KATALYST NEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
VOL. 29 NO. 2
WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG
SPRING 2012
Grace or No Grace: Between Two Worlds by Rev. Troy Plummer, Executive Director of Reconciling Ministries Network
As we left the tabernacle from the Altar for All celebration, I joined a protection line between hostile Westboro anti-gay extremists and our tabernacle participants. It did not feel all that different from what was going on inside the General Conference. One delegate emotionally sought to distance themselves from the Westboro extremists. The delegate approached us at the plenary entrance saying,“I’m conservative and I support the current Book of Discipline but I’m not like that. I’m so sorry.” Yet, both were just as ugly—whether cloaked in legislation, Robert’s Rules of Order, holy conversations
or just outright foul language and name calling— the results are the same, harm to the body of Christ, harm to the world. And that is ugly. The extremists left after 30 minutes of violence. The delegates left four more years of daily violence against gay persons. Antigay policies remain. We were short 38 votes for a “crumb” that recognized disagreement over the compatibility of the practice of homosexuality. The Love Your Neighbor legislative team adapted to strategically use the 40% minority to slow the system, to resource teams for Judicial Council briefs, and to reach out to newly alienated moderate conservatives. But there is more to the story; some core shared values were attacked. As I wrestle for understanding, these stand out: (Continued on Page 7)
A Call to Biblical Obedience by Rev. Lois McCullen Parr
“When Moses confronted Pharaoh, sharing God’s word, saying ‘let my people go,’ Pharaoh hardened his heart,” said Bishop Melvin Talbert at the LYN Tabernacle. “In the case of this general church it has hardened its heart to GLBT people. “I stand before you here this afternoon and I declare that God has already settled this matter: all human beings are created in the image of God. There are no exceptions, no exclusions. We belong to the family of God. “
couples. Talbert said that the “time has come for those of us who are faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to do what is required of us.” The Retired Bishop went on to remind the LYN crowd of the old story of Jesus’ teaching to love God and neighbor, according to the Gospel of Luke. As Jesus said to the young lawyer, “You have answered rightly: do this and live,” Talbert said to the gathered Coalition: “My brothers and sisters I declare to you that same Gospel imperative: do this and live. In light of the actions taken by the General Conference, the time has come to act and to invite others to join what I’m calling an act of Biblical obedience. “
“At the same time, I declare to you that the derogatory language and restrictive laws in the Book of Discipline are immoral, and unjust and no longer deserve our loyalty and obedience.” “I call on the clergy who have signed the pledge to stand firm in their resolve to perform marriages among sameThe LYN Tabernacle crowd rose to its feet, applauding and sex couples,” he said. shouting “Amen!” and “Yes!” on this last day of General Conference, as the planned noontime event featured (To read the entire article, visit http://www.rmnblog.org/ Talbert in an event to support United Methodist clergy 2012/05/a-call-to-biblical-obedience.html.) who have signed a pledge to marriage equality for all Spring - - Katalyst- - Page 1