General Conference Thoughts
So I've fallen off writing Christian leaders who are connected with people not acting in a Christian way, but I felt like I need to write my leaders. For those who don't follow the intricacies of Methodist politics this year we're looking at options in relation to how we deal with LGBTQ people especially related to clergy and marriage. Here's a quick look at options:
https://files.constantcontact.com/847e91ea001/3edf8546-01d8-4a61-8fa6-e8effc7fef59.pdf
I'm an active member of Davis United Methodist Church, I've been a Methodist for as long as I can remember. I was married at Davis UMC, and am happily raising my almost 8 year old daughter in the church. I enjoy participating in finance, and Godly Play as well as weekly worship.
I want you to know that I'm praying for you, and grateful for your service. I know it must be a lot of work, and I imagine it has involved a good many late nights either in discussion or prayer. I hope for you it has been a spiritual experience.
I'm asking you to do what you can to promote the One Church Plan. I've been part of churches that have been blessed by amazing LGBTQ+ clergy. I would love an option that means that our LGBTQ+ clergy can serve just like straight clergy, but I understand the need to compromise, and the one laid out seems fair to me.
I want to tell you a little bit about myself. I'm bisexual. I came out in college about 20 years ago when I did a lot of my friends were coming out to. We talked about many things, but one of them was whether we had to leave the church. My friends weren't all Methodist, and for many of them it was the right decision. On the other hand I grew up in a reconciling congregation (Sunny Hills UMC). I knew my church would still welcome me, and the church mostly has. I am aware that this is in part because I've never been called to be clergy, and because I have been selective about the churches I choose to participate in.
Now I look at my amazing transgender daughter who is loved and supported by our church. I don't doubt that our church will continue to love and support her, but I worry about keeping her in the United Methodist Church in general if we move towards either of the other options. She knows that some churches won't welcome her, but her experience has been one of love and support. I know she will go out in the world and seek out churches other than Davis UMC. I remember having to make the choice of going to a church that wasn't reconciling (where I would have to hide who I was), or not going to church because those were the options locally. As I read it that's still possible under the One Church Plan, but it looks like it will be the most gentle possible option for her.
Now I look at my amazing transgender daughter who is loved and supported by our church. I don't doubt that our church will continue to love and support her, but I worry about keeping her in the United Methodist Church in general if we move towards either of the other options. She knows that some churches won't welcome her, but her experience has been one of love and support. I know she will go out in the world and seek out churches other than Davis UMC. I remember having to make the choice of going to a church that wasn't reconciling (where I would have to hide who I was), or not going to church because those were the options locally. As I read it that's still possible under the One Church Plan, but it looks like it will be the most gentle possible option for her.
Please do what you can,
Prayers and Blessings,