Thanks, George, for calling attention to my response to Bishop Coyner. Indeed it does change the dynamic to have a whole Jurisdiction stand against the UMC's exclusionary policy. Would you want to hazzard a guess as to where the Niebuhr quote came from? I'm continually grateful for the influence of the Ecumenical Institute.
Our colleague, Bud Tillinghast, a UMC clergy, (he's on this list serve) responds to a Bishop's attack on the Western Jurisdiction of the UMC for contesting the latest General Conference decision to continue their prejudice against Gays and Lesbians. For those not up to speed on this - the United Methodist Church's continued policies against Homosexuality is being challenged. Several churches around the country have for some time declined to follow the denomination's line by being known as Reconciling congregations. Recently a retired Bishop has questioned the church's position. There have been demonstrations at several General Conferences and efforts to turn the position around including letter signings and efforts to get Annual conferences to take a stand, which a few have. This is the first time a whole Jurisdiction has made a statement, and a powerful defense of it by Bud. It was published in an official publication of the church. I hope you take time to read it.
George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin, TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 geowanda@earthlink.net
Hope appeareth, but it is not your Hope—you do not have anything to do with it. It just appeareth. It comes as a stranger, as an alien—it just appeareth! You do not even know why you hope. How in the world could you hope when there is absolutely nothing to justify any hope? ~Joseph W. Mathews
http://www.umcconnections.org/2012/10/22/a-response-to-bishop-coyner/