Conferences reject church’s stance on gays

[xmas74]

Rejecting the denomination’s stance on gay rights and same-sex marriage were important issues for at least 15 United Methodist annual (regional) conferences this summer.

United Methodists from Washington and the northern panhandle of Idaho approved legislation supporting the Marriage Equality Act.

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=12013973

There are many of us who are upset, once again, with the conference ruling. The best we can do for now is to loudly protest it and often, hoping to get our point across in four years.

[polmaven]

1. We will get there one day.

It doesn't look like it will be anytime soon, but we will, eventually, get the language deleted from the Discipline.

My own pastor has signed a pledge that she will, if requested to do so, officiate at a same sex marriage ceremony. She did make that announcement to us during worship one Sunday, because she wanted us to know that, if she does so, she will be in peril of losing her credentials. Our church family will stand 100% behind her.

[xmas74]

2. We will get there, eventually.

I hear more and more parishioners talking about it, and many no longer feel it's right to take the stance we've been handed. It's just the rightwing branch who makes the most noise and are still setting the standard, which is why I think it's important that progressives attend services and involve themselves in the church of their choosing. The rightwing became so powerful because we allowed it by abandoning the church.

Maybe it will all change someday. I hope that someday is soon.

[polmaven]

3. Well said.

[xmas74]

4. thank you.

I just feel that, if we abandon the church, we have no right to complain. We should be in there, on the front lines, fighting to maintain or improve. If we abandon it, we've left it for the RR takeover. It's no different than those who complain about the red states-abandon them and we've no right to complain when all that's left are the rightwing groups. Stay and fight for another day, hoping for change.

On that note, it's time for me to get ready for services. It's hard to find an outfit that's appropriate yet won't be too hot. We're under a heat warning for the next several days!