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.