Home at last

I have possibly never been so happy to be home in my own place.  My own bed felt so good!

I decided this morning to post here a piece of an email I sent some friends while I was still in Fort Worth.  I understand that everyone had his or her own reaction to the events of General Conference, and I don't post this with the intention of speaking for everyone.  This is where I am, at the present time:

"On a personal note--besides the fact that I caught a cold (inevitable, I think), I am doing just fine.  I knew coming into this mess that it would hurt, that it would be difficult, and that we would experience some measure of pain and rejection.  I also knew that I would be surrounded by new and old friends, a sense of community, and a church to which I would continue to belong.  Also, and this might be the most critical part, I know that this is a marathon and not a sprint.  Things WILL change someday.  We will be accepted, welcomed, loved by our church.  I know it is coming.  I also know that the General Conference does not change the fact that we are still the church and I am still God's beloved daughter.

The pain is that not everyone who is at our table today will be here tomorrow.  The casualties are huge.  The spiritual violence we have experienced here at the hands of our church is horrible.  GLBT folks were disparaged and called names by the very church we love so much.  I mourn the sisters and brothers who will go somewhere else--to a different denomination or out of the church entirely.

But I am still here.  It means something to me to be a United Methodist.  It is the only place I can be.  I've committed myself to this struggle and I appreciate the love and support I've received from you on my journey."

Peace and blessings to all of you, and a special hug for those of you with whom I just spent the last ten days.  I miss you already.

Comments

[Tiffany Steinwert]

Thanks, Jenn, for this powerful reminder of the way we continue to BE Church with or without the blessing of our denominational officials. The Holy Spirit is never bound by the rules of institutions.

[southdakotajay]

Thanks for this post - thanks for your witness in Ft. Worth and it was wonderful getting to know you. Thanks for committing to stay in the church, it will take all of us to bring about justice.

[Richard]

This is what Dr. Mel White of Soulforce has written. I know you have a different opinion, but I tend to agree with him. It's time to move on...

"How can we continue to support a local congregation where the pastor insists that our relationships are impure or unholy and thus refuses to marry us or insists that we are not really called by God to serve the church and thus refuses to ordain us? How can we even think of staying in a congregation that denies membership to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons? And as you leave, take down that sign or banner that reads "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors."

Dr. Mel White