Increased religious acceptance of gays in 2011

I'd like to share a post on my other blog with you.

First Sunday Worship, January 1

Start your New Year off with friends and fellowship. Our First Sunday Worship will be held New Year's Day. You have all day to recover from the night before. Rev. Weatherly Verhelst's message is "Begin the New Year Rejoicing!"; and our music leader is George Jonte. Please join us at 6:00 PM for refreshments and 6:30 PM for worship.

Feeling hopeful

The Autumn 2011 edition of Katalyst, the newsletter from Reconciling Ministries Network has an article about whether we are ready for the change that is about to happen in the denomination. There are also a few important statistics sprinkled through this issue.

I had heard that in the 2008 General Conference the USA delegation, considered on its own, approved of removing the "incompatible with Christian teaching" clause. As we well know, the entire General Conference has yet to approve the removal. I had not heard the USA delegation actually crossed 50% back in 2004 and the margin of approval in 2008 was actually 60%. RMN expects the approval by the USA delegation to be close to 70% in May. Good news!

And for approving removal in 2012 by the whole GC? Let me get my calculator out.

70% of 606 USA delegates is about 420 (with a bit of rounding).
There are 42 delegates from Europe, likely voting for removal.
There are 48 delegates from the Philippines, and I don't know how they'll vote.
There are 10 delegates from elsewhere in the world.
There are 282 delegates from Africa, who will probably vote against removal.
That's for a total of 988 delegates. Half of that +1 is 495.

So, 420 + 42 = 462. We may only need 33 votes from the 58 delegates from the Philippines and elsewhere in the world. It may be a close vote.

I'm aware it isn't a sure thing until the votes are actually cast and I've made some assumptions that may not be true. Even so, this has made me feel hopeful that the nasty phrase may be gone next May! Good news indeed!

Of course, there is a lot of work to do before General Conference opens and there is a lot of work to do during GC. You can sign up to volunteer at GC here. With a vote that close I decided I have to be there, so I just filled in the volunteer form.

Bishop Sprague on windsock church management

One of the speakers at Sing a New Song this past August was retired Bishop Joseph Sprague. His speech then was rousing and inspiring. He gave a sermon at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary last month. The text of it is now posted on the General Board of Church and Society website. Sprague contrasts church management who act like windsocks with Ole Moze of the movie Places in the Heart who did the work of Jesus. Sprague also notes the most dynamic United Methodist congregations are the Reconciling ones. Windsock management misses that.

First Sunday Worship, December 4

First Sunday Worship for December will be a Taize worship experience with an Advent-Christmas theme. In a Taize service, instead of coming together to talk to God, the community gathers to listen. Instead of talking about Scripture, the Scripture is read and left to speak for itself in silence. By singing simple songs of prayer over and over again, the mind calms and the soul opens up: God speaks and the heart hears. We will light candles, we will gather to pray, to be silent, to be simple, to be faithful. Please join us for fellowship at 6:00 and worship at 6:30

Improve the world through hugs

I have a posting on my personal blog I would like to share with you.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, a report

Central United Methodist Church of Detroit hosted the Transgender Day of Remembrance service this evening. A major portion of the service was to read the names of transgender persons who had been murdered worldwide in the last year. There was a display of about 250 candles with one being lit with each name. Tina Seitz, who sent me the poster for the service, was one of the readers. I am very aware these are only the reported cases of transgender murders. Many places, such as the Middle East and eastern Africa, wouldn't bother reporting such deaths. The actual death toll for simply not conforming to gender expectations is, I'm sure, far higher. Yes, the number above is for one year.

A transgender woman named Michelle or Shelley was murdered in Detroit last month. The news report included a photo and she looked vaguely familiar. I checked with the staff at the Ruth Ellis Center (where I volunteer) and they said she had been a regular. That means I likely served supper to her. Shelley's mother was one of this evening's speakers. She didn't speak long and we thanked her heartily for coming while the wound to her soul is so fresh. The other main speaker was Sylvia Guerrero, whose transgender daughter was murdered close to a decade ago. George Jonte and Rev. Delores Berry provided some music, with George singing God Help the Outcasts from the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Rev. Ed. Rowe provided a stirring benediction.

More details of upcoming events

Amy DeLong, a UMC pastor who was recently on trial for officiating a same-sex union, will be visiting the Detroit area in March. Here is as much of the schedule known so far.

Friday, March 16, evening: Sharing our Journeys. Amy will tell her story and invite others to tell theirs. Music will be by Katie Geddes, who sings at The Ark in Ann Arbor and also at Greenwood UMC. This will be at Newburgh UMC, 36500 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia.

Saturday, March 17, all day: Mapping our Journeys, a workshop featuring congregations who are revising their stories towards inclusiveness. They are First UMC of Ann Arbor, First UMC of Birmingham, and Detroit Central UMC. Amy will also provide guidance. This will be at Nardin Park UMC, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Farmington Hills.

Sunday, March 18, Celebrating the Journey Towards Inclusiveness in Worship. Amy will preach that morning (time and location to be announced). At 3:00 there will be a celebration service at Detroit Central UMC.

Exact times and contact information will be posted when available.



Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way in Philadelphia is becoming well known to youth. So invite a youth to go with you to University UMC in East Lansing, on Saturday, March 31 from 9:30 to 3:30. It is a big church but the event is likely to fill up. Registration will be posted when available.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Tina Seitz sent me this flyer. It will be displayed too small to read, so I've reproduced the text below.

Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held on Friday, November 18 at 7:00 at Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams St. Detroit. Door will open at 6:30. The speaker will be Sylvia Guerrero. For more information contact Michelle Fox Phillips of Transgender Detroit at msfjp@sbcglobal.net or 248-514-2688.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on Nov. 28, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current medial doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicity mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten.

Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends, and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those who've died by transgender violence.

Brief Notes

The workshop on Saturday, Nov. 5 (announced earlier) needs a
reservation. Contact Rich Peacock at rjpeacock@wowway.com or
248-321-7480 to tell him you are coming.



Rev. Amy DeLong was recently put on trial for violating the
prohibitions against homosexuality. She will be visiting the
Detroit area March 16-18, 2012. Save the dates! She will visit
Newburgh UMC, Nardin Park UMC, and Detroit Central UMC. Details
will be announced later.



Shane Claiborne of Keep Making Peace will be at University UMC in
East Lansing on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Save the date and check
back for details.

A Covenant of Conscience in New York

A Covenant of Conscience, promoted by Methodists in New Directions (MIND) of the New York Annual Conference, has now gotten 900 signatures from clergy, laity, and congregations. The group got its name from a t-shirt (really!) that plays on the denomination slogan: "Closed doors. Broken Hearts. We mind." Much of this is in response to gay marriage being legalized in New York.

The covenant says in part:

Therefore we, as congregations and as individual laypersons and clergy, declare our commitment to offer such means of grace to all persons on an equal basis. We refuse to discriminate against any of God’s children and pledge to make marriage equality a lived reality within the New York Annual Conference, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.
…
While the rite of Christian marriage officiated by our clergy and celebrated in our church buildings is denied by UMC law to same-sex couples, we affirm the New York Annual Conference’s 2010 resolution urging “clergy to minister equally to all members of their churches and to consider the conference’s call to inclusive ministries in deciding how to honor their congregants’ covenantal commitments.”
…
We, United Methodist clergy, in accordance with our ordination vows to “seek peace, justice, and freedom for all people,” commit to marrying all people, both gay and straight, who seek the blessing of the church, without bias or discrimination.

We, United Methodist laity, in accordance with our membership vows to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves,” commit to supporting our clergy in faithfully ministering to all, including through any consequences of their living fully into that duty.

We, United Methodist congregations, refuse to discriminate in the sacraments and rituals provided to our members and pledge the full and equal use of our facilities as we welcome and celebrate equally all couples and the families they may choose to create.

Such "defiance" gives me hope about next year's General Conference. At the very least that event will be interesting.

Rev. Ed Rowe to Receive Equality Michigan Award

Rev. Edwin Rowe, Senior Pastor at Detroit Central UMC, will be honored on Saturday evening, October 22, 2011 at Equality Michigan's Annual State Dinner. Rev. Rowe will receive the Ally In Faith Award.

This award is presented annually to an individual whose tireless efforts to bring about full equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters are being carried out through faith based organizations.

Rev. Rowe has been, for over 20 years, one of the most outspoken advocates for full inclusion in the United Methodist Church. As senior pastor of Detroit Central UMC, he was instrumental in leading his congregation to being an open, affirming and recognized reconciling congregation. Full inclusion means church membership, leadership, ordination and marriage. It is perfectly fitting that Rev. Rowe be honored at this time with this prestigious award.

Detroit Central UMC will have a table at this dinner. A limited number of tickets are available for this event for only $50.00. It is a $150.00/'plate dinner and through a generous gift from an anonymous donor, we are able to offer the tickets for this reduced price. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony.

The event will be held at The Henry (formerly The Hyatt) Hotel in Dearborn. The hotel is located directly across the street from Ford World Headquarters. Further information on the dinner itself is available at the Equality Michigan website: www.equalitymich.org. Further information regarding the special price tickets and seating with the people from Detroit Central UMC is available by contacting George Jonte @ 313-965-5422, Ext. 121.

Submitted by,
George Jonte
Coordinator-LGBT Ministries
Detroit Central UMC

General Conference Training and MFSA Retreat Set for Saturday, November 5

A great event is happening in our community on Saturday, November 5. The event will be held at Ypsilanti UMC, 209 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

RMN (Reconciling Ministries Network) and MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) will be gathering together for an all-day retreat and training. Joey Lopez, a jurisdictional organizer from the RM Network will be here to lead us in a day of training especially designed for local congregations. It includes activities that local congregations can be having during the time that our conference delegation is in Tampa, FL at the 2012 General Conference. These activities are intended to be an outpouring of support for the delegation. This is an event that should be attended by any clergy and lay people who have an interest in seeing our denomination move toward full inclusion - including membership, leadership, ordination and marriage for our LGBT brothers and sisters.

At this quadrennium, we have a better chance than we have ever had to have the clause, "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" removed from our discipline. This will be a giant step in leading us to full inclusion because the other parts will follow in a natural succession. Before Annual Conference this year, we went to great efforts to see that our Peace with Justice slate was a comprehensive list of those who would vote at General Conference for full inclusion. Our efforts paid off in that we elected 6 very progressive individuals out of 8 possible candidates to be our delegates in April 2012.

At the national level we are more organized than we have ever been in any previous quadrennia hence, why it is crucial that it happen this time.

I firmly believe that this one issue is at the forefront of what is stifling growth in the UMC. It's a sad commentary on our denomination when a recent survey revealed that 90% of the 18-35 age group who no longer attend church believe that hatred is being preached from our pulpits. The UMC stands alone with our other larger mainstream Protestant denominations on this issue. UCC, Presbyterian USA, ELCA (Lutheran) and Episcopal all have now voted for full inclusion. Presbyterian Church USA just ordained its first openly gay pastor just last week.

It's also a sad commentary on us when one of our own - a powerhouse pastor and leader - can no longer stay in our denomination over this issue and now the UCC is blessed to have her. Rev. Louise Ott left our denomination in 2010 and was ordained in the United Church of Christ. She is now serving as the lead pastor at Birmingham Congregational Church UCC. I firmly believe that she is leading a path out of our church for a lot of fine pastors. We don't have enough clergy to fill our pulpits as it is - we do NOT need to lose anymore because of the senseless clauses in our Book of Discipline.

Please join us for this informative day. It will be a day well spent in your church life.

In addition, MFSA will have its retreat that day and after the closing of the RMN Jurisdictional Training, they will convene to address those issues that were not adressed earlier in the day.

This event is free to attendees. Free will love offerings will be taken during the day to help defray the expenses of the use of the building at Ypsilanti First UMC and lunch to be served that day.

Further information about this day can be obtained from George Jonte - Coordinator of LGBT Ministries @ Detroit Central UMC (313-965-5422, Ext. 121; Rev. Rich Peacock (248) 321-7480
or Rev. Bea Fraser-Soots (248) 320-5108

Love Your Neighbor training session

A large part of the Sing a New Song convocation last August was devoted to contacting out General Conference delegates and telling them how we feel about LGBT inclusion in the United Methodist Church. The next part of that effort is the Love Your Neighbor Campaign. And the first part of that campaign is a training session to learn effective ways to contact delegates.

Love Your Neighbor training will be held on Saturday, November 5 from 9:30 to 3:30 at First United Methodist Church, 209 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti. I strongly urge you to clear your calendar, save the date, and get your friends to come too. This is important work. More details will be posted as they come available.

Fall Potluck and Program

Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists are holding their Fall Potluck and Program on Sunday, October 23 at 5:00 pm. at Nardin Park UMC. We'll start with the meal. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. The program and worship will follow at 6:00. The program will be "A Modest Proposal Toward a More Inclusive UMC." It will be presented by Rev. Tom Macaulay, former Ann Arbor District Superintendent, and Rich Teets, co-chair of the Church and Society Committee of FUMC, Birmingham. The guest musician will be Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay. The evening will end with fellowship time at 7:00.

First Sunday Worship, October 2

Our service will be led by Rev. Monica William, associate pastor
at Birmingham First UMC. Fellowship time is 6:00, followed by worship at 6:30.

The DRUM leadership team is meeting at 5:00.

First Sunday Worship, September 4

First Sunday Worship will be a special Taize worship experience. It was such a powerful experience in the Spring, that we decided to do one every quarter throughout the year! In case you aren't familiar with it, here are some thoughts about Taize: Instead of coming together to talk to God, the community gathers to listen. Instead of talking about Scripture, the Scripture is read and left to speak for itself in silence. By singing simple songs of prayer over and over again, the mind calms and the soul opens up: God speaks and the heart hears. We will light candles, we will gather to pray, to be silent, to be simple, to be faithful. Bob Shoenhals will lead us. Please join us for fellowship at 6:00 and worship at 6:30

A report from Sing a New Song

I have a detailed report of my experiences at Sing a New Song. I posted it on my other blog, the one I write to share gay-related news with family. I am providing a link instead of posting it here as well so that, I hope, you can explore the other topics I write about.

I don't have an exact tally of those from Michigan who attended. It is about 15 people from the Detroit Annual Conference (Adrian to Caro!) and 25 from the West Michigan Annual Conference.

I will be glad to post the experiences of anyone who wishes to write it up and send it to me. I can be reached at bellist (at) comcast (dot) net.

The date and location of the Love Your Neighbor training session (explained in the post) will be posted here as soon as I know.

Paul Kinney

Upcoming DRUM fall and winter events

These are the events on the DRUM calendar for the fall and on into the winter.

August 25-28, several DRUM members will be attending the Sing a New Song Convo in Huron, Ohio. This event is put on by Reconciling Ministries Network (see their link in the side column) and the Methodist Federation for Social Action. For all of you who attend I would be glad to post your thoughts of the event. Please send them to me.

Sunday, September 4, our First Sunday Worship will be a Taizé service of sung meditation and scripture, without Holy Communion. See the side column for the schedule of the evening.

Sunday, October 2, our First Sunday Worship will be led by Rev. Monica William, one of the pastors at Birmingham FUMC and a daughter of the Nardin Park congregation. There will also be a DRUM Leadership Team Meeting that evening at 5:00.

Sunday, October 23, the annual Fall Potluck and Program. The speaker will be Rev. Tom McCauley and his sister Rev. Elizabeth McCauley will be our guest musician.

Sunday, November 6, our First Sunday Worship will be led by Rev. Rony Veska, pastor at Ferndale FUMC; an excellent preacher who will lead us in an All Saints service of remembrance.

Sunday, December 4, our First Sunday Worship will be a Taizé service of sung meditation and scripture, with an Advent-Christmas theme

Sunday, January 1, what better way to start a new year than with our First Sunday Worship! It will be led by Rev. Weatherly Burkhead Verhelst, Associate Pastor at Utica FUMC.

Sunday, February 5, our First Sunday Worship will be led by Rev. Bob Roth, Campus Minister at U of M & on the pastoral staff at FUMC of Ann Arbor.

I will be glad to post stories of interest. Please tell me about your encounters with reconciliation. Send your thoughts to bellist (at) comcast (dot) net.

Finding welcome

I recently traveled by train to Minneapolis for the National Handbell Seminar. A large percentage of handbell choirs are in churches and we're always looking for fresh ideas of how to use bells in worship. One of our concerts was a hymn sing in a nearby church, the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. It was a wonderful hour of singing. The music was led by Bells of the Lakes along with the church's handbell choir, vocal choir, and organist, all directed by William Mathis, Minister of Music at the church. And when the congregation is full of musicians the singing is enthusiastic and in four-part harmony.

Halfway through the program I noticed the cloths on the pulpit and lectern were red (as appropriate for the season after Pentecost) with a rainbow pattern running through it. After the program I went looking -- and found a small banner in the narthex proclaiming the church to be a Reconciling Congregation. That felt good. I was able to talk to Bill Mathis for a few moments, hoping to gain insight that might help my own congregation. He said the decision to become reconciling was easy because there were so many gays and lesbians already in the congregation. They were one of the first churches to do so.

If you have similar stories of encounters with welcoming (or, alas, not) churches please write them down and send them to me. I'll include them on this blog. I am also interested in your stories about the Sing a New Song conference coming up later this month. You may send them to my email address: bellist (at) comcast (dot) net.

First Sunday worship, August 7

Bob Schoenhals will direct our thoughts on the topic "Stepping Through Storms" as guided by Matthew 14:22-23. We'll do some singing and discussion to round out the service. George Jonte will lead the music. Please join us for fellowship at 6:00
and worship at 6:30.

First Sunday Worship, July 3, 2011

The theme this month is Telling our Stories. Instead of one person preaching, we will all have a chance to tell what God has been doing in our lives. The discussion will be lead by Paul Kinney of First United Methodist Church of Garden City and music leadership will be by Linda Moses.

First Sunday Worship in June 2011

Our leader this month is Rev. Bob Schoenhals, pastor at West Bloomfield UMC, whose topic is "Famous Last Words." Music leadership is given by Eric Roth. As always, fellowship is at 6:00p.m. and worship follows at 6:30.

And yes, it should be possible to attend Motor City Pride in Hart Plaza in the afternoon and come to our service in the evening.

Detroit Annual Conference News

According to the DAC website the following people were elected to our delegation to the 2012 General Conference:

Jacqueline Euper (Morrice)
Angela Hart (Detroit)
Wayne Bank (Lexington)
Paul Thomas (Kingsford)
Rev. Joy Barrett (Chelsea)
Rev. Melanie Carey (Ypsilanti)
Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue (Detroit)
Rev. Ed Rowe (Detroit)

Of these eight delegates I am pleased to see six of them were on the slate put out by us (DRUM) and the Methodist Federation for Social Action. This is important because these are the people who will be voting on revisions to the United Methodist Church *Book of Discipline*. This is the denomination rule book and what keeps us as lesser members of our church.

In addition to electing delegates eager to advance the cause of inclusion the DAC endorsed a petition to General Conference to strike the phrase "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching" from the Book of Discipline and add words to say, "the church is not of one mind about the practice of homosexuality" and affirming 'the call to inclusiveness.'" That was reported to the MFSA website by Rev. Rich Peacock.

Striking the above phrase is critical because the rest of the prohibitions aimed at us (such as barring partnered gay and lesbian pastors and barring the use of our churches for same-sex marriages and commitment ceremonies) are built on this phrase.

Posted by Paul Kinney