Back in 2014 Rev. Ed Rowe of the big United Methodist Church in downtown Detroit officiated at the wedding of a lesbian couple. He did it because he was the pastor of his entire congregation, even though same-sex weddings are against the denomination’s governing document, the *Book of Discipline*. A complaint was filed against Rowe. The complaint came from allies to undermine any complaint from opponents who might call for a trial and removal, even though Rowe was within a month of retirement. The resolution to this complaint was the agreement that Rowe would create a documentary film about the harm that denomination policies are causing. This would be reconciliation, not punishment.
After 3½ years the film is ready. I saw it yesterday.
The team narrowed its focus to the harm caused to gay and lesbian pastors. Even so, they filmed 15 hours of testimony. They chose 55 minutes to include in their film. It will soon be online. Look for Truth and Reconciliation Discernment.
If we as a denomination are to be in ministry with LGBTQIA people we need to hear their voices.
The film’s onscreen host was Jerry Peterson, Executive Director of the Ruth Ellis Center. The center provides services and a meeting space for LGBTQIA youth of the Detroit area, many of whom are kicked out of their homes because of religious doctrine. Because of that the Center has incorporated the principles of the Family Acceptance Project. More on this later.
The film features six people. One is a pastor who is also the mother of a transgender child. The child lamented not being able to have a wedding in Mom’s church. Another person is the father of a lesbian who feels the call to be a pastor but can’t do it in the United Methodist Church. Not only are these policies throwing out lots of wonderful candidates, there are dozens more who know not to apply.
The other four are gay and lesbian pastors who share the difficulties they faced. Most of the time was given to Louise Ott and Davita McCallister. Both shared how hard it was to be a pastor while being closeted. Ott said she could not assure people they would be welcome in her church when she was not fully welcome and had to maintain barriers to her true self.
After the film Peterson was there to host the discussion. First, we talked with those at our own table, then Peterson opened up the discussion to the whole group about how we might reduce harm within our churches. One idea that Peterson suggested is to use the Family Acceptance Project behaviors within the congregational family.
I first heard details of the Family Acceptance Project through a presentation at the Ruth Ellis Center. It’s primary premises (backed up by stats): Gay youth do better within their families. Parents want what is best for their gay children, but may not know what to do or say to achieve that. They may believe the only way a child can succeed is to not be gay.
Here are some of the recommended behaviors:
* Don’t physically or verbally harass a child because he or she is gay.
* Include gay youth in all family activities.
* Encourage access to gay friends, events, and resources.
* Don’t say that God will punish the child.
* Don’t pressure them to act more or less masculine or feminine.
At the end Peterson, Rowe, and others shared more ideas on how to get to reconciliation.
* Get over the fear of engaging differences.
* Focus on individuals and their stories, not issues.
* Let go of the need to be right.
* When faced with opposing views say, “Help me to understand. Why do you believe that? Why is that important to you?”
Rowe concluded by saying he is done proof-texting – arguing over what the Bible says. Instead, he focuses on loving the person. We are to do the same.
Showing posts with label Worthwhile program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worthwhile program. Show all posts
Monday, February 12, 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Program February 11
The Dedicated Reconciling United Methodist (DRUM) event for February will be something different. We will be joining our colleagues for a showing of the...
Truth and Reconciliation Documentary
Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3:00
Hope United Methodist church
26275 Northwestern Hwy
Southfield, MI 48075
The afternoon will start with fellowship time and introductions. The film will be about an hour and will be followed by a Q&A session. The program will conclude at about 6:00.
In 2014 Rev. Ed Rowe was charged with officiating at the same-sex wedding of his daughter. The just resolution of the case was that he would create a film about the harm that United Methodist Church policies were inflicting on LGBT clergy candidates and lay members. That film is now ready to be shown. Since LGBT issues are a significant part of next year's called General Conference this film is a timely contribution to the discussion.
Hope UMC is in the triangle formed by Northwestern Hwy, Lahser Rd, and Civic Center Drive.
Truth and Reconciliation Documentary
Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3:00
Hope United Methodist church
26275 Northwestern Hwy
Southfield, MI 48075
The afternoon will start with fellowship time and introductions. The film will be about an hour and will be followed by a Q&A session. The program will conclude at about 6:00.
In 2014 Rev. Ed Rowe was charged with officiating at the same-sex wedding of his daughter. The just resolution of the case was that he would create a film about the harm that United Methodist Church policies were inflicting on LGBT clergy candidates and lay members. That film is now ready to be shown. Since LGBT issues are a significant part of next year's called General Conference this film is a timely contribution to the discussion.
Hope UMC is in the triangle formed by Northwestern Hwy, Lahser Rd, and Civic Center Drive.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Ruth Ellis Center Fundraiser, May 7
The Ruth Ellis Center is a social services agency with a mission “to provide short-term and long-term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.” As LGBTQ youth continue to be disproportionately affected by homelessness, the Ruth Ellis Center remains dedicated to ensuring that these vulnerable youth and young adults receive the services and inherent protections available to all citizens. No youth is turned away or denied services. Ruth Ellis Center, founded in 1999, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
You’re invited to a fundraiser for the Ruth Ellis Center on Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel at Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. Jerry Peterson, Executive Director of Ruth Ellis Center, will speak about the diverse programs offered to young people and the newer programs for their families. Desserts will be served following the presentation. There will be giving envelopes so you can write your check that evening or send it in later.
Nardin Park UMC is at 29887 W. 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Note: Construction completely blocks 11 Mile east of Orchard Lake Road. Approaching from Middlebelt Road, the sign on the barricade declares “Road Open to Nardin Park Church.” Park near the southwest corner, by the rainbow balloons. Call the church office with questions, 248-476-8860, 8:30-4:30 M-F.
You’re invited to a fundraiser for the Ruth Ellis Center on Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel at Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. Jerry Peterson, Executive Director of Ruth Ellis Center, will speak about the diverse programs offered to young people and the newer programs for their families. Desserts will be served following the presentation. There will be giving envelopes so you can write your check that evening or send it in later.
Nardin Park UMC is at 29887 W. 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Note: Construction completely blocks 11 Mile east of Orchard Lake Road. Approaching from Middlebelt Road, the sign on the barricade declares “Road Open to Nardin Park Church.” Park near the southwest corner, by the rainbow balloons. Call the church office with questions, 248-476-8860, 8:30-4:30 M-F.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
General Conference Preview and Keep Making Peace
A preview of the issues of the upcoming General Conference. The preview will be held on Friday, April 22, 7:00-8:45 pm., in the Christian Life Center of First United Methodist Church of Birmingham. The church is at 1589 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham.
The preview will feature Pastor Laurie Haller of First Church Birmingham, district superintendent Charles Boayue, and a few delegates to General Conference. The primary areas of discussion will be:
* The challenges facing the global church.
* The church and human sexuality.
* Strategies to revitalize our churches and expand our ministries.
The General Conference of the global United Methodist Church will be held in Portland, OR from May 10-20. The General Conference (GC) is the top policy-making body of the church, with authority to revise church law as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social and policy issues. The GC can also adopt changes to the governance structure of the worldwide United Methodist Church. What happens at General Conference directly and dramatically impacts every local United Methodist church, including our own. The GC deserves the attention of every United Methodist.
The Keep Making Peace program will be on Saturday, April 16 at University United Methodist Church, 1120 South Harrison Rd, East Lansing. The program lasts 9:00 am. To 4:00 pm. The theme for the day is Locked In, Locked Up, Locked Out. Too many people are locked in by poverty, racism, and structural systems. They are locked up in prisons that fail to be "correctional systems." Once out, they are locked out of jobs.
The keynote speaker is Rochelle Riley of the Detroit Free Press, WJR, WDIV, NPR, and MSNBC discussing children and poverty, education and race, and political responsibility. There is also time to attend two of four workshops. At the end of the day the closing celebration will feature Rev. Faith Fowler and the Ambassadors of Cass Community Social Services.
To register go to msuwesley.org/kmp2016.
The preview will feature Pastor Laurie Haller of First Church Birmingham, district superintendent Charles Boayue, and a few delegates to General Conference. The primary areas of discussion will be:
* The challenges facing the global church.
* The church and human sexuality.
* Strategies to revitalize our churches and expand our ministries.
The General Conference of the global United Methodist Church will be held in Portland, OR from May 10-20. The General Conference (GC) is the top policy-making body of the church, with authority to revise church law as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social and policy issues. The GC can also adopt changes to the governance structure of the worldwide United Methodist Church. What happens at General Conference directly and dramatically impacts every local United Methodist church, including our own. The GC deserves the attention of every United Methodist.
The Keep Making Peace program will be on Saturday, April 16 at University United Methodist Church, 1120 South Harrison Rd, East Lansing. The program lasts 9:00 am. To 4:00 pm. The theme for the day is Locked In, Locked Up, Locked Out. Too many people are locked in by poverty, racism, and structural systems. They are locked up in prisons that fail to be "correctional systems." Once out, they are locked out of jobs.
The keynote speaker is Rochelle Riley of the Detroit Free Press, WJR, WDIV, NPR, and MSNBC discussing children and poverty, education and race, and political responsibility. There is also time to attend two of four workshops. At the end of the day the closing celebration will feature Rev. Faith Fowler and the Ambassadors of Cass Community Social Services.
To register go to msuwesley.org/kmp2016.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Family Acceptance Project
This past Sunday Jerry Peterson, director of the Ruth Ellis Center, was the speaker for the First Sunday Program put on by the Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists. Jerry started with part of a video of Ruth Ellis. She was born in 1899 and lived to be 101. She was black and a lesbian. She owned her house and a business, something quite rare for a black woman in the first half of the last century. For a while she had a partner. They frequently opened the home to other black gays and lesbians, who had nowhere else to socialize. Sometimes she helped some of them through college. Ruth visited the Center named after her before she died (when it was at a previous location).
Then Jerry talked about the Family Acceptance Project that is being started at the Center. This is one of the ideas that inspired the Truth and Reconciliation project that Rev. Ed Rowe and Rev. Mike Tupper are pursuing.
Ruth Ellis House, associated with the Center, is a place for sexual minority foster kids that have run out of options. The state of Michigan says keeping foster kids with a family is best, so a residential facility is the last resort. The problem is that the state doesn't record whether the youth is LGBT. The youth has been kicked out of his home of origin because he is gay. That is a hit to his mental health. He is assigned to a foster home – and gets kicked out because he is gay. Another hit to mental health. Perhaps a few more foster homes take him in and then reject him. Each rejection is another hit to mental health. Which means by the time they show up at the Ruth Ellis House they can be quite traumatized.
Jerry talked about ways to prevent this cycle through the Family Acceptance Project. The best place for the child is the home of origin. First, teach state social workers to determine if the child is LGBT when they are brought to a situation due to abuse or neglect. If the child is a sexual minority the family is referred to the Center. If they accept the Center's help then social services will take a step back.
When the Center's social worker meets with the family they can say, "We know you are trying to protect yourselves and your child. We know you are trying to prevent ostracism from church, family, and society. We know you want the best for your child and love him or her. But isolation and condemning language [the list of harmful actions has ten items] won't work. Do one or two of them and your child will be eight times more likely to indulge in risky behavior, including drugs. Do five or more and your child has an 80% chance of committing suicide. Instead of those actions, do these."
Jerry is aware this may not work with a fundamentalist family where they consider preventing homosexuality part of making sure the child gets to heaven. But for most other families this change of behavior will work.
Rev. Ed Rowe is taking this idea to churches. We know you love the sexual minorities in your midst. This is how to help them and not harm them.
Jerry says they are just starting the project. In their first level of staffing they will be able to help only 28 families at a time. It is a good start, but I'm sure the need is much greater than that.
Then Jerry talked about the Family Acceptance Project that is being started at the Center. This is one of the ideas that inspired the Truth and Reconciliation project that Rev. Ed Rowe and Rev. Mike Tupper are pursuing.
Ruth Ellis House, associated with the Center, is a place for sexual minority foster kids that have run out of options. The state of Michigan says keeping foster kids with a family is best, so a residential facility is the last resort. The problem is that the state doesn't record whether the youth is LGBT. The youth has been kicked out of his home of origin because he is gay. That is a hit to his mental health. He is assigned to a foster home – and gets kicked out because he is gay. Another hit to mental health. Perhaps a few more foster homes take him in and then reject him. Each rejection is another hit to mental health. Which means by the time they show up at the Ruth Ellis House they can be quite traumatized.
Jerry talked about ways to prevent this cycle through the Family Acceptance Project. The best place for the child is the home of origin. First, teach state social workers to determine if the child is LGBT when they are brought to a situation due to abuse or neglect. If the child is a sexual minority the family is referred to the Center. If they accept the Center's help then social services will take a step back.
When the Center's social worker meets with the family they can say, "We know you are trying to protect yourselves and your child. We know you are trying to prevent ostracism from church, family, and society. We know you want the best for your child and love him or her. But isolation and condemning language [the list of harmful actions has ten items] won't work. Do one or two of them and your child will be eight times more likely to indulge in risky behavior, including drugs. Do five or more and your child has an 80% chance of committing suicide. Instead of those actions, do these."
Jerry is aware this may not work with a fundamentalist family where they consider preventing homosexuality part of making sure the child gets to heaven. But for most other families this change of behavior will work.
Rev. Ed Rowe is taking this idea to churches. We know you love the sexual minorities in your midst. This is how to help them and not harm them.
Jerry says they are just starting the project. In their first level of staffing they will be able to help only 28 families at a time. It is a good start, but I'm sure the need is much greater than that.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Shower of Stoles
There will be a Shower of Stoles Exhibit at the Affirmations LGBT Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale. This a display of liturgical stoles and other sacred items from LGBT people of faith. The stoles bear witness to the huge loss of leadership from religious institutions because of unjust policies. The collections is from over 30 denominations and faith traditions, from six countries and three continents.
The stoles will be on exhibit Sunday, March 1st to Saturday, March 14. There is a wine and cheese reception on March 1st at 3:00. The display is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am. to 7:00 pm. Hours on March 8 are through advance arrangments. More information at the Affirmations website or by contacting Judy Lewis at jlewis@goaffirmations.org.
The stoles will be on exhibit Sunday, March 1st to Saturday, March 14. There is a wine and cheese reception on March 1st at 3:00. The display is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am. to 7:00 pm. Hours on March 8 are through advance arrangments. More information at the Affirmations website or by contacting Judy Lewis at jlewis@goaffirmations.org.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
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.
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.
Friday, November 7, 2014
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.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, March 10, 2014
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.”
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.”
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
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.
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.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
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).
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).
Friday, December 27, 2013
Free Tax Help
Newburg United Methodist Church is offering free tax help to anyone whose tax filings may be impacted by the repeal of DOMA. The Income Tax and Retirement Planning Workshop will be Saturday, January 11, 2014, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in Guthrie Hall at the church. In June the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. This ruling has tax implications for all same-sex couples regardless of which state they reside and their current marital status. The seminar is free and open to the public. Newburgh UMC is at 36500 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia. Please call the church office to RSVP: 734-422-0149.
This event is being offered as a free informational session for the community. It should not be construed as legal and/or tax advice.
Newburg UMC is a welcoming community.
This event is being offered as a free informational session for the community. It should not be construed as legal and/or tax advice.
Newburg UMC is a welcoming community.
Monday, November 18, 2013
An apology
I wrote about a panel discussion I attended yesterday in which there were only five of us in attendance. When I wrote that yesterday evening I was rather dismissive of people letting a little storm keep them home. The news this morning was full of stories about how that storm was not at all little, spawning perhaps over 60 tornadoes and causing 8 deaths. Though there wasn't much damage where I was, either at the church in Ferndale or at home (though there were some huge puddles in the streets on the way home), elsewhere in the Detroit area there were a lot of downed branches and tens (hundreds?) of thousands without power.
I apologize for being dismissive.
I apologize for being dismissive.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Judicial Council Rulings
Three weeks ago I was at the Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists Fall Potluck and Program. The speaker was Bill Ritter who talked about his personal experiences with homosexual issues in the churches he served. As part of his talk he said the October meeting of the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church was about to get underway and a few issues concerning gays would be on the docket. Ritter also said the Council of Bishops now has a distaste for conducting church trials for pastors who conduct same-sex marriages or civil unions.
I hadn't heard anything in the news or in any of my usual sources. Then a few days ago my dad sent me a link to a letter, which prompted me to go searching for the judicial rulings. I'll get back to the letter later. On to the rulings of interest with my attempt to decode the legalese:
Decision 1250: The Western Jurisdiction (Colorado and west) declared that when a pastor is brought to trial for conducting a same-sex ceremony the maximum penalty shall be one day. Those who promoted the declaration essentially said: You conducted a same-sex ceremony? Oh, darn, you get a day off.
The Judicial Council ruled that the Book of Discipline says the only people who can determine a penalty as a result of a trial is the jury at that trial.
Decision 1254: The California-Pacific Annual Conference (southern California, southern Nevada, Hawaii) declared they support another Western Jurisdiction declaration that calls on pastors to "operate as if the statement in Para. 161F does not exist."
I had to look this up to see which statement in the Book of Discipline is meant. Paragraph 161F is a long one, but this case could only refer to one big statement: "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." That one is the foundation for all the nasty stuff, the ban on gay clergy who are not celibate, the ban on clergy performing same-sex ceremonies, and the ban on such ceremonies in our churches. So if this one is to treated as if it doesn't exist, all three bans are to be ignored. The bishop for the conference declared it legal.
Those who support the declaration say the statement is in the Social Principles section and because of that does not have the force of law. Blessing a same-sex union should correspond to another Social Principle that says war is bad, yet various church leaders sometimes declare war as justified and suffer no consequences when blessing a soldier before deployment. Alas, there was a ruling a few years ago that says the incompatibility clause is the lone exception that must be seen as church law, not a guiding principle.
The Judicial Council thought it odd that they were not ruling on the Western Jurisdiction's declaration (no one filed a complaint on the jurisdiction), but on the conference's support of the jurisdiction's declaration. Even so, they ruled on the issue before them.
Since the conference didn't "renounce" the statement in the Book of Discipline and didn't take action itself (it only called on churches in the conference to take action) their declaration is legal. The bishop did the right thing.
This decision does have a dissent. They wrote that a bishop's ruling, if not opposed by the Judicial Council, will be seen as law and bishops are not allowed to change church law.
Decision 125: The New York Annual Conference adopted a resolution titled "Commendation of Those Who Have Taken a Stand for Justice." It is commendations of individuals who have provided care for same-sex couples, have performed ceremonies for same-sex couples, and who have faced formal complaints for those actions. The Council was asked to rule on the legality of the resolution.
The Judicial Council says they get a lot of complaints similar to this one. And this ruling is the same as all the others. Such a resolution is a declaration that the signers disagree with current church law and hope to have it changed. That is permissible. It is also quite distinct from actually breaking church law or calling on others to break the law.
The ban on performing same-sex ceremonies will be on public display starting tomorrow. Rev. Frank Schaefer of Iona, Pennsylvania will be put on trial for officiating at his son's wedding in Massachusetts in 2007. Sheesh, how can a dad say no? So, yeah, a father put his career on the line because he loves his son who happens to be gay. This article in the UK Progressive tells Schaefer's story and provides a bit of history. It also summarizes what's wrong with this picture:
At General Conference last year, once the vote to repeal the "incompatibility" clause (see above) went against us, retired Bishop Melvin Talbert declared it to be "wrong and evil… it no longer calls for our obedience." He called for Biblical obedience to the love of God to supersede the Book of Discipline's bans. He has now put actions behind his mouth. At the end of October, he officiated at a same-sex ceremony at the United Church of Christ in Center Point, Alabama. That's right, the ceremony was not in a United Methodist Church but was led by a United Methodist bishop.
The national Council of Bishops met for their fall meeting last week and got all worked up over this. They called for charging Talbert. Alas, the news article didn't say by what means the entire Council came by that call.
The whole matter now goes to the Western Jurisdiction, because that was where Talbert served. The bishops of the jurisdiction are the ones who actually bring the charge. And this could get interesting because it is the Western Jurisdiction that called for ignoring the key phrase in the Book of Discipline (see above).
The various bans related to gay people were very much on the minds of the bishops. There's the trial that starts tomorrow. In support of Shaeffer, 36 Methodist clergy and 9 more from other denominations presided over a same-sex ceremony. And UMC church in Cambridge, Mass. has invited gay couples to hold weddings there to be officiated by their pastor. These incidents are only the ones listed in the news article. There are a lot more that aren't reported because everyone involved is just fine with it.
Now back to that letter my dad sent me. Yesterday I was able to view the link he sent. Alas, today that link is "unavailable." So I searched for another source. This one includes commentary.
The letter was written by Rev. Thomas Frank from Missouri. He was asked to consult in Schaeffer's trial. Frank calls on the bishops to stop the trials. Yeah, our opposition will file complaints against pastors who disobey the Book of Discipline but it is up to the bishop to decide what to do with the complaint. It doesn't have to go to trial. In addition, the Bishops can act on their own (or as a group, I suppose) between sessions of the General Conference (which next meets in 2016) when there is peril to the denomination. And the immediate peril is a split in the denomination.
Frank lays out his reasons to not conduct more trials. They're expensive, divisive, and damage the church's image. Besides, we're a church, not an episode of "Law and Order." We're not discussing criminal acts.
This afternoon I attended "Faith and the LGBTQ community," a panel discussion held at First United Methodist Church of Ferndale. Alas, there were only five of us and not even the whole panel was there. A good deal of the problem was the various news sources had the drumbeat going about nasty storms and the possibility of tornadoes. Yeah, it stormed during the program and we probably extended our talking while waiting for the worst of it to blow over. But there were no alerts to seek shelter. As for the panel, there were last-minute conflicts, such as one of them starting a new job.
So the five of us served as the panel for each other. We told our stories of why we're interested in a discussion about the acceptance of gays in the church. Alas, it was like preaching to the converted. Even so, it was worthwhile and important.
One of the original panelists in attendance was Bob Schoenhals, the pastor of the church and very much on our side. He helps organize the First Sunday inclusive services.
The other original panelist caught my attention. His first name is Harry and I don't remember the rest. He is a Catholic priest, but is independent of the hierarchy headed by the pope. Because of that he conducts services in the chapel of First UMC Ferndale rather than in the big Roman Catholic church next door. He chose the independent route because he is gay, fell in love while in seminary, and is now married. The congregation of about 20 is half gay, half straight and all seeking inclusion other than what the RC hierarchy approves.
Harry said about 80% of his seminary class was gay. I asked him about that. He replied that for many of them becoming a priest was a way for them to be accepted and to hide. Parents stopped asking why there were no girlfriends. Priests were expected to be nurturing instead of macho. Harry added that we might finally see progress on the acceptance of gays in the church now that the current pope doesn't feel he needs to compensate for his orientation the way the previous two did. Yup, he went there.
I hadn't heard anything in the news or in any of my usual sources. Then a few days ago my dad sent me a link to a letter, which prompted me to go searching for the judicial rulings. I'll get back to the letter later. On to the rulings of interest with my attempt to decode the legalese:
Decision 1250: The Western Jurisdiction (Colorado and west) declared that when a pastor is brought to trial for conducting a same-sex ceremony the maximum penalty shall be one day. Those who promoted the declaration essentially said: You conducted a same-sex ceremony? Oh, darn, you get a day off.
The Judicial Council ruled that the Book of Discipline says the only people who can determine a penalty as a result of a trial is the jury at that trial.
Decision 1254: The California-Pacific Annual Conference (southern California, southern Nevada, Hawaii) declared they support another Western Jurisdiction declaration that calls on pastors to "operate as if the statement in Para. 161F does not exist."
I had to look this up to see which statement in the Book of Discipline is meant. Paragraph 161F is a long one, but this case could only refer to one big statement: "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." That one is the foundation for all the nasty stuff, the ban on gay clergy who are not celibate, the ban on clergy performing same-sex ceremonies, and the ban on such ceremonies in our churches. So if this one is to treated as if it doesn't exist, all three bans are to be ignored. The bishop for the conference declared it legal.
Those who support the declaration say the statement is in the Social Principles section and because of that does not have the force of law. Blessing a same-sex union should correspond to another Social Principle that says war is bad, yet various church leaders sometimes declare war as justified and suffer no consequences when blessing a soldier before deployment. Alas, there was a ruling a few years ago that says the incompatibility clause is the lone exception that must be seen as church law, not a guiding principle.
The Judicial Council thought it odd that they were not ruling on the Western Jurisdiction's declaration (no one filed a complaint on the jurisdiction), but on the conference's support of the jurisdiction's declaration. Even so, they ruled on the issue before them.
Since the conference didn't "renounce" the statement in the Book of Discipline and didn't take action itself (it only called on churches in the conference to take action) their declaration is legal. The bishop did the right thing.
This decision does have a dissent. They wrote that a bishop's ruling, if not opposed by the Judicial Council, will be seen as law and bishops are not allowed to change church law.
Decision 125: The New York Annual Conference adopted a resolution titled "Commendation of Those Who Have Taken a Stand for Justice." It is commendations of individuals who have provided care for same-sex couples, have performed ceremonies for same-sex couples, and who have faced formal complaints for those actions. The Council was asked to rule on the legality of the resolution.
The Judicial Council says they get a lot of complaints similar to this one. And this ruling is the same as all the others. Such a resolution is a declaration that the signers disagree with current church law and hope to have it changed. That is permissible. It is also quite distinct from actually breaking church law or calling on others to break the law.
The ban on performing same-sex ceremonies will be on public display starting tomorrow. Rev. Frank Schaefer of Iona, Pennsylvania will be put on trial for officiating at his son's wedding in Massachusetts in 2007. Sheesh, how can a dad say no? So, yeah, a father put his career on the line because he loves his son who happens to be gay. This article in the UK Progressive tells Schaefer's story and provides a bit of history. It also summarizes what's wrong with this picture:
The public trials of Creech and soon Schaefer are disciplinary means of control to evoke fear among our allies and us. While UMC’s ultimate objective is to reinforce ecclesiastical heterosexism, it also keeps the church itself trapped in its sins of both homophobia and inhospitality. This recent public act of religious intolerance by the church not only feeds into the existing climate of queer-bashing in this society, but it also has LGBTQs constantly questioning their self-worth and relationship with the church and with God.That refers to Jimmy Creech who was the subject of a church trial back in 1998 for conducting a same-sex ceremony in Omaha. He was the first. That was beautifully documented in his book Adam's Gift.
At General Conference last year, once the vote to repeal the "incompatibility" clause (see above) went against us, retired Bishop Melvin Talbert declared it to be "wrong and evil… it no longer calls for our obedience." He called for Biblical obedience to the love of God to supersede the Book of Discipline's bans. He has now put actions behind his mouth. At the end of October, he officiated at a same-sex ceremony at the United Church of Christ in Center Point, Alabama. That's right, the ceremony was not in a United Methodist Church but was led by a United Methodist bishop.
The national Council of Bishops met for their fall meeting last week and got all worked up over this. They called for charging Talbert. Alas, the news article didn't say by what means the entire Council came by that call.
The whole matter now goes to the Western Jurisdiction, because that was where Talbert served. The bishops of the jurisdiction are the ones who actually bring the charge. And this could get interesting because it is the Western Jurisdiction that called for ignoring the key phrase in the Book of Discipline (see above).
The various bans related to gay people were very much on the minds of the bishops. There's the trial that starts tomorrow. In support of Shaeffer, 36 Methodist clergy and 9 more from other denominations presided over a same-sex ceremony. And UMC church in Cambridge, Mass. has invited gay couples to hold weddings there to be officiated by their pastor. These incidents are only the ones listed in the news article. There are a lot more that aren't reported because everyone involved is just fine with it.
Now back to that letter my dad sent me. Yesterday I was able to view the link he sent. Alas, today that link is "unavailable." So I searched for another source. This one includes commentary.
The letter was written by Rev. Thomas Frank from Missouri. He was asked to consult in Schaeffer's trial. Frank calls on the bishops to stop the trials. Yeah, our opposition will file complaints against pastors who disobey the Book of Discipline but it is up to the bishop to decide what to do with the complaint. It doesn't have to go to trial. In addition, the Bishops can act on their own (or as a group, I suppose) between sessions of the General Conference (which next meets in 2016) when there is peril to the denomination. And the immediate peril is a split in the denomination.
Frank lays out his reasons to not conduct more trials. They're expensive, divisive, and damage the church's image. Besides, we're a church, not an episode of "Law and Order." We're not discussing criminal acts.
This afternoon I attended "Faith and the LGBTQ community," a panel discussion held at First United Methodist Church of Ferndale. Alas, there were only five of us and not even the whole panel was there. A good deal of the problem was the various news sources had the drumbeat going about nasty storms and the possibility of tornadoes. Yeah, it stormed during the program and we probably extended our talking while waiting for the worst of it to blow over. But there were no alerts to seek shelter. As for the panel, there were last-minute conflicts, such as one of them starting a new job.
So the five of us served as the panel for each other. We told our stories of why we're interested in a discussion about the acceptance of gays in the church. Alas, it was like preaching to the converted. Even so, it was worthwhile and important.
One of the original panelists in attendance was Bob Schoenhals, the pastor of the church and very much on our side. He helps organize the First Sunday inclusive services.
The other original panelist caught my attention. His first name is Harry and I don't remember the rest. He is a Catholic priest, but is independent of the hierarchy headed by the pope. Because of that he conducts services in the chapel of First UMC Ferndale rather than in the big Roman Catholic church next door. He chose the independent route because he is gay, fell in love while in seminary, and is now married. The congregation of about 20 is half gay, half straight and all seeking inclusion other than what the RC hierarchy approves.
Harry said about 80% of his seminary class was gay. I asked him about that. He replied that for many of them becoming a priest was a way for them to be accepted and to hide. Parents stopped asking why there were no girlfriends. Priests were expected to be nurturing instead of macho. Harry added that we might finally see progress on the acceptance of gays in the church now that the current pope doesn't feel he needs to compensate for his orientation the way the previous two did. Yup, he went there.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Correction to upcoming programs
I must make a correction to the times of the World AIDS Day service and dinner which I mentioned in the previous post. I had gotten conflicting information and it took a while to sort out. The service is at 4:00 and the dinner is at 5:00.
A reminder, the dinner is free, but a reservation is required. You can do that by sending an email to Fallintothered@gmail.com or by calling the church at (248) 545-4467. The church is at 22331 Woodward Ave. Ferndale.
A reminder, the dinner is free, but a reservation is required. You can do that by sending an email to Fallintothered@gmail.com or by calling the church at (248) 545-4467. The church is at 22331 Woodward Ave. Ferndale.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Upcoming programs
Note the corrections with the time!
Ferndale First United Methodist Church is hosting two programs of interest. Both are part of their Fall into the Red series.
Faith and the LGBTQ Community will be a panel discussion on where we have been and where we are now. It will be at the church on Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 pm.
World AIDS Day will be observed on Sunday, December 1. The service is at5:00 4:00 with a dinner celebration at 6:00 5:00. The dinner is free but you must RSVP by contacting the church. Note: This program is instead of our usual First Sunday program at Nardin Park UMC.
The church is at 22331 Woodward Ave. Ferndale. The phone is (248) 545-4467.
Ferndale First United Methodist Church is hosting two programs of interest. Both are part of their Fall into the Red series.
Faith and the LGBTQ Community will be a panel discussion on where we have been and where we are now. It will be at the church on Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 pm.
World AIDS Day will be observed on Sunday, December 1. The service is at
The church is at 22331 Woodward Ave. Ferndale. The phone is (248) 545-4467.
Friday, March 1, 2013
General Conference Video
My father sent me a United Methodist News page. He indicated I should take a look at a video created by KQED. So I did. It is a half hour video of the homosexual issues before General Conference last May. Even though I was there for part of the Conference this video includes scenes I hadn't witnessed as well as many I did. The video also provides context for those of you who weren't there. It is very well done, but painful for me to watch.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
October Events
First Sunday Worship on October 7. The speaker will be Rev. Larry Wik. There will be refreshments and social time at 6:00 pm. and service at 6:30. This will be held at Nardin Park UMC, 29887 W. 11 Mile in Farmington Hills.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) National Board Meeting will be in the Detroit area Thursday through Saturday, October 18-20. Volunteers are needed from Wednesday evening through Sunday morning to take board members to and from the airport and between host churches Waterford Central and Detroit Central. Hosts are needed to house board members and provide breakfast. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve lunch on Friday and Saturday. If you are able to volunteer for any time that weekend please contact Rich Peacock at rjpeacock@wowway.com.
DRUM Fall Potluck and Program will be on Sunday, October 21 and Nardin Park UMC. The potluck will begin at 5:00 pm. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. At 6:00 there will be a worship service and program. Rev. Louise Ott will tell her coming out story and how it affected her ministry. The evening will conclude with fellowship time at 7:00. The program is jointly hosted by Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists and The Church and Society Committee of Nardin Park UMC.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) National Board Meeting will be in the Detroit area Thursday through Saturday, October 18-20. Volunteers are needed from Wednesday evening through Sunday morning to take board members to and from the airport and between host churches Waterford Central and Detroit Central. Hosts are needed to house board members and provide breakfast. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve lunch on Friday and Saturday. If you are able to volunteer for any time that weekend please contact Rich Peacock at rjpeacock@wowway.com.
DRUM Fall Potluck and Program will be on Sunday, October 21 and Nardin Park UMC. The potluck will begin at 5:00 pm. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. At 6:00 there will be a worship service and program. Rev. Louise Ott will tell her coming out story and how it affected her ministry. The evening will conclude with fellowship time at 7:00. The program is jointly hosted by Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists and The Church and Society Committee of Nardin Park UMC.
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