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.

70% of 606 USA delegates is about 420 (with a bit of rounding).
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.

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.

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.

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.

First Sunday Worship, December 4

First Sunday Worship for December will be a Taize worship experience with an Advent-Christmas theme. In a Taize service, instead of coming together to talk to God, the community gathers to listen. Instead of talking about Scripture, the Scripture is read and left to speak for itself in silence. By singing simple songs of prayer over and over again, the mind calms and the soul opens up: God speaks and the heart hears. We will light candles, we will gather to pray, to be silent, to be simple, to be faithful. Please join us for fellowship at 6:00 and worship at 6:30

Improve the world through hugs

I have a posting on my personal blog I would like to share with you.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, a report

Central United Methodist Church of Detroit hosted the Transgender Day of Remembrance service this evening. A major portion of the service was to read the names of transgender persons who had been murdered worldwide in the last year. There was a display of about 250 candles with one being lit with each name. Tina Seitz, who sent me the poster for the service, was one of the readers. I am very aware these are only the reported cases of transgender murders. Many places, such as the Middle East and eastern Africa, wouldn't bother reporting such deaths. The actual death toll for simply not conforming to gender expectations is, I'm sure, far higher. Yes, the number above is for one year.

A transgender woman named Michelle or Shelley was murdered in Detroit last month. The news report included a photo and she looked vaguely familiar. I checked with the staff at the Ruth Ellis Center (where I volunteer) and they said she had been a regular. That means I likely served supper to her. Shelley's mother was one of this evening's speakers. She didn't speak long and we thanked her heartily for coming while the wound to her soul is so fresh. The other main speaker was Sylvia Guerrero, whose transgender daughter was murdered close to a decade ago. George Jonte and Rev. Delores Berry provided some music, with George singing God Help the Outcasts from the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Rev. Ed. Rowe provided a stirring benediction.

More details of upcoming events

Amy DeLong, a UMC pastor who was recently on trial for officiating a same-sex union, will be visiting the Detroit area in March. Here is as much of the schedule known so far.

Friday, March 16, evening: Sharing our Journeys. Amy will tell her story and invite others to tell theirs. Music will be by Katie Geddes, who sings at The Ark in Ann Arbor and also at Greenwood UMC. This will be at Newburgh UMC, 36500 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia.

Saturday, March 17, all day: Mapping our Journeys, a workshop featuring congregations who are revising their stories towards inclusiveness. They are First UMC of Ann Arbor, First UMC of Birmingham, and Detroit Central UMC. Amy will also provide guidance. This will be at Nardin Park UMC, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Farmington Hills.

Sunday, March 18, Celebrating the Journey Towards Inclusiveness in Worship. Amy will preach that morning (time and location to be announced). At 3:00 there will be a celebration service at Detroit Central UMC.

Exact times and contact information will be posted when available.



Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way in Philadelphia is becoming well known to youth. So invite a youth to go with you to University UMC in East Lansing, on Saturday, March 31 from 9:30 to 3:30. It is a big church but the event is likely to fill up. Registration will be posted when available.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Tina Seitz sent me this flyer. It will be displayed too small to read, so I've reproduced the text below.

Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held on Friday, November 18 at 7:00 at Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams St. Detroit. Door will open at 6:30. The speaker will be Sylvia Guerrero. For more information contact Michelle Fox Phillips of Transgender Detroit at msfjp@sbcglobal.net or 248-514-2688.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on Nov. 28, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current medial doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicity mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten.

Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends, and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those who've died by transgender violence.