Reconciling Ministries Network

On Asking & Telling

by Leland Spencer

I have to confess that I'm conflicted about the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Of course, as a feminist and a reconciling United Methodist, I support the right of any person to have any job without regard to her or his sexual orientation (or, for that matter, sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression); however, something about supporting any effort that increases the number of people in the military doesn't sit right with me. If DADT is repealed, queer folks will have the same rights to get shot or have their bodies blown to bits as anyone else. Is that really the kind of equality we're working for in this movement? I'm not trying to be flippant; my concern is serious. If an underlying theme of this movement's work is human dignity and the sacred worth of each person, is that compatible with increased militarism?

Not having sorted entirely through this paradox, its very existence brings me to another: The UMC also has a DADT policy, but we describe it with bigger words and no contractions. And, clearly, I support the repeal of the church's version of DADT. Therefore, a fair question based on my concern in the first paragraph is whether adding out, practicing queer people into the current structure of the church actually does anything for human dignity. My initial answer is yes, and that the church and the military are different. I am privileged to have had moments in my life where I've seen the church at its best, so I know the church can be a source of hope in connecting people with the resource of faith, and indeed, in resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.

So, I conclude that I support the repeal of both DADT policies, though I am substantially more ambivalent about the first than the second.

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Leland G. Spencer IV, a lifelong United Methodist, is a PhD student in the department of speech communication at the University of Georgia, where he researches religious rhetoric as it intersects with gender and sexuality. Leland holds an M.A. in Communication from the University of Cincinnati (2009). While in Cincinnati, Leland served as the worship intern at the Wesley Foundation. Leland served as a part-time local pastor at Mapleton United Methodist Church in the East Ohio Conference from 2005 until 2007 when Leland withdrew from the candidacy process because of the United Methodist Church's exclusive position about the ordination of LGBT persons.

What MOSAIC Means to Me

by Justin Hull

In August of 2008 I reached a crossroads. I was getting ready to take the big plunge into being a certified candidate for becoming a pastor in The United Methodist Church. I had been working on the inquiry candidate process, and it was completed. I knew I had been called by God to serve in a very dramatic way.

However, there was one thing that I knew was still a “problem” of being gay even though I tried to bury it is as much as possible. I live in a very small town in West Virginia; so I started to look (as I have done before) to the Internet for answers.

I found answers through MOSAIC. I found a video of a man testifying on God’s call in his life while being openly gay. I found a blog of another guy who answered a lot of my questions. I found another video of the guy who I know and who was the worship leader of the West Virginia Annual Conference testifying at General Conference. The biggest difference of all from my previous times of looking for answers on the Internet was people. I know queer theology, but I did not know any LBGTQ Christians until then. Theology is important. I discussed and read theological resources, but people are the difference. I had an instant connection with these people because I have always been at home in The United Methodist Church.

As you can tell by my story the Internet was and is an important resource for me. It is a great way to reach out to places like a small town in West Virginia where a young man struggling with his sexuality can find hope. Today, I am an out and openly gay Christian who is ready and willing to testify to God’s love for everyone. I am glad to be working on the communication and theological resources team for MOSAIC. We are a group of LGBTQ young adults and allies working for equality in The United Methodist Church for all people.

I hope everyone reading this blog finds hope in midst of a denomination that says, “Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds”, but does not really mean it. What scares me is the reality that I might have to find a different denomination to fulfill my call. Even if I have to switch to a different denomination, I always want to be working for equality in The United Methodist Church. However, I always have hope. I find courage in the witnesses of other churches that have been prophetic by standing up for marriage equality in the face of possible consequences. I find hope that The United Methodist Church will change. Our only Reconciling Congregation in West Virginia, Asbury, gives me hope. The people of MOSAIC and RMN give me hope.

MOSAIC, a young adult group affiliated with RMN working for the full inclusion LGBTQ people has started their own blog. This is a blog post from the point person for the blog. You can find the blog at mosaic.typepad.com

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Justin Hull lives and grew up in Moundsville, WV and is the point person for the MOSAIC blog. He works in the West Virginia Annual Conference for equality and plans to attend Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. full time in the fall.

Episcopalians Confirm a Second Gay Bishop

"A majority of bishops and dioceses of the Episcopal Church have approved the election of the church's second openly gay bishop, The Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, a decision likely to increase the tension with fellow Anglican churches around the world that do not approve of homosexuality." - The  New York Times, Thursday, March 18, 2010

by Rev. Gilbert Caldwell

"Some of my best friends are Episcopalians/Anglicans". These friendships developed during the Civil Rights Movement in Boston and at protests/demonstrations around the nation. I was able to attend the enthronement of Bishop Desmond Tutu in Capetown, South Africa and one of my models for ministry has been that of the late Episcopal priest, Rev. Paul Washington, who was Priest at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. The Church of the Advocate hosted the second National Black Power Conference (that I attended) in 1968, and the first ordination of women in the Episcopal Church (that I did not attend) in 1974.

It was said of the ministry of Father Washington that, "his leadership allowed the church to support rights rallies and protests and he with others developed what was called a Theology of Black Power. He believed that God intended all people, regardless of their race or gender to be vessels of God's power."

Despite its embrace and affirmation of God's expectations of intentional inclusivity of all  people, the Episcopal Church in America and as a member of the world-wide Anglican Communion has been viewed by some as violating Biblical tradition by ordaining women and electing women and Gay persons as Bishops. Bishop-elect Mary Glasspool now joins , V.Gene Robinson as  the second openly gay Bishop in the Episcopal Church.

What are the contradictions that some of our sisters and brothers in the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion wrestle with as they resist inclusivity? Some do not believe that either women or gays should be ordained as clergy. Some believe that women, but not gays have the right to be ordained. Some believe that women can be ordained as Priests, but not elected as Bishops. Some believe that women should be ordained as Priests and elected as Bishops, but that gay persons should not be ordained as Priests nor elected as Bishops. And of course, praise God, there are Episcopalians/Anglicans who believe that the God who expressed Self in the person of Jesus Christ, "Calls" persons to ordination as clergy and election as Bishops, regardless of their gender, race or sexual orientation.

Audre Lorde is described as "one of the most important radical black feminists of the past half century. Her writings and speeches grappled with an impressive broad list of topics, including sexuality, race, gender, class, disease, the arts, parenting and resistance..." She writes; "There is no hierarchy of oppression." (I Am Your Sister, Collected and Unpublished Writings of Auddre Lorde, edited by Rudolph P. Byrd, Johnetta Betsch Cole, Beveryly Guy-Sheftall, Oxford University Press, 2009)

I return to the folk wisdom of my South Carolina grandmother, "Mama Irene" and paraphrase her "saying" that I have quoted over-and-over again. This time attempting to make it relevant for some of the struggles that some Episcopalians/Anglicans and United Methodists are having, accepting the God-given gifts for ministry that have been, that are, and will continue to be offered by same gender loving clergy, be they of the Anglican Communion or The United Methodist Church.

"There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, (regardless of our race, gender or sexual orientation), that it doesn't behoove any of us to talk about (or deny ordination and ministry) to the rest of us" (Whatever our race, gender or sexual orientation may be).

Thanks again, "Mama Irene". You understood as I have heard people say, "The ground at the foot of the Cross is level". You believed with Audre Lorde that there is no "hierarchy" of good folk or bad folk.

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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.

Two Questions - Two Answers

Posted by Rev. Gilbert Caldwell

from TIME, March 22, 2010, 10 Questions. The South African Archbishop's new book makes the case for goodness. Desmond Tutu will now take your questions

What is your favorite Bible verse, and why? Satu Rahikainen, Tampere, Finland

Romans 5: 8. "Whilst we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It sums up the Gospel wonderfully. We think we have to impress God so that God would love us. But he says,No, you are loved already, even at your worst.

Do you support the appointment of gay and lesbian clergy? Phillip Reinheimer,Penn Valley, California

Of course. If I don't support them, why support the appointment of any other person? Their sexuality is as much a part of who they are as my race is. They don't choose it. I don't choose it. Two of my chaplains when I was Archbishop were gay. One is now a bishop, and the other is the dean of a cathedral.

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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.

an unlikely testimony

by Anonymous Clergy Candidate

when i first came to see LGBTQ people as a part of God's image, it was a process of years and months. it took multiple people intervening in my thought process, pastors hinting at other ideas of love, and friends giving me room to doubt.

when i realized i was a bisexual, it seemed to happen in a moment.  there was the initial thought a few years ago that it might be something i would think about, but i didn't “get it” until recently.  there i was sitting next to someone i had known and spent time with on multiple other occasions, and all i could think about is how beautiful she was to me in so many ways, and how lucky i was to be sitting with her.  it hit me that night – how amazing it is to finally see something after so many years.  as i went home, i cried tears of joy and surprise at what God was doing in my life.

i didn't make a conscious decision to change my orientation.  all i did was sit in the moment, and that was all it took for me to finally see another part of who i am.  since that night i've experienced a whirlwind of emotions.  i don't know if my feelings will be returned, but what i do know is that i have supportive and loving friends.  no matter what happens – even if she is the only one who makes me feel this way – i am so thankful that i am at a place where i know God loves me and has made me in God's image. i do not feel alone, and that is because of the movement of the holy spirit.

i don't know if i will ever be able to share this publicly in another way, but i want all of you to know that your work and witness matters.

Called By God

by Joey Heath

To have a prophetic voice. To speak with the authority of God. To speak the truth of God. To show the love of God in everyday. These are part of who a pastor should be.

I have been learning about the reformation in my church history class and how the people hungered for the word of God. One woman stood up because she was called by God when others were not willing to stand up and speak out with a prophetic voice. This woman was a contemporary of Martin Luther named Argula von Grumbach and if you ever get the chance to read her Letter to the University of Ingolstadt I highly recommend it. In this letter she took on the corrupt Roman Catholic establishment of the time and the persecutions of the reformers and used scripture to back up everything she said. In doing so she preached the word of God. That is what I call prophetic voice. She spoke out because she felt called by God to speak out.

God calls us all to do certain things. For some it may be to be a teacher. For some it may be to practice law. For some it may be to be a stay at home parent. And for some they are called to preach and share the love of God from the pulpit on Sunday mornings and wherever else they might be throughout the week. A calling from God, particularly to be a pastor, is a high calling to follow.

I have a calling and I hope those who read these blogs or hear me speak hear the prophetic voice of God coming through. I am called to be a pastor, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. Sadly I am not sure I will be able to become one at least for now. You see, because of the things I write about on here and my openness about who I am and the fact that I refuse to stop trying to be a prophetic voice particularly on the issues of sexuality and gender identity my candidacy will most likely be rejected. Sadly the United Methodist Church recognizes the call of many but not all. You see if you identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (thank God there are no rules against being transgender, though some protection would be nice) then your candidacy is in jeopardy. The United Methodist Church actually actively rejects these that are called by God. They will recognize the gifts the person has and acknowledge they would be a great pastor and then reject them based on their sexuality. How can we a church who follows God reject those called by God? If a person is called by God shouldn't that be good enough for us to accept them?

Right now the church is losing good pastors who could have been the future leaders in the UMC. I know of several who have left the UMC for other denominations for this exact reason. They love the United Methodist Church and they feel called to be a pastor but because the UMC views them as a person of sacred worth who is unfortunately “incompatible with Christian teachings” they are rejected and in order to live out their calling they have left. Why are we letting this happen? When are we going to reject this notion that some how because someone loves a person of the same gender that they are damaged and unworthy? When are we going to stop riding the fence on this issue and speak as a church with prophetic voice claiming that all are equal and truly of sacred worth because they were created by God and called into God's service? When will we recognize the calling that God has placed on so many of the lives of LGBTQ people?

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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.

The Many Meanings of Pride

By Darrell Spurlock, Jr.

I've had some conversations recently with friends inside and outside the church about the notion of "pride."  Some of my friends suggest that pride can only truly be had when there are no boundaries on that pride – when pride can live freely.  Others suggest that it is enough to have pride in the progress we are making toward having a truly inclusive church.  Yet others experience moral distress in eating spiritually at a table that is not fully open to all that may wish to dine there.  These folks may attend reconciling or welcoming churches, but the reality that the larger denominational body still does not support the full inclusion of LGBT persons is distressing.

I even know some folks who secretly support the full inclusion of LGBT persons but whom would never go so far as to advocate for it.  This may be a majority of folks, perhaps, given results of surveys like those from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life which reports that among United Methodists surveyed, 51% said that homosexuality should be accepted, and only 39% said it should be discouraged.  Only 10% responded either neither/both or don't know/refused to answer.  This is a very different notion of United Methodists than what exists in the minds of most UM folks.  What would the UM church look like if the 51/39 split were carried out through its policies, practices, and leadership?

It would be a church we could all be proud of, I think.  A church that welcomed and affirmed all, no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity.  A church that would welcome into the full life of the church whosoever comes, and would extend that welcome to ordain leaders whose values reflect this inclusive and welcoming tone.  Most importantly, this would be a church that is proud of all its members, and all of the ways in which we are all different, yet still God’s children.

Photo © 2009 - R. Wells.  Reproduced with permission. (Thanks, Robin!)

The Strength to Be Faithful

By Adrienne Trevathan

Anna has been much on my mind.  A few days ago was her official commemoration day, and I had the honor of reading some highlights from her life in a worship service.  Since then, her wisdom and strength have been a breath of fresh air for me throughout the week as I think about her struggle with the Methodists.

Anna Howard Shaw was the first woman to be ordained by the Methodist Protestants, a group who separated from the Methodist Episcopal Church in the early nineteenth century.  In 1875, The Methodist Episcopal Church refused to ordain Anna on the grounds that she was “inferior.”  Anna writes about the event:

And when they came to read out the names and all the young men went up to be ordained they read out our names and the Bishop refused them. Then afterwards we went to him and asked what we could do. We said we had been trained for ministry and that we believe the Lord intended us to preach and that the church refused to ordain us: we both had parishes where they were perfectly satisfied with us, except that we could not baptize or marry them, and we had to be ordained to do that; and what were we to do [?] He said we had better get out of the church. I asked what kind of encouragement would he think that was to a young man who had spent years preparing for the ministry to be told to get out of the church! He said he was sorry but that was all he could say. And I said I would not get out: that it was hard enough to get on anyhow and I wouldn’t waste my strength trying to fight the Church too, that I was going to be ordained and if they wouldn’t ordain me, I’d go where they would.
[Nancy N. Bahmueller, “My Ordination: Anna Howard Shaw,” Methodist History 14/2 (January 1976): 126-131. Excerpts.]

At the advice of a male colleague who advocated for women in ministry, Anna went before the Methodist Protestants for ordination.  After the interview, the committee of the Boston Conference took two days discussing Anna’s character before they finally called her back:

The next day they had me come back and they asked me a whole lot of questions. The first ones they asked were about [Saint] Paul of course. Did I know what Paul said and did I believe it. And I said yes. Then they said what did I [think] about his having said “Wives obey your husbands.” So I told them…and they hadn’t heard of that. Then I added, but even if he did mean as they said, it didn’t apply to me for I had no husband to obey. But they said I might have. I said I might have but if they believed in Paul the only thing for them was to ordain me, for I might have a husband who ordered me to preach and if they would ordain me now I could, whereas if they ordained me and he ordered me not to preach I could stop if I married. Well, of course that made them terribly mad…

Oh, they asked me all sorts of questions of that sort, but I had the best of them, for they were not educated people at all, and of course I was straight from studying the Bible in Hebrew and knew a great deal about it. And then of course I’d taken special pains with that part of the subject and knew all about it.

Finally, Anna was accepted for ordination as a Methodist woman.  As she stood for ordination, she was surrounded by a large crowd of people, most fascinated to see a woman ordained, some likely amused that it was happening in the first place:

I nearly died of shame. I was the only one being ordained and when I had to stand up there all alone I thought I should faint. The wife of Mark T., such a tiny little woman she was, just about a head and shoulder shorter than I, saw how I felt…and she came and stood with me and held my hand. I thought it was so nice of her. I’ve never forgotten it, it was one of the kindest things anyone could do. And she was an Episcopalian, too!

I find many things about her account powerful, not only for me, but potentially for all people who struggle with the Church and its definition of freedom.

First of all, Anna knew her limits.  She knew the struggle she would have as a woman, and she chose to find another community.  I think it’s important to recognize that she didn’t just leave her community out of frustration; she left it because she didn’t have the strength to fight it.  For Anna, being faithful to her call meant using that strength instead to walk through another door and prepare a way for other women.  She used the opportunity she had to be faithful.  Some LGBT brothers and sisters have found themselves in a similar situation and have been met with the choice of staying in the church or leaving it.  While it may be easy to critique them, perhaps we should remind ourselves of how much strength it takes to struggle for basic freedom and rights that the hetero-normative world takes for granted.     

Secondly, as we can see from Anna’s story, she was a woman who “knew her stuff.”  Not only did she know it, but it became such a part of her that those around her couldn’t deny it.  I also love her sense of humor in other sections of her account.  Who’s to say that the children of God can’t toss out a zinger every now and again?  I wouldn’t say that it’s only those fighting for rights, however, that need to speak and teach a new language to the church.

This brings me to my last point, which is that someone was there to hold her hand in her time of need.  I can only imagine what it must have felt like to be the first woman ordained, to stand in the spotlight of skeptical men who were calculating future failures.  Thank God for the “wife of Mark T.” who stood up next to her, gently grabbed her hand and gave her a breath of fresh air.  Thank God for everyone who has stood with anyone “Other” in this society and affirmed them.  Thank God for the people who have shown me that my sexuality is only one part of the beautiful story of God.    

As I think about freedom today in conjunction with Anna’s testimony, I am reminded
of what I’ve heard several people tell me in the last few years: Freedom is not the ability to make a choice.  Freedom is the ability for all people to have what God wants and desires for all to have.

I truly believe that God prepares a way for everyone; I guess you could say it’s part of my implicit theology.  It took me longer than I care to admit to realize this, but I can’t turn back.  My hope and prayer as an ally is that I can be one of the people who stands up to hold a hand and offer my love and energy.

I am haunted by the conclusion of Anna’s story:  

So that’s how I was ordained. It wasn’t very glorious. It was rather like sneaking into the ministry by the back door. But if they won’t open the front door to you, what else can you do? Some day they’ll open all the front doors and make a proper use of the enthusiasm for service that women have got—not only in ministry but everywhere. But until then we’ve got to keep climbing in the best ways we can. And there’s a good deal of fun to be got out of it if you can keep from being bitter and angry.

Keep climbing, people of God.  Keep reaching out for all God wants you to have.

I Am Fully Me At Last!

Rev. Ray Hinton

This is a portion of a letter I sent to a number of pastors, many of whom I have known 40 years. It is my coming out to them. I enclosed my Stand Tall Gay Man poem.

June 5, 2009

Background Information

At age 27 I was hospitalized in a psyche ward twice  – a month each

– followed by nearly 30 years of clinical depression. Now age 71.

In the past you have been there for me. Thank you. Now - as Paul Harvey would say, ‘I want you to know the rest of the story. I am a gay man. I could not tell you then!

Last night I hosted a Gay – Lesbian Social in my home. A few years ago a professional said, “This group is my safe place.”

Should anyone need a safe place, especially in the church?

What is the church?

I will not be attending Annual Conference. While I am not ashamed of who I am or what I have done, I am a bit tender. I struggled to understand who I am since youth. My gay nature was like a dog nipping at my heels until I reached down and petted it.

As you vote at Annual Conference, please be prayerfully aware of others like myself  (clergy and lay) who are still struggling within with their sexuality –extremely fearful of being found out. We are many in the UMC. An elder-care lawyer said, “Why is it most Methodist Ministers are gay?”

Having visited more than once in almost every home in every parish I served, I honestly believe the focus at Conference is merely a spot fire of the real issue facing our denomination. The anger present in our churches is often rooted in unhealed physical – emotional and spiritual pain especially when individuals (gay and non-gay) do not find here a HEALING PRESENCE.

Agape – unconditional love / acceptance does not imply approval. (This concept is vital to the understanding of acceptance!)

Health and empowering individuals to be all who God knows we already are is my continued focus.  As individuals are empowered the church likewise is empowered –in that order.

I can live with truth – not a lie. I am fully me at last!

Faithfully,

Rev. Raymond Hinton

Stand Tall Gay Men
Gay Pride It Be
> My Birthing  <

Stand Tall Gay Men
Very Tall
Proud Of Who We Be
Dubbed   Gay Pride
Healthily Proud

Prejudicial Persecution
Out Of Sight  =  Out Of Mind
Ashamed Of We  -  They Be
Grossly Misunderstood
Religious Bias
Disowned
Funerals Held
Vindictive Homophobic’s Vent Rage
In The Name Of Righteousness
Matthew Shepherd
(Remember Them In Your Heart}
Need I Say More
Need I say More

Shatters Our Worlds
My World
My Well Being Questioned
Hopes ‘n Dreams
Emasculated
Angry
Clinically Depressed
Frozen Rage It Be
Zilch Creativity
Frozen Mind
Near Non-Reader Me
Dumbest On Earth  -   Felt Me
Guilty To Even Be
Hopelessly Helpless
Felt Alone
Abandoned

Feared Rejection
Ridicule
Persecution
Grew Distant
Hardened Heart
Coldest Fish On Earth
Hid
Unconscious Insulation  -  It Be
Lived A Lie Did I
Closeted Its Called
Painfully Demoralized
A Coward
Ashamed of Me
Frantically Ran   --  From Me
Everything To Live For
(‘N Still Do)
But
It Didn’t Cut Mustard
Nor Happiness Bring
Prayed Nightly To Die
Twice Tried It

Disillusioned
Hope Gone
My Knight In Shining Armor Was Not
No Liberator  -   Out There
Would Never Be
Gut Wrenching
Hurting Deeply Within
Through Tear Stained Eyes
Dawned A Glimmer of Hope
A Refreshing Insight
Sparkling Clear Like Water
Life Emerges From Within
My Own Knight  -  Must I Be
My Cry Was Answered
The Miracle Could Yet Happen
Morning Light Follows Darkness of Night

Gay Pride’s The Answer
Potential Life It Brings
Claim    Who I Be
A Gay Man
Life Today   Could Yet Be
Depending On Me
Yes
Only Me
Life  ==   The Guts To Be


Simple Secret  --  Yet Profound
Believe In Myself
All Of Who I Am
A Gay Man ‘N A Man Of Faith
Stand Tall ‘n Claim My Worth
Right To Be
Much GOODNESS Within
Dubbed  >> ‘The God In Me’
Known By Many Names
Author of Life
Higher Power
> The Name You Cherish <
My Highest / Divine Self
Ah Ha
Yes
Empowering God Within
Encouraging Me To Be
Yes
Pride
Gay Pride
Stand Tall ‘n Be

Life
Permission To Be
Germinated From The Tiniest Seed
Slowly  - Slowly    –     Slowly Grew
Did I Mention Painfully Slow
Not Patient  -  Me?
Caged
Grew Angry
Struggled Through Rocky Resistant Soil
Stretched Upward Seeking Light  ‘n Fresh Air
Became Healthier ‘n Stronger
Gay Pride   -  Was The Life-Giving’ Seed
New Life There Be

Head Erect
Shoulders Back
Standing Tall
Empowered To Be    The Man I Am
Always Meant To Be
A Winner
Whole At Last
Bingo
Made It!
I Am Who I Am
Unashamedly   -   A Man Of Faith
‘N Gay To The Core
Not What I Do
Who I Am
Me

Incredible
Age Seventy  -  My Search’s Ended
Truth Discovered
Everything’s Within
Patiently Waiting On Me
Amazing It Be
Strength, Courage, Resiliency
Source of Happiness ‘n Friendships Too
My Own Liberating Agent  -  Energized Within
Gay Pride Turns The Key
Pride
Yes
Gay Pride Turns The Key

Indoctrinated
Ingrained Strongly Within
Pride’s Sinful
Homosexuality Too
Progress  -  Status Changed
Mental Illness It Became
Enlightenment ?
Helpful?
An Alternate Life Style
Healthy View
Quickly Reverted
Sin Again

Gay Meant Happy   -  Joyful –   Cheerful
Still Does
The Rainbow’s Our Symbol
Beautiful It Be
Colorful Rainbows Transform Storms
Beautiful Gay Be

Gray Is Gorgeous
Amazing Gray Matter A Gift To Me
Essential
Essential
Did I Say Essential
Think – Think – Think Some More
Our Ace In The Hole
Use It or Lose It
Well Endowed Are We
Understanding Empowers
Initiates Chain Reactions
Gives Courage To Risk
Sets Captives Free
Is There Life Without Risk?
What?  -  Tell Me!
Stand Tall Gay Men
Cherish ‘n Be

My Heart Aches
For Men Everywhere
Who Search A Lifetime For Happiness
Minds Fraught
Hearts Aching
Unrealized Hopes ‘n Dreams
Empty, Aching, Longing, Terrified , Angry
Gay – Bisexual – Transgender
Encompassing All Ages ‘n Races
Men of Worth  -  Each Unique
Definitely   –    Definitely  Men
Caught In The Hangman’s Noose
Geographical, Cultural ‘n Religious
Marital Situation, Family ‘n Friends
Fearing Aids
Quality Men of Value ‘n Worth
Each Wonderfully Unique
Struggling To Be

Caring Healing Presence
Pilot Me
Increase My Faith In Others
More Sensitive
My Heart More Caring
More Appreciative Be
Respecting Other’s Intelligence
Each Capable   -  Wise Choices Make
Open My Eyes To See As You See
Good In Others
Strengths ‘n Contributions
Kind Loving Hearts
Tenderness  ‘n Compassion
Wisdom ‘n Creativity
Your Own Child
Your Presence In Each
Dear To You

Gentle Shepherd
May I Slow Down ‘n Recall
My Own Rocky Path
May I Never Forget
Those Who Were There For Me
Lest I Forget ‘n Judge
Offering Un-requested Advice
May I Respect Others’ Intelligence
‘N Fix Not What May Not Be Broken
But Trust My Bothers
‘N You  O Tender One
For What You Alone Do Best

God Of Our Forefathers
Healthy Encouraging Affirming Parent
May I Never Forget Those who Paved Freedoms’ Way
Gay   ‘n    Straight
Sacrifices Made  ---  Their Sweat, Blood And Tears
The For-runners Of Life For Me Today
Spiritual Giants
Gay ‘n  Straight
Their Sacrifices Made  ---  Sweat, Blood ‘n Tears
Martin Luther
Mahatma Gandhi
Martin Luther King
‘N Those Who Led Me To My Heart
St Francis Of Assisi
Henry J. No-win
‘ N Men Who Died Standing Tall
Proud To Be Gay
May I Also Be

Sensitizer
May I Harden Not My Heart
For Our Persecutors
Angry Homophobic’s  -  Hurting Too Are They
Similar To We
Inward War Zones  -  Vent Their Hurt On We
Un-healed Pain   -  Often Rooted Elsewhere
Just Angry They Be
Often Self-Hate  -  Denial Of Who They Be
Transgender  -  Bi-Sexual  -  Gay
Simply Mirrors Are We
Reflections Of Who They Be  -  Often Unknowingly
Fearful
Ashamed Of Inner Struggle
Hurting – Hurting - Hurting
Vent Anger On We
Merely Dumping Grounds   Are We

Solace Within
Thank You For You
May I Be More Understanding ‘n Forgiving
Those I Hurt Along The Way  -  Family ‘n Friends
Struggling With My Growth ‘n Moods
Like A Seedling Breaking Ground
Necessary For Me To Be
Their Well-being Also Questioned
Images Of Me  -  Shattered
They Too Throbbing Within
Thank You O Gentle One
Your Presence  -   I n Them Also Be
A Solace Within

Thank You
Transforming Empowering One
It’s In The Head
It’s In The Heart
At The Top Of The Mountain I Be
Glimpsing The Promised Land
The Journey Has Not Ended
It Has Only Begun
My Birthing It Be
The Future’s Unknown
No Promises  Nor Easy Sledding
Nor Guarantees Given
A Bit Scary It Be

Guiding Spirit
Whatever Comes
Whatever May Be
May I Always Pause To Remember
The Long Line Of Splendor
Of Those Who Paved The Way
‘N Also Courageously
Stand Tall ‘N Be
Me.   

Ray Hinton,
UMC Clergy
February 2008

Another loss

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