Last fall, after the Church's Judicial Council ruling forbidding us to call ourselves a Reconciling Congregation, I was compelled to write our local bishop and district superintendent a letter. Now that the General Conference has ended without our church showing leadership on this issue, I feel even stronger about some of the ideas expressed in these letters:
My Personal Journey
I am a relative newcomer to the Methodist Church. I had left church for many years until I discovered a church which was welcoming and inclusive. This church was also involved in social justice issues, and it's communion was open to all. One thing that impressed me about the United Methodist Church was the fact that it values differences in ideas and opinions and that it has allowed autonomy within local churches. I respected the fact that though the Church has rules and statements that are inconsistent with each other and are even discriminatory, it allowed the local church to take a stand and identify with being inclusive. Our church took the courageous step to vote to become a Reconciling Congregation. In doing so, we affirmed what we have always been as a church, welcoming to all. We decided to let our light shine brightly by exclaiming that our church is a safe and welcoming place for all, where all can experience the embrace of God's love. A God who loves us all for the gift we were created to be.
Our "Reconciling" Label
The Judicial Council's recent ruling not allowing us to call ourselves a Reconciling Congregation is an insult to us and all we have worked for to help bring this major Christian denomination along in the cause of equal rights for all. It is a deliberate attempt to take away our language and our identity and to resist the changes that are occurring around us. I am angered and ashamed at the Methodist Church for this action. What will be next? Will they next try to say we can no longer call ourselves individual Reconciling Methodists? After more than 20 years of not listening to the truth, and their own law which states that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, they are continuing to pass bad legislation, legislation that legitimizes hate against others, legislation that is divisive, legislation that is dangerous. Are they trying to legislate the church out of existence? Their rulings and actions cannot change the fact that God loves all of us and that their own Book of Discipline calls us to reconcile.
The Book of Discipline
I have taken the following words directly out of The Book of Discipline:
"Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. All persons need ministry and guidance of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship which enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. Further we insist that all persons are entitled to have their human civil rights ensured."
Look at the key words in their own law that The United Methodist Church does not abide by. These words are very specific and are not to be taken lightly. This law is broken every time a gay person who is called into the ministry cannot openly fulfill that calling as an ordained minister, or every time two committed persons who's only crime is to love someone of the same sex are not allowed to experience the loving, supportive blessing of marriage within a loving church, or when a gay person is unable to achieve the God-given right of human fulfillment they deserve every time they enter a church which says their very existence and the gift God created them to be, is incompatible with Christian teaching.
By its action, the Church and The Judicial Council are not following the charge in The Book of Discipline to hold homosexual persons no less than heterosexuals as persons of sacred worth and insisting that all persons are entitled to have their human civil rights ensured.
A man in my church once said: "The church allows me to participate in some of the sacraments of the church, but not others. I can be baptized, confirmed, receive communion, and even die in the church, but I cannot be ordained and I cannot be married." This is a sad testimony to the state of affairs in our Church. I look forward to the day when the United Methodist Church can proudly stand and say that this statement is no longer true.
A member of Trinity wrote the following words in a summary of her personal life story and I think it shows a very important perspective on what it means to be a Reconciling Congregation:
"My church loves me as I am. I am blessed to be associated with this reconciling church. To me, it is no small consequence that we say "reconciling" and not "reconciled". "Reconciling" is an active word, taking place in the present. It is a word of movement, hope and acceptance. It is a word of progress and a meeting of minds."
Where Do We Go From Here?
I am unsure at this point about what I personally will do or what Trinity will do after the results of the General Conference. However, I know Trinity will continue to speak the truth and to work diligently for change. I do know that there was a strong and powerful presence of those who are working in the Reconciling movement at the General Conference and I think it was clear that we are not going away and that we know the real truth of God's love for all.
Please continue to work and pray for the day when this is behind us. It is because of you and all that you bring to our community that makes Trinity the special place that it is.