Because I am their pastor and they are God’s beloved children
I am a baptized member of the body of Christ seeking to reject “evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”
Virginia clergy not to face trial; lost salary subsidized by supporters
United Methodists are sending a message to conferences like Virginia that would seek to deter LGBTQ people from receiving the full ministry of the church: We will support clergy that The UMC attempts to penalize. Two clergy in Virginia will not face trial for...
Statement from Do No Harm Iowa
From the Do No Harm Leadership Team on the Just Resolution for a complaint filed against Rev. Dr. Larry Sonner: A resolution to the formal complaint against Rev. Dr. Larry Sonner has been signed by Larry, Bishop Trimble, and all members of the cabinet of the Iowa...
Just Resolution reached for complaint filed against Bishop Melvin Talbert
January 5, 2015–Complaints filed against Bishop Melvin Talbert alleging he violated the sacred trust of his office for officiating a same-sex wedding have been resolved, avoiding trial. In the agreement, Bishop Talbert “holds steadfastly to the conviction that his...
A just resolution and a path to renewal
By RMN Executive Director, Matthew Berryman & Deputy Director, Bridget Cabrera On October 26, 2013, retired United Methodist Bishop Mel Talbert, acting according to his own conscience and inspired again by a lifelong commitment to a gospel of love and justice,...
Just Resolution Achieved in Complaint Process
Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 5, 2015 Just Resolution Achieved in Complaint Process Denver, Colorado: Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky, President of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops, announced that a just resolution has...
Pastor welcomes complaint filed against him by gay couple for not doing their wedding
Read details on the complaint: Formal letter of complaint to Bishop Goodpaster by Scott Chappell Response to complaint by Rev. Kelly Carpenter Formal Complaint FAQ document by Green Street UMC Formal letter of complaint to Bishop Goodpaster by Scott Chappell...
Michigan area bishop reaches resolution, avoiding trial for two clergy who officiated same-sex weddings
(Left to Right: Rev. Mike Tupper, Bishop Deborah Kiesey, Rev. Ed Rowe) EAST LANSING, MI—On the heels of the nationally observed Methodist trial of Rev. Frank Schaefer, a bishop has reached resolution with two clergy who officiated same-sex weddings. Even though United...
Judicial Council Decisions Related to LGBTQ Inclusion and the Reconciling Movement
What a great reminder that love does, indeed, win as shown in the Judicial Council decision which affirmed Rev. Frank Schaefer’s reinstatement as clergy. There were also a number of other docket items that have an impact on the Reconciling movement, some of...
Judicial Council Decision 1270: Rev. Frank Schaefer
Judicial Council Decision 1270 SUBJECT TO FINAL EDITING DECISION 1270 IN RE: Appeal by the Counsel for the Church of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the Decision of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals in the Matter of Frank...
Judicial Council Frank Schaefer review: Love Wins, again!
The Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church has affirmed Rev. Frank Schaefer’s reinstatement to clergy status by the Northeastern Jurisdiction appeals committee. Read the full decision here: http://bit.ly/1oPP2wW Read the UMNS story...
North Carolina Methodists to gather in support for LGBTQ persons
Reconciling North Carolina www.facebook.com/reconcilingNC UMC CHURCHES TO HOLD STATE-WIDE NC CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF LGBTQ COMMUNITY Keynote Speaker, Bishop Melvin Talbert Calls for Biblical Obedience in The United Methodist Church and for Reconciliation Among All of...
UMC Judicial Council Frank Schaefer appeal and other docket items – Oct 22-25, 2014 – Memphis, TN
Rev. Schaefer Appeal information Other LGBTQ related Judicial Council docket items Give to the Clergy Defense and Resiliency Fund Attend the hearing: witness opportunity in Memphis Attend a Prayer Vigil in your community Rev. Frank Schaefer appeal The Judicial...
Defrocked pastor reinstated!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Rev. Andy Oliver – 863-397-0678 The Rev. Frank Schaefer is officially a United Methodist clergyperson again Less than six months after Schaefer’s conference Board of Ordained Ministry took away his clergy credentials, an...Prayer Vigil for Frank Schaefer's Appeal – Friday, June 20 – Baltimore, MD
The Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (B-WARM) invite you to come show your support for Frank Schaefer as he presents his case before the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals. Friday, June 20, 2014 9:00 a.m. – Gathering 10:30 a.m. –...Frank Schaefer, defrocked UM Pastor, at First UMC, Schenectady on June 29
Frank Schaefer, the United Methodist pastor from Pennsylvania who was defrocked by the denomination for officiating at his son’s wedding to his same-sex partner, will speak at First United Methodist Church of Schenectady on Sunday, June 29, 2014. He will present a...
California-Nevada RUMs Launch a Season of Love
It was a lovely sunny Saturday this past weekend when Kira Rabut Azzam and Nikki Salde said their wedding vows at Wesley UMC in San Jose, CA in the presence of their family and church members. Rev. Michael Yoshii, their pastor at Buena Vista UMC, officiated the...
California-Nevada RUMs Celebrate a "Season of Love"
“It all begins with two women who love each other deeply and believe they are called to serve the world together,”said Rev. John Oda, one of the organizers for the Season of Love. Nikki and Kira, two United Methodist women will be married on May 17 at Wesley United...
Boy Scouts of America Removes Openly Gay Troop Leader
Going against wishes of a Seattle-based United Methodist Church and Reconciling congregation, the Boy Scouts of America forced out founder of two UMC Scouting units Geoffrey McGrath–an Eagle Scout, husband, and Scoutmaster–is first gay adult to be removed...
Complaint filed against Rev. Bill McElvaney of Dallas
Rev. Bill McElvaney released this statement to his Northaven UMC family. STATEMENT TO NORTHAVEN CONGREGATION On March 7 I received a letter from Bishop Michael McKee notifying me that a complaint had been filed by Reverend Camille Gaston in regard to my conducting a...
Crosses and Crowns: Racism, privilege, and homophobia
As Christ Jesus moves to the cross this Lenten season, the Church moves right along with him. We will watch him heal the sick, feed the hungry, liberate the oppressed, love the hated, and include the outcast. As we walk to the cross, we will behold the Christ who...
Complaints Filed Against Bishop Melvin G. Talbert; Supervisory Process Initiated to seek ‘Just Resolution’
Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops – March 13, 2014 Contact: Rev. Steve Goodier: 303-389-9456 DENVER – Complaints have been filed against Bishop Melvin G. Talbert alleging he has violated the sacred trust of his office. Acting in accordance with United...
OGLETREE RESOLUTION: BISHOP VOWS NO TRIALS
In a huge victory for all United Methodists, charges against Rev. Dr. Tom Ogletree were dismissed without any conditions. Ogletree was facing a church trial for officiating the same-sex wedding of his son. Bishop Martin McLee of New York said in a statement, “I call...
Bishop Carcaño to UMC bishops in Africa: Raise your voices against hatred and violence
With strength, love, and wisdom, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño is a model for Episcopal leadership in The United Methodist Church. In fulfillment of her calling as a bishop, she demonstrates, yet again, what prophetic leadership looks like for the whole church around the...
Ogletree trial postponed
The United Methodist Church has taken steps to delay the trial of Rev. Dr. Tom Ogletree, referring the matter back to the resident bishop for another attempt at a “just resolution.” For Tom’s sake and the sake of the church we hope that an end to this...
The stones will cry out
The Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” – Luke 19:39-40 Dear Reconciling United Methodists, With you, we are crying out. For too long, our church has...Eastern Pennsylvania petition to Bishop Johnson
Dear Bishop Johnson, We, the undersigned clergy of the Philadelphia Episcopal Area who stand in support of all LGBT members within the world-wide United Methodist Church, present the following petition: We appreciate your recent public expression of concern over the...