The Reverend Frank Schaefer Reinstatement
For Immediate Release, Wednesday June 25, 2014
By Affirmation: United Methodists Co-spokesperson Laci Lee Adams
Affirmation congratulates the Rev. Frank Schaefer for standing strong and making the case to be reinstated as a United Methodist elder in full connection. As The United Methodist Church continues to prayerfully learn how to be in ministry with all of God's children, it is wrong to prosecute a father who performed the wedding for his gay son. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a time where we can live together in our differences.
For decades the United Methodist church has denied full inclusion to LGBTQ Christians who are called to be ordained clergy or who want to have services of marriage performed in our churches. We are witnessing the first rays of the new day when the church will support the whole human family, including those of us who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Affirmation stands with those who are being prosecuted for their identity and for the faithful allies like Rev. Schaefer who are faithfully being obedient to God's call and to the biblical message of love.
Affirmation calls for all churches to be prophetic by celebrating same-gender weddings. We applaud the clergy who are performing same gender weddings and are hopeful that more and more local churches will take public stands of welcome. We understand that conversation and prayerful discernment takes time, but the pain and harm caused by The United Methodist Church is real and ongoing. Joy will come in the morning, but the night has been too long. Now is the time to truly open our doors and welcome all people.
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As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation: United Methodists 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.
Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.
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