wfn.org | Call for Statement of Conscience

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3362 notes).

Note 3362 by UMNS on Jan. 6, 1997 at 16:34 Eastern (3577 characters).

SEARCH: United Methodist, clergy, conscience, homosexual, gay,
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CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                     8(10-21-28-71B){3362}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Jan. 6, 1996

Group of United Methodist clergy
call for statement of conscience

                 by United Methodist News Service

     A group of 15 United Methodist clergy from across the nation
are circulating a "Statement of Conscience" concerning the
denomination's position on homosexuality.
     The group sent the document, "In All Things Charity," dated
Jan. 1, 1997, to several hundred people asking clergy who are so
inclined to sign it and pass it along to other potential signers.
Lay people who receive the document are asked to give it to a
clergyperson to read and act on. The intent is to gather an
initial group of signers by Easter.
     The statement "is offered as an expression of conscience and
commitment," it says. Although the signers declare that they will
continue to present to their congregations "the positions of the
denomination as adopted by the General Conference," there are
times when the clergy's covenant to uphold the Discipline and the
ordination to be a representative of the whole Gospel are in
tension.
     "In the face of the decisions of the General Conference of
1996 regarding homosexuality, we are moved to a statement of
conscience and commitment," said the statement. 
     Among six principles stated, signers pledge affirmation of
"liturgical support for covenental commitments between same-
gendered couples" and to "pray and work for ordination of gay men
and lesbians who are otherwise called to and qualified for
ordained ministry." The denomination currently prohibits its
pastors from holding services of union for same sex couples and
prohibits the ordination of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals."
     "We believe that public dissent from a teaching of the church
must be done only prayerfully and with humility," the statement
concludes, "However, we also believe that when we are confronted
with an injustice, we must not remain silent."
                              #  #  #

Original signers of "In All Things Charity" are:

Gilbert H. Caldwell, pastor, St. Mark's United Methodist Church,
     Harlem, N.Y.
Minerva Carca¤o, Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas
Ignacio Castuera, pastor North Glendale (Calif.) United Methodist
     Church
Susan P. Davies, district superintendent, Omaha, Neb.;
Gregory Dell, pastor, Broadway United Methodist Church, Chicago;
Victor Paul Furnish, professor, Southern Methodist University,
     Dallas;
Sidney G. Hall lll, pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church,
     Austin, Texas;
William A. Holmes, pastor, Metropolitan Memorial The National
     United Methodist Church, Washington;
Takayuki Ishii, pastor, Metropolitan-Duane United Methodist
     Church, New York;
George McClain, executive secretary, Methodist Federation for
     Social Action, Staten Island, N.Y.;
Richard S. Parker, pastor, Port Washington (N.Y.) United Methodist
     Church;
Sharon Rhodes-Wickett, pastor, Westwood United Methodist Church,
     Los Angeles, Calif.;
Tex Sample, professor, St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City,
     Mo.;
Eugene Winkler, pastor, First United Methodist Church, Chicago;
J. Philip Wogaman, pastor, Foundry United Methodist Church,
     Washington.

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