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Affirmation: The Long Walk in The UMC
By Gary Shephard, Co-Convener & Ann Craig, Co-Spokesperson
The United Methodist Church has denied the rights of sexual minorities and gender diverse people ever since the very first General Conference of the new United Methodist Church. In the waning hours of General Conference 1972, delegates dropped in the “incompatibility” clause which reversed an otherwise affirming statement for “homosexuals.” At each following GC, the church either made no forward progress or the language got worse. Delegates at GC2016 voted for a Called GC in 2019 and for the Bishops to take the lead. The Bishops created the Commission On a Way Forward which worked hard and came up with three plans. Here’s a quick summary of the plans. [Read the rest in the full newsletter, page 1: PDF]
What To Do? Stay or Leave?
By Ben Roe, Affirmation National Council
I came into my Annual Conference’s plenary session in 2019 and noticed the band was playing "Hotel California." I refreshed my memory of the words, "You can check out any time you like but you can never leave." I thought, that's like me with the United Methodist Church right now: I may check out of The UMC, but I can never leave the Methodist Way of following Jesus. ... [Read the rest in the full newsletter, page 2: PDF]
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Affirmation Newsletters, Current Year
Current Newsletter (Summer 2020: PDF)
The Affirmation newsletter is published three times a year. Only Affirmation’s elected spokespersons may represent the official positions of this organization. Opinions here, signed or unsigned, are those of the writers, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Affirmation.
Articles for consideration for publication may be submitted to:
Editors: Gary Shephard, with assistance from Ann Craig
PO Box 1021 Evanston, IL 60204-1021
umaffirm.org
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Mission Statement
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.
Adopted January 2005