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C-Views: Sound the Trumpet of Justice and Love!

But although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection? Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may forward one another in love and in good works. --John Wesley, "Catholic Spirit"

This page features statements of justice and love concerning Covenant Services from United Methodist Churches, action ideas, sermons, and essays. They represent the opinions of the authors. CORNET, a grass roots network, does not necessarily agree with every statement that may be within the material. Send statements and suggestions for links to umcornet@yahoo.com. Submission of an link/article/statement does not guarantee that we will list it.

Sermons

• Ecclesiastical disobedience: THE UGLIEST WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, Sermon by Donald Fado, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Sacramento, CA
• John Wesley's Sermon, "Catholic Spirit" says, "...Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may forward one another in love and in good works." (18th Century)
• "The Word of God, The Church, and Jimmy Creech" by the Reverend Russ Hawkins (December 20, 1997) who says, "The God I believe in, the God whose Word I was ordained to preach years ago, and whose Word I have tried to be faithful to, is a God of grace, a God who rejoices in the celebration of new life, a God who embraces and reaches out to all people."

Supportive Church Statements

Covenant Services

• Reaffirmation of Bethany's Statement on Holy Unions and Covenant Services for Same-Gender Life Partners, Bethany United Methodist Church, San Francisco, CA, September 1, 1998
• Bethany's Statement on Holy Unions and Covenant Services for Same-Gender Life-Partners, Bethany United Methodist Church, San Francisco, CA, September 2, 1997
• Community of Hope's In Search of What God Has Joined Together This document emerged out of United Methodist the churches wrestling together for several months over the implications for its ministry in relation to the 1996 addition to the Social Principles regarding "holy unions," 1997
• God Bless You! God Bless Us All! A Response to the United Methodist Reporter by CORNET, February 1999
• Dumbarton's Letter to The Washington Blade, Dumbarton UMC, Washington, DC, August 26, 1998
• Dumbarton's "An Understanding of Lesbian/Gay Holy Unions"
• Kairos's Affirmation and Support Statement for the Holy Union of Gay and Lesbian Couples, 1996

General Statements of Inclusive Ministry

• Vision Focus, First United Methodist Church, Omaha, Nebraska, 1996

Opinion Articles, Commentaries

• Honor the Holiness of Lesbian and Gay Marriages by Sue Levi Elwell, external link to Reform Judaism Magazine, Winter 1998
  It is time for Reform Jews to insist on equal rites for all Jews. It is time to open the doors of our synagogue to lesbian brides and to gay grooms. It is time for our rabbis to consider the essential covenantal connection between two people who love one another and our tradition, and to honor their commitments with blessing. And it is time for Reform Jews to celebrate the kedushah, the holiness of gay and lesbian marriages, and to welcome us and our families as a new source of strength into the house of Israel.
• "Same-Sex Unions: Obeying the Law or Offering Pastoral Care?" by Barb Chandler (external link with discussion forum)