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May 02, 2008

General Conference

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, the governing body of the United Methodist Church (General Conference) that meets once every four years has been meeting since April 23. It was our prayer that this year the General Conference would really embrace the slogan that we have been proclaiming these past six years—Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. It was not to be. It’s somewhat complicated and different aspects of the General Conference have been positive, but overall, the General Conference was unable to include our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) sisters and brothers into the church on issues of membership, ordination and inclusive, affirming language.

As a United Methodist clergywoman, I am deeply disappointed. As a congregation who is open and affirming to ALL people, I hope you are disappointed as well. We have friends, children, sisters, brothers, and parents who are LGBT. They need our support and love in the midst of this difficult time. We cannot remain silent as children of God are disenfranchised and turned away from full inclusion at the Communion Table. As Christians, as followers of the radical Jesus who calls each of us by name, we need to stand beside our LGBT sisters and brothers. We need to speak the truth to our United Methodist Church—we (the decision making body of our church) have broken the Body of Christ with our inability to be open and affirming of ALL PEOPLE. We (Irving Park UMC) will continue to work for the inclusion of all persons in our broken church family.

***In response to the actions taken at General Conference,
I invite you to join me this Sunday, May 4th, at 9:00am
for prayer in our Chapel (on the third floor).***

I am grateful that our timing (God’s timing!) is excellent. We have a weekend planned that will enable us to support the dedicated people of Reconciling Ministries Network and to continue our ministry here at 3801 N. Keeler. Our upcoming Testimonies of Hope Fundraising dinner is May 17, 2008. We need every hand on deck to make this event a success as a way to say to our sisters and brothers, we are with you! You are not alone!

Are you coming and bringing a friend? Are you willing to help set up, clean up, greet guests, or serve dinner? I know some of you will be out of town. Would you be willing to purchase a ticket or two that could be given to someone who cannot afford to attend? Are we a Reconciling Church in name only or are we willing to work for justice?

On Sunday, May 18th, our 10:00 am worship service will continue the dialogue through prayer, healing, and hope. We will speak to the events of General Conference and move into the future with hope and commitment for a new day.

Mary Lou Wallner learned the hard way. She is sharing her story with the hope that she can help us become a more caring and understanding church and society. A copy of the flyer promoting the event is attached. Please spread the word, call the office and volunteer to help, and write a check so that the witness will be strong in the wake of the hurt caused by General Conference.

I cannot help but think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and how he returned to his beloved Germany when he could have stayed in the United States. It was written that Bonhoeffer was embarrassed by the actions of his country men and his Church. Are you not embarrassed by actions of our Church? Then let your life speak...

Pastor Vickie

Posted by vickie at 05:36 PM