March 27, 2001, Olympia, WA – A Pacific Northwest advocacy group of United Methodists today accused their denomination’s national lawmaking body of heresy for its anti-homosexual legislation. The charge came from The Reconciling Ministries Network in the Pacific Northwest, a coalition of lay and clergy
A Seattle clergywoman is pursuing an assignment within the United Methodist Pacific Northwest Conference of Seattle, despite coming out officially as a lesbian. Karen Dammann, a United Methodist Church clergywoman since 1991, declared on March 25 that she intends to pursue a church assignment guaranteed
“You’re under arrest!” This phrase echoed in my mind as I rode silently in a taxicab from the Police Station to Soulforce Headquarters 20 blocks away. I was not one of the 191 arrested the morning of May 10 outside the United Methodist General Conference
Washington, DC — Responding to votes by leaders of the United Methodist Church that called homosexual relations “incompatible with Christian teaching,” forbade ordination of openly gay or lesbian clergy and prohibited same-sex union ceremonies, members of Dignity/USA expressed sorrow, and pledged to stand with their
We at Soulforce have been roundly criticized for our act of civil disobedience at Cleveland’s United Methodist General Conference. One critic dismissed our efforts as “media-driven street theater.” We accept that as a compliment. For thirty years Protestant and Catholic leaders have debated the homosexuality
A Message from the Office of the Moderator, UFMCC The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches joins justice-seeking people within the United Methodist denomination and in the larger community in expressing profound sorrow and disappointment at the decision of the Conference delegates in Cleveland, Ohio
A new online book tackling the thorny question of homosexuality and Christianity is literally a dream come true. Alicia Dean, Education Minister of Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, was the one who had the dream. “In September 99, Alicia came to me and
WASHINGTON – Union United Methodist Church in Boston made history by voting to become the nation’s first black Methodist church to officially welcome and include gay and lesbian worshipers. “This is a courageous, precedent-setting decision that blazes a new trail for other churches who want
No one was surprised when a jury comprised of 13 United Methodist clergy members convicted Rev. Jimmy Creech of violating church law prohibiting pastors from performing same-sex unions. The guilty verdict was sure thing. “He certainly was guilty,” said Rev. Mel White, who led a
Sisters and brothers, you have decided that I was disobedient “to the Order and Discipline of the United Methodist Church.” I know many of you struggled with that because I know you. Now you must impose a penalty which you believe is appropriate and responds
