Issue 2, Wednesday, April 25

NEIGHBOR NEWS
LOVE YOUR
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COMMON WITNESS COALITION
• Affirmation Methodists for LGBTQ Concerns • Black Methodists for Church Renewal •
• Methodist Federation for Social Action •
•National Federation of Asian American United Methodists •
• Native American International Caucus • Reconciling Ministries Network •
generalconference2012.org
INSIDE
SPECIAL
SECTION:
For the Love of God and
Neighbor
Page 3-6
A Shared Vision
Page 3
Page 7
love makes
a family
Page 8
Calendar of Events
Page 2
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Volume 1, Issue 1
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!:
The Road to Church Restructuring
by Steve Clunn
W
hen it comes to church restructuring, I can’t tell you how many
times I have asked myself over the last
year, “Which will win out in my beloved
United Methodist Church, faith or fear?”
We are so afraid of our churches declining and dying out that we are willing to
adopt the idea that we must do something,
anything. Thankfully, faith that is bigger
than our fears is liberating, rejuvenating,
and can lead us to places we couldn’t have
dreamed possible otherwise. So my friends
and fellow lovers of this United Methodist
Church, as we approach General Conference, I ask, will our faith or our fears guide
us?
There’s a relatively new online petition
asking United Methodists to sign-on in
support of the Interim Operations Team/
Connectional Table (IOT/CT) plan of
restructuring. It’s being promoted by a
number of large church pastors, some of
whom were a part of the IOT/CT process.
In addition, there have been a number of
General Conference delegates that have
come under pressure (both internally and
externally) to endorse the IOT/CT proposals before General Conference.
Never in my 25 years of ministry have
I seen such a hard sell for any program
that hopes to save The United Methodist Church from certain demise. The sad
A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.
Tia Tucker, left, and Robin Pearce are two of many young people who are active members of
First Grace United Methodist Church in New Orleans. A Call to Action report urges making
congregational vitality a priority in the denomination.
reality is that even the Connectional Table
admits (http://tinyurl.com/CTReport) that
structural changes won’t change the current trends:
“While there are many examples of ef-
fective disciple-making, prophetic witness,
and ministries of justice and mercy across
the Connection, these efforts do not obvi-
RESTRUCTURE, continued on page 7
An Open Letter From an Open Lesbian
Dear Friends,
Check out our
website at
gc12.org
Follow the
Twitter hashtag
#gc12love
I’d like you to know a bit about how I’m
“We repeatedly must decide whether to be open or to hold
feeling as I approach Holy Conferencing
back from speaking truthfully or
on human sexuality at the General Confercompletely.” -Amory Peck
ence. The main feeling is dread. As one of
the LGBT persons who will be attending,
it’s hard to head into a conversation where
I’m seen as “the problem.” Where I, and
the others, will be identified as the troubleof my lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgensome “they.”
der friends who yearn to hear the truth
of inclusion spoken. I can’t do that — my
Even though I’m out to everyone in my
manuscript wouldn’t have been selected
delegation, and known as a lesbian to
if I had submitted the message I’d most
many in my jurisdiction, I’ll have to decide
like to deliver. I mention that because it
during the Holy Conversation whether
is how gays in the church, especially our
to come out, yet again. If I do so early in
gay clergy, feel far too often -- gagged by
the conversation, some around me will be
church rules and unable to speak truthuncomfortable about speaking openly. If
fully. But, along with dread, I also have
I wait until later in the conversation, some
a goodly amount of optimism about the
will think I’ve tricked them into revealing
time of conversation. As people of differtheir biases or prejudices. And, if I don’t
ing worldviews meet one another, connecself-identify, I’ll leave feeling as if I’ve let
tions and shared values can sometimes be
myself down. That’s a fair amount of tenfound. I’ll be praying that will be so —
sion to carry into a conversation.
knowing that the Holy Spirit has prepared
the church for change.
That is a tension that we carry a good deal
of the time. We repeatedly must decide
With faith in all that will be,
whether to be open or to hold back from
speaking truthfully or completely.
Amory Peck
Laity Speaker
For example, I am honored to be one of
General Conference 2012
three chosen to deliver this year’s Laity AdAmory Peck will deliver part of the Laity Address
dress. It will be a highlight of my church
this morning.
service. But, I will deliver my message
Photo courtesy of Amory Peck.
knowing that I will be disappointing many
Love Your Neighbor News
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Page 2
NEIGHBOR NEWS
LOVE YOUR
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COMMON WITNESS COALITION
• Affirmation Methodists for LGBTQ Concerns •
Black Methodists for Church Renewal • Methodist Federation for Social Action •
•National Federation of Asian American United Methodists •
• Native American International Caucus • Reconciling Ministries Network •
Love Your Neighbor News is produced by the Common Witness
Coalition during General Conference 2012.
Publisher
Editor
Managing Editor
Contributing Editor
Graphic Designer
Assistant Publisher
Ann Craig
Erik Alsgaard
Ben Roe
M. Theresa Basile
Jennifer L. Peterson
David Braden
Love Your Neighbor News is printed on recycled newsprint by Sun
Publications, Lakeland, Fla.
Check out our website at
gc12.org
Follow theTwitter hashtag
#gc12love
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, April 25
- -12:00 noon – The Tabernacle
Brad Laurvick and Tyler Sit:
“Don’t Silence the Young Adults!” Responses to proposed programming cuts; UM Student
Fellowship, Division on Ministries with Young People, Campus Ministries.
Brad Laurvick serves the congregation St. Luke’s UMC in the Rocky Mountain Conference in the areas of Adult Education, Men’s Ministry, Young Adult Ministries, and as pastor to Fusion. He is a young adult delegate from his conference, and is former chair of the
United Methodist Student Movement.
Tyler Sit is a seminarian at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia, an ecumenical leader with the World Student Christian Fellowship, organizing justice and peace
ministries with students, a co-founder of OUTlook, and founder of a LGBTQ ministry at
March Chapel in Boston University.
- United Methodist Kairos Response Luncheon
12:30 p.m. – Luncheon at Marriott Waterside Hotel (across from Convention Center)
For Delegates and special guests
Lunch is provided, please call: 678-622-3605
Daoud Nassar, Christian Palestinian and organizer, and Dr. Dalit Baum, Jewish Israeli,
researcher and university lecturer, co-founder of Israel’s Coalition of Women for Peace.
The Nassar family land just south of Bethlehem is under threat of confiscation by the
Israeli government although it was purchased in 1916 by their grandfather, a Christian
evangelist; it has been attacked repeatedly by militant settlers. Israeli researcher Dr. Dalit
Baum is an authority on corporate involvement in the occupation, and will speak on the
role played by Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions in the occupation
and dispossession of Christians and Muslims from the Holy Land.
- General Conference Holy Conversations
(Your name badge will have your small group room number)
Foundation on Identity and Theology
2:30 – 3:45 P.M. – Plenary Hall
Human Sexuality
4:05-5:05 - Plenary Hall
- All Come!
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – The Tabernacle
All Love Your Neighbor friends and supporters are invited to gather for fellowship, a
recap of the day, and announcements for the coming day.
Thursday, April 26
- Love Your Neighbor Lunch Speaker Series
12:00 noon – The Tabernacle – Press Conference
36 Bishops urge removal of ban on gay clergy
Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader, Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops; Bishop
Don Ott, Correspondent for the Council of Bishops; Dr. Cheryl Anderson and Rev. Dr.
Pamela Lightsey, of the Black UMC scholars supporting the bishops’ statement.
- Interfaith Worship Service followed by candlelight vigil, UMKR
9:00 - 10:00 p.m. – on the Convention mall
Led by Christian, Muslim, and Jewish clergy, this service will celebrate the warm and
dynamic friendships emerging globally between people of three faiths as supporters of
human rights work together to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. In the rich
tradition of the US Civil Rights movement, the anti-Apartheid struggle, the defense of
human rights in Sudan, and the move to ban conflict minerals in the Congo, the push to
end Israel’s occupation is an urgent focus of Jewish, Christian and Muslim cooperation
today. This event is for UMKR volunteers and special guests. Delegates may join the service when the conference adjourns.
- All Come!
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – The Tabernacle
All Love Your Neighbor friends and supporters are invited to gather for fellowship, a
recap of the day, and announcements for the coming day.
Friday, April 27
- Love Your Neighbor Lunch Speaker Series
12:00 noon – The Tabernacle
Lorenza Andrade Smith, Immigration
Last June, the Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith, an elder in the Southwest Texas Conference, began her new appointment as an advocate for the poor and homeless and for just
systems. She sold her car, gave up her home and most of her possessions, took a vow of
poverty, and began what she plans will be three years of living on the streets.
- UMKR Reception for Delegates
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Marriott Waterside Hotel
For delegates and invited guests.
Meet and hear Christians from the Holy Land
Descendants of Christ’s earliest followers are among the Christians living in the Holy
Land today. Like their ancestors, they are enduring persecution and dispossession at the
hands of an occupying power. A number of these indigenous Christians are traveling
to Tampa to show their support for the General Conference legislation that would align
United Methodist investments with resolutions on Israel/Palestine. Delegates are invited
to mingle with these Christians and ask questions about their circumstances and the impact of selective divestment on ending the occupation.
- All Come!
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – The Tabernacle
All Love Your Neighbor friends and supporters are invited to gather for fellowship, a
recap of the day, and announcements for the coming day.
For Love of God and Neighbor
A Special Section
For Love of
God and Neighbor
A Common Witness to General Conference 2012
Page 2
Pour l'amour de
Dieu et du prochain
Un témoignage collectif de la
Conférence générale de 2012
Page 1
Kwa ajili ya upendo
wa Mungu na Jirani
Shahidi wa Kawaida katika
Kongamano Kuu la Mwaka 2012
Ukurasa 3
Pelo amor á
Deus e ao próximo
Por Amor de
Dios y Prójimo
Um testemunho comum para a
Conferência geral de 2012
Página 3
Un Testimonio Común a la
Conferencia General 2012
Página 4
Pour l’amour de Dieu et du prochain
Un témoignage collectif de la Conférence générale de 2012
Nous sommes des gens engagés à suivre Jésus-Christ afin d’incarner l'amour de Dieu et
faire justice a travers l'Église Méthodiste Unie. Plus ouvert à l’acte prodigieux de l'Esprit
Saint au milieu de nous, nous nous efforçons d'aimer nos prochains, nous entretenons
l’unité en Christ dans nos diverses opinions afin de rendre un témoignage collectif:
Nous croyons en une Eglise qui travaille avec passion pour la justice raciale. Nous nous
réjouissons de l’existence de la diversité dans l’histoire de la tradition wesleyenne et du
flux de la résistance au racisme qui a existé depuis le début. Nous confessons que nous
avons aussi une histoire qui faillit à éliminer les préjugés, l'exploitation, l'oppression, la
peur et le désespoir engendrée par la race et l'ethnicité. De l'eunuque éthiopien à la population de toutes les nations à la Pentecôte, l'église a le devoir d'aimer nos prochains qui
composent l'humanité.
Nous croyons en une église qui incarne l'intégration totale des uns et des autres. Jésus a
brisé les barrières du genre, de la classe et de la religion. Dans le livre des Actes, Pierre
avait été averti de n’appeler impur ce que Dieu avait déclaré pur. L’Evangile accueille
toutes personnes sans distinction de races humaines, par la grâce de Dieu . L'invitation
au banquet du Christ est faite pour les prochains de tout âge, race, culture, nationalité,
perspective théologique, l'orientation sexuelle, le genre, l'identité sexuelle, la capacité
mentale et physique, de tout statut économique et d'état matrimonial.
Nous croyons en une Eglise qui prône l’égalité des femmes et des hommes à l'image
de Dieu, et béni avec des dons et des grâces pour la classe dirigeante et du ministère.
L'expression de La diversité du genre, à la fois, par les femmes et par les hommes fait
partie de la création de Dieu. Les attentes culturelles de rôle du genre ne doivent pas
limiter la liberté en Christ. Nous reconnaissons, en particulier, l'importance du travail
historique de la mission de la Division des Femmes du ‘‘Conseil Général des Ministères
Globalisés’’ et des membres de l’Union des Femmes Méthodistes ainsi que les femmes
dans de nombreux pays qui réclament leur place dans la mission de Dieu, et qui ont ouvert les chemins de justice, de service et la droiture pour toute l'Eglise.
Nous croyons en une église qui aspire à être globalement connectée, et qui adresse les
sujets de structures résiduelles du colonialisme. Vu, la croissance des effectifs au sein des
Conférences centrales, la tendance à se concentrer sur les problèmes des Etats-Unis à la
Conférence Générale, et aux questions culturelles inscrites dans le Livre de Discipline,
nous affirmons nous diriger vers: 1) des connections plus profondes qui nous rattachent
a l'église mondiale, 2) la plus haute autorité locale, et, 3) le partage plus équitable du
pouvoir, de représentation et de responsabilité à travers le monde. Ainsi régionale ou globale la prise de décision aura un effet profond sur notre capacité à être dans un ministère
fructueux a chaque contexte local.
Nous croyons en une église qui assure la poursuite pacifique de l'autodétermination et à
l'expression religieuse. Nous partageons avec des personnes d'autres confessions la vérité
qui est venu à nous par Jésus-Christ, et nous écoutons des vérités que nous pouvons apprendre d'eux. Nous le faisons ainsi dans l'espoir du plus profond respect pour l’un et
l'autre, afin de ne pas imposer ni la conversion, ni d’exprimer l'autosatisfaction. Nous rejetons la fusion des croyances religieuses avec le nationalisme, ou d'asservir un système
de croyance, ou d'un groupe culturel à l'autre. Nous déplorons en utilisant la religion pour
promouvoir la guerre ou l'exploitation d'autrui et de la terre. Les dirigeants de toutes les
traditions religieuses doivent montrer la voie, manifester le respect pour tous nos prochains et pour toute la vie.
Nous croyons en une Eglise qui proclame l'intendance de la création joyeusement et
sans réserve comme une expression de la sainteté sociale et environnementale. Nous
confessons notre incapacité à reconnaître notre interdépendance essentielle a notre en-
vironnement, l’épuisement des ressources, et la notre pollution des sols, l'eau et l'air qui
menacent la poursuite de notre civilisation. Nous demandons instamment à l'élaboration
de politiques énergétiques qui visent au bien-être du monde entier plutôt qu’une simple
augmentation des biens et services.
Nous croyons en une église qui lutte pour la justice économique et qui en appelle à la
foi biblique: pour la franche et juste mesure, pour pourvoir a l'étranger, la veuve et a
l'orphelin, de pardonner les dettes, et de vivre dans le Jubilé. Nous reconnaissons que
l'injustice économique est liée à d'autres formes de mal social, que l'inégalité basée sur la
race, le sexe ou l'orientation sexuelle, l'atteinte à la création, ou les vastes inégalités entre
nations et régions du monde donnent lieu à des conflits et a des guerres. Nous estimons
que la grandeur d'une nation se mesure par le traitement de ses membres les plus faibles.
Pour toutes fins utiles, nous en appelons à l’organisation des politiques économiques qui
reflètent l'amour du prochain et qui lui assurent le minimum vital qui satisfait ces besoins
de base en nourriture, vêtements, abri, éducation de qualité, soins de santé, un environnement propre et un salaire de subsistance dans un milieu de travail ouvert à la négociation collective, libre et exclure de violence et coercition.
NOUS NOUS ENGAGEONS à
• Edifier notre vie selon les bonnes nouvelles de Jésus-Christ, Parole de Dieu rendu
visible au milieu de nous.
• Etre Méthodistes Unis qui embrassent l’unité en Christ, même dans le milieu de la
diversité des opinions.
• Travailler pour la justice raciale et à résister aux systèmes d’exploitions qui enseignent la supériorité et d’infériorité raciales / ethniques.
• Établir les manifestations publiques de l'inclusion et de la diversité affirmatives dans
nos églises et les sociétés.
• Souhaiter la bienvenue a diversité des sexes et établir des politiques ainsi qu’a des
pratiques qui se partagent le pouvoir au delà des limites entre les sexes.
• Inclure les lesbiennes, gays et personnes bisexuelles et transsexuelles pleinement
dans nos nombres et le ministère.
• Séminaires de soutien, les institutions de la mission et ses partenaires mondiaux dans
la fourniture de leadership inclusif et partagée.
• Soutenir le travail effectué avec les femmes, les enfants et les jeunes femmes méthodistes de Union et la Division de la femme.
• Chercher à honorer et à concilier nos différences, à parler avec respect aux uns et aux
autres dans l'amour.
• Asseoir nos ministères sur une bonne entente et compréhension de l'Église, communauté, environnement et dans le monde.
• Entreprendre des actions pour la réduction du carbone, de la radiation et d'autres polluants tout en refusant de céder au désespoir cynique.
• Documenter et annoncer des mesures spécifiques à l'égard de ces engagements afin
d'encourager les autres.
• Vivre notre tradition wesleyenne vraisemblablement à des gens au cœur chaleureux,
d’esprit éclairé, et avec une main tendue.
Love Your Neighbor News
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
For Love of God and Neighbor
A Common Witness to General Conference 2012
WE ARE people committed to following Jesus Christ to embody God’s love and justice through The United Methodist Church. Ever open to the surprising movement of
the Holy Spirit in our midst as we strive to love our neighbors, we embrace our unity in
Christ in the midst of diverse opinions to provide a Common Witness:
WE BELIEVE in a church that passionately works for racial justice. We rejoice in the
historical diversity of the Wesleyan tradition and the stream of resistance to racism that
has existed from the beginning. We confess that we also have a history of failing to
eliminate prejudice, exploitation, oppression, fear and despair based on race and ethnicity. From the Ethiopian eunuch to the people of all nations at Pentecost, the church has a
mandate to love our neighbors who comprise God’s diverse humanity.
WE BELIEVE in a church that embodies full inclusiveness. Jesus reached across lines
of gender, class and religion. In the book of Acts, Peter was told not to call unclean what
God has declared clean. The Gospel welcomes all people regardless of human distinctions through God’s grace. The invitation to Christ’s banquet table is for neighbors of
every age, race, culture, nationality, theological perspective, sexual orientation, gender,
gender identity, mental and physical ability, economic condition, and marital status.
WE BELIEVE in a church that celebrates both women and men as equally created in
God’s image and blessed with gifts and graces for leadership and ministry. The diversity
of gender expression by both women and men is part of God’s creation. Cultural gender
role expectations must not limit freedom in Christ. In particular, we recognize the importance of the historic mission work of the Women’s Division of the General Board of
Global Ministries and members of United Methodist Women as well as the women in so
many countries who claim their rightful place in God’s mission and have blazed the trail
of justice, service and righteousness for the entire church.
WE BELIEVE in a church that yearns to be global and connectional and addresses the residual structures of colonialism. Recognizing the membership growth within the Central
Conferences, the tendency to focus upon U. S. issues at General Conference, and cultural
issues with the Book of Discipline, we affirm that which moves us in the direction of 1)
deeper connections throughout the global church, 2) greater local authority, and, 3) more
equitable sharing of power, representation, and responsibility around the world. Regional (rather than global) decision making will have a profound effect on our ability to be in
fruitful ministry in each local context.
WE BELIEVE in a church that ensures peaceful pursuit of self-determination and religious expression. We share with persons of other faiths the truth that has come to us
through Jesus Christ, and we listen for truths we can learn from them. We do so in the
hopes of deepening respect for one another, not to impose conversion nor express selfrighteousness. We reject merging religious beliefs with nationalism or subjugating one
belief system or cultural group to another. We deplore using religion to promote warfare
or the exploitation of others and the earth. Leaders in all faith traditions must lead the
way, modeling respect for all our neighbors and all of life.
WE BELIEVE in a church that proclaims the stewardship of creation joyfully and without reservation as an expression of social and environmental holiness. We confess our
failure to recognize our essential interconnectedness with our environment, our exhaustion of resources, and our pollution of land, water, and air that threaten the continuation
of our civilization. We urge the development of energy policies that aim at the well being
of the whole world rather than simply the increase of goods and services.
WE BELIEVE in a church that strives for the economic justice called for in the scriptural
witness: for fair scales and honest weights, to provide for the stranger, widow, and orphan, to forgive debts, and to live into the Jubilee. We recognize that economic injustice
is linked to other forms of social evil, whether inequality based on race, gender, or sexual
orientation, harm to creation, or the vast inequalities between nations and regions of the
world that give rise to conflict and war. We hold that a nation’s greatness is measured
by its treatment of its weakest members. To that end, we call for economic policies that
reflect love of neighbor by ensuring such basic needs as food, clothing, shelter, quality
education, health care, a clean environment and a living wage in a workplace open to collective bargaining and free from violence and coercion.
WE PLEDGE TO
• Shape our lives according to the good news of Jesus Christ, the Word of God made
visible in our midst.
• Be United Methodists who embrace our unity in Christ, even in the midst of diverse
opinions.
• Work for racial justice and resist exploitive systems that teach racial/ethnic superiority and inferiority.
• Build in public expressions of inclusiveness and affirmations of diversity in our
churches and societies.
• Welcome gender diversity and establish policies and practices that share power across
gender lines.
• Include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons fully in our membership and
ministry.
• Support seminaries, mission institutions and global partners in providing inclusive
and shared leadership.
• Support the work with women, children and youth by United Methodist Women and
Women’s Division.
• Seeking to honor and to reconcile our differences, speak respectfully with one another in love.
• Ground our ministries in a broad understanding of church, community, environment
and world.
• Act on reducing carbon, radiation and other pollutants while refusing to give in to
cynical despair.
• Document and announce specific actions toward these commitments to encourage
others.
• Live our Wesleyan tradition as people of the warmed heart, enlightened mind, and
extended hand.
Page 4
Page 5
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Love Your Neighbor News
Pelo amor á Deus e ao próximo
Kwa ajili ya upendo wa Mungu na Jirani
Um testemunho comum para a Conferência geral de 2012
Shahidi wa Kawaida katika Kongamano Kuu la Mwaka
2012
Somos pessoas que se comprometem a seguir a Jesus Cristo para personificar o amor e a
justiça de Deus através da Igreja Metodista Unida. Disponíveis ao movimento marcante
do Espírito Santo no meio de nós, enquanto perseveramos amar nosso próximo, abraçamos nossa unidade em Cristo em meio a várias opiniões para oferecer um testemunho
comum:
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que apaixonadamente trabalha para a justiça racial. Congratulamo-nos com a diversidade histórica da tradição Wesleyana e o fluxo de resistência
ao racismo que existiu desde o início. Confessamos que também temos um histórico de
falhas de eliminação de prejuízo, exploração, opressão, medo e desespero com base na
raça e etnia. Desde o eunuco etíope para as pessoas de todas as Nações no Pentecostes,
a Igreja tem um mandato para amar nossos seres humanos que formam a humanidade de
Deus diversa.
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que encarna a plena inclusão. O alcance de Jesus foi
além do sexo, classe ou religião. No livro de atos, Peter foi dito para não chamar impuro
que Dios declarou limpo. O evangelho é lar de todas as pessoas independentemente de
distinções humanas através da graça de Deus. O convite para a mesa do banquete de
Cristo é para os residentes de todas idades, raças, culturas, nacionalidades, perspectiva
teológica, orientação sexual, gênero, identidade de gênero, habilidades mentais e físicas,
status econômico e estado civil.
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que celebra homens e mulheres como criados à imagem de Deus e abençoados com dons para liderança e ao Ministério. A diversidade das
expressões de gênero das mulheres e dos homens é parte da criação de Deus. As expectativas culturais de papel social de gênero não devem ser limitada liberdade em Cristo.
Em particular, devemos reconhecer o importante trabalho da missão histórica divisão das
mulheres na junta geral de ministérios globais e membros da organização da Sociedade
de mulheres em muitos países para reivindicar seu legítimo lugar na missão de Deus e
abriu o caminho da Justiça, a justiça e serviço para toda a Igreja.
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que anseia ser global e connectional e lidar com as estruturas residuais do colonialismo. Reconhecendo o crescimento da participação nas conferências de centrais, a tendência a centrar-se sobre a Conferência geral dos Estados Unidos
dos Assuntos e questões culturais com o livro da disciplina, afirmar tudo o que nos move
nos endereços de conexões 1) mais profundas na igreja global, 2) uma maior autoridade
local e 3) mais equitativa distribuição do poder representação e responsabilidade em todo
o mundo. Decisões regionais (em vez de global) terá um efeito profundo sobre nossa
capacidade de Ministério frutífero em cada contexto local.
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que garante a busca pacífica de autodeterminação e expressão religiosa. Podemos compartilhar com pessoas de outras religiões, a verdade que
veio a nós através de Jesus Cristo, e ouvimos falar de verdades que podemos aprender
com eles. Fazemos isso, esperando o aprofundamento do respeito mútuo, não para impor
a conversão ou justiça própria expressa. Podemos rejeitar a fusão de crenças religiosas
com o nacionalismo ou subjugar a um sistema de crenças ou grupo cultural. Condenamos
o uso da religião para promover a guerra ou a exploração de outras pessoas e terras. Líderes em todas as tradições de fé devem dar o exemplo, ser exemplar respeito para todos
os nossos vizinhos e a vida.
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que proclama o cuidado da criação com alegria e sem
reserva como uma expressão da santidade, social e ambiental. Confessamos nossa incapacidade de reconhecer a inter-relação fundamental com nosso ambiente, nossa degradação de recursos e poluição da terra, água e ar que ameaçam a continuação da nossa civilização. Pedimos que o desenvolvimento de políticas de energia que visam o bem-estar de
todos e não simplesmente o aumento de bens e serviços.
Nós acreditamos em uma igreja que proclama a mordomia da criação com alegria e sem
reserva como uma expressão da santidade social e ambiental. Confessamos nossa incapacidade de reconhecer nossa interconexão essencial com nosso ambiente, nosso esgotamento dos recursos e nossa poluição da terra, água e ar que ameaçam a continuação da
nossa civilização. Pedimos que o desenvolvimento de políticas de energia que visam o
bem estar de todo o mundo ao invés de simplesmente o aumento de bens e serviços.
PODEMOS acreditar em uma igreja que busca a justiça econômica que apelou ao testemunho das Escrituras: para balanças justas e pesos honestos, para fornecer ao estrangeiro, viúva e órfãos, perdoar dívidas e viver em júbilo. Reconhecemos que a injustiça económica está ligada a outras formas de mais sociais, desigualdade, fundadas na
raça, sexo ou orientação sexual, danos à criação ou as vastas desigualdades entre nações
e regiões do mundo que dão origem ao conflito e a guerra. Consideramos que a grandeza
de uma nação é medida por seu tratamento aos seus membros mais fracos. Para o efeito,
chamamos de políticas económicas que refletem o amor ao próximo, garantindo tais
necessidades básicas como comida, vestuário, abrigo, educação de qualidade, cuidados
de saúde, um ambiente limpo e um salário digno em um ambiente de trabalho aberto à
negociação coletiva e livre de violência e coerção.
NOS COMPROMETEMOS A
• Moldar nossas vidas de acordo com a boa nova de Jesus Cristo, a palavra de Deus
feita visível no meio de nós.
• Ser metodistas unidos que abraçam nossa unidade em Cristo, mesmo no meio de
opiniões diversas.
• Trabalhar para justiça racial e resistir a sistemas ferozes que ensinam a inferioridade e
superioridade racial/étnica.
• Construir expressões públicas de inclusão e as afirmações da diversidade em nossas
igrejas e sociedades.
• Acolher a diversidade de gênero e estabelecer políticas e práticas que compartilham
poder através das linhas de gênero.
• Incluir totalmente pessoas lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e em transição de gênero e nossa
associação e Ministério.
• Seminários de apoio, missão instituições e parceiros globais no fornecimento de
liderança compartilhada e inclusiva.
• Apoiar o trabalho com mulheres, crianças e jovens mulheres Metodistas unidas e
divisão feminina.
• Procurar homenagear e reconciliar as nossas diferenças, respeitosamente falar uns
com os outros em amor.
• Aterrar nossos ministérios num amplo entendimento da Igreja, Comunidade, ambiente e mundo.
• Tomar medidas na redução do carbono, radiação e outros poluentes ao mesmo meio
ambiente, recusando-se a ceder ao desespero cínico.
• Documentar e anunciar ações específicas em direção a estes compromissos para incentivar outras pessoas.
• Viver nossa tradição Wesleyana como pessoas de corações aquecidos, mentes iluminadas e mãos estendidas.
Sisi ni watu wenye nia ya kumfuata Yesu Kristo ili kuupa nguvu upendo wa Mungu na
haki kwa njia ya Kanisa la United Methodist. Twatarajia upako wa roho mtakatifu katikati yetu tunapojitahidi kumpenda jirani yetu. Tunakubaliana na umoja wetu katika Kristo
ili kutoa maoni mbalimbali ya Shahidi wa kawaida:
Tunaamini katika kanisa linalozingatia kazi kwa uadilifu wa rangi. Tunafurahia tofauti
ya kihistoria ya utamaduni wa Wesley na mkondo wa upinzani dhidi ya ubaguzi wa rangi
ambalo limekuwepo tangu mwanzo. Tunakiri kwamba sisi pia tuna historia ya kushindwa
kuondokana na ubaguzi, unyonyaji, ukandamizaji, hofu na kukata tamaa kutokana na
rangi na ukabila. Kutoka towashi ya Uhabeshi, hadi watu wa mataifa yote ya Pentekosti.
Kanisa ina mamlaka ya upendo kwa majirani zetu ambao wako katika jamii ya Mungu.
Tunaamini katika kanisa ambalo linajumulisha watu wote. Yesu aliwafikia wote bila
kuzingatia misingi ya darasa, jinsia au dini. Katika kitabu cha Matendo, Mutume Petro
alionywa dhidi ya kuita kile Mungu ametangaza safi kuwa kichafu. Injili inakaribisha
watu wote bila kujali tofauti ya binadamu kwa njia ya neema ya Mungu. Mwaliko kwa
karamu ya Kristo ni kwa majirani wa kila taifa, umri, utamaduni, mtazamo wowote ya
wa kiteolojia, hisia za kimapenzi, jinsia, utambulisho wa kijinsia, uwezo wa kiakili na
kimwili, hali ya uchumi, ikiwemo hali ya ndoa.
Tunaamini katika kanisa linalo dhamini wanawake na wanaume kama sawa na viumbe
wenye sura ya Mungu walio na heri, vipawa na neema kwa ajili ya uongozi na huduma.
Tofauti ya kujieleza kwa kijinsia kwa wanawake na wanaume ni sehemu ya uumbaji wa
Mungu. Matarajio ya kitamaduni kuhusu majukumu ya kijinsia hayapaswi kukomesha
uhuru katika Kristo. Tunatambua umuhimu wa kazi ya kihistoria ya watume wa Idara ya
Wanawake wa Bodi kuu ya Huduma ya Global na wanachama wa Umoja wa Wanawake
wa Methodist na pia wanawake katika nchi zingine ambao wanadai nafasi yao halali katika huduma ya Mungu na kuweka mfano wa huduma ya uchaguzi wa haki na utakatifu
kwa ajili ya kanisa lote.
Tunaamini katika kanisa lenye uwepo kote ulimwenguni na linaloshugulikia mabaki ya
misingi ya ukoloni. Linalotambua ukuaji uanachama ndani ya Mikutano ya Kati, na pia
juu ya masuala ya Marekani katika Baraza Kuu, masuala ya kitamaduni na Kitabu cha
Nidhamu. Tunathibitisha kwamba hatua ambayo sisi yatupa mwelekeo ni. 1) Uunganisho
zaidi katika kanisa la kimataifa, 2) mamlaka zaidi katika mitaa, na, 3) Ugavi nguvu wenye usawa , uwakilishi, na wajibu duniani kote. Kufanya maamuzi katika Mikoa (kuliko
duniani) kutakuwa na madhara makubwa kwa uwezo wetu kuwa katika huduma mashinani.
Tunaamini katika kanisa linalohakikisha njia ya amani ya kujitawala na kujieleza kidini.
Sisi hushiriki na watu wa dini nyingine ukweli kwamba amekuja kwetu kwa njia ya Yesu
Kristo, na sisi kusikiliza kwa kweli tunaweza kujifunza kutoka kwao. Tunafanya hivyo
kwa matumaini ya heshima kuongezeka kwa mtu mwingine, siyo kuanzisha uongofu
wala kuonyesha utakatifu wetu. Tunakataa kuunganisha imani ya dini na utaifa au kukata
kauli dhidi ya wengine. Tunakataa kutumia dini kuendeleza mapambano au unyonyaji
wa watu wengine na nchi. Viongozi katika imani zote lazima waonyeshe njia, ili wapate
heshima kwa ajili ya majirani zetu wote na maisha kwa jumla.
Tunaamini katika kanisa linalotoa mwelekeo wa maumbile ya furaha na bila kusita katika usemi wa utakatifu wa kijamii na kimazingira. Tunakili kushindwa kutambua mwingiliano wetu na umuhimu kwa mazingira yetu, utumizi mbaya wa rasilimali, na uchafuzi
wa mazingira yetu ya ardhi, maji na hewa uharibifu unaotishia maendeleo ya ustaarabu
wetu. Tunaomba sera ya maendeleo ya nishati ambayo lengo lake ni kuimarisha maisha
ya dunia nzima kuliko kuongeza tu kwa bidhaa na huduma.
Tunaamini katika kanisa linaloimarisha na kutetea haki ya kiuchumi kama vile Maandiko
yanafunza. Kama vile mizani ya haki na uzito wakweli, kutoa kwa ajili ya mgeni, mjane,
na yatima, na kusamehe madeni, na kuishi kwa umoja. Tunatambua kwamba ukosefu wa
haki ya kiuchumi unhusishwa na aina nyingine za maovu ya kijamii, kama kukosekana
kwa usawa kwa kuzingatia jinsia rangi,, au kimapenzi, madhara kwa viumbe, au tofauti
kubwa kati ya mataifa na mikoa ya dunia yanayoletea migogoro na vita. Msimamo wetu
ni kwamba ukuu wa taifa hupimwa kwa tiba yake ya wanachama wake walio dhaifu.
Ili kufikia lengo hili, tunatoa wito kuwa kuwe na sera za kiuchumi ambazo zinazingatia
upendo wa jirani kwa kuhakikisha mahitaji ya msingi kama vile chakula, mavazi, malazi,
elimu bora, huduma za afya, mazingira safi na mshahara unaofaa katika sehemu za kazi
unaoweza kuimarishwa kwa kujadiliana kwa pamoja na huru kutokana na vurugu na
kutumia nguvu.
Tunaahidi
• Kuyaweka maisha yetu kulingana na habari njema ya Yesu Kristo na Neno la Mungu
lionekane miongoni mwetu.
• Kuwa na Umoja kama waumini wa Methodist katika Kristo, hata katikati ya mawazo
mbalimbali.
• Kufanya kazi kwa haki na kupinga ubaguzi wa rangi na kukataa mifumo inayofunza
kuwa kuna wenye nguvu zaidi kuliko wengine ikizingatiwa rangi au kabila .
• Kutoa maelezo yetu hadharani kuhusu nguvu tunayotilia maneno ya tofauti katika
makanisa yetu na jamii.
• Kukaribisha jinsia tofauti na kuanzisha sera na utendaji kazi unaotoa usawa wa
nguvu katika mistari ya jinsia.
• Kukaribisha katika wanachama wetu na huduma wasagaji, mashoga, na pia wale wasiofahamu jinsia yao.
• Kuunga mkono taasisi za kazi na washirika wa kimataifa katika kutoa umoja na
pamoja uongozi.
• Kusaidia kazi kwa wanawake, watoto na vijana kwa Wanawake wamethodist na Idara
ya Wanawake.
• Kutafuta heshima na kupatanisha tofauti zetu, kuzungumza kwa heshima na mtu
mwingine katika upendo.
• Kuweka huduma yetu katika misingi ya kufahamu upana wa kanisa, mazingira ya
jamii, na dunia.
• Kuchukua hatua za kupunguza uchafuzi wa hewa,miale hatari ya sumu na uchafuzi
mwingine wowote bila kukata tamaa kutokana na kufa moyo.
• Kuandika na kutangaza wazi hatua mahususi kwa ahadi hizo na kuwatia moyo wengine.
• Tuishi utamaduni wetu wa Wesley kama watu wa moyo mwema, akili mwanga, na
mkono mwenye baraka.
SAHIHI HAPA
Love Your Neighbor News
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Page 6
Por Amor de Dios y Prójimo
Un Testimonio Común a la Conferencia General 2012
SOMOS personas comprometidas a seguir a Jesucristo para personificar el amor y la justicia de Dios a través de la Iglesia Metodista Unida. Disponibles al movimiento sorprendente del Espíritu Santo en medio de nosotros, mientras perseveramos en amar a nuestro
prójimo, abrazamos nuestra unidad en Cristo en medio de opiniones diversas para ofrecer
un Testimonio Común:
CREEMOS en una iglesia que trabaja apasionadamente por la justicia racial. Nos regocijamos de la diversidad histórica de la tradición Wesleyana y la corriente de resistencia
al racismo que ha existido desde el principio. Confesamos que también tenemos una
historia de fracasos en eliminar prejuicios, explotación, opresión, miedo y desesperación
basada en raza y etnicidad. Desde el eunuco Etíope hasta la gente de todas las naciones
en el Pentecostés, la iglesia tiene un mandato de amar a nuestros prójimos que forman la
humanidad diversa de Dios.
CREEMOS en una iglesia que personifica inclusión plena. Jesús extendió su alcance
a través de líneas de género, clase y religión. En el libro de Hechos, a Pedro se le dijo
no llamara inmundo lo que Dios ha declarado limpio. El Evangelio acoge a todas las
personas independientemente de distinciones humanas a través de la gracia de Dios. La
invitación a la mesa del banquete de Cristo es para los vecinos de cada edad, raza, cultura, nacionalidad, perspectiva teológica, orientación sexual, género, identidad de género,
capacidad mental y física, condición económica y estado civil.
CREEMOS en una iglesia que celebra, ambos, hombres y mujeres como creados a imagen de Dios y bendecido con dones y gracias para el liderazgo y ministerio. La diversidad
de expresiones de género de mujeres y hombres es parte de la creación de Dios. Las expectativas culturales de rol de género no deben limitar la libertad en Cristo. En particular,
reconocemos la importante labor de la misión histórica de la División de Mujeres de la
Junta General de Ministerios Globales y miembros de organización de Mujeres Metodistas Unidas así como las mujeres en muchos países que reclaman su lugar legítimo en la
misión de Dios y han abierto el camino de Justicia, servicio y rectitud para toda la iglesia.
CREEMOS en una iglesia que anhela ser global y conexional y aborda las estructuras residuales del colonialismo. Reconociendo el crecimiento de membresía dentro de las Conferencias Centrales, la tendencia a enfocar la Conferencia General en asuntos de Estados
Unidos y temas culturales con el libro de la disciplina, afirmamos aquello que nos mueve
en la direcciones de 1) conexiones más profundas en la iglesia global, 2) mayor autoridad
local y 3) más equitativa en la distribución de poder, representación y responsabilidad alrededor del mundo. Decisiones regionales (en lugar de global) tendrá un profundo efecto
sobre nuestra capacidad de ministerio fructífero en cada contexto local.
CREEMOS en una iglesia que asegura la búsqueda pacífica de la libre determinación y de
expresión religiosa. Compartimos con personas de otras religiones, la verdad que nos ha
llegado por medio de Jesucristo, y escuchamos de verdades que podemos aprender de ellos. Lo hacemos con la esperanza de la profundización de respeto mutuo, no para imponer
conversión ni expresar santurronería. Rechazamos fusión de creencias religiosas con
nacionalismo o subyugar a un sistema de creencias o grupo cultural a otro. Deploramos la
utilización de religión para promover guerra o la explotación de otros y la tierra. Líderes
en todas las tradiciones de fe deben dirigir el camino, ser ejemplares de respeto para todos
nuestros vecinos y toda la vida.
CREEMOS en una iglesia que proclama la mayordomía de creación con alegría y sin
reservas como expresión de santidad social y ambiental. Confesamos nuestro fracaso en
reconocer la interrelación esencial con nuestro medio ambiente, nuestro agotamiento de
recursos y contaminación de tierra, agua y aire que amenazan la continuación de nuestra
civilización. Instamos el desarrollo de pólizas de energía que tienen como objetivo el
bienestar de todo el mundo en lugar de simplemente el aumento de bienes y servicios.
CREEMOS en una iglesia que se esfuerza por la justicia económica instada en el testimonio escritural: escalas justas y honestas pesos, para proveer para el extranjero, viuda
y huérfano, absolver deudas y a vivir en el Jubileo. Reconocemos que la injusticia
económica está ligada a otras formas del malicia social, si la desigualdad basada en raza,
género u orientación sexual, daño a la creación, o las grandes desigualdades entre las
naciones y regiones del mundo que dan lugar a conflictos y guerras. Sostenemos que la
grandeza de una nación se mide por su tratamiento de sus miembros más débiles. Con
ese fin, instamos a las pólizas económicas que reflejan el amor al prójimo asegurando
tales necesidades básicas como alimentos, ropa, vivienda, educación de calidad, salud, un
medio ambiente limpio y un salario digno en el lugar de empleo, abierto a negociación
colectiva y libre de violencia y coerción.
NOS COMPROMETEMOS A
• Formar nuestras vidas de acuerdo con las buenas noticias de Jesucristo, la palabra de
Dios hecho visible en nuestro medio.
• Ser Metodistas Unidos que acogen nuestra unidad en Cristo, incluso en medio de
diversas opiniones.
• Trabajar por la justicia racial y resistir sistemas depredadores que enseñan la inferioridad y superioridad raciales o étnicas.
• Construir en expresiones públicas de inclusión y afirmaciones de la diversidad en
nuestras iglesias y sociedades.
• Acoger la diversidad de género y establecer pólizas y prácticas que compartan el
poder a través de líneas de género.
• Incluir plenamente personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transexuales en nuestro
ministerio y membrecía.
• Apoyar seminarios, instituciones de misión y socios globales en proporcionar liderazgo inclusivo y compartido.
• Apoyar el trabajo con las mujeres, niñez y juventud de la organización de Mujeres
Metodistas Unidas y la División de Mujeres.
• Escudriñar formas de honrar y conciliar nuestras diferencias, hablar respetuosamente
uno con el otro en amor.
• Plantar nuestros ministerios en un entendimiento ámplio de la iglesia, comunidad,
medio ambiente y el mundo.
• Tomar acción en la reducción de carbono, radiación y otros contaminantes, negándonos a ceder a la desesperación cínica.
• Documentar y anunciar medidas concretas hacia estos compromisos para animar a
otros.
• Vivir nuestra tradición Wesleyana como gente de corazón avivado, mente ilustrada y
mano extendida.
Photo credit: UMNS
Photo credit: UMNS
Photo credit: UMNS
Photo credit: UMNS
Page 7
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Love Your Neighbor News
A Statement of Counsel to the Church—2011
Out of concern for the welfare of all God’s
people, and, out of special concern for the
people of The United Methodist Church,
we, United Methodist Bishops – retired,
believe The United Methodist Church
should remove the following statement
from The Book of Discipline (2008):
“…The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals
are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve
in The United Methodist Church.” ¶304.3
Our lives and ministries over the years
have included prayerful, thoughtful consideration of our Holy Bible, our Wesleyan
heritage, reflection on our experience of
the church and world, and our conviction
of God’s intention for a world transformed.
With
this
statement
of
conviction
and
counsel
we
seek:
• To affirm that the historic tests of “gifts
and evidence of God’s grace” for ordained
ministry override any past or present temporal restrictions such as race,
gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
• To urge the Church, ecumenical and
denominational, to change the manner in which it relates to gay, lesbian, and transgendered persons
in official statements, judicial proceedings, and in congregational life.
• To declare our conviction that the
current disciplinary position of The
United Methodist Church, a part of
our historical development, need
not, and should not, be embraced as
the faithful position for the future.
• To make known our names and
shared personal conviction
on this matter and to encourage other church and Episcopal leaders to do the same.
With increasing frequency we observe and experience the following disturbing realities and know
them to be detrimental to the mission of a Church of Jesus Christ:
• Laity and clergy, gay and straight,
withdrawing membership or absenting themselves from the support of congregational and denominational Church life in order
to maintain personal integrity.
• Young adults, especially, embarrassed to invite friends and expressing dismay at the unwillingness
of our United Methodist Church to
alter its 39-year exclusionary stance.
• Closeted pastors, currently called
and ordained in our church, living divided lives while offering effective appreciated ministry.
• Bishops being drained of energy by upholding Church Discipline while regarding it as contrary to their convictions.
• Bishops caught between care for
the Church by reappointing an ef-
RESTRUCTURE, cont. from page 1
ate” (prevent) “the effects in the United
States and Europe of our increasingly older
membership and aging leaders; declines
in the numbers of professions of faith,
worship attendance, and baptisms; and
growing financial burdens accompanied
by decreasing revenues” (p. 8 of the Call to
Action Steering Team Report, May, 2011).
Recently a group working to develop a
“Plan B” proposal on church restructuring
has appeared. While there have been mailings, a website, and a lot of press in recent
weeks around “Plan B,” there is no actual
legislation yet to even view or analyze. Is it
our hope that it will be the magic pill that
saves us?
There is, however, legislation that was
submitted by the Methodist Federation
for Social Action (see graph below). It
was submitted to the General Conference
because of foundational concerns with the
IOT/CT proposals. The letter and petition
from large church pastors do not address
those concerns.
MFSA believes it is critical that any plan
to restructure the church must embody the
following principles:
• Full inclusion, shared leadership, and
equal participation that represents the
diversity and world-wide nature of our
Church.
• Broad-based, collaborative, participative decision-making and accountability structures that do the following:
• Support the UMC in its mission, utilizing the broad definition of disciple-making in
¶122, and moving the UMC
“on toward being made perfect
in God’s love;”
• Maintain and ensure account-
ability to the entire church
through General Conference;
• Strategically put in place governance boards across the general
church that involve myriad
voices in decision-making and
allow them to engage in the
missions they have oversight of,
rather than concentrating that power
in a select few and
distancing them so
that they are unable
to exercise effective
oversight;
•Incorporate healthy
checks and balances
to protect against
abuses of power and
control;
•Strengthen our connectionalism;
•Address the need
for fiduciary and financial controls and
separation of roles.
• Full lay leadership development and
involvement in the decision-making
processes of the denomination, taking
advantage of the diverse gifts God has
distributed across the church.
• Social holiness and personal holiness
walking hand-in-hand.
• Right-sizing of the general church that
takes advantage of opportunities for
increased efficiency while not concentrating power or stripping away accountability structures.
• Measurements based on both qualitative and quantitative standards.
• An understanding of disciple-making
in its broadest sense.
fective gay or lesbian pastor and
care for the Discipline by charging them under current legislation.
• Seminary leaders desiring greater
flexibility and openness from the
church in order to advance their
mission of identifying, recruiting, enrolling, educating and spiritually forming Christian leaders.
•Christian gay men and women understanding themselves called of God
to seek ministry opportunities within
their United Methodist family Church
home, but having to decide between:
• leaving to go to accepting
denominations,
or
• staying and praying for change, or
• challenging Church law and
accepting
punitive
actions.
Our United Methodist Church,
ashamed and repentant in the
past, ended official and unofficial restrictions on candidacy, ordination, and appointment for reason of race,
gender, and ethnicity. We believe the
God we know in Jesus is leading us to issue this counsel and call – a call to transform our church life and our world.
United Methodist Episcopal Leaders—Retired
Sharon Z. Rader
Donald A. Ott
Furthermore,
the CT proposals
are being misrepresented as steps
that can achieve
healthy and vital
congregations.
They cannot.
No restructuring proposal
can achieve this
because such
lofty goals cannot be accomplished from the
top down; they
require action
and change within the local churches
themselves. For this reason, we prepared
an additional proposal aimed at the matter
of clergy effectiveness and accountability.
Our plan seeks to
create accountability for vitality and effectiveness processes which accomplish the
following:
• Actively engage all levels of leadership
(Episcopal, Annual Conference, laity
and clergy);
• Utilize measurements based on both
qualitative and quantitative standards;
• Address disciple-making in its broadest sense (¶122).
The proposals from the Connectional
Table fail to adequately address these
critical concerns. The “Plan B” proposal
is non-existent at this point, but we will
Beverly Shamana
C. Joseph Sprague
Melvin G. Talbert
S. Clifton Ives
Joe A. Wilson
William Lewis
Forrest Stith
Susan Morrison
Susan Hassinger
Judy Craig
Dale White
William Boyd Grove
C. P. Minnick
Kenneth L. Carder
Roy I. Sano
Joe Yeakel
Kenneth Hicks
Joseph Humper
Monk Bryan
Jesse DeWitt
Jack Tuell
J. Lloyd Knox
Charles W. Jordan
J. Lawrence McCleskey
Marshall L. Meadors, Jr.
Franz Schafer
Sheldon Duecker
Fritz Mutti
Cal McConnell
Leontine T. C. Kelly
Robert C. Morgan
Daniel Arichea
Alfred Johnson
Richard B. Wilke
continue to look at it from these principles
and standards to see if it will be something
that might benefit the life and ministries of
our church.
There are still many questions to be
answered. Delegates, and all those who are
working to effect positive change in the life
of our beloved church, are in our prayers
and guiding our work at MFSA. Whatever
the outcome at General Conference, we
hope to have a renewed sense of what it
means to live, work, and serve the God of
Grace together, in a denomination that
embraces the richness of our diversity and
values the equality of personal and social
holiness as Jesus’ disciples in today’s world.
Rev. Steve Clunn is MFSA’s Coaltion Coordinator. His work involves strengthening the coalition of groups and individuals
working for justice in the UMC, specifically
in regards to the full inclusion of lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender persons in all
levels of the church by focusing on conference-level action.
Love Your Neighbor News
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Page 8
love makes a family
My partner, Shirley, and I are both from very conservative Pentecostal backgrounds. When we
realized that we were destined to be life partners, we understood the challenges that would be
there for us, our families, and our church. We chose to live our lives with authenticity and integrity. We did not dream that it would be possible for us to develop an international ministry or
even pastor a church, but we have discovered that it all began the day we decided to exercise our
faith in a God who would stand with us in our truth. God has not failed us yet.
- Bishop Yvette Flunder