First Sunday Service, January 4

The next First Sunday Worship Service will be Sunday, January 4. Our speaker will be Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Lead Pastor at Detroit Metropolitan Community Church. He is a dynamic speaker. The title of his message is "Shine! Your Light has Come!" and will be based on Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12. The message will discuss as we move forward with Christ's promise of presence, what goals for personal and communal growth should we make?

Everyone is welcome. We'll be at our usual place, Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. The church is just west of Middlebelt. The meeting room, for fellowship at 7:00, and the chapel, for the service at 7:30, are on the west side of the building.

First Sunday Service, December 7

The First Sunday Worship program for December with be this Sunday, the 7th. Please join us for fellowship and refreshments at 7:00 in the multi-purpose room and an Advent communion service at 7:30 in the chapel. Rev. Paul Melrose, retired Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center, will present the message "Really?" based on Isaiah 11:1-10.  Everyone is welcome! We'll be at our usual place, Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt.

Truth and Reconciliation

Last week I made it to University UMC in East Lansing for "A Time to Share in Giving Thanks and Witness." This was the time in which Rev. Ed Rowe and Rev. Mike Tupper filled us in on the details of the Just Resolutions they had signed two days before with Bishop Deborah Kiesey. The text of both Just Resolutions are included at the end of this post.

Ed welcomed us to the gathering. He then welcomed M Barclay, Assistant Director of Communications at Reconciling Ministries Network. M told us of her difficulties of being a lesbian called by God to to ordained ministry. M captured most of this meeting on video, which has now been posted to the RMN website. Ed and Mike urge supporters to view the video.

Rev. Tom Robinson offered a prayer of joy and thanksgiving, for reaching a resolution, for a bishop willing to work to avoid a trial. There were many people to thank, alas I cannot name them all.

Peggy Garrigues and Mark Thompson are two out, but "non-practicing," clergy in the Michigan conferences. Both told their stories of the pain of being both gay and clergy. Peggy spoke of her gratitude for the workers and supporters behind the scenes and over the years. Mark talked of the grace of being able to speak to us and the grace for us to hear.

David Lundquist is a former General Secretary to the General Council on Ministries. He described the process that brought us to this point. The denomination's Book of Discipline clearly states that a pastor must not officiate at a same-sex wedding or commitment ceremony. Ed and Mike obeyed the part of the Discipline that requires pastors to provide care for all, and so violated the rule against officiating at same-sex ceremonies. In both cases a complaint was filed against them. When a complaint is filed the first step by the bishop is to hold a meeting with the pastors and those who filed the complaint. The goal is to reach a Just Resolution acceptable to all parties. If no agreement is reached, the bishop has three choices: (1) dismiss the complaint, (2) refer the matter to a committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry, or (3) refer the matter to the church judiciary for a trial.

Since this Just Resolution concludes the matter I don't think it is possible for someone else to file another complaint to attempt to force a trial.

Mike Tupper told us why the complaint was filed against him. He had signed the marriage certificate at his daughter's wedding to another woman. Mike told us about that day. You can read the wonderful details here.

Ed Rowe told his story. He began telling us that the Methodist Church had taught him about inclusion, so the current situation is all our fault. Ed grew up in a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He saw its exclusion, in particular against his father, who was a Mason. That turned him off from church. Some time later he saw the local chapter of the John Birch Society picket the local Methodist church. That was a pretty good clue the Methodist Church would welcome him too. It was there he learned about a God whose love and grace embraced all people.

Ed officiated at a same-sex wedding last June because he understood the damage to the couple, to the United Methodist Church, and to his sacred calling to be a pastor to all people if he didn't treat the lesbian couple the same way he treats straight couples. It was an amazing wedding. Lots of scars were bathed by the "sacrament" of the wedding. There was healing.

The Book of Discipline is about covenant. Many talk of a covenant between pastors and some say this covenant is broken when a pastor disobeys the Discipline. However, there are many other covenants, such as offering pastoral care to all. Ed says his ministry is about those who are left behind. A person can't be a little bit inclusive.

Those who attended were given copies of the Just Resolutions that Mike and Ed signed. Ed and Mike accepted the consequences of their decision, which are to create a Truth and Reconciliation process. The key paragraph in Ed's resolution is:

Rev. Rowe will work with the Michigan Area Episcopal Office to form a design team with clergy and lay persons from across the Michigan Area, including LGBTQ persons. The team is charged with planning, implementation and resourcing an area-wide series of events using a "Truth and Reconciliation" model at which LGBTQ and other interested United Methodists can have a safe place to tell their stories. These events will have the stated goal of reducing our church's harmful rhetoric and actions toward LGBTQ persons. These events will be planned to occur over the next 18 months.

Mike's key paragraph is almost identical, with the addition that he will work with Ed. Mike's resolution includes a couple more points: He will write a paper presenting the various theological positions in the West Michigan Conference and explain why he chose his own position. He will tell his story at every opportunity and serve as a resource for churches working for inclusion.

Ed told us he came up with this as the resolution in two steps. The first step came from Jerry Peterson of the Ruth Ellis Center. The Center serves as a safe space for sexual LGBTQ youth, many of whom are homeless because their families rejected them. The center also provides a wide range of services for the youth. As part of those services the Center had worked with researchers in the Family Acceptance Project. When a gay person comes out to family the family frequently responds with words and actions believed to help the gay person but actually cause harm, sometimes to the point of suicide. The Family Acceptance Project doesn't try to change beliefs, only behaviors. This guides a family to help, not hurt or kill, their children.

I volunteer at the Ruth Ellis Center and was able to hear about the Family Acceptance Project when it was presented to the Center's staff. I wrote about it on my personal blog.

Ed's second step was to hear about Truth and Reconciliation commissions from Rev. Tom Robinson. Tom told us his story. Tom is black and while he was growing up one of his aunts was asked to sing at a white church – but was only allowed to sing from behind a screen. Some of us are still behind the screen.

Tom was part of a Truth and Reconciliation process in Detroit. The city is among the most segregated cities in America. That situation is because of many decisions by many people over many years. Racism still causes pain, but it is a big issue we are too willing to not talk about. The Truth and Reconciliation process is a way to talk about the hurts that result from a situation. Hearing the stories allows movement towards reconciliation. The most famous use of a Truth and Reconciliation process is South Africa, though it has been used in several other places around the world, such as Rwanda.

Ed talked about what he and Mike agreed to do. Their Just Resolutions are based on "Do no (more) harm." They will create a safe space for LGBTQ people to tell how the denomination's policies, words, and actions have hurt them. Others who desire to testify will also give their testimony. The testimony will be filmed and edited. The result will be shown around the state with the intent of showing the church how deeply some of us have been hurt – most church members, says Ed, don't have a clue of the depth of the pain. Then there is hope of guiding the church to behaviors that welcome and not wound. Ed says that he wants to change behaviors; he is not trying to change beliefs. Ed's faith in this process is based on his belief in the compassion and love in most United Methodist leaders, clergy and lay, who once they hear of the hurt that is being done would be willing to change their words and actions, if not their beliefs, to do no more harm. If a person disagrees with the film they may talk or shout at the representatives accompanying the film or at the screen, not at the wounded person. There have been too many times where discussion of LGBTQ people brought out wounding words that then cannot be unsaid. Ed says there is a hierarchy of hurt. The pastor hurt by a neighboring pastor who performs a same-sex ceremony is in a lot less pain than a teen who is told by the youth pastor he is going to hell.

Ed made it clear that in working through this complaint he has been following the Book of Discipline exactly. It is through the process outlined in the Discipline that he and the bishop agreed to this Just Resolution. Ed was also clear that it is not appropriate for the church to be having conversations about LGBTQ people without LGBTQ people included in the conversations. Therefore LGBTQ people will be involved in all parts and stages of the Truth and Reconciliation process.

Ed turned to us, especially LGBTQ people, for help. He and Mike can't do it by themselves. He listed several ways we can be involved. People are needed to:

* plan how this process will work.
* staff the commission, who can focus on the testimony and not on themselves, including those who are good at making the witnesses comfortable and helping to draw out their stories.
* do the technical stuff, run cameras, set up microphones, edit and assemble the resulting video.
* research who to ask to testify. If you know of someone with a story to tell, pass the word to Ed and Mike.
* give their testimony.
* get and prepare sites around the state where the stories will be told.
* do organizational work behind the scenes.
* give financial support. The bishop did not authorize a budget, though she said she would help raise money.

During the question and answer session a young man said we shouldn't limit stories to LGBTQ people. He said he is the son of Mark Thompson, the gay pastor. He has also been hurt and has a story to tell.

Here is Ed's email address:

And here is Mike's:

They are not here as links to avoid web crawlers from harvesting the addresses and sending then more spam. Please tell Ed or Mike how you might help and who has a story to tell.

I have offered Ed, Mike, and the team the services of this blog to help with communication. I'll post notices as they come available.


Ed asked that the text of the Just Resolutions be posted as well. Here they are:

Just Resolutions

Between

Rev. Edwin A. Rowe and Rev. Melanie L. Carey and Rev. Elbert P. Dulworth

This Just Resolution agreement results from a complaint submitted by Rev. Melanie L. Carey and Rev. Elbert P. Dulworth against the Rev. Edwin A. Rowe for conducting a same-gender wedding ceremony on June 28, 2014. After receiving this complaint Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey conducted a supervisory response in this matter under the provisions of the Book of Discipline 2012 (¶363).

As a result of the Supervisory Response process conducted by Bishop Kiesey, the persons signing this document have entered into the following Just Resolution agreement:

1) Rev. Rowe acknowledges that he knowingly and intentionally violated ¶2702.1b and ¶2702.1d of the 2012 Book of Discipline, as an act of personal faith and conscience, and acknowledges that others may have felt hurt by his action.

2) Rev. Rowe will work with the Michigan Area Episcopal Office to form a design team with clergy and lay persons from across the Michigan Area, including LGBTQ persons. The team is charged with planning, implementation and resourcing an area-wide series of events using a “Truth and Reconciliation” model at which LGBTQ and other interested United Methodists can have a safe place to tell their stories. These events will have the stated goal of reducing our church’s harmful rhetoric and actions toward LGBTQ persons. These events will be planned to occur over the next 18 months.

3) Bishop Kiesey will extend an invitation to all lay and clergy from across Michigan Area (including conference and district leaders) to participate in stated events, and to ecourage participation by persons of all theological perspectives.

4) Each of the parties to this Just Resolution Agreement agrees tha tthey will not disclose the content of any other conversations which may have taken place during the Supervisory Response Process or speak on behalf of any other party to the agreement.

5) This Just Resolution having been agreed to by all parties shall be the final disposition of the complaint in this matter.

Just Resolution

Between

Rev. Michael Tupper and Rev. John Boley

This Just Resolution agreement results from a complaint submitted by Rev. John Boley against the Rev. Michael Tupper for conducting a same-gender wedding ceremony on August 17, 2014. After receiving this complaint Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey conducted a supervisory response in this matter under the provisions of the Book of Discipline 2012 (¶363).

As a result of the Supervisory Response process conducted by Bishop Kiesey, the persons signing this document have entered into the following Just Resolution agreement:

1) Rev. Tupper acknowledges that he knowingly and intentionally violated two sections of the 2012 Book of Discipline, as an act of personal faith and conscience, and acknowledges that others may have felt hurt by his action.

2) Rev. Tupper, who desires to remain a part of the clergy covenant in the West Michigan Conference, will work with his clergy colleagues by using the proper channels toward changing the discriminatory language and provisions in our Book of Discipline, while continuing to advocate for the LGBTQ community within the United Methodist Church and providing pastoral care to all people under his appointment.

3) Rev. Tupper will work with the Michigan Area Episcopal Office and Ed Rowe to form a design team with clergy and lay persons from across the Michigan Area, including LGBTQ persons. The team is charged with planning, implementing and resourcing an area-wide series of events using a “Truth and Reconciliation” model at which LGBTQ and other interested United Methodists can have a safe place to tell their stories. These events will have the stated goal of reducing our church’s harmful rhetoric and actions toward LGBTQ persons. These events will be planned to occur over the next 18 months.

4) Rev. Tupper will develop a written theological statement which accurately presents the several existing theological positions within the context of the West Michigan Conference and includes his personal theological conclusions about the position he has chosen for himself.

5) Rev. Tupper will avail himself of every opportunity presented to him to tell the story of his spiritual journey as an act of witness, and will offer his services as a resource to help our churches be more welcoming and inclusive.

6) Each of the parties to this Just Resolution Agreement agree that the terms of this resolution may be shared with the public as needed. Further, they agree that they will not disclose the content of any other conversations which may have taken place during the Supervisory Response Process or speak on behalf of any other party to the agreement.

7) This Just Resolution, having been agreed to by all parties, shall be a final disposition of the complaint in this matter.

Another pastor charged

Last Wednesday I attended the celebration of the Just Resolution of the two United Methodist pastors in Michigan who performed same-sex weddings. I wrote about the meeting but haven't posted it yet because I'm verifying details with one of the pastors.

The same day the United Methodist News Service wrote about another complaint against another pastor. But this story has a wonderful twist. The pastor is Rev. Kelly Carpenter of Green Street United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. The couple who filed the dispute are Ken and Scott. They asked Carpenter to preside at their wedding. Carpenter declined, saying he didn't want to harm the other ministries at Green Street Church. So Ken and Scott filed charges against Carpenter for "failure to perform the work of ministry" and "gender discrimination." Both are chargeable offenses. The issue is now before the local bishop.

Carpenter is pleased with this development and would sign the complaint against himself if he could. He cited the contradictions: He must either violate the ban on discrimination or the ban on same-sex ceremonies.

Green Street Church made news 20 months ago when the church council decided not to hold any weddings, gay or straight, in the sanctuary until the denomination's ban is lifted. Carpenter has held blessing ceremonies elsewhere for both straight and gay couples, but the marriage certificate must be signed in city hall.

The North Carolina state ban on same-sex marriage was lifted before the denomination's ban. The church has decided to maintain its ban while the denomination's ban remains.

Singing for Love and Justice

A benefit concert for the Clawson United Methodist Church is being held on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 pm with a reception following. The concert is being held at First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor (yes, not in Clawson). The church is at 120 South State Street, Ann Arbor. There is no charge to attend. A free will offering will be collected.

The concert is sponsored by Rainbow Crossing and the Church and Society Committee of First UMC.

The concert will feature Katie Geddes who is a folk, country-folk, and folk-pop singer. Also in the program are The Method Clawson Praise Band with both Christian and secular music, and the Out Loud Chorus, a chorus for the LGBT community, yet open to all, with performances that educate and reduce discrimination.

This is the story behind the concert...

Clawson United Methodist Church has claimed a more welcoming stance, especially to LGBT individuals, in response to their pastor "coming out" as a "non-practicing" lesbian in August of 2013. However, the transition has not been easy, and they still face some financial challenges. This Singing for Love and Justice concert fundraiser at First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor is our way of offering support to their congregation.

Rev. Peggy Garrigues was active in the Wesley Foundation here in Ann Arbor as an undergraduate student, has served on the board for a couple of years since then, and has also done other ministry in the Ann Arbor area since becoming a United Methodist pastor: with Chelsea First United Methodist Church, Chelsea Retirement Community, the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, and Guild House Campus Ministry in Ann Arbor.

Pastor Peggy came to a late-in-life realization of being lesbian, and at first considered leaving the United Methodist ministry. But since she is "non-practicing" (a technical term for not being in a relationship), she had the support of Bishop Deborah Kiesey and the United Methodist district superintendents of the Detroit Conference when she came out to the Clawson UMC. At first the responses were supportive, but then a number of members said that if she was still pastor in January of 2014, they would leave. When she remained, about 25 people left the congregation, and took with them their approximately $50,000 a year in financial pledges.

Those who remained have together claimed a more welcoming vision, and many have taken on new leadership roles. The congregation has also taken many steps to bring in more income, including a concert fundraiser at their church in March that raised $23,000. They are moved and grateful to have received so much support and encouragement from outside of their congregation. Rev. Garrigues has also gone to half-time instead of full-time in her position as pastor, in order to save costs for the church, so she now pastors a second church as well. Clawson UMC has expanded their welcome in other ways as well, and now rent their sanctuary to an Arabic-speaking congregation after their own worship service is over on Sundays. They are going forward with hope, and have received several new members this past year.

Come be part of providing encouragement and support to this congregation as they live more fully into being a welcoming church for all people. You are also welcome to make a donation online, at Clawsonumc.org.

Just Resolution in same-sex marriage cases

A Time to Share in

Giving Thanks and Witness

For Achieving two Just Resolutions

Across the Michigan Area

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 11:00 am

University United Methodist Church

1120 S. Harrison Road

East Lansing, MI

Join other clergy and laity from the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences in celebrating the signing of Just Resolutions by Rev. Ed Rowe, Rev. Mike Tupper, Bishop Deborah Kiesey and those who initiated separate complaints against Ed and Mike for having performed same gender ceremonies earlier this year.

For the first time in the history of seeking Just Resolutions we have the amazing opportunity to create a safe place for our LGBTQ siblings to tell the story of how our Church’s words and behaviors have caused deep and often deadly harm.  Using the South African “Truth and Reconciliation” process we can hear these stories in a way that does “no more harm.”  This process does not try to change or convert anyone’s beliefs.  Instead it is based on the belief that once people are fully aware of the hurt being done they will covenant to change their words and actions in order to do no more harm.

Both Ed and Mike along with others will be present to:

• Lead in moments of thanksgiving and appreciation for Bishop Kiesey and her graceful leadership in the supervisory response processes as well as that of the complainants which led to these Just Resolutions and the avoidance of church trials
• Provide a brief overview of the disciplinary process
• Share their stories and the specifics about each Just Resolution – similarities and differences
• Explain the Truth and Reconciliation concept and how it will be used
• Offer a time for questions from those gathered
• Invite input and participation by others who can help plan and implement the objectives of the Just Resolutions
• Offer prayers for these achievements and what lies ahead to be accomplished

We are excited and blessed with this opportunity and covet your participation.  Please come and bring others with you to be part of this significant time in the life and future of United Methodists across Michigan.

Connectional Table panel on homosexuality

There was a notable event sponsored by the United Methodist Council of Bishops. It was part of the Connectional Table which "oversees the coordination of mission, ministries, and resources across the denomination." As part of that it is hosting a series of online conversations as a dialogue on topics of interest. One of those conversations was a few days ago and put on by the Human Sexuality Task Force. The primary topic was homosexuality. This panel was translated into French, Portuguese, and German, the languages of the worldwide denomination. At peak viewership 450 computers (around the world?) were receiving the streaming.

The news reports say there were six panelists, five of whom are (or were) members of the Council of Bishops. Those reports are unclear about who else was in the room. Surely a moderator and a cameraman to get the program out onto the web. There was also a screen to view videos, one of which was submitted by the mother of a gay son who had committed suicide because the church's new youth pastor had declared the lad was going to hell. But it isn't clear there was a live audience, how big it was, and who was in it.

One thing is clear: If there was an audience it didn't include gay people. Which means once again there were a bunch of people pontificating about us (even if some of them were on our side) without our presence.

Frank Schaefer's reinstatement upheld

Almost a year ago Rev. Frank Schaefer was convicted of performing a same-sex marriage ceremony for his gay son, which defies the rules of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. Schaefer was defrocked and lost his job in Pennsylvania. A few months later the bishop of California offered him a job. There is more of Schaefer's story here.

That defrocking was appealed and in June a regional appeals committee reinstated Schaefer and restored his credentials. That decision was appealed to the denomination's Judicial Council.

The Judicial Council held their fall meeting last week in Memphis and issued their ruling today. The decision of the appeals committee is upheld. Schaefer will keep his credentials.

If I understand correctly the article put out by the denomination, the trial issued two penalties. The first was a 30 day suspension. The second was power granted to the Board of Ordained Ministry to change the suspension to termination if Schaefer didn't follow all the conditions of the suspension. Since Schaefer refused to say he would never perform more same-sex ceremonies the BOM declared a violation of the terms of the suspension and terminated Schaefer.

The Judicial Council said that the penalty had to be fixed at the trial and a harsher one could not be imposed later. I take that to mean Schaefer was reinstated on a technical interpretation of procedure, not on a ruling of the underlying issue of pastors performing same-sex ceremonies.

New pastor at Redford Aldersgate

Today Redford Aldersgate United Methodist Church commissioned Julie Herod as Assistant Pastor of Finance and Administration. Her main duties are finance and stewardship and she will also assist in worship, teaching, and pastoral care.

Julie and her partner Sue Selewski have been members of Redford Aldersgate for over a year and Julie decided it was time to put her talents to work for a church that has welcomed her and Sue. Here is a photo of Julie and Sue.

This is a photo of the comsissioning service. From the left are Pastor Courtney Williams of the West Outer Drive campus, Pastor Julie Herod, Pastor Jeff Nelson of the Redford campus, and Staff Parish Chair Murray Davis.

A tradition at Redford Aldersgate is for all of us to lay hands on a person, this time in celebration. Pastors Julie and Jeff moved to the center of the sanctuary. All of us formed a human chain laying hands on Julie or on the person in front of us. We are all connected in community.

Pastor Julie told us a bit about her story. She heard a call to ministry at the age of 10. But when she was ready to act on the call she was told it was not possible. Julie turned to a career in finance and administration and served as both Controller and CFO in various organizations.

Twenty years later she returned to the call and earned a Masters of Divinity from Baptist Missionary Alliance Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. She was ordained through the International Association of Community Churches and served churches in Texas and Michigan. This is a photo of Pastor Julie telling her story.

You may wonder how a lesbian in relationship can serve as a pastor in a United Methodist Church given the restrictions in the Book of Discipline. This is a personnel decision strictly within the local church. Pastor Julie was not appointed by the bishop. She is not an elder in the denomination. She is offering her gifts and talents to the church and the church is gratefully offering her a way to put those talents to work. We welcome her commission to work among us and for us.

Global Face of AIDS

The First United Methodist Church of Birmingham (1589 W. Maple Rd.) invites you to set aside an hour on Sunday evening, Nov. 9 to attend the AIDS Remembrance and Awareness Worship Service. The service will be held in the Church’s sanctuary from 5:00–6:00PM. It is an opportunity to reflect on and remember those who have fallen victim to this terrible disease. The service is also intended to raise our awareness that AIDS is not a disease that has been conquered, nor is it a thing of the past. In his remarks, the Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Senior Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church Detroit will present the Global Face of AIDS as an active and worldwide life-threatening disease that calls for our attention and prayers. The service will also feature singing from the One Voice Chorus.

At a reception after the worship service, a selection of the famous AIDS Quilts will be on display in the Church’s Fellowship Hall with a host in attendance to address the purpose, meaning and impact of the quilts. While the worship service will move and inform you, the quilts will inspire you.

At the bishop's office

Alas, I must replace the original post under this title. I had written more than was appropriate. What was in this post might have damaged Ed's negotiations and I don't want to do that. I deeply apologize to Ed and all others working for inclusion.

I will discuss with Ed what might be safe to say and what isn't. If and when that happens I might post an alternate version of the events.

With humble apology,
Your citizen scribe

Church Acceptance Project

I had some time this morning to talk to Rev. Jeff Nelson about Rev. Ed Rowe's meeting with the Michigan Bishop tomorrow. As part of that Jeff mentioned that Ed will be basing his Just Resolution on ideas he had learned from the Ruth Ellis Center (where I'm a volunteer) about the Family Acceptance Project. I won't go into how Ed will use it as a way of resolution.

However, I can say more about the Family Acceptance Project. I learned about it one evening two years ago at the Center. Caitlin Ryan of San Francisco State University gave a presentation to the staff and I was asked to sit in. I wrote about it in my other blog, the one I use to share LGBT news with friends and family. The post is here. Replace every reference to "parent" with "church" and you get an idea where Ed is headed.

Jeff said Ed's big goal is to reduce, hopefully eliminate, harm. And he means real, serious harm. Jeff does not want to see another forum where our harm is put up against the "harm" that conservatives in the denomination claim when the issue is discussed. It is time to end that nonsense.

Just before I talked to Jeff I chatted with another member of the congregation, an ally. She had talked to a friend who has a gay son. The friend has expressed remorse that her son will be going to hell when he dies. She has probably said as much to her son. That is the harm, to both mother and child, Jeff is talking about.

Jeff had another bit of news. There is a second pastor in Michigan who performed a same-sex ceremony. This one is from the more conservative West Michigan Conference. His meeting before the bishop is Thursday.

United Methodists and marriage equality in Michigan

Rev. Jeff Nelson of Redford Aldersgate UMC told me about this situation back in July. He kept me updated in short conversations. Yesterday, he emailed me to say it is time to expand the circle of support.

A while back a same-sex couple came to Rev. Ed Rowe of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit to ask him to perform their wedding. The couple are members of the Central congregation. They made the request knowing current denomination policies prevent Ed from officiating. As I understand it, the couple intentionally wanted to force the issue with Michigan Bishop Deborah Kiesey. Would she insist in punishing those who violate church law, perhaps even hold a church trial, or would she follow the lead of other bishops in saying those who perform same-sex ceremonies will honored and not punished?

I first encountered Bishop Kiesey during General Conference in 2012 in Tampa. That day the Conference had affirmed by over 60% the statement that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. I was part of a protest of that vote I wrote about my experience here. That evening during the communion service Bishop Kiesey was the preacher. She did an admirable job of offering healing to all of us. She expanded on the scene after the Resurrection in which Jesus serves breakfast to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Three times Jesus commands Peter to "Feed my sheep." Bishop Kiesey expanded the phrase a bit: "Feed my sheep. All of my sheep." Many of us in Michigan were delighted when she was appointed as bishop of the Michigan Area just a couple months later.

In that email to me Jeff wrote:

In June Ed Rowe performed a same gender wedding for two members of the Central congregation. He did this will the full support of Central’s church council and leadership. He informed Bishop Kiesey and his District Superintendent of this pastoral act prior to performing the wedding.

The wedding was a joy-filled, healing and gospel centered event where the love of Christ was on full display and power of the inclusive community evident to all who attended.

In July Ed officially retired from the ministry.

As usually happens a complaint against Ed was filed by the Dean of the Cabinet and the Superintendent of the Detroit Renaissance District (essentially, Ed's boss). Ed was asked to describe what a just resolution would look like to him. I understand he wrote a letter spelling out his views. Ed selected former District Superintendent Tom Robinson to be his support person.

Last week, Ed and Tom met with Bishop Kiesey, her clergy assistant, and the two who filed the complaint to begin the just resolution process. During the meeting about 30 people from both Michigan Conferences met for prayer, support, dialogue, and worship.

A second conversation of the two teams is scheduled for Monday, September 29th at 1:30 pm to be held at the Michigan Area Office, 1011 Northcrest Rd. Lansing, MI 48906. Ed has requested that all willing people come to be part of a prayerful witness during this second dialogue. Jeff wrote:

We believe that our bishop wants to do the right thing and our prayerful presence has served to bolster her courage.

Please share this post with all your friends and fellow congregants. Ed needs our support.

Any news on this issue I will post to the Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists blog in the same manner as this post. Please check back for updates (and perhaps join some of the DRUM events described in the blog).
http://dedicatedrum.blogspot.com/

Jeff says that Ed closes his notes by writing:

Grace, Peace, Power and Pride

Upcoming Fall Events

For the First Sunday program on October 5th our guest will be Jerry Peterson, Executive Director of the Ruth Ellis Center. The Center provides a broad range of services for sexual minority youth, many of whom are homeless because of their orientation or identity. As part of his program Jerry will talk about how we can be involved and how important it is for the youth to see church people helping them. There is fellowship time at 7:00 and program at 7:30.

Our annual DRUM Fall Potluck and Program will be on November 2nd. The speaker will be Matt Berryman, Executive Director of Reconciling Ministries Network. He will talk about his personal journey and the progress of the Reconciling Movement within the United Methodist Church. RMN is a growing movement within United Methodism working for full inclusion and participation of all people within the denomination. Matt received his M.Div from Emory University and has served congregations in Jacksonville, Florida and the United Kingdom. We look forward to his message. The evening will begin with a potluck dinner at 6:00. Please bring your own table service and a dish to pass. The program and worship will be at 7:00.

The program on December 7th will feature Rev. Paul Melrose. There will be fellowship at 7:00 and program at 7:30.

All of these programs will be at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile, Farmington Hills. This is just west of Middlebelt. Please use the west entrance.

First Sunday Program, September 7

The First Sunday program in September will have a little different format. We will do a very brief service of an opening hymn, prayer, scripture followed by communion liturgy and communion. Our principal speaker will be Rev. Sue Melrose of First Presbyterian in Farmington Hills. However, her message will not be a sermon. It will be a report of the processes Presbyterian Church USA went through recently at the General assembly held in Detroit in June to arrive at their totally open stance on marriage and ordination for our LGBT brothers and sisters. The discussion will follow the brief service.

Please plan to be there Sunday — bring friends and family to hear the good news of our sister church. This program will be in our usual location, the chapel of Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt. We meet at 7:00 for fellowship and 7:30 for the service.

A call for unity

My dad sent me an article by two United Methodist pastors in North Carolina. They make a plea for unity because they don't want to see the denomination split over homosexuality. As part of that they call for everyone to follow the Book of Discipline the rule book of the church.

To our opponents they say that the issue will be at the forefront of General Conference for a while, so when it changes the Book for more equitable treatment of sexual minorities, you must follow that, in the same way you demand we follow what is there now.

To us they say in the same way we must follow what the Book says now (including bans on same-sex weddings) and work for it to be changed in an orderly way.

While I like the idea of telling our opponents who demand our compliance now that they must comply later, I don't buy the second point.

As I saw when I attended a General Conference two years ago in Tampa, the denomination has a very large African delegation and they're not going to allow change soon – not in 2016 and probably not in 2020. The American part of the denomination can't wait that long. Those growing up in the denomination now don't want a church that discriminates against their friends. Delaying a welcoming church will drive them away.

So how do we lessen Africa's influence? There are proposals being prepared for the 2016 General Conference to do just that. But without our open rebellion and defiance there won't be the urgency to pass such proposals. We will prove to American conservatives they have two choices – split from the Africans or split the denomination.

First Sunday Programs in July and August

There will be no First Sunday programs in July and August. In previous years the attendance was too low to be worthwhile. See you in September!

Refrocked!

Frank Schaefer, the United Methodist pastor who was defrocked last fall, has been reinstated. That action was taken by a Committee on Appeals for the Northeast region. Schaefer and his defense team had asked for the appeal. The appeals committee did not say anything about the guilty verdict, but said the punishment – defrocking – was too severe because it was based on what Schaefer might do (perform another same-sex wedding) not on what he had done. The proper punishment was a 30 day suspension, which the committee declared has already been served. He is now owed back-pay.

Bishop Peggy Johnson of Eastern Pennsylvania will return Schaefer to a church in her area. She probably cannot return him to his previous church. Schaefer also has an offer to work under a bishop in California.

This case could be appealed to the denomination's Judicial Council. So far, no one has said such an appeal will happen.

Conservatives are annoyed and say this strengthens the call for a denominational split.

Talk of a denominational split

The United Methodist News Service has a couple articles of interest posted to the news section of the denomination's website. The first is about the book Finding Our Way, Love and Law in The United Methodist Church edited by Neil Alexander and retired Bishop Rueben Job. The book is about what the denomination should do with the issue of homosexuality and the "incompatible with Christian teaching" phrase in the Book of Discipline. The editors handed out related topics to a diverse group of eight active and retired bishops across the world, including Bishop Melvin Talbert, who performed a same-sex marriage back in October, and Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone in Africa. The good news: none of the eight bishops is calling for the denomination to split.

However, beyond that the opinions vary widely. For example, Yambasu wrote:

Just as God instructed the Israelites to pass on the Ten Commandments from one generation to another, so the church in Africa has passed on this teaching from generation to generation. For us now to be told by the church in the United States that what we were taught in the Bible is not true could be traumatizing to African Christians.

Alas, keeping the current teachings is traumatic to gay Africans. I'm well aware, however, this speaks to a view of the Bible as unchangeable, that teachings are (and supposed to be) the same through history because God doesn't change.

Yambasu continues, denouncing "any attempt by the church or by individuals to perpetuate any form of discrimination or hate against homosexual or heterosexual brothers and sisters."

From the news article:

Fort Worth (Texas) Area Bishop J. Michael Lowry writes that those who disobey church law on homosexuality are practicing a form of “unintended colonialism,” overruling the represented convictions of United Methodists outside the United States.

I'm not quite sure what he means by that. I think he means we in America are trying to impose our view of sexual minorities on Africans, and that is not a good thing. Alas, to me it comes across as branding progressives with colonialism while conservatives want to keep doing the same to us.

Lowry doesn't want a split, but he does call for a reorganization.

Perhaps the form will be more of confederation than a connection. Perhaps our order admits and permits regional differences in doctrine. Perhaps we have no option other than to "trust God" even as we struggle.

Bishop Talbert wrote that the Bible should not be used "to dehumanize or demonize anyone." He added:

The Bible is our book, too. Through the Bible we experience the liberating and redeeming love and grace of God, which embraces all humanity and creation — excluding none from the distribution of God’s grace.

Even with these calls to avoid a split, editors Job and Alexander acknowledge a split remains a possibility.

The second article examines all of the things that have happened recently that have fueled talk of a split and elevated stress levels.

On May 7 a group of more than 50 United Methodist pastors from the San Antonio area called for a split. On May 22 a group of 80 pastors from "traditionalist" churches (Texas? nationwide?) also called for a split. While they say the issue of homosexuality is the deciding factor, the need for the split goes much deeper and reaches into many areas of theology, such as whether the Bible is the infallible word of God.

In April, Good News the unofficial conservative group within the denomination said the "widespread disregard" for the Book of Discipline and the lack of enforcement (lack of trials) makes the denomination "untenable."

Talbert's disregard for church law happened last October and a complaint was filed, but nothing appears to have happened since.

Rev. Thomas Ogletree officiated at his gay son's wedding and instead of punishment there was "just resolution." Bishop Martin McLee, presiding over Ogletree, called for no more trials. McLee also dismissed charges against Rev. Sara Thompson Tweedy. She is in a lesbian relationship, which is banned by current church rules. Pastors in Washington state received only a 24-hour suspension for officiating at same-sex weddings.

In contrast, Bishop Scott Jones of the Great Plains Area declared that if 100 of his pastors perform same-sex unions there will be 100 trials.

Frank Schaefer was defrocked, and while he waits for his appeal to be heard, he is traveling the country declaring support for changing church law.

More than 15 conferences (regions), such as California-Nevada Conference, the Western Jurisdiction (covering the western states), and individual churches have passed declarations saying they cannot follow current church law. First United Methodist Church of Oneonta, NY announced it will withhold apportionments (payments to the conference) until discriminatory language is removed from the Book of Discipline. The group Love Prevails has called for members to give their offering to LGBT advocacy groups rather than local churches.

At the end of the book mentioned at the top of this post, Bishop Job has three recommendations for what to do between now and the next General Conference in 2016. One of them is to have a moratorium on both same-sex unions and church trials. I profoundly disagree with that suggestion and see it as both unjust and as handing a win to conservatives. I'm also confident in saying such a moratorium ain't gonna happen.

First Sunday Program, June 1

The June program will discuss the press conference last week in which 50 clergy declared their support for marriage equality. Our speaker will be Rev. Beth Rakestraw of the Metropolitan Community Church. We may also have a legal advisor to discuss Michigan's marriage equality case before the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Our schedule will be a bit different this month. Our gathering time for fellowship and refreshment is at 7:00. However, our program will be at 7:15 and will be in the parlor (where refreshments are served). All of this is in Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt.

Report of Frank Schaefer's visit to Ann Arbor

I was in Ann Arbor yesterday to hear Frank Schaefer speak. He is the United Methodist pastor who was defrocked last fall. Though much of his story was told in the news, it is good to hear it from his perspective. The event was recorded and should be posted to YouTube sometime soon. Here is my summary of the evening.

Frank opened with scripture. I think it is from 1 John. There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear.

When Frank's son Tim was young the father took the son to Annual Conference in eastern Pennsylvania. At that session there was a huge and contentious debate about how to treat gay people in the denomination. At the time Tim was beginning to realize he is gay and hearing all that hate speech (as Frank now calls it) from the church was devastating to the young boy.

Sometime later Frank got an anonymous call saying Tim was suicidal. Frank and his wife had no clue. They quickly assured their son he was loved, no matter what.

By 2007 Tim grew up, went to college, fell in love, and asked his father to officiate at his wedding to Bobby. Frank immediately said yes, first out of love for his son and second because Tim would have been crushed by a second big rejection.

But Frank was conflicted. He knew he had violated church law. He had warned the bishop and district superintendent what he was doing and got no response from them. But Frank also wanted to keep his job. He had a family to feed and three more kids to get through college.

So Frank never mentioned the wedding to his congregation. He never pushed gay issues, though he did talk about inclusion. His wife pushed him to do more, but he needed to protect his job. He regrets his timidity now.

Even the talk of generic inclusion and general progressiveness annoyed the conservative members of his church. So when he welcomed a lesbian couple to the church there was open dissent. Someone found out about the forbidden wedding and filed a complaint with the bishop. Frank said it was the son of a conservative couple who was in the military and who Frank saw only once a year. "Nothing personal," the man said.

There was mediation. A lot of conservatives were initially on his side. He did it for his son, after all. But that support was given with the assumption Frank would express a bit of remorse and ask for forgiveness. Frank didn't do that. Many initial supporters turned their backs. On to a trial.

Frank knows the Book of Discipline is quite conflicted in what it says about sexual minorities. He was annoyed that he was not allowed to balance the good parts against the bad. At least not directly. He and his legal team devised a story comparing the incident to the Good Samaritan parable with Tim cast as the victim at the side of the road. Through the story Frank made the points he wanted to make.

But the lawyer for the church was a fire-and-brimstone speaker and told the jury if they didn't convict they also would face Hell. During this Frank's many supporters, wearing rainbow stoles, stood in protest. Frank was convicted. He thought he had prepared himself for that, but was still devastated.

The second day of the trial was to determine punishment. This time Frank could call witnesses. One was an eloquent champion of social justice. Another was a scholar of the Book of Discipline. The last was Tim, who poured out his pain at hearing all that hate speech as a young boy. The audience was moved to tears. The jury chatted during the testimony.

During the lunch break Frank spent time alone in prayer. He was still fearful of losing his job and being unable to support his family. He and his legal team had prepared a finely crafted response allowing Frank to walk an ambiguous line. But then he realized a few things. First, the church had to stop its bullying. Second, Jesus had given up everything and was unjustly accused while Frank was only asked to give up his job. Third, he could draw strength from all those rainbow stoles. This was a moment of perfect love.

So he gave a different closing statement, calling on the church to end its hate speech. He put on his own rainbow stole. He could see the church lawyer thinking, "Gotcha!" The lawyer asked Frank directly -- will you pledge to never do another same-sex wedding? Frank said he could not make that pledge. With that his job was over. And with that Frank finally felt free.

Frank's summary: The official church defrocked me. The Reconciling Church refrocked me.

Since the trial he has been warmly embraced by the Reconciling Movement and has not lacked for money or work. Gays and allies are hungry for Frank's message. A bishop in California has offered Frank a job being a pastor of a local church. They're still working out details, though Frank expects to start working there in July. Until then his schedule is packed with speaking engagements.

Don't hesitate to stand for love.

Then came a Q & A session. Here is some of what Frank said:

Even if the denomination splits, we need to talk to LGBT youth in conservative congregations.

There is no bridge between progressives and conservatives through theology. That bridge will come through personal and emotional connection.

Frank is for religious freedom. If a congregation does not want to perform same-sex ceremonies, they should not be forced into doing them. But those who want to do them should be allowed.

How do we make the Book of Discipline not be a problem? By putting people above the book, by going back to John Wesley's primary rule of do no harm, by recognizing the Discipline isn't the highest authority.

Every congregation should be asking: Why is our message no longer meaningful to young adults?

What can laity do? Prod your congregation to declare itself to be Reconciling. Put up a booth at the area pride festival because people want to know where they can be safe in worship.

First Sunday Worship, May 4

This month we will be having a worship service. The speaker will be Rev. Rick Peacock, known to many of us for his work on social justice and with Methodist Federation for Social Action.

Gathering time is at 7:00 with the service at 7:30. We will be at our usual location in the chapel and nearby parlor of Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt.

First Sunday Program, April 6

Our First Sunday program is back to our usual time and at our usual location. We will gather for fellowship time at 7:00 with a program at 7:30. The location is the chapel and nearby parlor of Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt.

Our program will be Justice for Our Neighbors. The speaker will be Melanie Goldberg. She is a staff attorney for the organization Justice for our Neighbors.

United Methodists and same-sex weddings in New York

Timothy Kincaid of Box Turtle Bulletin notes one big difference between the United Methodist trial that defrocked Frank Schaeffer and the similar case of Thomas Ogletree, in which a trial won't be held. That difference: Schaeffer was from a small congregation. Ogletree had been the Dean of the Yale Divinity School.

Since the bishop, Martin McLee, has said he will no longer hold trials of pastors that violate the ban on same-sex ceremonies (which are legal in his district of parts of NY and Conn.) that has essentially permitted all United Methodist pastors in this district to officiate at same-sex weddings.

The pastor who filed the complaint against Ogletree, which will now result in no punishment, has issued a statement to say how upset he is with the bishop. It is the conservatives who are now talking of schism.

Cessation of trials

A complaint was filed a while ago against Rev. Thomas Ogletree of the United Methodist Church for performing a same-sex wedding for his son. But Bishop Martin McLee of the New York Annual Conference (Western Connecticut, Long Island, the City, and the Catskills) will not be holding a trial. This is in contrast to what was done recently to Frank Schaeffer in eastern Pennsylvania. Instead, the NY bishop has agreed to a "cessation" of trials in his region and will conduct public forums of a "spiritual conversation" about the issue. Ogletree will take part. He has not declared he will refrain from conducting more same-sex weddings.

Two pastors, Rev. Cheryl Fear and Rev. Gordon Hutchins, of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference (offices in Seattle) will also not be given a trial for performing same-sex weddings. Instead, each will be given a one-day suspension without pay. Again, the pastors did not declare they would refrain from conducting more such weddings. Conservatives are annoyed because they feel the penalty doesn't have enough bite to keep other pastors from conducting gay weddings.



United Methodist Connections has a lengthy article on Frank Schaeffer and his struggles during and after his trial last November.



Back in January retired Rev. William McElvaney of Dallas announced he would risk a church trial and the possibility he would lose his credentials if anyone asked him to perform a same-sex ceremony. That might not be too much of a burden because McElvaney is 85. It didn't take long for a couple to approach him. George Harris is 80 and partner Jack Evans is 84. They've been together for 53 years. The service will not be in their home church, Northaven United Methodist, but in a sister church Midway Hills Christian Church, which might be too small for the crowd of guests.

Frank Schaeffer to speak in Ann Arbor May 10

Frank Schaeffer, recently defrocked United Methodist Pastor, will speak at First United Methodist Church on Ann Arbor on Saturday, May 10 at 7 pm. His talk, "Equality in Diversity," will be followed by a Q&A session and a reception.

Frank Schaefer lost his credentials in the United Methodist Church (UMC) in December 2013 because he performed his son’s same-sex marriage. Mr. Schaefer is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He was an ordained United Methodist pastor for more than twenty years. In his closing statement at his trial, Rev. Schaefer stated, “I cannot go back to being a silent supporter. I must continue to be in ministry with all people and speak for LGBTQ people. Members of the jury, before you decide my penalty, you need to know I wear this rainbow stole as a visible sign that this is who I am called to be.”

Report from Change from the Ground Up

This past Sunday First United Methodist Church of Birmingham hosted the forum "Change from the Ground Up." The purpose was to discuss why and how we as local churches and the denomination as a whole should engage with the LGBT community. Here are my notes of the event.

The forum was held in the church gymnasium, which looked pretty full. I asked one of the organizers if there had been a count of attendees. He didn't have an exact number, but estimated about 300 people attended. I don't know how many of the more than 80 churches in the district sent a delegation.

The first panelist to speak was Rev. Bill Ritter, Pastor Emeritus of Birmingham First UMC and Executive Director of the United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit. He talked about the silence surrounding LGBT people and then his personal experience dealing with LGBT people and their relatives within the denominations he led. One of the things Ritter said came after he took one of the Bibles normally given to youth when they join the church. He ripped off the back cover. He said, "Is every Biblical Word of God the last Word of God?" His point is that what God has to say does not stop with the last page of Revelations.

Ritter listed a few things a church should do:
* Identify and confront all the bits of a congregation's liturgy and practice that show shunning and shaming.

* Invite a gay colleague to co-teach a Bible study.

* Hire staff to emphasize and enable inclusiveness.

* This issue needs a leader. And that leader is the pastor.

Up next as panelist was Rev. Jeff Nelson of Redford Aldersgate UMC. His emphasis in the discussion was the local church. Nelson said he felt called to the issue of LGBT inclusion because he was haunted by the suicides of gay youth. He recounted on suicide in particular and wondered what part the church played in that death. He lamented that pastors won't speak up while others won't shut up.

Nelson said action must happen in the local church because: The local church needs to counter the local message, what is coming from other churches, the schools, and the community. It is in the local church where love is explained and exhibited. It is in the local church where teaching gets done. In addition, it is in the local church where Nelson met gay people and their allies. The issue is now personal to him.

Nelson was asked about what the Bible says about LGBT people. Yes, whenever same-sex relations are mentioned in the Bible -- all six verses -- they are mentioned in a negative way. But those six verses are in conflict with many of the overarching themes of the Bible. He concluded by saying, "I can't prooftext someone I love."

The last panelist was Rev. Melanie Carey, Superintendent of the Detroit Renaissance District. It is a wonderful sign that the leader of the district supported the forum and the efforts of LGBT inclusions. However, she warned us her presentation may not be pleasant.

The main focus of Carey's message was the Book of Discipline and what it says about how the denomination is to deal with LGBT people. She listed all six paragraphs. I won't mention them by paragraph number because I didn't record them accurately. The various paragraphs essentially say this:

* A pastor may not conduct same-sex ceremonies and such ceremonies may not be conducted in UMC facilities.

* A self-avowed, practicing homosexual may not be a pastor in the denomination.

* Money from the various boards and agencies of the denomination may not be used to promote LGBT causes. Also, the money may not be used to condemn LGBT people.

* All people are of sacred worth with grace available to all. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.

It is the first part of that last statement that the panelists say is the motivation for calling the church to engage with LGBT people.

Carey noted that many young adults are quite puzzled why we are still wrangling over this issue. She hopes we will resolve it before the wrangling drives the young from our churches (at a rate faster than what is happening now).

Carey says there are tensions: The more global our church is the more complex it is as we deal with differing understandings in differing contexts. There is tension in the local church as laws across America become more inclusive of LGBT people. There is tension in the denomination over the church trials of pastors who perform same-sex ceremonies. There is tension over how to deal with a growing and overwhelming dissent of current church policies. But people are tired of arguing over the issue. And there is an increasing number of local churches asking for pastors who preach LGBT inclusion.

So Carey calls for work to be done across the district with local churches helping each other.

There was a question and answer session to conclude the program. However, I didn't take any notes of the remarks.

The One Voice Chorus, which now rehearses at Birmingham First, presented a number at the start and end of the evening.

Singing for Love & Justice

Peggy Garrigues is the pastor of Clawson United Methodist Church. Last August she came out as a "non-practicing" lesbian (one not in a relationship). According to DS Rev. Melanie Carey, she is still "a clergy member in good standing" in our conference. While Rev. Garrigues will continue to serve as pastor in Clawson, a few members left, taking a substantial amount of church donations with them. That has put the church in a precarious financial position.

To give the church some breathing room to heal, grow, and thrive, it is hosting a benefit concert titled "Singing for Love & Justice" on Saturday, March 8 at 7:00. Your presence and donations will provide much healing support. Please come!

The concert will feature:

Spectrum Singers, a new interfaith and multicultural ensemble of Metro Detroit.

One Voice Chorus, a premier LGBT ensemble of the Detroit Area.

Musicians of Clawson United Methodist Church.

Isaac and Jeremiah Garrigues-Cortelyou (Peggy's sons, both classical vocalists).

The church is at 205 N. Main Street, Clawson, MI 48017. If you can't make the concert, donations can be mailed to the church.

First Sunday Program, March 2 -- forum on LGBT engagement

Instead of holding our own program we will be participating in a district-wide event. First United Methodist Church of Birmingham will be hosting the forum "Change from the Ground Up." As stated in the invitational letter:

The purpose of the forum is to:
• Consider our Christian responsibility to engage with the LGBT community;
• Discuss why LGBT community engagement best begins within the local church;
• Review how UMC doctrine informs LGBT engagement; and
• Initiate a district-wide discussion of how we might, as sister churches, team and partner as we go forward with LGBT engagement initiatives.

Panelists for the program are:
• Rev. Melanie Carey, Superintendent of the Detroit Renaissance District. This is an important level of support.
• Rev. Bill Ritter, Pastor Emeritus of Birmingham First and Executive Director of the United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit.
• Rev. Jeff Nelson of Redford Aldersgate UMC.

Local LGBT community-based organizations have also been invited to join the discussion after the panelists give their remarks.

The program will be 7:00-9:00 on Sunday, March 2 at First UMC, Birmingham.

If you plan to attend please let Frank Driscoll of their Church and Society Committee how many will be attending from your church. Frank can be reached by email (frank.driscoll@mellc.co) or by phone (248.666.5021).

First Sunday Program, February 2 -- a double!

Because our January program was canceled because of bad weather, we will have a double program in February. That also means a revised schedule.

6:00-7:00 pm
A discussion of marriage equality, especially around the Michigan case that will be before a federal judge in February 25. The discussion will be led by Rev. Kimi Ridges and George Jonte-Crane. They will be joined by Lisa Schmidt, human rights attorney and a representative from the Michigan Roundtable.

7:00-7:30 pm
Fellowship time

7:30-8:30 pm
Our regular First Sunday service. It will be led by Barbara Lewis-Lakin.

All of this will be at our usual location, the chapel and nearby parlor of Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt.

Another pastor's trial set

During United Methodist pastor Frank Schaefer's trial last November a few news organizations noted that three other pastors might be put on trial for performing a same-sex marriage. Rev. Thomas Ogletree has been notified that his is next, to be conducted on March 10th. Like Schaeffer, he is charged for officiating at the wedding of his gay son. Like Schaeffer, he is defiant and refuses to promise to not do it again.

Rev. Bill McElvaney, who retired from Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, has declared himself willing to officiate at same-sex ceremonies, going against church law. He may lose his credentials and pension.

Gay choir director gone

According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church." According to lots of church leaders at all levels, especially those hiring church musicians, this phrase has always been interpreted to refer to only clergy.

But the interim pastor of a United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Indiana took the "appointed to serve" phrase to mean all people in local church leadership. His District Superintendent backed him up. So a beloved choir director was not rehired (the history of the situation is convoluted enough that I won't go into why rehiring was necessary). The dispute also forced out an intermediary (it isn't clear which official church position he held).

The result: 80% of the congregation stopped attending.

First Sunday Program, Jan 5 -- Cancelled

Due to the coming snowstorm the First Sunday Program for January 5 has been cancelled. Please join us for the next program on Sunday, February 2 at 7:00.