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.