The Reconciling Ministries Digest

(Note: Because of the nature of many websites, some of the links to external news sources in this digest may have expired.)

1. New Reconciling Community in California/Nevada Conference
2. Reconciling Ministries Network Celebrates Black History Month
3. GC 2008--Membership: Introduction to Decision 1032
4. GC 2008--Membership: Joey Heath's Story
5. GC 2008--Membership: Dissents On Decision 1032 Ruling
6. GC 2008--Membership: Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church
7. Let Us Pray For You
8. Miracle Moments

 New Reconciling Community in California/Nevada Conference

Sophia Circle is a District Unit of United Methodist Women, Delta District, California/Nevada Conference. As such, we embrace the purpose of the United Methodist Women:

The organized unit of UNITED METHODIST WOMEN shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Our community of women is inclusive of all women regardless of race, age, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, mental and physical ability.

This statement was voted on at the regular January 16, 2008 meeting. It carried unanimously.

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There were also two Reconciling Congregations in the news this week.

The Press & Sun-Bulletin of Greater Binghamton, NY reports:

BINGHAMTON -- For the second time in a month, a Protestant congregation in the Southern Tier has formally declared itself to be open and affirming of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Binghamton voted Sunday to join the Reconciling Ministries Network, an independent organization -- not officially sanctioned by the national UMC denomination -- that works for full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities within the UMC.

"Our understanding of the Gospel is Jesus excludes no one and we judge no one on their sexual orientation," said the Rev. Stephen Heiss, who's been pastor of the Main Street church for almost eight years. "It's important to say this formally."

Though the congregation's 105-6 vote is contrary to official United Methodist policy that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, the denomination's Social Principles also state homosexuals are "individuals of sacred worth" and churches are encouraged not to reject or condemn them, according to Donald Perry, director of communications at the Wyoming Conference, headquartered in Endicott.

Full story:
Tier church officially becomes 'welcoming and affirming' to all
Click here

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Bay Windows, New England's Largest LGBT Newspaper, reports:

After more than seven years as pastor of Union United Methodist Church in Boston’s South End, during which time he made welcoming the gay community into the life of the historically black church a significant piece of his ministry, the Rev. Martin McLee has been appointed to a new position within the United Methodist Church.

Effective July 1, McLee will become the district superintendent for the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church’s Metro Boston Hope District, which means he’ll oversee 75 United Methodist congregations in a wide geographic area that stretches from Boston up to Peabody, down to Brockton and west to Wellesley. "The responsibility is to under gird the pastors, to support the pastors, to journey with the pastors of the individual churches," he explained of his new job, to which he was appointed by New England Conference Bishop Peter Weaver.

Full story:
Rev. Martin McLee says farewell to Union United Methodist Church
Click here

 Reconciling Ministries Network Celebrates Black History Month

As we journey through Black History Month, Reconciling Ministries Network celebrates the work of the Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell. The Rev. Caldwell is a retired United Methodist Minister who lives in Asbury Park, N.J. He was active in the Massachusetts unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and participated in the civil-rights movement throughout the nation. In 2000, he, with others, organized United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC), an extension ministry of Reconciling Ministries Network. UMOC is an organization committed to the full inclusion of LGBT people in every aspect of church and society.

The Rev. Caldwell was recently featured in the Asbury Park Press for his work during the Civil Rights era and wrote an article in Diversity, Inc. for Martin Luther King Day.

 

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According to the Asbury Park Press:

A self-described "segregation survivor" who grew up in North Carolina in the 1940s, the Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell has experienced firsthand the injustice of racial intolerance.

"When I got this call to go into ministry, I first applied to Duke University, which has a wonderful — it's Methodist-related — seminary," Caldwell explained. "Back in '54, it was still segregated, so they turned my application down. And I will never forget the phrase in the letter. They hoped that I would find a seminary that would meet my needs."

Caldwell went to Boston University in the fall of 1955, just a few months after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. earned a doctorate of philosophy in systematic theology there. In 1958, just before Caldwell graduated, he, in his capacity as a student government leader, invited King to return to the university to address some of the students.

Full Story:
Minister reflects on his commitment to racial justice
Click here

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The Rev. Caldwell writes in Diversity, Inc.:

If Martin Luther King had lived, he would have been celebrating his 79th birthday this month. But because of his assassination on April 4, 1968, in April of this year we will be acknowledging the 40th anniversary of his tragic death. What meanings in the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. are appropriate for the 21st century?...

Understanding that there is a commonality about injustice, regardless of who it affects or where it takes place. He said on many occasions, "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere." Dr. King was in Memphis, Tenn., in support of the demands of garbage workers for equality and fairness when he was killed. This year, in addition to observing the 40th anniversary of his assassination, we will remember the 40th anniversary of the Poor People's Campaign, an effort he initiated for poor people of all races whose lives were negatively affected by their poverty. His resistance to the war in Vietnam expressed his belief that it neither served the best interests of the Vietnam or American people. I believe that if Martin Luther King Jr. were alive in 2008, he would continue to identify with the struggles of all people in their quests for justice. Coretta Scott King, his wife, in the last years before her death, publicly expressed her support for the civil rights of LGBT people. I believe, if he had lived, he would have joined her in that support.

Full Story:
Dr. King's Still Relevant, Says One Who Marched With Him
Click here

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Additional Coverage:

A Call to Action (for General Conference 2008)
Click here

Flashnet 1/16/2008: February is Black History Month
Click here

Bloom In The Desert Rev. Caldwell Page
Click here

Book:
The Rev. Caldwell recently published a book titled "Something Within". This stunning publication conveys Caldwell's life and ministry, in his own words, from the early days of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States through the battle against apartheid in South Africa to the contemporary campaign for equality of LGBT persons and the ongoing struggle against racism. You can purchase "Something Within" at the Church Within A Church site.
Click here

 GC 2008--Membership: Introduction to Decision 1032

An article from the United Methodist News Service provides a good overview of Decision 1032 and the membership issue that will face the General Conference in 2008:

HOUSTON (UMNS) — United Methodist ministers do have the power to decide who becomes a member of the local church, the denomination’s top court has ruled, supporting a pastor who blocked an openly gay man from joining the congregation.

The United Methodist Judicial Council, holding its regular fall meeting Oct. 26-29, issued two decisions related to the case of Rev. Ed Johnson, who was serving as senior pastor at South Hill (Va.) United Methodist Church until he was placed on involuntary leave of absence in June.

In Decision 1031, the council dealt with the due process problems in how Johnson was disciplined. Decision 1032 was the more sweeping ruling, saying that the church’s Book of Discipline “invests discretion in the pastor-in-charge to make determination of a person’s readiness to affirm the vows of membership.”

The result of both decisions is that Johnson is to be immediately reinstated to the status he held before being placed on involuntary leave of absence, with all salary and benefits retroactive to July 1, and is entitled to receive an appointment...

The Virginia case involved an openly gay man who was participating in the South Hill church in a variety of ways, including singing in the choir. The man wanted to transfer his membership from another denomination, and Johnson began a series of meetings with him. The man’s sexual orientation was a significant part of the discussions. Johnson refused to receive the man into membership because he said the man would neither repent nor seek to live a different lifestyle.

The church’s associate pastor, who disagreed with Johnson, contacted the district superintendent, and a disciplinary process began that eventually resulted in Johnson being placed on involuntary leave by a vote of his fellow ministers at the 2005 clergy session of the Virginia Annual Conference.

Full story:
Church court reinstates pastor who denied membership to gay man
Click here

 GC 2008--Membership: Joey Heath's Story

Another gay person, Joey Heath, was blocked from membership in South Georgia. Here is his story in his own words as printed in the Summer 2007 issue of Katalyst:

Baptized in a Tacoma, Washington UMC and confirmed at Hinesville First UMC, I have been a member of the United Methodist Church my entire life. During middle and high school, I was really involved with my church youth group, and served as the junior high representative for the Savannah District. For two years, with a seat on the South Georgia conference council on youth ministry, I was a part of planning youth events for the South Georgia conference. In high school, my family switched from the big UMC church in town to a smaller church a little ways out of town, Mount Olivet UMC, where I currently still hold membership.

At Valdosta State University in the fall of 2001, I joined the Wesley Foundation. I loved the ministry. That is when I came to the realization that I had always known about Jesus, but I never really knew him and had not accepted him as my Savior. So that fall I gave my life to Christ and never looked back. After my freshman year, selected as a part of Lifeguard, a traveling youth ministry team of the Georgia Southern University Wesley Foundation, I spent the summer with youth groups all over Georgia. Sophomore year included leadership roles at VSU Wesley Foundation and the youth group at Park Avenue UMC.

Something else happened that summer after my freshman year of college. That summer, I came to the realization that I was attracted to other men. I didn't know what do, but at that time "I knew" it was not God's will for me to be gay. At first I tried to bury the feelings and just ignore them. In time, I sat down with my campus minister and confessed my deep dark secret, the one that I had never shared with anyone. He prayed with me promising that together we could get through this. This began a two-year journey of prayer and study. I prayed everyday. I cried almost everyday. I didn't want to be attracted to guys. It went against what I had been taught so I struggled hard. Sadly, this led me into depression and hurt my relationship with God. I no longer felt that closeness I had once felt. This struggle had taken over my life and left little room for actual time with God and growing in Him. Finally I came to a breaking point. On the outside I looked like the happy good little Christian, but on the inside I was depressed and struggling. One night I cried out to God and said "I can't do this anymore. It is tearing me apart inside and is killing my relationship with you. I don't know if it is the right thing to do but God I have to stop this. It will destroy me or push me away from my faith." I had been crying for a while and then I just stopped and got really quiet. That's when I heard God say to me "That's ok, I love you anyway." So I made the very simple response "Ok God, I'm gay." It took a little longer before I understood it from a scriptural point of view but that came in time with study.

My senior year of college I made a decision. I decided it was time to come out to the Wesley Foundation. In a long conversation with the campus minister, we disagreed on the issue of homosexuality. He stated clearly that I would no longer be able to lead canceling a devotion I was to do to not give the appearance of approving of my "lifestyle." After they informed the youth director at Park Avenue that I now "considered myself gay", I was told that it would be best for me not to come back on Sunday nights to help because parents would not like it. Since I was graduating soon, I felt it wasn't worth fighting. Moving to Athens, Georgia, following graduation gave me another chance. After connecting to the UGA Wesley Foundation, I found a community group for grad students. They really welcomed me and I never hid the fact that I was gay, but I didn't bring it up either. By spring, my relationship with God was back on track and I was really trying to live his will for my life. I felt like God was calling me to share with the group about my sexuality. A group leader talked to the campus minister who basically questioned my intelligence for believing that homosexuality was natural, and then questioned my faith for believing God was ok with it. They threatened church discipline but backed down saying they wanted me to stay a part of the group, but they could not create a "pro-homosexuality" forum. To no avail, I tried explaining that I didn't want to debate Bible passages. I simply wanted to share what it felt like to be a gay Christian in a community that is not accepting of homosexuality. Silenced again--rejected by my church family--the family that made promises to me at baptism.

I tried to go elsewhere, but I kept being called home to my Methodist roots and traditions. I missed the church that loved me and taught me Jesus loved me. I moved back to Valdosta. With joy my first Sunday back in town, I accepted a friend's invitation to a church--The Gathering: A United Methodist Congregation. I went there and loved it--the praise, the worship, the warmth, and the welcome. Quickly feeling at home, I became a greeter and usher. When the pastor announced a membership class, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to transfer my membership to The Gathering. After the class, I set up the required one-to-one meeting with the pastor figuring this was more of a formality since I am already a life-long member of the UMC. At the end of the meeting he said "Joey I was hoping you would bring it up but since you didn't I will. I understand you consider yourself to be a homosexual." I told him the truth. He then said that because I am gay it would not be appropriate for me to join. He offered two options: ex-gay reparative therapy or celibacy. I said flat out absolutely not, because I was not willing to put myself through that kind of pain again that separated me from God. I also knew that lying by keeping my private life private would cause my spirituality to suffer and that Jesus longs for us to have integrity. I do not feel called to be single and hope to one day find and commit to a life partner. At this impasse, he claimed the power to deny my transfer of membership. In hope, I sent letters to the Valdosta district superintendent and to the bishop of the South Georgia conference. The pastor told me that even if they required him to allow me to join, he would refuse. After discussion between these United Methodist leaders from which I was excluded, they affirmed his decision to deny my transfer of membership.

Somehow through this long and hard journey, I have clung to God and my faith. Now I work for inclusion. In our connectional system, I simply want to go to church--my home church--that I love so much and have given so much of my time and service and be fully welcomed as the full member I already am-equally, without hesitation, in whatever neighborhood I choose to live.

 GC 2008--Membership: Dissents On Decision 1032 Ruling

After the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church voted on Decision 1032, Reconciling Ministries Network wrote the following article in the Spring 2006 Katalyst:

The majority of the Judicial Council, the highest court of the United Methodist Church in a 5-4 vote ignored the will of a unanimous Council of Bishops, 80% of the Virginia annual conference clergy, and rejected the 2004 General Conference's affirmation to continue the vision of a church with Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.

With closed minds, the majority refused to even reconsider decision 1032. In dissent, Jon R. Gray and Beth Capen write, "Judicial activism, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Decision 1032 is an example of judicial activism of the rankest order."

Susan T. Henry-Crowe and Shamwange P. Kyungu (Paul) also wrote in dissent (excerpts):

This rigidity of mind in the Council (majority) is detrimental to the Church. Through the sacrament of baptism, Christ's invitation to full participation in the life of the Church for any and all baptized Christians is the gift that is offered.

It is Christ's invitation, not ours. Theologically, and as well as disciplinarily, the pastor has no discretion to exclude anyone from membership or the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist because it is not his/her invitation. It is Christ's. Determining who is eligible for life in the Church is not the vocation of the pastor. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us members of the Church. Touched by the Holy Spirit one comes to believe in and worship Jesus Christ. It is Christ who makes us members of the body. We then want to share communion with other Christians giving us the desire to join. For the pastor to deny membership is to present obstacles to the work of the Holy Spirit. This denial is dangerous and does not serve the work of evangelism. At times, in the Church there is a tendency to see the Discipline as superseding Scripture. The Constitution as contained in the Book of Discipline has to be the measure by which we apply the Bible. The Constitution should not be in conflict with the Bible. If the Discipline violates the Bible then the Church is no longer Christ's church but rather a mere association of men and women.

Additional coverage:
Judicial Council Decisions, Decision No. 1032
Click here

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Coalition Petition to the 2008 General Conference:

Our coalition (RMN, Affirmation, MFSA, the General Board of Church and Society and others) submitted the following petition regarding membership to the 2008 General Conference:

Amend Discipline ¶214, as follows:

Eligibility -- The United Methodist Church is a part of the holy catholic (universal) church, as we confess in the Apostles' Creed. In the church, Jesus Christ is proclaimed and professed as the Lord and Savior. All people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members in any local church in the connection. No person shall or will be excluded from baptized or professing membership in the United Methodist Church for reasons related to sexual orientation or gender identity. In the case of persons whose disabilities prevent them from reciting the vows, their legal gardian[s], themselves members in full covenant relationship with God and the Church, the community of faith, my recite the approprate vows on their behalf.

Petition to Ensure Equal Access to Church Membership Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity. Discipline ¶214
Click here

 GC 2008--Membership: Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church

From the Council of Bishops
November 2, 2005

By grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)

Grace to you from Jesus Christ who calls his church to welcome all people into the community of faith as it proclaims the Gospel.

The Judicial Council, our denomination's highest judicial authority, recently issued a decision regarding a pastor's refusing a gay man's request for membership in the church. In the case, this man was invited to join the choir at the United Methodist Church in the community. As he became more active in the choir and the church, he asked to transfer his membership from another denomination to The United Methodist Church. Because he is a practicing homosexual, the pastor refused to receive him into church membership. The Judicial Council upheld the pastor's refusal of membership.

While pastors have the responsibility to discern readiness for membership, homosexuality is not a barrier. With the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church we affirm:

"that God's grace is available to all, and we will seek to live together in Christian community. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons." (Para. 161g, 2004 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church)

We also affirm our Wesleyan practice that pastors are accountable to the bishop, superintendent, and the clergy on matters of ministry and membership.

The United Methodist Church is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ with all people. We, the bishops of the Church, uphold and affirm that the General Conference has clearly spoken through the denomination's Constitution on inclusiveness and justice for all as it relates to church membership:

"The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking the vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection." (Article IV, Constitution of The United Methodist Church)

We believe the ministry of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We call upon all United Methodist pastors and laity to make every congregation a community of hospitality.

Full story:
A Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church from the Council of Bishops
Click here

Additional coverage:
Homosexuality and Ecclesiology
Donald E. Messer ('66, GRS'69)
Warren Professor of Practical Theology President Emeritus
The Iliff School of Theology
Click here

 Let Us Pray For You

Please let us be part of your support and let us know how we might help. One way is to let us pray for you. We invite you to send your prayer requests to us and be counted in the weekly offering of joys and concerns. You may call (773-736-5526), write (RMN 3801 N. Keeler Ave. Chicago, IL 60641) or email these requests to prayer@rmnetwork.org.

Two weeks ago we prayed for three men in Cameroon sentenced to six month hard labor for being homosexual. Now as we continue to pray, we put our faith in action by sending letters and email to key members of Cameroon's government through Amnesty International.

Take Action:
Online Action Center Amnesty International
Click here

Full story:
Cameroon men get six months jail for being gay
Click here

"Now during those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God” ~ Luke 6:12

 Miracle Moments

We include these Moments of significant cultural shifts in the hope these societal events may positively impact life in our Church. The implication is not that these events happen spontaneously or miraculously. These highlights occur after years, even decades of struggle and hard work by many people. We offer them as blessings for our journey. Please send us your Miracle Moments to be included when space allows. Send to Moments@RMNetwork.org.

The World in Oregon reports:

In a huge victory for Oregon’s gay rights movement, a federal judge on Friday swept aside his earlier order and allowed same-sex couples throughout the state to register as domestic partners.

Jubilant activists predicted that hundreds of couples would line up on Monday morning at county offices to register. Soon after the ruling, the state announced that forms for domestic partnership applications were available online.

“We’re a family. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said a beaming Cathy Kravitz, a Portland resident, of her partner of 21 years.

Full story:
Judge upholds gay rights law
Click here

Additional coverage:
Flashnet 1/9/2008: Oregon Reconciling Congregation Hosts March to Benton County Courthouse
Click here

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The New York Times reports:

A New York appellate court ruled Friday that valid out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples must be legally recognized in New York, just as the law recognizes those of heterosexual couples solemnized elsewhere. Lawyers for both sides said the ruling applied to all public and private employers in the state.

Even though gay couples may not legally marry in New York, the appellate court in Rochester held that a gay couple’s 2004 marriage in Canada must be respected under the state’s longstanding “marriage recognition rule,” and that an employer’s denial of health benefits had discriminated against the couple on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Full story:
State Court Recognizes Gay Marriages From Elsewhere
Click here