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Some delegates stand to protest the outcome of the vote. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.
I am saddened and very disappointed, as are these people at the United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, TX, that the majority of delegates (55%-45%) voted to keep the exclusionary wording the same for the United Methodist Church.
You can read about this at "United Methodists uphold homosexuality stance."
Rev. Richard Bates wrote:
"It's been a sad day. The Plenary Session this afternoon lasted from 2:30 until 6 pm dealing solely with the issue of homosexuality. The majority report from the committee of which Carl was chiefly responsible was defeated 55% to 45% in favor of the minority report which retained the exclusionary language, with the sole exception that they added back a phrase from an earlier Social Principles admonishing parents and friends to not alienate themselves from their GLBT loved ones.
"When the vote was posted on the giant screens, almost everyone wearing rainbow stoles stood in silent witness either with a black veil over their face or wearing a black arm band. There were probably between three and four hundred people in the visitors galleries who stood in solidarity. Gradually more than one hundred fifty people on the floor of the convention hall began also standing in silent witness to this injustice. There was a profound sadness throughout the hall and many were observed sobbing. Randy Miller, a lay delegate from the Cal-Nevada conference (and a friend of ours from our old church in San Francisco) then began to softly sing over and over again, "Jesus loves me, this I know." This was gradually picked up around the hall as more and more people joined in the singing and linked up hands. At this point today's Plenary Session was dismissed for the day. "
10 comments:
(((Jan)))
Sigh.
How long, O Lord, how long?
"...retained the exclusionary language..." and yet encouraged not to alienate from GLBT loved ones???
So the people don't have to alienate because the church just did it for them? How conveeeeeenient.
*shakin' head* Sad, just sad.
I read it here first. Damn, I'm sorry to have done so. Read it anywhere, I mean.
Clenches teeth.
There is much work yet to be done. I'm ready.
How very sad. I can only echo choralgirl and say "How long?"
((((Jan))))
ouch.
it's so disappointing.
we aren't doing all that well either.
well crap.
It's heart breaking.
i was observing the sub-committee as they argued and struggled and came up with a statement that honored both "sides" of the issue, stating that the UMC continues to pray and struggle with how we deal with homosexuality in the church. i was hopeful that it would finally pass.
when i got back (we came back on monday)i found out that it was the same statement the subcommittee had come up with in 2004. i didn't follow GC once we've got home, i didn't want to feel the sorrow of it being defeated.
i echo choralgirl...how long, o Lord, how long?
I know from experience in my own denomination what a disappointment this is to many! But don't overlook the fact that **45%** of the votes were for inclusiveness. This will only improve over time!
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