Give me liberty or give me death! and other helpful quotes

I have decided not to hand out any fliers at annual conference. There will be a resolution to support marriage, singleness and to understand and support same sex committed relationships. I don't expect it to pass but I do expect some interesting debate in plenary. I will gather the signatures to bring it to the floor if need be.
I pray that The UMC won't turn into the Southern Baptist Convention but only God knows. Time will tell. I don't expect the conservative voting bloc to stop at defeating gay rights. Next they will probably try to restrict theological discussion and police preaching and seminary education. I know they mean well but that doesn't mean I will roll over and play dead. As Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Speaking of Patrick Henry, he also said the time to resist tyranny is always now. Waiting only allows your opponents to grow stronger and to fasten chains upon you. "There is a just God who presides in the affairs of nations and God will rise up allies to fight for us. The battle is not always to the strong but to the vigilant, the active and the brave." I may not be quoting him exactly but that is the gist of it. God bless Patrick Henry and all those who inspire us to stand up for what is right, be it popular or unpopular.

Here are some other quotes that I find helpful in the struggle for equality:

“The derogatory rules and restrictions in the Book of Discipline are immoral and unjust and no longer deserve our loyalty and obedience. It’s time for us to act in defiance of unjust words of immoral and derogatory discrimination and laws that are doing harm to our GLBT sisters and brothers.”              Bishop   Melvin Talbert

“The manner in which we deal with the concern of homosexuality affects all of ministry in the U.S., and we are the poorer for it. It is time for us to let go of our wrong position and be the church of Christ Jesus, a church that excludes no one.” Bishop Minerva Carcano Desert Southwest

“I also personally grieve over our United Methodist Church polity that will not recognize same-sex marriage. I believe that it is wrong, and we should work for a more inclusive and humane response.” Bishop Grant Hagiya Pacific Northwest

■Romans 13:8-10. “Love does not wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

 ■Matthew 7:12. So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

■Romans 13:9. The commandments … are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

■Matthew 22:36-40. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

“We remember the conviction of Martin Luther King, Jr., that ‘freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.’ “

“We remember Martin’s lament that ‘the contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are.’”

“We remember Martin’s insight that ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. ‘“

The United Methodist Book of Worship Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

“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” United Methodist Episcopal Leaders-Retired Sharon Z. Rader, Donald A. Ott et al.

I won't be speaking in clergy session but the work goes on

I spoke to my Bishop today. He said that I can't speak in clergy session about the marriage pledge but that it's okay to gather signatures. I have 5 signatures so far and I await more responses from the email I sent out. I know that being an activist for change is always difficult. If it was easy there would be no need for activism. We could bring up our disagreements with rules and make our views known and have a vote and changes would be approved.
In reality, we bring up our disagreements and those in power say, no, things are fine the way they are. When all other means of procedural resolutions have been exhausted, it is acceptable and maybe even mandatory that change be sought through nonviolent direct action. That's how Gandhi, MLK and many others did it and that's what it will take to change The United Methodist Church.
I am resolute. I know that immoral laws must be disobeyed so that God's call to be in ministry for and with all people can be obeyed.
You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one. I hope you'll join us and The United Methodist Church will be as one. Thank you John Lennon for the inspiration.

Today I extended an invitation

Today I sent out a mss email inviting my fellow clergy to sign the Equality for all in Christian Marriage pledge. I am doing this campaign on my own. I don't represent any organization or group, official or unofficial, in The United methodist Church. I know I am not alone, however as past conversations and trainings I've atended have let me know that many other clergy agree with me that our immoral and unjust rules against gays and lesbians in The United Methodist Church, must end. I hope that my actions, and the signatures and actions of many other clergy will inspire The United Church, especially our bishops, to speak up for the rights of all our members, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Here is the email I sent today:

Hello friends,

I am writing to you because I think you might share my view that it is time to remove the harmful restrictions against gays and lesbians in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

Attempts to achieve this via legislation at General Conference have failed again and again. We seem to be no closer to achieving change as long as the African central conferences vote with the Southeastern jurisdiction against change.

African delegates made up about 30% of the current General Conference delegates. In 2016 that number could reach 40% and by 2020, it could be 50%. When the votes of the African delegates are combined with the Southeastern jurisdiction, they form an insurmountable majority-6o% against change and rising.

The Institute on Religion and Democracy does a good job of explaining the statistics: http://www.theird.org/page.aspx?pid=2428

In his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
I think the time has come to disobey the unjust and hurtful restriction on same sex unions in The United Methodist Book of Discipline:
paragraph 341.6 "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches."
paragraph 2702.1(b) "practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, including but not limited to: being a self-avowed practicing homosexual; or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies;" (these are chargeable offenses with a six year statute of limitations according to 2702.4)

Paragraph 139 in the Discipline says that "We are called to be faithful to the example of Jesus' ministry to all persons." We can't do that when we are denied the opportunity to bless the holy unions of same gender couples.

We can bless dogs and cats but not gay couples. Does this make sense?

Our Discipline says "All persons regardless of age, gender, marital status or sexual orientation are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence." (Paragraph 161 F)

We affirm civil rights for gays and lesbians in society but our Discipline denies them their right to have their union blessed in their church.

Yet, the Discipline says "Inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination." (Paragraph 139)

The following marriage pledge expresses our commitment to be in ministry for and with all persons by saying that we agree to marry any prepared couple without exception.

1200 clergy signers in 13 annual conferences across the US have used this statement or a similar one. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/methodists-to-debate-gay-clergy-and-same-sex-unions/2012/04/25/gIQAcAUUhT_story.html http://www.rmnetwork.org/act-now/altar-for-all/

Equality for All in Christian Marriage

Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference 2012

We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage. We are convinced by the witness of others and are compelled by Spirit and conscience to act. We thank the many United Methodists who have already called for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church.

We repent that it has taken us so long to act. We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the Church to the world, and we are complicit. We value our covenant relationships and ask everyone to hold the divided community of The United Methodist Church in prayer.

Any United Methodist person in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference who conducts Christian marriages is welcome to sign. All signatures will be made public.

I have chosen to sign the Equality for All in Christian Marriage Statement and I belong to the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference.

If you would like to sign this statement, you can email me at jeffreyconn@hotmail.com and I will add your name to the list. You are affirming your right to marry any prepared couple regardless of their gender.

So far, 3 people and I have signed this statement.

I am seeking the Bishop's permission to read this statement at clergy session on June 7th, 2012 at annual conference at Grove City College.

I will invite clergy to sign the statement at that time and pass out fliers with the statement for those who want to think about it and decide later.

The purpose of this public statement is to let the United Methodists and others in Western Pennsylvania know that we are willing and able to be in ministry with them regardless of sexual orientation and that we will not be deterred by threat of punishment. I also believe that along with marriage pledges from the 13, and soon to be more, annual conferences across the US, we will encourage our bishops to state publicly what most of them believe privately, that our rules against gays and lesbians are immoral and they must be removed.

I haven't decided in what forum to make these signatures public so I am asking for your feedback. I believe a copy of the signatures and the statement should be sent to our Bishop. I will also seek to get an article in The Interlink about this statement. The Minnesote Annual Conference has an article about their clergy signing an identical marriage pledge and no names are mentioned. https://minnesotaumc.org/news/seventy-united-methodist-clergy-sign-pledge-to-offer-marriage-to-any-couple/ A further option for getting publicity is to contact the press such as Ann Rodgers-Melnick of The Post Gazette.

I also have a blog that discusses this marriage statement. efaicm.blogspot.com If you would be willing and able to create a website for this purpose, please let me know.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Jeff

the inspiration for this campaign

http://gc12.org/blog/altar-for-all-the-video/

The link above connects you to a video which inclludes an inspiring message by Bishop Melvin Talbert. Several active and tretired bishops are visible standing in front of the stage when the camera pans across the front.
I was ready to give up all hope of changing The United Methodist Church. I wondered if the people who have told me I'd be happier in a different state-California or a different denomination-Episcopalian, were right. Then I remembered that Martin Luther King didn't change this country by writing letters to his congressperson. Gandhi didn't email the king of England to ask if he would make India independent.
Nonviolent direct action made the difference. People in power like the status quo because it works for them. if you can't outvote them you can change the staus quo so it doesn't suit them so much. Then they will change the rules. At least I hope so. it worked before, it can work again. Bishop Melvin Talbert, retired, really gets into his sermon at about the 29 minute mark. He calls for widespread civil disobedience in the Church, or, as he calls it, Biblical obedience. There are other great speakers before the Bishop as well if you have the time to watch the entire video.
Thank you Bishop Melvin Talbert. You inspired me when I really needed it.

equality in marriage kickoff

The purpose of this blog is to track the progress of my effort to recruit pastors to support same sex marrriage in the western Pennsylvania branch of The United Methodist Church.
How's that for excitement? Actually, it could affect the lives of thousands of people. I'm told there are approximately 180,000 United methodists in 860 churches stretching from Erie to West Virginia and Ohio to Johnstown.
I'm in Washington County near The Meadows Racetrack and Casino. I have 3 small congregations in 3 separate buildings, each about 15 minutes apart.
None of those churches openly support same sex marriage. Each congregation has a mix of folks ranging from conservative to more liberal in theology and politics.
So why this blog? I am collecting signatures on a statement called Equality for All in Christian Marriage.
here is the statement:

Equality for All in Christian Marriage

 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference 2012

 We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage. We are convinced by the witness of others and are compelled by Spirit and conscience to act. We thank the many United Methodists who have already called for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church.

 We repent that it has taken us so long to act. We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the Church to the world, and we are complicit. We value our covenant relationships and ask everyone to hold the divided community of The United Methodist Church in prayer.
 Any United Methodist person in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference who conducts Christian marriages is welcomed to sign.
 I have chosen to sign the Equality for All in Christian Marriage Statement and I belong to the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference.

So far, 4 people, including me have signed it.

Our United Methodist rules say:

paragraph 341.6 "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches."
paragraph 2702.1(b) "practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, including but not limited to: being a self-avowed practicing homosexual; or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies;" (these are chargeable offenses with a six year statute of limitations according to 2702.4)
 
I think the time has come to disobey unjust rules. We elect delegates to vote on our rules every 4 years. That convention, called the General Conference, just wrapped up in Tampa, Florida. The vote was 61% to 39% to maintain the current rules. I don't have much hope for getting enough votes to overturn this in our nextGeneral Conference to be held in Portland, Oregon in 2016.

I do believe that nonviolent direct action such as practiced by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, will work to bring change. The Bishops of our Church will respond if enough pastors indicate that they will no longer abide by rules that discriminate against gays and lesbians in the Church. So far, about 1200 United Methodist pastors across the US have signed statements like the one above.

If a pastor does celebrate a same sex union or marriage, whatever it's called, they are liable for a church trial and a penalty ranging from a suspension with pay to defrocking, which means our ministerial credentials are revoked and we are kicked out of the clergy.

I hope and pray that doesn't happen to anyone but I am willing to take my chances in a trial if it will help to bring equality. I am encouraged by the recent verdict in Rev. Amy DeLong's case last year in the Michigan Conference. She was suspended for 20 days and ordered to write a position paper discussing the imporatnace of the clergy covenant.

I'll close with a few quotes that inspire me:

"One has a moral duty to disobey unjust laws." Martin Luther King

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Jesus Christ