May 3, 2000

Friends of the Reconciling Congregation Program to Surround General Conference Delegates with an Unbroken Circle of Love

by AMAR

   Cleveland - As nearly 1,000 United Methodist General Conference delegates meet inside the Cleveland Convention Center, another 2,000 individuals are expected to be outside the hall asking delegates to "Extend the Table" and welcome ALL of God's people into The United Methodist Church (UMC).

   A rally will be held on at 12 noon, EST on Saturday, May 7 to continue to draw attention to the exclusionary language in the United Methodist Discipline towards persons who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered. Nearly 2,000 Reconciling United Methodists will gather and join hands, encircling delegates in love and the hope that the outcome of their votes will allow ALL of God's children, regardless of sexual orientation, to be included in the life of The UMC. "We have been holding the General Conference and the delegates in our prayers and we will be praying for them at the rally," said The Rev. James Preston of Rockford, Illinois and Rally co-chair.

    "This will be a rousing and meaningful experience with great music, stirring speeches and communion. A special presentation will be made to California-Nevada Conference Bishop Mel Talbert. The rally will conclude with a circle of love around the convention center as we extend the table to persons of ALL sexual orientations." added The Rev. Karen Oliveto, a pastor in San Francisco and co-chair of the Rally.

    Speakers will include San Francisco activist Randy Miller, Soulforce Director The Rev. Mel White, Reconciling Congregation Program (RCP) Board president The Rev. Gayle Felton, RCP executive director Marilyn Alexander, and The Rev. Bill Johnson, who was the first openly gay man to be ordained into the United Church of Christ.

    "Reconciling United Methodists are United Methodists through and through, commented James Preston, rally co-chair. "We are a part of the whole church and we want the whole church to be open and welcoming to ALL of God's Children. That's why we'll be at the rally!"

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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