News release: 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 to affirm
News release LONG BEACH, Calif. — Eighty-one people were arrested on June 25, 2000 during a peaceful protest by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) individuals and their families, friends, and allies outside of the opening worship service of the 212th General Assembly (GA) of the
In the climactic scene in the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Indiana Jones and his girlfriend are tied to a pole to watch as the Nazis open the ancient Ark of the Covenant. This holy symbol of Israel’s religion has been captured and is
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
News release 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
With the composition of a single two-paged letter I was able to lose the respect, support and love of an entire congregation of Christians. The faithful witness I maintained through twenty-seven years of service to a small group of believers came to nothing frightfully quickly.
Sixty-seven United Methodist ministers will not face trial for participating in a holy union of two lesbians in Sacramento, California. After a three-day hearing, an investigative committee decided on February 11, 2000, not to pursue further action against the clergy members. “It’s a relief, but
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
For gays and lesbians it’s an all too familiar scenario: upon revealing their sexual orientation to their family, they are unceremoniously shown the door – kicked out of their homes and disowned. Ironically, it’s the same fate that recently befell two Baptist churches in Georgia.
The mainstream church is not an especially comfortable place to be these days. In almost every denomination, disagreements, and outright fights, are taking place over the acceptance or role of GLBT Christians in the life of congregations. Whether it’s Methodists putting pastors like Jimmy Creech