polygamy in the 1890's when Utah's statehood was at risk.The Church in 1978 eliminated its policy of refusing to ordain "black men of African descent" into it's priesthood. This was done because of a new "Divine Revelation" that proclaimed the policy of racial exclusion in error. What will it take for The United Methodist Church at the 2012 General Conference to proclaim a "Christian teaching" that includes rather than excludes? The growing inclusiveness of society, a Divine Revelation, or both?

The God who is at work in and beyond the Church is still at work. May The UMC follow God's lead.

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The Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell is a retired United Methodist Minister who lives in Asbury Park, N.J. He was active in the Massachusetts unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and participated in the civil-rights movement throughout the nation. In 2000, he, with others, organized the RMN Extension ministry United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC), an organization committed to the full inclusion of LGBT people in every aspect of church and society. Gil is now working on the documentary Truth in Progress (www.truthinprogress.com).His recent book, Something Within: Works by Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell is available from Church Within A Church.

Response to "The 'Other' Marriage Crisis"

by Rev. Gilbert Caldwell

"Judicial Council isn't the place to decide such matters (same sex marriage). General Conference is...." (A critical comment about my last blog)

We speak of "Holy Conferencing" in the United Methodist Church. This is my effort at engaging in "Holy Conversation" in response to a comment that was critical.

One of the aspects of the "exceptionalism" of the United States of America is our acceptance of the checks and balances that are represented by the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches of our national government. We have no checks and balances in United Methodism. We believe that the decisions voted by a majority of the delegates at a General Conference have an almost sacred "rightness" about them and therefore should not be challenged or changed until a General Conference, 4 years later does so.

The United States Supreme Court on May 17, 1954 ruled that the practice of racially segregated public schools (separate but equal) was at variance with the equality provisions of our national Constitution. At the time the Methodist Church had a segregated Central Jurisdiction but it was not eliminated until a majority vote of the 1968 General Conference did so. Most Methodists knew that the Central Jurisdiction was in violation of Biblical declarations of inclusion and our own Methodist statments that expressed the same view, but it took 14 years after the 1954 decision for the voters at a General Conference to declare that a "separate but equal" Central Jurisdiction, was a violation of not only Scripture, but Methodist thought and wisdom!

The Methodist Church could have ordained women before 1956 if a Judicial Council had been able to say prohibitions against women were in violation of our understandings of Scripture, our affirmation of the rights of women as Methodists, and at variance with the movement for equal rights for women in the nation at the time. It is time that we find ways other than a majority vote of General Conference to protect the rights of minorities.

I have been disagreed with and questioned over and over again about my ally/advocacy for the equality rights of LGBTQ persons and same sex couples. Some of those who have disagreed with me have been less-than-kind in the ways they have expressed their disagreement. But, being a former "foot soldier" in the Civil Rights Movement in the south and in the north, I have developed the capacity to "keep on keeping on", no matter what.

Why at the age of 76, this month I will be 77, have I been so passionate about advocacy for the equality rights of LGBTQ persons in church and society? Langston Hughes in one of his poems (The Negro Speaks Of Rivers) has written, "I have known rivers...." I have known, I have experienced, I have been wounded, I have been made angry by the slowness of the Methodist and now the United Methodist Church to embrace in its biblical interpretation, its theology, and its practice, deep and authentic responses to its history of racism at worst and racial insensitivity at best. The gradualism of the denomination I love, in its efforts to repair the damage church-sanctioned slavery and racial segregation has harmed, not only those who are black, but all within the Church. It has left wounds within me that have not yet healed. We believe that black "visibility" at every level of the denomination means that we have been healed. But, with all of the black visibility there is, we have not gotten off of our beds and walked boldly to confront the racism that is so obvious all around us. Rather, some exert great pressure on some Board and Agencies and persons when they "dare" to address the elephant of race that is still in the USA room. And, a so-called racially inclusive United Methodist Church remains silent. Is silence the price we pay for being racially diverse?

I have prayed and hoped that the UMC would not do to my LGBTQ sisters and brothers what it has done to those of us who are black. But if we continue to allow majority votes at a General Conference to separate and segregate them from full equality in the United Methodist Church, it becomes de-je-vu all over again.

It is painful to observe that, that done to those of us because of our race, being done to others because of their sexual orientation and gender status. Of course there are differences between racism and heterosexism, but "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". I believe if Martin Luther King were alive, he would ask United Methodism; "Did you not learn from your long struggle against racism that justice cannot wait to be enacted by majority votes. Justice take place when Spirit-led women and men are able to say, "History and culture may have condoned discrimination, but that history and culture was wrong. We say to today's Church, 'All God's children got a song'. Let them sing it in order that we all might be healed."

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The Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell is a retired United Methodist Minister who lives in Asbury Park, N.J. He was active in the Massachusetts unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and participated in the civil-rights movement throughout the nation. In 2000, he, with others, organized the RMN Extension ministry United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC), an organization committed to the full inclusion of LGBT people in every aspect of church and society. His recent book, Something Within: Works by Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell is available from Church Within A Church.

Lay Folks Laying the Foundations for Marriage Equality

by Peter L. DeGroote

After the DC Council approved marriage equality as a civil right in Washington the members of Foundry UMC began discussions that culminated in what was called a Summer of Great Discernment to determine the congregation’s views. While clergy in the UM Church decide on religious services, this wasn’t about clergy decision-making. This was a lay process, what, in hindsight, might be called a lay movement.

A resolution was prepared and discussed over the summer. On September 26 the Congregational Council set the resolution before a Church Conference held under the rules of the Book of Discipline and chaired by our District Superintendent. 377 lay members attended. The vote was 367 yes, 8 no, with 2 invalid votes.

The resolution began with the proclamation that as a community of faith we recognize God’s profound blessing of committed life partnerships, including same-gender couples.  Further, that celebrating those relationships is not only an important part of our church’s ministry but is also a witness to the joy of God’s love.

The resolution also makes a claim on the Church Constitution (Disciplinary para 341.6). The Constitution prohibits the structuring of any organizational unit so as to exclude any member or constituent body because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition. Noting the incorporation of anti-lgbt provisions into the discipline over the recent past, the resolution asserts that the Constitutional prohibitions against exclusion based on status have been violated.

The resolution closes with two commitments. First: to work within the denomination to change the Book of Discipline so that it “may be consistent with the teachings of Jesus.” This commitment includes working for the respect and honor of same-gender marriages in the same way that all marriages are respected and honored.

The second commitment is to equally support and honor marriages licensed in the District of Columbia without regard to the couple’s gender. Accordingly, it offers and approves use of the church sanctuary for all marriages. Finally, while acknowledging clergy discretion over the conduct of services, the congregation pledged to support those clergy who conduct same gender services.

Word travels, of course. We've heard that some conference leaders were "blown away" by the numbers. How many DSs have ever conducted a church business meeting with 377 people voting and even more people in attendance? We've heard that some conference leaders are wondering how to stop or control a lay movement.

The Bishop did send a letter to all Pastors and lay members of the Annual Conference. On one hand he described the underlying conflict in the church; on the other he urged holy conversation.

What will this lay movement do next? My guess is that they will take the Bishop up on holy conversation—in a big way.

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To read the Marriage Equality Proposal, click here

To read the Special Edition of the Foundry Forge regarding the Vote and the Summer of Great Discernment, click here

To read the Congregational Council's response to Bishop John Schol's letter to the Conference, click here

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Peter is a second career pastor who has served in several churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Prior to his ordination, he was a secondary-school teacher, a university lecturer in Government, an Associate in a government related professional association, CEO of a national financial institution. Peter was involved in Mid-Atlantic Affirmation, served on the National Council of Affirmation, and sat on the Board of the Reconciling Congregations Program, the predecessor name for RMN and has worked with BWARM (Baltimore-Washington Reconciling United Methodists).

The end of the beginning...

by Joey Heath

What a victory for the equality of all people especially lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (lgbtq) people. Judge Walker has ruled that it violates the US Constitution to discriminate against lgbtq people by denying them access to marriage. This ruling says there is not “gay marriage” or “straight marriage” only marriage which is open to all people and can not be denied to anyone. It says that in no way are lgbtq couples inferior to heterosexual couples. This is such a momentous step and it could be the beginning of dominoes toppling. I can see it coming. First the overturning of this discriminatory law is upheld and then equality begins to pick up momentum. Before long another discriminatory marriage law is struck down and then another and then another just like dominoes each one leading to another falling until finally all the laws discriminating against lgbtq people are gone. What a time to be alive, to see equality become a reality. But we are not there yet.

I believe it was Winston Churchill who first used the phrase “the end of the beginning”. This is where I believe we are, moving from the beginning of our struggle to the middle. We are not at the end and those who oppose equality are only going to push back harder. We can not get complacent and assume victory will come because if we do then the progress we are making will be lost. Celebrate our victory today and then tomorrow get up and continue the struggle. There is still so much work to do before we will have full equality for all people.

Then of course we can not forget that even as it looks like there will be equality under the law we still do not have equality in the United Methodist Church. Membership. The Book of Discipline still contains the discriminatory and untrue language that states “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings”. In 2012 we will meet again for General Conference this time in Tampa and I am sure we will once again bring the issue of equality to the table. This means we have a little less than two years to help shape the way the General Conference will vote on the issues of equality and inclusion. This is a huge task but one that is not beyond our reach if we spend the next two years telling our stories and speaking out for the cause of inclusion. Talk to the people in your congregation, talk to your neighbors, talk to your co-workers, talk to everyone, and tell them about God's inclusive love and why it is so important for us as the church to be open and welcoming to all people. The world is changing and it is an exciting time to be alive. Let us pray that as the world moves forward so the church will also.

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Joey Heath is a 26 year old life long United Methodist. He is currently a graduate student at Wesley Theological Seminary completing his Masters in Divinity. Once an ordained pastor, Joey hopes he will be able to bring real change to the UMC on the issues of sexuality and gender identity at the broader church level, but also with individuals, so that one day the church will truly be a place that is inclusive of all people.

Unity, false and otherwise

by David Hosey

I was so grateful to read Renee Sappington's post in regards to the Mississippi Annual Conference.

Mississippi's been on my mind recently, ever since a friend shared with me the wording of Resolution #3. The resolution, responding to a presentation given by Renee and her partner at last year's Annual Conference, read in part:

"AND WHEREAS, as a result of this testimony, great harm has been done to the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The results of this testimony were division, embarrassment, anger, and frustration. Some churches lost members and some withheld apportionments in protest."

The direction of this argument is one that has become familiar across our conferences and across our churches as we work to co-create a church that is as fully just, inclusive, and loving as our just, inclusive, and loving Savior would desire it to be.

Arguments against inclusion such as this one originate in a belief that it is not exclusion or silencing that cause pain in our churches and our communities, but rather the struggle to end exclusion and silencing. Bringing up taboo topics, the argument goes, means division. Stay silent and we can maintain unity.

Of course, for those who feel excluded or persecuted by the very church that should love them, this "unity" is the unity of closets and half-lives, not a a true unity of integrity and wholeness. It's a unity based on scapegoats--a unity based on exclusion. And it is this false unity that is creating "embarrassment, anger, and frustration" and is causing us to lose some of the most dedicated disciples and ministers of our church.

Case in point: A friend of mine recently send me a copy of a letter that he had also sent to his Bishop, District Superintendent, and District Committee on Ministry. The letter reads, in part:

"It has become clear to me in the past few months that at this point I cannot, in good conscience, continue in the process toward ordination in the United Methodist Church. I cannot, as a person of integrity operate under the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the United Methodist Church in regard to Sexual Orientation. I love the United Methodist Church. It is through the church that I have been formed and experienced my call to discipleship and my call to ministry. It pains me to realize that I must go elsewhere to truly live out my calling with integrity. I pray, that through the Grace of God, the United Methodist Church will one day come to realize the sinfulness of a policy that force women and men to lie about who they are and hide their spouses, children, and other loved ones....I look forward with great hopefulness to the day when no one has to write a senseless letter like this to the United Methodist Church."

Let's work and pray for that great day.

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David Hosey is a life-long United Methodist and will be entering Wesley Theological Seminary in the Fall of 2010. From July 2007-July 2010, he worked as a Mission Intern with Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, serving with the Sabeel Center in Jerusalem, Israel/Palestine and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation in Washington, DC, U.S.A. He is an inquiring candidate for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church and also blogs at http://hoseyblog.blog.com. He attends Dumbarton UMC in Washington, DC, which is where a friend first asked him whether he would become a Reconciling United Methodist. He said yes. Now you're stuck with him.

Annual Conference Update: Texas

 by Laura Young

This year, Breaking the Silence (BTS) hosted its 14th annual luncheon at the Texas Annual Conference (Texas AC). Approximately 300 clergy and laity gathered to hear director Ky Dickens talk to us about her newly released documentary, “Fish Out of Water.” She shared experiences and valuable information accumulated as she toured the nation interviewing theologians, scholars, and hundreds of LGBT persons longing to be welcomed in their churches. Included in her speech was a challenge to Believe Out Loud, and to begin now, in this critical 12 months leading up to the 2011 election year when we will elect delegates to General Conference. If we begin now, and spend the next year believing out loud, we have the potential to truly impact the election results and the representatives we send to General Conference in 2012.

Some clergy and laity began believing out loud as soon as they left the BTS luncheon and returned to the afternoon business session. Bering Memorial UMC in Houston (the only reconciling congregation in the Texas AC) provided “goody bags” for all who attended the BTS luncheon. Inside the goody bags was a variety of fun items to help us believe out loud. They included buttons, pencils, stickers, lanyards (the ribbons we wear around our necks to hold our conference name badges), and candy, of course! Buttons are always a big hit and we saw them on shirts, jackets, and tote bags throughout the rest of the week, but the lanyards win the prize this year! You see, when we registered for annual conference we received a red lanyard custom made to say, “Texas Annual Conference.” Our goody bags provided blue lanyards custom made to say, “Breaking the Silence.” Some of our clergy and laity chose to permanently replace their red TEXAS AC lanyard with the blue BTS lanyard for the rest of the conference. Because they were different from the official lanyard, they stuck out and became a visible witness and great conversation starter!

We must move from being Reconciling United Methodists to Reconciling United Methodists who Believe Out Loud. Each of us is likely in a different place on that particular journey. Your next step toward being a Reconciling United Methodist who believes out loud is probably different from the next step your neighbor needs to take. For some in the Texas AC, wearing that blue BTS lanyard into the business session was a huge first step toward believing out loud. BTS invites everyone to join us. Whatever that next step is for you . . . . take it!

Liberated to take action here and now

by Ann Thompson Cook

As you know from my last post, several clergy who affiliate with Dumbarton UMC are proceeding to conduct legal, same-sex weddings in Washington, DC. The following is excerpted from a deeply reflective letter that Rev. Harry Kiely wrote to his Dumbarton clergy brothers and sisters and agreed to share with you:

In his famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Dr. King noted the silence of the white churches in the face of the injustices of racial segregation. He challenged the religious leaders who were warning him against moving “too fast” that such thinking is condescending, and that its advocates “paternalistically feel that [they] can set the timetable for another [person]’s freedom.”

In today’s struggle over full LGBT rights, including marriage equality, justice-seekers are once again admonished to postpone their movement until a more convenient time.

We are being criticized for “stirring up” hostile feelings. We need to remember that the hostility is buried deep in the false illusions of homophobia. Uprooting these injustices and exposing them to the light of Christ’s radiant presence does not create conflict but exposes the lies that are used to suppress gay freedom.

Resurrection faith involves the crucifixion of the false idol of homophobia and proclaiming the good news that the tomb is empty. The message we are called to echo is that our sisters and brothers are simply demanding the right to be treated as human beings.

For us who are the surviving disciples, the news is unbelievably good and our mission is absolutely clear. Just as the resurrected Jesus did not condemn the disciples for their cowardice and betrayal, he does not condemn those of us who have been slow to stand up for gay justice.

Yes, we were wrong. Yes, we were slow to respond. Yes, we put off making a faithful decision. But Christ has set us free from the burden of guilt. Furthermore, we are not only set free from such guilt, we are absolved and liberated to take action here and now in this time and in these circumstances. Our sin of avoidance has been transformed into a new and empowered call for justice.

Finally, it behooves us to be awake to the grace that befalls those we encounter as our adversaries. The temptation to divide the “good” people from the “bad” people is ever present. Our adversaries are the recipients of grace, just as we are. As we hold firm to our gospel convictions, we remember how Peter, when arrested, simply stood by his faith. He proclaimed the gospel of grace to his adversaries, yet without condemning them. This, also, is our call.

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Ann Thompson Cook directs Many Voices, which later this year will launch an online, ecumenical clearinghouse of worship and educational resources for the welcoming movement. Her books on sexual orientation and gender diversity—And God Loves Each One, Dios nos ama por iqual, and Made in God’s Image—are distributed by eight national organizations including RMN.

Pain from Equality

The title may be a little confusing to some. You may be thinking what pain is there in equality, so let me explain. In my city, Washington, DC, the city council will be voting on marriage equality for the District very soon. It is our belief is that this will pass and we are also hopeful that it will be accepted by Congress (as we are the only city subject to have our laws reviewed by Congress). We know there will be celebration when this does happen but then there will also most likely be pain. See here is DC we are up to six reconciling congregations inside the city and I had not thought about this possible pain until just recently.

Here is the problem. We as reconciling United Methodist are known for our accepting and welcoming attitudes towards LGBT people. If DC marriage equality passes sad days may follow for the reconciling congregations here. The problem is how to react when LGBT couples show up asking to get married at our church. They have heard that reconciling means we are accepting of all people, but sadly they will have to be turned away. See the United Methodist Church bans us from having any service celebrating the union of LGBT people in our churches. The United Methodist Church has also banned our pastors from performing these ceremonies with past punishment being the loss of ordination. So when LGBT people show up at out churches, and they will show up, we will have to turn them away because of policies we see as wrong. Now the hard part is these couples will not understand that, they will only hear that they are once again being rejected by the church and that they have no place in the church. Once again we are turning away those turning to the church. Once again the United Methodist Church will cause pain instead of bringing the love of God. How do you think Jesus would feel about that? The Jesus I know does not turn people away but rather embraces them and loves them right where they are.

Pray for the pain that will come from equality and pray that equality will come to the United Methodist Church.