General Conference 2008

Decision 1032 Remains in Effect

On Wednesday, April 30 by a narrow margin, the General Conference rejected petition 80088 (See Plenary Voting On LGBT Issues) that stated, "The pastor(s) and the congregation are to faithfully receive all persons who are willing to affirm our vows of membership." After Decision 1032 was upheld, the reconciling movement gathered, debriefed and returned to the Fort Worth Convention Center for the first protest.

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Plenary Voting On LGBT Issues

On Wednesday, April 30 by a narrow margin, the General Conference rejected petition 80088 that stated, "The pastor(s) and the congregation are to faithfully receive all persons who are willing to affirm our vows of membership." Because the petition was rejected, Decision 1032 remains in force in The United Methodist Church. The Decision had affirmed a local pastor's right to deny a gay man membership in his congregation. Petition 80088 failed on the heels of the General Conference's retention of the clause, "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."

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Reaction after Decision 1032 remains in effect:

Silent Witness in Legislative Committees

Each day teams of people sit or stand in silent witness in legislative committees. Here is the silent witness team doing initial planning and then sitting in silent witness in Church and Society 2, the legislative committee that considers human sexuality.

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Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Prayers Actions Outside Legislative Sessions

After the Young Adult Rally, MoSAIC and OnFire lead the crowd into the Fort Worth Convention Center to conduct organized prayer actions outside of legislative sessions.

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MoSAIC 24-Hour Drumming Circle

Friday evening when the young people held their 24- hour drumming circle, several self-identified Christians appeared to protest against LGBT people with signs and shouting. They attempted to exhibit superior understanding of the Bible and quickly escalated their attacks to denounce women with short hair and women in leadership positions.

Early in the evening, Reconciling parents formed a line between the groups facing in to the drums and joining in the faithful witness. For a time several young people engaged the protesters to divert the attacks and reduce the harm.

These folks were not United Methodists. But their actions are related to the same message we hear in the UMC when LGBT people are excluded from full participation in quiet ways… by votes, by inaction of friends, by silence, by being portrayed as “extreme” when we desire to belong at our local churches.

Homosexuality is not sin. We thank the young people for showing the path to authentic and exuberant welcome.

Photo Set

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

YouTube: Drumming Circle 1

YouTube: Drumming Circle 2

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Pittsburgh '04: Protest On The Floor

According to the United Methodist News Service:

PITTSBURGH (UMNS) — At 11:10 a.m. May 6, a single drummer slowly beat a rhythm signaling the beginning of a peaceful interruption of the 2004 General Conference.

The demonstration was led by Soulforce, a gay rights advocacy group. More than 500 people circled the floor of the conference for 35 minutes carrying banners and singing hymns of reconciliation.

“The drum signals us that there are guests among us,” said Bishop Janice Huie of Arkansas, who was leading the morning session. “They come in peace as a witness among us. I invite you to embody God’s love to these strangers and friends.”

Leading the group around the room, a single voice issued an invitation to “those who want to reconcile, those who want justice, come out and join us.”

Mark Miller, delegate from Greater New Jersey, took the stage and led the group in singing several songs, beginning with “What Does the Lord Require of You?” and ending with “Marching to Zion.”

Many of the marchers carried signs with messages such as “There Are Homosexuals Already in Heaven” and “God Loves You and Me.”

Full story:
Gay rights group stages ‘peaceful interruption’ at General Conference
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Here is a YouTube video of the witness: