A Publication of the Reconciling Congregation Program at Trinity United Methodist Church
Volume 1, Number 2 - November 1999
A Publication of the Reconciling Congregation Program at Trinity United Methodist Church
Volume 1, Number 2 - November 1999
By: Thomas S. McAnally
United Methodist News Service
Retired United Methodist Bishop Jack Tuell has petitioned the church's top legislative body to remove a statement from the Social Principles prohibiting United Methodist clergy from presiding over same-sex unions or having such ceremonies in the denomination's churches.
"I believe United Methodist ministers who are appointed to a variety of situations should have the right to determine the spiritual and pastoral needs of people whom they serve," Bishop Tuell told United Methodist News Service.
At the same time, he is proposing a new statement in the Social Principles that would reiterate the United Methodist position that marriage is a sacred union between two people of the opposite sex. He also supports limiting the terms "marriage" and "wedding" to the traditional understandings. The Social Principles, a set of guidelines on social action, are contained in the denomination's Book of Discipline.
Bishop Tuell emphasized that his petition is not suggesting that the only response of a clergy person would be to conduct a same-sex union if asked. "I think ministers in these situations may have a variety of responses. My point is that I believe the clergy need the freedom to weigh the situation and make a decision based on their ordination vows as a man or woman of God."
Paramount among seven reasons for proposing the church drop the ban, he said that it is not fair to clergy who need to be able to carry out their pastoral ministry. Furthermore, he said, the legislation is unnecessary as "we got along for 212 years (1784 to 1996) without it." He concluded: "I truly believe that the continuance of the 1996 legislation can have nothing but a destructive and divisive effect across the connection, as well-publicized trials are held with varying and illogical results. United Methodism does not need this."
To read the full article, visit the story on the United Methodist Reporter website.
I grew up in a very religious family, with both of my parents active in our local church (of a rather fundamental denomination). My father was the youth director, and my mother was active in women's organizations and played the organ every Sunday.
Growing up transgendered I always felt I didn't fit in properly- at school, with friends, and especially at church. But dealing with ridicule of other kids at school was easy compared with trying to reconcile my inner feelings with the teachings and attitude of intolerance that I experienced in church every Sunday. Not even really understanding what was 'wrong' with myself (I don't think I ever heard the word 'transsexual' until I was in college) in the church's eyes, I still had no trouble getting the message that the church thought I was dirty, evil, and going straight to Hell, for nothing more than being born with a mind and body that didn't match.
After going off to college and finally being on my own, I never attended a church service except when I returned home to visit my parents on holidays. As I came to grips with being transgendered, I also began to see the extent of hate and intolerance being spread by many religious groups. I lost whatever faith I ever had in God, and believed I would never have a place for a church in my life. Had there not been a church like Trinity, I probably would never have returned to my faith. A transgendered friend said I should visit, and with some trepidation (mentally reliving years of being forced to go to a church that told me God hated me), I went.
Words can hardly describe the feelings of acceptance and love I felt the first time I attended a service. For the first time in my life, I was actually going to church because I WANTED to, not because someone made me. For the first time in my life, I went to church as the person I always knew I was inside. And I was not scorned, ignored, or even merely tolerated. I was embraced by the congregation and minister, and knew I had at last found a church family. I couldn't wait to go back the next Sunday, and formally joined a few weeks later.
The church has become a very real family for me, there helping in the bad times and rejoicing in the good. It has provided me with incredible support as I have started my transition, and has finally made me realize that contrary to some other churches' teachings; God does NOT hate me. And more importantly, God LOVES me.
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The Spark, vol. 2, no. 1
The Spark, vol. 2, no. 2
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Trinity United Methodist Church
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Telephone: 512-459-5835
Fax: 512-467-9611
email: mail@tumc.org
website: http://www.tumc.org
This newsletter is an effort to bring to the public the stories of lesbian & gay Christians, their families & their allies. We look forward to a United Methodist Church that celebrates the full participation of all Christians in the Church.