Let's hope this doesn't explode with words spread far. far across the page. This is written with a bias - my bias and those who I support and will continue to do so.
My first General Conference. I didn’t know what to expect. Prior to this, as a single parent, I’d only ever been able to follow along via the news and internet. So, finally, it is my time to be there as a volunteer with the Common Witness coalition of RMN, MFSA, Affirmation, and Soulforce.
General Conference was an amazing experience. It was fabulous, wonderful, terrible, depressing, devastating, and hopeful to be there. It was also a real learning experience.
I’m not going to name names for the most part. Some of you will know who you and others are. But for me, General Conference was all about the people. From our first volunteer orientation that Tuesday, to passing out the RMN newsletter every morning at 7:15, to trying to be around the Convention Center to speak to delegates during breaks, I got to see and meet and talk to a lot of people.
The people: the ones I knew I would see and reconnect with, having met and known them from other times and places.
The people: the ones I hoped and planned to meet, knowing each other only from 7V, Facebook, and even as far back as the old UMC BBS.
The people: the new friends, instant connections. I love you and won't forget you.
The people: that I worked with and for – thank you all.
The people: my Annual Conference Lay Leader, hugging me on the street, as I passed along well wishes and prayers for her giving the Laity Address. And how that Address touched me! The invitation – an invitation is how I came to my current church. Garnett Wilder and his “Trust God.“ and “Did you hear it?” I was there the day he died after saying those last words from the pulpit – he would be so proud that his words were used in the Laity Address at General Conference!
The people: the open minded of my delegates who spoke to me; the others who were receptive to an introduction and starting a conversation. The one who I knew where he stood, yet without fail, said hello to me every time we saw each other. The one who told me hearing peoples’ stories at a listening session had given her things to consider in ways she never had before. Another one who came to our Common Witness space with me for lunch. The 5 who voted “our way.” The 3 who stood during our witness on the plenary floor.
The people: my closed minded delegates who turned away rather than look me in the eye; the ones who refused to shake hands; the ones who would not speak.
The people: the random run-ins; meeting three people a 7V friend wanted me to meet; hearing a college classmate speak from the floor and later catching her in the hallway – we hadn’t seen each other since the early 80s (and I can happily say she was wearing a PRN stole!).
The people: exchanging newsletters with “the other side” (it is good to be informed of what others say) and the Good News guy claiming he had too much in his hands when offered the RMN news; not being able to hold back the words “your hand won’t fall off if you take it” and having Jeff, the IRD guy, burst out in laughter.
The people: the Bishop who yelled at me for being “misquoted” (not) in our newsletter; my own Bishop who would not speak to me in any of my three attempts to do so.
The people: our young adults – what a stellar future we have in them! They are our Future With Hope.
The people: my former Bishop in Residence who joyfully engaged in conversation with people I introduced him to and who introduced me to those around him. Who can be seen wiping tears away on the witness video.
The people: the ones who voted to not become an inclusive church; leaving me feeling overly privileged and entitled to more than I deserve, because I am straight; leaving my brothers and sisters in Christ denied all they are entitled to because they are GLBTQ. It is not right. I am not more deserving nor they less. How is it those voters do not hear God speaking, saying let the Holy Spirit work among us???
The people: the witness. I still haven’t found the words to describe that experience, what it felt like on the floor, what I saw around me, what I felt afterwards. Grief, pain and love.
The people: that blessing of a man from Missouri who greeted us, every time we saw him with, smiles and hugs. The Bishops’ wives giving away their stoles and needing replacements. The people asking for pins. The people asking for stoles. The smiles. The thank yous. The couple from Mississippi (Mississippi!!) who thanked us for our witness as we stood and sang the day of the votes. The man who came and stood behind us and sang with us after the votes. The same man who went a step farther than just going to Sue & Julie’s wedding across the street but waited in the lobby and jumped into the wedding procession with us.
The people: that joyous gathering of family and friends at Sue and Julie’s wedding, celebrating their love and commitment for 25 years and into the future.
The people: those among us who’ve worked many more years than I have towards becoming an inclusive church; those whose first General Conference it was like me; those who will join us next time. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of our work this time and count on me for 2012.
About RMN
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
My first General Conference
by Julie Arms
Let's hope this doesn't explode with words spread far. far across the page. This is written with a bias - my bias and those who I support and will continue to do so.
My first General Conference. I didn’t know what to expect. Prior to this, as a single parent, I’d only ever been able to follow along via the news and internet. So, finally, it is my time to be there as a volunteer with the Common Witness coalition of RMN, MFSA, Affirmation, and Soulforce.
General Conference was an amazing experience. It was fabulous, wonderful, terrible, depressing, devastating, and hopeful to be there. It was also a real learning experience.
I’m not going to name names for the most part. Some of you will know who you and others are. But for me, General Conference was all about the people. From our first volunteer orientation that Tuesday, to passing out the RMN newsletter every morning at 7:15, to trying to be around the Convention Center to speak to delegates during breaks, I got to see and meet and talk to a lot of people.
The people: the ones I knew I would see and reconnect with, having met and known them from other times and places.
The people: the ones I hoped and planned to meet, knowing each other only from 7V, Facebook, and even as far back as the old UMC BBS.
The people: the new friends, instant connections. I love you and won't forget you.
The people: that I worked with and for – thank you all.
The people: my Annual Conference Lay Leader, hugging me on the street, as I passed along well wishes and prayers for her giving the Laity Address. And how that Address touched me! The invitation – an invitation is how I came to my current church. Garnett Wilder and his “Trust God.“ and “Did you hear it?” I was there the day he died after saying those last words from the pulpit – he would be so proud that his words were used in the Laity Address at General Conference!
The people: the open minded of my delegates who spoke to me; the others who were receptive to an introduction and starting a conversation. The one who I knew where he stood, yet without fail, said hello to me every time we saw each other. The one who told me hearing peoples’ stories at a listening session had given her things to consider in ways she never had before. Another one who came to our Common Witness space with me for lunch. The 5 who voted “our way.” The 3 who stood during our witness on the plenary floor.
The people: my closed minded delegates who turned away rather than look me in the eye; the ones who refused to shake hands; the ones who would not speak.
The people: the random run-ins; meeting three people a 7V friend wanted me to meet; hearing a college classmate speak from the floor and later catching her in the hallway – we hadn’t seen each other since the early 80s (and I can happily say she was wearing a PRN stole!).
The people: exchanging newsletters with “the other side” (it is good to be informed of what others say) and the Good News guy claiming he had too much in his hands when offered the RMN news; not being able to hold back the words “your hand won’t fall off if you take it” and having Jeff, the IRD guy, burst out in laughter.
The people: the Bishop who yelled at me for being “misquoted” (not) in our newsletter; my own Bishop who would not speak to me in any of my three attempts to do so.
The people: our young adults – what a stellar future we have in them! They are our Future With Hope.
The people: my former Bishop in Residence who joyfully engaged in conversation with people I introduced him to and who introduced me to those around him. Who can be seen wiping tears away on the witness video.
The people: the ones who voted to not become an inclusive church; leaving me feeling overly privileged and entitled to more than I deserve, because I am straight; leaving my brothers and sisters in Christ denied all they are entitled to because they are GLBTQ. It is not right. I am not more deserving nor they less. How is it those voters do not hear God speaking, saying let the Holy Spirit work among us???
The people: the witness. I still haven’t found the words to describe that experience, what it felt like on the floor, what I saw around me, what I felt afterwards. Grief, pain and love.
The people: that blessing of a man from Missouri who greeted us, every time we saw him with, smiles and hugs. The Bishops’ wives giving away their stoles and needing replacements. The people asking for pins. The people asking for stoles. The smiles. The thank yous. The couple from Mississippi (Mississippi!!) who thanked us for our witness as we stood and sang the day of the votes. The man who came and stood behind us and sang with us after the votes. The same man who went a step farther than just going to Sue & Julie’s wedding across the street but waited in the lobby and jumped into the wedding procession with us.
The people: that joyous gathering of family and friends at Sue and Julie’s wedding, celebrating their love and commitment for 25 years and into the future.
The people: those among us who’ve worked many more years than I have towards becoming an inclusive church; those whose first General Conference it was like me; those who will join us next time. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of our work this time and count on me for 2012.
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