JUDICIAL COUNCIL HEARS FROM OVER 2,500 UNITED METHODISTS
(Washington, DC – April 27, 2006)
As the Judicial Council of the UMC began its meeting at 2 pm on April 26th, they did so with the knowledge that thousands of United Methodists are deeply disturbed by the decisions they made last fall resulting in the removal of the clergy orders of the Rev. Beth Stroud and in supporting the actions of a pastor who denied membership to a man in his congregation based on his sexual identity.
For the last several months, UMs across the country have been reading and endorsing the document, Here We Stand (www.herewestandumc.org), originally signed by 17 United Methodist leaders. The document calls upon:
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the Judicial Council to reconsider and reverse Decision 1032 forthwith;
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the Council of Bishops to advocate forcefully and continuously for a fully inclusive church; and
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the General Conference to remove all discriminatory language from the Book of Discipline at its 2008 session.
Earlier this week, an email containing the Here We Stand statement, and over 2,500 endorsing signatures, was emailed to the Secretary of the Judicial Council for distribution to its members. Hard copies (each some 75 pages long with signatures and comments) were delivered to each member of the council on April 26th.
United Methodists witness at Judicial Council meeting in Overland, Kansas
Additionally, a Prayer Presence is being held at the site of the meeting. Coordinated by the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), this witness will take place throughout the meeting, which lasts until noon on Friday, April 28th. MFSA members and staff, students from Iliff School of Theology (Denver) and St. Paul School of Theology (Kansas City) and others committed to open membership in the UMC have joined RMN in this important witness.
Action:
Visit www.herewestandumc.org to
add your name and comments. Reading through the comments of others you are
bound to be encouraged and moved by those within our church so fully committed
to an inclusive church.
Hold in your prayers those who have traveled to Overland Park to witness of
behalf of justice within the United Methodist Church. Also hold the members
and proceedings of the Judicial Council in your prayers throughout the next
two days.
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