Open Letter to UMC from The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

An Open Letter to my United Methodist Sisters and Brothers
Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Institute for Welcoming Resources and Faith Work Director
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

In seminary, my systematic theology professor would always admonish us to remember that any talk of the crucifixion was almost blasphemous without an understanding of resurrection and any talk of resurrection without the crucifixion wasn’t Christian.  She said this because injustice and oppression are realities in our lives and in the lives of millions around the world.  If we forget this, we participate in the oppression.  But if we live without hope, we cannot name ourselves as followers of the One who was a doer and a bearer of justice and new life.  I struggle with this, but I think she is right.

It is this intertwining reality that comes to me as I sit in Minneapolis, Minnesota (the Northland where winter’s presence is still felt) gazing out at the rain-soaked day which promises of Spring, and read all the news of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church and its machinations about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender folks.

Although the resurrection threatens to break through in all kinds of places, yet the crucifixion holds sway in many:

• Sue and Julie were married today with the gathered body officiating—love, long-time commitment and faithful, faithful women covenanting in the midst of the Body of Christ.  A profound moment of resurrection.
• The voting delegates of the 2008 General Conference pass, by 12 votes, language that keeps in place a pastor’s ability to bar from membership, anyone he or she deems as unworthy of membership.  The particular case that gave rise to this was a pastor who barred a gay man from membership.  A shocking moment of crucifixion.
• Rev. Drew Phoenix and other transgender pastors are in good standing as the voting delegates defeat any legislation against transgender persons.  A moment of justice and resurrection.
• The voting delegates reaffirm the Church’s assertion that it can draw the line between love that is sanctioned and love that is rejected, by keeping in place the “incompatibility” clause.  That is to say, the Church dares to say that gay and lesbian love is not compatible with Christian teaching.  Brokenness and crucifixion.
• Heterosexism and homophobia are named for the sins they are and the Church is called to stand against them, both in the US and globally.  A moment of clarity and resurrection.

It seems the United Methodist Church refuses to give up its sinful clinging to crucifixion.  It seems the United Methodist Church yet holds to fear and hatred and to the blasphemy that it gets to decide where Love can be made known and where it can’t.  It seems the United Methodist Church still has miles to go before it can honestly claim the name of the Church of Jesus Christ.

And yet…

Love is ALWAYS stronger than death.  Resurrection threatens even the strongest crucifixion, even crucifixion perpetrated by the Church itself.

And so I give thanks for Sue and Julie, for Drew and RMN, for Affirmation and MFSA and for ALL the faithful folk.  You, as voting delegates and observers, as protesters and prayers, have held fast to the resurrection that is already changing death into life. 

Your faithfulness WILL transform the Church—it may be 2012 or 2016, but God has already won the victory.

Furthermore, your faithfulness gives hope to those of us who are your ecumenical, multi-faith and secular colleagues.  Your resurrection work inspires ours.

Two concrete examples of what this looks like:

Given the General Conference’s clarity around homophobia and heterosexism, we need to hold the United Methodist Church accountable. The UMC must now speak in favor of a federal transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act in this country.  And globally, it must speak against the imprisonment, persecution and execution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

So our shared work continues.  May God bless us with resurrection perseverance and hope.

Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
Institute for Welcoming Resources and Faith Work Director
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
810 W. 31st Street
Minneapolis, MN  55408
612.821.4397
rvoelkel@thetaskforce.org
Rebecca@welcomingresources.org
www.welcomingresources.org

Comments

[Berevi]

It seems to me that around us, from children to the old, we are surrounded by gays. These our friends, our loved ones, our children. We know many truly good people who just want to be loved, and free to love. How can we hate our friends, loved ones, our children? It is the truth of human existence that we fear what we don't understand. They are gay. It is O.K. Why would they CHOOSE something they fear will make those THEY love, hate or abandon them? Just because some religious rambling says so? We must follow our hearts, our souls. Love our people. ALL our people. It is so very important we do so. Or we will never be one as a people. Stop your child fearing you. Let them be the only thing they feel they can. Show them how to love themselves and to love in life honorably, with caring, and instill in them the future. This world is so many, with many voices screaming to be heard, when all these people want is love. Let them love, give them that right.