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Fall 2021 Newsletter
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Yes, we're still around! A little controversy in our denomination won't scare us away! We've even encouraged it because of the injustices done to our LGBTQIA+ loved ones and siblings!
Here's our latest newsletter, published a couple of months ago to those on our mailing list. So if you missed it, join us!
- Watch for a new date for our "annual meeting" which has been postponed (announcement on the front page of the newsletter).
- Read a lament for the UMC, by Julie Taylor, national council member from North Carolina, a long-time United Methodist. Pages 2-3.
- Read about the future of the UMC, by Luis Reyes and Ann Craig, other national council members. Pages 4-5.
- Read about our work in East Africa (Kenya)! Pages 6-8.
Summer 2020 Newsletter
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Affirmation: The Long Walk in The UMC
By Gary Shephard, Co-Convener & Ann Craig, Co-Spokesperson
The United Methodist Church has denied the rights of sexual minorities and gender diverse people ever since the very first General Conference of the new United Methodist Church. In the waning hours of General Conference 1972, delegates dropped in the “incompatibility” clause which reversed an otherwise affirming statement for “homosexuals.” At each following GC, the church either made no forward progress or the language got worse. Delegates at GC2016 voted for a Called GC in 2019 and for the Bishops to take the lead. The Bishops created the Commission On a Way Forward which worked hard and came up with three plans. Here’s a quick summary of the plans. [Read the rest in the full newsletter, page 1: PDF]
What To Do? Stay or Leave?
By Ben Roe, Affirmation National Council
I came into my Annual Conference’s plenary session in 2019 and noticed the band was playing "Hotel California." I refreshed my memory of the words, "You can check out any time you like but you can never leave." I thought, that's like me with the United Methodist Church right now: I may check out of The UMC, but I can never leave the Methodist Way of following Jesus. ... [Read the rest in the full newsletter, page 2: PDF]
Hope Is Still Alive!
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"Hope is still alive" might sound like Pollyanna, and you should read the note below from pastor Megan Armstrong on the importance of embracing your grief over the recent decisions made by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
BUT, just remember these words from Romans 8:38-39: There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. One of our family Mark Miller wrote a song about this passage, a song that was sung several times in St. Louis. Perhaps you can sing it in your church this Sunday: You Are A Child of God. (Video - About Mark) No matter what the church says, pronouncements, judgments about you, you are a Child of God -- and you are loved!
If hope seems too distant to you, please remember, you are not alone, and there are folks available to help you through this hard time. Here are numbers to call:
Specifically for our LGBTQ+ friends:
Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
TransLifeline: 877-565-8860
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
Join!
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Join Affirmation!
Work for Love & Justice in The United Methodist Church
Please fill out the membership form below or use this print-friendly PDF version. We also have a free full-color brochure in PDF format.
Note: The free Adobe Acrobat® Reader must be installed on your computer to read PDF files.
And if you can't join, give!
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