wfn.org | Homosexuality discussion continues in some conferences

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 28, 2000  News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.     10-21-28-71B{300}

NOTE: This report may be used as a sidebar to UMNS stories #298 and 299. It
is based on reports filed by individuals in each annual conference, and it
reflects every action on homosexuality in those accounts. The individual
reports may be found at http://umns.umc.org/acreports/2000acreports.html on
the World Wide Web.

By United Methodist News Service

Homosexuality issues, volatile topics at the recent United Methodist General
Conference, continued on the agenda of some of the 66 U.S. annual
conferences meeting in May and June. 

Western Pennsylvania members approved a resolution proposed by leaders of
opposing factions in the conference. Retiring Bishop George W. Bashore
called the action one of the most memorable in his 20 years as bishop.

The statement calls for both sides to seek to "understand rather than debate
one another, with an attitude marked by a willingness to hear each other's
stories and struggles." It calls for a nurturing ministry of spiritual and
emotional care to all people regardless of their sexual orientation. 

The two leaders making the proposals told conference members they had moved
"beyond debate and toward ministry." Noting that "Jesus demonstrated a
radical love for those rejected by mainstream society," the resolution calls
for "entering into those areas of repentance ... where we have failed as
individuals, churches and annual conference to faithfully represent and
embody the truth and love of Jesus Christ." 

Actions in Western Pennsylvania and other conferences come on the heels of
the May 2-12 meeting of the church's highest legislative assembly. Meeting
in Cleveland, delegates to the General Conference voted to uphold the
denomination's strictures against full inclusion of practicing homosexuals
in the life of the church. That meeting made headlines as protesters held
demonstrations and were arrested by police.

At the New England Conference, more than 300 lay and clergy members signed a
"Declaration in Support of Full Inclusion of Gay and Lesbian Persons in the
Church." Nearly 100 stood at the front of the conference session as the
unofficial declaration was read. 

Noting that the church is deeply divided over the issue, the statement says
homosexuality is compatible with Christianity, declares that people of all
sexual orientation should be considered for ordination, and affirms union
rites for homosexual as well as heterosexual couples. The declaration was
not an action of the conference. New England Bishop Susan Hassinger vowed to
follow the church's policies as stated in the Book of Discipline. The
denomination officially considers the practice of homosexuality
"incompatible with Christian teaching" and prohibits the appointment or
ordination of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals."

At the California-Pacific Conference sessions, nearly 400 members stood in
support of the New England declaration. 

The Desert Southwest Conference called on members "to be in an attitude of
prayer and discernment to seek guidance from the Bible, tradition,
experience and reason and the Holy Spirit." Members were also asked to
"reach out to each other in a spirit of love, forgiveness and mutual
respect" while continuing to "struggle with our differing beliefs on
homosexuality and on other important matters." 

A declaration decrying the "increasingly condemnatory and exclusionary
language concerning the full participation of gay and lesbian persons in our
denomination" was circulated during the Desert Southwest sessions. Thirty
pastors and nearly 50 lay members signed it. 

Alabama-West Florida members asked United Methodist-related Emory University
in Atlanta to comply with the denomination's policies regarding
homosexuality. The resolution, presented by a local church in Pensacola,
Fla., specifically objects to the school providing health benefits to
domestic partners and allowing same-sex union ceremonies on campus. Emory
trustees determined earlier that the school would allow such ceremonies only
by those religious groups that were formally represented on campus and that
belonged to a denomination that normally approves such ceremonies.

Baltimore-Washington members recognized the "brokenness" of the church on
the issue of homosexuality and committed themselves to prayer, study and
conversation.

The New York Conference expressed its commitment to be inclusive and
established a task force on the full inclusion of gay and lesbian
individuals.  It also expressed support for bishops arrested during
homosexual-rights protests during the General Conference.

North Carolina adopted a resolution calling for study and prayer on the
issue, which was then referred to the church's Judicial Council for a ruling
on its legality. In question is the acknowledgement that the church is not
of a "common mind" on the issue, language that was defeated by General
Conference delegates.

Bishop William Oden, president of the Council of Bishops, told his North
Texas Conference that he sees no evidence of the church splitting. However,
he acknowledged "tremendous grief" within the church over the issue. Oden
was presiding over a General Conference session in Cleveland when protesters
were arrested for demonstrating against the church's policies.

Northern Illinois reaffirmed its reconciling witness to gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered people.  In 1986, the conference became the first
to identify itself as a "Reconciling Congregation" through the unofficial
Reconciling Congregations Program.  The designation was dropped last year
after the Judicial Council ruled that conferences could not assume such
labels.  

Following a brief but spirited debate, Southern New Jersey members denied
health insurance to domestic partners of conference employees.

Virginia commended the churchwide Commission on United Methodist Men for
supporting the Boy Scouts organization's prohibition against scoutmasters
who practice homosexuality.

When General Conference delegates reported on the May meeting to the Rocky
Mountain Conference, more than a third of the members stood around the
perimeter of the room holding "equally incompatible" signs, referring to the
General Conference's reaffirmation that the practice of homosexuality is
"incompatible with Christian teaching." 

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United Methodist News Service
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