197 United Methodist clergy declared intent to celebrate gay and lesbian unionsupdated May 14, 1998In related news, a group called the Proclaiming the Vision Committee announced today that 92 [updated to 197] United Methodist clergy members have declared their intent to celebrate righteous intent with all couples regardless of gender. The pastors signed a statement of commitment, which was written by the Proclaiming The Vision Committee in response to the Creech trial. "Clergy have performed covenant services for 20 years," said the Rev. Alice Knotts, with the Proclaiming the Vision Committee. "We will continue to perform covenant services as part of our pastoral role as clergy in the United Methodist Church." The committee consists of representatives of several groups – In All Things Charity, Affirmation, the unofficial Methodist Federation of Social Action, the Supporting the Vision group with First United Methodist Church of Omaha, the Reconciling Congregations Program and Cornet. --United Methodist News Service - March 13, 1998 (updated May 3, 1998-UCM page) Statement of CommitmentURGENT PLEA to SUPPORTERS of an INCLUSIVE SOCIETY for ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS of SEXUAL ORIENTATIONWe, the undersigned clergy of The United Methodist Church, have watched for many years as General Conference actions have added increasingly condemnatory and exclusionary language to The Book of Discipline concerning the full participation of gay and lesbian persons in our denomination. The 1996 General Conference added the words, "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches," (paragraph 65.C) to the Social Principles of the church. We understand the Social Principles to be instructive and legally non-binding. Nevertheless, we recognize the directive tone of this addition and make public our opposition to it by declaring that we will not be bound by it. We reaffirm the statement contained within the "In All Things Charity" document, "To withhold rituals of support and accountability for committed relationships is unconscionable. The standards for preparation and celebration of [covenantal unions] with same-gendered couples should be the same as for weddings of heterosexual couples." We publicly state that we will celebrate rites of union with all couples, regardless of gender, as part of the pastoral responsibilities consistent with the gospel and spirit of Jesus Christ, entrusted to us by The United Methodist Church. Please indicate your support for this commitment by
sending your name, e-mail address (if applicable), and Annual Conference
membership via e-mail to: Please indicate you are signing the clergy statement. Thank you. "Proclaiming the Vision Committee" Current list of signers SUPPORTERS of the Statement of CommitmentThe Statement of Commitment was released on March 2, 1998; these are the 197 people who have signed so far. Click a hyperlinked name to read the signer's personal witness regarding this Statement of Commitment. CORNET will update this list weekly, on Wednesday. Please check your name for spelling and correct affiliation and send any additions or corrections to this list to: umcommit@hotmail.com Alaska Missionary
Baltimore-Washington
California-Nevada
California-Pacific
Central New York
Central Texas
Desert-Southwest
Detroit
East Ohio
Eastern Pennsylvania
Iowa
Kansas-East
Kansas-West
Kentucky
Minnesota
Missouri-West
Nebraska
New England
New Mexico
New York
North Indiana
Northern Illinois
Northern New Jersey
Oklahoma
Oregon-Idaho
Pacific-Northwest
Peninsula-Delaware
Rocky Mountain
South Indiana
Virginia
West Michigan
Western North Carolina
West Ohio
Western Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Yellowstone
|