Rich Peacock sends the following information about Amy DeLong's visit to the Detroit area. She will take part in four programs. All will be worth your time.
The weekend is titled Journeys toward Inclusion: walking with Jesus and our LGBT sisters and brothers, March 16-18.
Presenter: Rev. Amy DeLong is an ordained Elder in the UMC in Extension Ministry in WI. Amy is the Executive Director of Kairos CoMotion, a non-profit organization she co-founded in 2000, dedicated to progressive theological education and advocacy. She is an eloquent speaker and writer who witnesses with passion and humor for the full inclusion for gay lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender persons in the Church. The Christian Century printed an interview of her in a recent issue.
Rev. DeLong was also recently put on trial for being a lesbian in relationship and for conducting a same-sex union ceremony.
a - Friday, March 16 - Sharing Our Journeys - a casual evening listening to Amy tell her story and music by Katie Geddes of Ann Arbor Ark fame. Newburgh UMC, 36500 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia - 7:00 pm -no reservations needed
b - Saturday, March 17 - Mapping Our Journeys - a time to hear Amy's organizing experience and stories from congregations who are revising their stories towards inclusion. You will leave with resources and a strategy to move into a new chapter of inclusion. Teams of 3 or 4 are encouraged.
Nardin Park UMC, 29887 West Eleven Mile, Farmington Hills, 9 am to 2 pm, $10 per person at the door, which includes lunch.
- Email your registration by March 10 to Wes Brun: bwbrun@yahoo.com
c - Rev. DeLong preaching at Ann Arbor Green Wood on Green Road - Saturday night - 5:00 pm - casual dress
d - Celebrating the Journey towards Inclusion in Worship - Rev. DeLong preaching and Choirs. Sunday, March 18, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm @ Detroit Central UMC, 23 East Adams -no reservations needed
Friday, January 27, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
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.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
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.
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.
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).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.
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.
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.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
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.
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