Protesters, Judicial Council members worship together
May. 2, 2006 News media contact: Tim Tanton * (615) 7425470* Nashville {255}
NOTE: Photographs and a related report are available at http://umns.umc.org.
By Neill Caldwell*
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (UMNS) - In an example of Christian unity, Judicial Council members and individuals protesting recent decisions stood together to receive communion and sing hymns during a service at the close of the council's meeting April 28.
As many as 50 protesters from across the country attended the regular Judicial Council meeting in Overland Park and stood in silent vigil throughout the United Methodist Church's supreme court session. Some held placards with the name of a council member for whom they were praying, and they were on hand to lend their support to the appeals of two decisions made last fall regarding a pastor's authority to deny someone membership in a congregation.
James Holsinger, council president, issued an open invitation to the worship. A number of the protesters, most wearing rainbow stoles signifying their support for the gay, lesbian and transgender community, accepted the invitation and crowded into the small meeting room at the Embassy Suites hotel where the Judicial Council had been meeting.
The worship was led by the Rev. Myron McCoy, president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., and Bishop Fritz Mutti, who serves as bishop in residence at the school.
Demonstrators included seminary students from Saint Paul and Iliff School of Theology in Denver, residents from the Kansas City metro area, and others from Washington to San Francisco. The peaceful demonstration was called a "witness" by the Rev. Troy Plummer, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a group pushing for broader inclusion of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in the denomination.
Plummer worked with the Rev. Keith Boyette, secretary of the council, on the logistics of the protest and invited council members to interact with those present. Most of the members shook hands and chatted with demonstrators during their breaks.
"It's important that they're seeing faces of faithful United Methodists, longtime members who are part of this family and are praying for their wisdom and discernment," said Plummer. "Sifting through legal briefs is an act of the mind; we're hoping to engage their hearts."
During the meeting, the council received a large stack of letters and postcards from people on both sides of the reconsideration issue.
*Caldwell is a freelance writer based in High Point, N.C.
News media contact: Tim Tanton or Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
********************
United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org