| Search | News | Archives | Donate! | Spiritual Resources | Affirmation | General Conference |
It seems to me that It begins and ends with compassion. Our God is a compassionate, welcoming God. We are called to follow in that way.
The UM Book of Discipline says that I, as a UM clergyperson, am to provide"ministry within the congregation and to the world." Because there is compelling evidence that none of us choose our sexual orientation--we are born heterosexual or homosexual or perhaps somewhere on a continuum of orientation--and, because I believe that neither heterosexuality nor homosexuality, in and of itself, causes harm, to draw a line and exclude some people from the blessing of covenant relationship by the church seems to me to be an act that refutes the gospel. In other words, the statement disallowing holy unions in the Discipline contradicts, I believe, other disciplinary (and biblical!) mandates, and certainly the thread of reconciliation and hospitality that runs through the scriptures and through our UM tradition.
That's why I signed the Statement of Commitment. I do not take lightly the idea of standing "over against" the Discipline, even if it is standing over against a part of the traditionally non-binding Social Principles. But I have also not felt this strongly a call to take an action in a long while. It is simply what I must do.
The Staff-Parish Committee of our congregation knows I have signed, and they have read the Statement. I have received from them only supportive response. They may not agree with me, but they support me, and I am blessed by their care.
Susan A. Ross, elder (for 21 years)
Oklahoma Annual Conference
April 8, 1998
Note: The Statement of Commitment was released on March 2, 1998 and retired on December 24, 2000. A total of 378 clergy who signed it. CORNET is no longer taking signatures for this document. The Laity Faith and Solidarity Pledge was released on March 2, 1998 and retired on December 24, 2000. a total of 797 people signed the document. See also:
CORNET, a program of Affirmation, is a grassroots network that seeks to continue the tradition of hosting worship services that celebrate and witness to same-gender covenant relationships in United Methodist churches and resists actions that try to withdraw this means of grace from same-gender persons. . Signers of the Statement of Commitment are not necessarily "members" of CORNET or any of the groups associated with Proclaiming the Vision. Their testimonies are their own as individuals and do not represent official statements of Affirmation, CORNET, Methodist Federation for Social Action, the Reconciling Congregation Program and/or Proclaiming the Vision.