Wednesday, May 10, 2000
CLEVELAND -- The AMAR coalition names the presence, prayer and activity of Soulforce as a gift to The United Methodist Church (UMC) as they witness to the importance of decisions made here at General Conference to those beyond the doors of The UMC.
Executive Director of Methodist Federation for Social Action, Kathryn Johnson stated, "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons and their families and allies, both within the UMC and outside are watching. Other denominations are watching; the whole world is watching! When we, as United Methodists, say we are an inclusive church, our actions will be weighed against our words. That is why Soulforce is here."
The Rev. Mel White, co-founder of Soulforce has explained that Soulforce is a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people of faith and their Heterosexual allies who are dedicated to promoting justice. They adhere to rules of nonviolence as taught by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., including being arrested for civil disobedience. Over the last week, Soulforce has trained hundreds of volunteers of various religious faiths from across the country in the principles of non-violent resistance in preparation for their plan of civil disobedience on May 10 at the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Individuals from within the different constituent groups of AMAR are making a decision of conscience whether to be arrested as part of the Soulforce witness. Dr. Gayle Felton, Chair of the Reconciling Congregation Board, expressed the feelings of many present at General Conference, "Even though AMAR did not help initiate the shape of the Soulforce event, we unequivocally and prayerfully support individuals who choose to participate. They are declaring, in a very public way, the pain of exclusion LGBT persons receive from the church." Those who have chosen to participate and be arrested include: United Methodist Bishops; UM District Superindents; RCP Interim Executive Director, Marilyn Alexander; MFSA Executive Director, Kathryn Johnson; and Convenor-founder of UMs of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church, The Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell. General Conference delegates will be invited to participate in a brief Action of Alliance inside the Convention Center while the arrests are occurring outside.
The message from those United Methodists who have chosen to participate is clear, the church cannot continue to single out LGBT persons for discrimination and prejudice. "I've worked throughout the years in the civil rights movement with people willing to put their lives on the line to make positive social change. Through this action, we demonstrate our serious intent to change the UM policies by placing our bodies in peril," said James Lawson, Pastor Emeritus of Holman UMC in Los Angeles. Rev. Lawson has spent his entire life working for social justice using the principles of Gandhi's disciplined nonviolence direct action. Marilyn Alexander, Interim Director of the Reconciling Congregation Program, declared, "It is time to call the church to accountability for its 'business as usual' attitude as it rejects the faithful witness of countless LGBT persons who give their time, talents and money to the church."
The Rev. Gregory Dell, Director of In All Things Charity explained, "While the Soulforce event occurs outside the convention hall, some members of AMAR standing in the balcony, as well as delegates on the floor, will briefly interrupt the morning worship service and offer a litany that calls attention to the Soulforce action outside, including our Bishops' participation in the action. Everyone will be invited to recite the response, Wide is God's welcome -- Extend the table!"
In addition to the Soulforce action, other witnesses to the General Conference have been organized by groups within the church. The Reconciling Congregation Program, as a grassroots network of 16,000 individual Reconciling United Methodists (RUMs) and over 200 reconciling ministries, has offered a witness to the ministry of welcome. Actions during the conference have included a welcoming space for delegates and visitors that included exhibiting the Shower of Stoles, daily multi-cultural communion services, a rally of celebration and communion that featured noted speakers, and circle of love that surrounded the convention center. Prior to General Conference over 4,000 personal letters were sent to delegates sharing the need to include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) persons in the life of the church.
Other AMAR activities have included monitoring the legislative process, word and food fasts, street theatre, silhouette "Silenced Witnesses" of those whose deaths are related to the church's rejection of homosexuality, story telling to delegates and various other random acts of hospitality. Significant was the witness and activities organized by the Reconciling Parents Network, including a Prayer Vigil on May 1 and a Breakfast on May 7 where they issues a statement.
A M A R
Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgendered Concerns
Methodist Federation for Social Action
and Reconciling Congregation Program
Coordinators: Jeanne Knepper, Affirmation - Kathryn Johnson, MFSA - Marilyn Alexander, RCP
Contact AMAR Office: (216) 443-1000
As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community. We affirm a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.
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