Commentary

Open Letter to Bishop Talbert: Lets Unite in Peace By Separating in Love

From: John T. Metz john_metz@email.msn.com
Sent: Saturday, April 17, 1999 9:04 AM
To: ucmpage@ucmpage.org
Subject: Open Letter to Bishop Talbert: Lets Unite in Love By Separating in Peace

I agree wholeheartedly. It would be better to separate rather than force our views upon each other. As conservative members of the UMC, my family and I would certainly leave if the Discipline ever included non-Biblical principles. Conversely, if liberals feel so strongly that they are pursuing God's Will in the area of gay marriages (I am sorry, describing these ceremonies as "holy unions" is a contradiction of terms and just plain wrong), then better to separate then fight amongst ourselves over the issue. It is indeed a controversial situation. Do you really believe that Jesus would welcome such fighting? What does Paul tell us in Corinthians?

John Metz
Batavia UMC
Batavia, IL

From: John M. Dunnackjdunnack@UDel.Edu
Sent: Friday, April 16, 1999 3:47 PM
To: ucmpage@ucmpage.org
Subject: Open Letter to Bishop Talbert: Lets Unite in Love By Separating in Peace

Hello Friends:
This word from Lin Goodyear is well put. I see grace in it, but it somehow comes short on truth. Do we say (either position) that the other is equally valid? Very few could handle that. But this sort of amicable separation is better than civil war. I give the idea my support.

John Dunnack
Red Lion UMC, Bear, DE