Thoughts about My Time at UMC General Conference

I have been home from General Conference for 3 days now.  I am still processing my experiences.  The songs we sang run through my head and sometimes I find myself bursting out in song.  I have had conversations with people at my church and with people online.  I think it is time to write down my thoughts and feelings.

Most of us with the Love Your Neighbor Coalition arrived knowing that it would be a tough General Conference.  We knew we did not have the votes to drop the hurtful words in our Book of Discipline and move towards full inclusion of LGBT people.  After the name-calling and horrible treatment of LGBT people in 2012, I was wondering what would happen.  I did not personally witness any name-calling but I am a straight ally, not gay.  I never heard any name-calling from any LYNC volunteer.  We tried to be friendly and respectful but we did not always get that in return.  Our rainbow stoles made it clear who we were.  Some delegates were rude and walked right by us without acknowledging our presence.  Towards the beginning of the conference, one lesbian clergy woman posted about the hatred she felt.  She was not the only one.  Another person told me that she thought it was worse than 2012.  When I sat in on the committee meeting that was dealing with homosexuality, it was clear from what the chairwoman said that it had been a contentious meeting.  A bit later she had to tell a woman not to use “anything” to refer to a human being.

There was some very negative, anti-gay legislation that would have come up for a vote—and possibly passed—if the bishops hadn’t proposed a special commission to deal with homosexuality.  It could have been worse.  However, that is hardly a consolation for people who have been waiting for decades for equality in our church.  Many people feel the can has just been kicked down the road.  Who can blame them?  What is it like to be called by God but be denied ordination because of who you were born to be?  What is it like to be told by your church that being your true self is “incompatible with Christian teaching?”  I can’t possibly know what it’s like to be in their shoes but my heart breaks for them.

What does this all mean for the United Methodist Church?  Clearly we are not united—there is a split which runs deep.  The divide is both theological and cultural.  Many people want us to stay together; this includes the bishops and many progressives such as the Love Your Neighbor Coalition.  Is that possible?  I am skeptical.  This is not a matter of there being two sides to an issue.  It’s more about whether or not everyone can agree to disagree.  Can we accept a variety of theologies and practices?  We did at one time but the conservatives of our church now appear to be unwilling to accept anything outside of their narrow belief system (which looks a lot like Southern Baptist).  Their proposals around homosexuality were punitive.  They seem to want a more exclusive church with people who think like them and would love to see progressives leave.  If they dig their feet in, I don’t see how we can possibly remain united.

My point of view is colored by the people I hung out with.  I have had to correct people who assume that my experience was all negative.  My time in Portland was memorable because of the wonderful people I met in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition—gay, straight, transgender, straight clergy, gay clergy, parents of LGBT children and more.  We were all brought together by the desire for a more inclusive church.  Some of the people I met have been working for equality for decades; some of them have worked on this since 1972 when the anti-gay phrases were added to our Book of Discipline.  I saw and felt the hurt and anger of gay people who have been treated poorly by our church.  The love that connected us as we shared, read scripture, prayed and sang justice songs was powerful.  I watched the faces of the ones our church excludes as they sang, “I am not forgotten, I am not forgotten, I am not forgotten, God knows my name!”  The energy and fervor with which they sang was different from mine and other straight allies.  For them it was personal.

Another song that resonated with our group was “Child of God” by Mark Miller.  We sang it numerous times, including our final time together around the Communion Table on the floor of General Conference.

No matter what people say, say or think about me

I am a child of God

And there is no thing or no one who can separate

They can’t separate you from the truth that you’re someone

You are family, you are meant to be a child

A child of God

No matter what the church says, says or thinks about you

You are a child of God

And there is no thing or no one who can separate

They can’t separate you from the truth that you’re someone

You are family, you are meant to be a child

A child of God

We are all children of God.  Jesus broke bread with the outcasts of his society, demonstrating how we are to treat our fellow human beings.  I am a life-long Methodist who grew up with “God is Love.”  I still believe this is true.  Does our church believe it?  It was rather hard to tell at General Conference.  Perhaps our bishops need to show true leadership and refocus our United Methodist Church on one word: Love.  Forget the mission statements.  Just one word: LOVE.  Think of the possibilities if we could live it.

Final Day of UMC General Conference

It’s over.  I think it will be a few days before I can process all that happened at our General Conference over 11 days.  However, for now I will share about the last day.

Once again Sarah and I were lucky to get a ride to the convention center.  This time we made it in time for the beginning of the worship service.  The music was wonderful, as usual.  Bishop Elaine Stanovsky reminded us that the church is not God.  “The good news is that God is better than the church. . . God’s grace, God’s judgment and forgiveness, God’s welcome and blessing are not controlled by General Conference.”  She talked about prostrating ourselves before God and asked us to stand, to bow our heads and then to bend over.  The bishop asked if we had talked to others with different perspectives.  She invited us to follow Jesus and to leave the tomb.  I think this was the perfect message for the last day.

After worship the plenary session began.  All of the calendar items were on the schedule and delegates were told it was up to them to get through them all.  One of the items was about the Board of Pensions and divestment from fossil fuels.  There was a lot of discussion on that one.  At break time we headed up the stairs for our own little service. We sang, read scripture, and shared “Communion” (candy and bandaids).

When we returned to plenary, there was a discussion on budget issues.  It was rather hard to follow: points of order, motions to refer, translation problems, technical problems, amendments and more.  It was a painfully slow process.  Finally the budget passed and we all went to lunch.

A young man named Ken joined us at our table.  We learned that he is gay, attended seminary, and is one of the gay clergy who walked into plenary the other day.  He would like to be ordained a deacon in our church but because he is gay. . .

As we were heading back to the plenary session after lunch we encountered some of our group gathering at the Martin Luther King statue.  We began singing.  After a bit of practice, we moved through security and sang just inside the door.  Slowly we descended the stairs, still singing and entered the hall, forming a circle in a back corner.  When the session reconvened we stopped singing.  Signs were handed out.  When the time was right, we walked single file along the back bar and finally stopped and faced in.  We had enough people to spread out the entire length.  After 20 minutes of a silent vigil, we filed back out singing “Remember Me.”  We wanted to be sure that they knew that we hadn’t gone away. 

We all returned to the session to watch until the end.  They had an incredible amount of legislation to still vote on.  Things began moving much faster with far fewer points of order.  It was obvious that they were anxious to leave.  The session stopped at 5:45 p.m.  Unfinished business was simply dropped.  We heard about the location for GC 2020—Minneapolis.  The final worship service began shortly afterwards.

Once the General Conference was officially declared over, Love Your Neighbor Coalition people rushed to the Communion Table.  There was singing, talking, and sharing.  We did another Communion of rainbow candy and bandaids.  It was quite emotional.  Will spoke and acknowledged that when we leave, some people will be leaving forever because of the abuse by the church.  Others declared that they would stay and work to change the church.  We hold hope for a change to a more inclusive United Methodist Church, one that welcomes everybody into full participation in the life of the church.

Written on 5/20/2016

United Methodist Church General Conference, Day 10

This morning we got a ride to the convention center from a housemate (churchmate?) who has a car.  It seemed luxurious, especially since it was raining.

When we walked into the hall, worship had already begun.  African Bishop John Yambasu was preaching.  He began talking about open doors, open hearts, open minds.  I wondered how far he would go.  I was pleased when he began talking about welcoming LGBT people.

After the service, three bishops commissioned missionaries.  They were told to “go out.”  It was a touching ceremony for me.  My former bishop was the bishop who led the morning plenary session.  Things ran more smoothly under him but there were still a lot of “points of order.”

We had been instructed to meet at the steps at the break.  When we arrived, we found Will singing loudly and calling to us from the top of the stairs.  We held a small service with singing and scripture.  We ended with a communion of life savers and bandaids, symbolic of the hurt that people have suffered.

After the break, another bishop presided.  The session got bogged down in parliamentary procedure—amendments, points of order, and what are we voting on?  Sarah commented that it was painful.  We left shortly before the session broke for lunch to go get our own lunch.  We joined a couple of clergy women and had good conversation.

Following lunch we returned to sit in at the plenary session and watched for challenges to yesterday’s vote.  There was just one from a man who questioned it using an argument based on finances and deadlines.  Expenses won’t come out of the budget.

We left before the session ended and hopped on a bus to go to the Jupiter Hotel.  We ate at the restaurant there then stayed at the Jupiter tent for a LYNC gathering where we shared and sang.  The connection with others is so important and gives us strength.  We did not leave until 9:30 p.m.; it was a wet, cold wait at the bus stops and we were chilled by the time we got back “home.”  I fixed some tea to warm my body.

Written on 5/19/2016

United Methodist Church General Conference, Day 9

Our alarms went off simultaneously at 5:00 a.m.  That’s way too early!  We were out the door by 5:45 a.m. and arrived at the Inn by bus just before 6:30 a.m.  Once inside we lined up to get a cross and a stole.  I was first in line and received a rainbow stole that was pinned to my cross.  Once everybody had their stoles, we walked in a line down to the entrances of the convention center and then lined both sides.  LGBTQ clergy stood right in front of the entrances.

These were the same stoles we hung up for the service on Sunday—from the Shower of Stoles Project.  The stoles came from defrocked clergy, gay people barred from ordination, and others.  I held a stole honoring Madison, a child denied baptism in a United Methodist Church because his parents are gay.  This was a silent vigil so we stood quietly with the stole-draped crosses in front of us.  I focused on a sign across the street from me so I wouldn’t make eye contact with the delegates who passed by.  The focus was to be on the stoles.  I prayed as I stood there and tears came to my eyes.  It was a powerful witness.

We returned our stoles and entered the convention center. As we approached the entrance to the hall, we saw a long line of gay clergy waiting to enter.  We walked inside and found a good vantage point.  Around the end of the worship service, the line of clergy began walking in unannounced.  They moved across the center of the hall then formed a circle.  Supporters surrounded the bar (the perimeter of the delegate area) and held up hands in blessing.  It was an amazing spectacle.  Soon we all dispersed and found seats.

The first thing we heard was an announcement from the Council of Bishops stating their proposal on how to move forward.  They said that deep unity allows for a variety of expressions to coexist in the church.  Unity is a gift from God.  The bishops suggested a new Book of Discipline for our church.  They will lead the church in a pause for prayer.  A General Conference may be called in 2018 or 2019.  The next steps would include deferring all votes on human sexuality and referring the subject to a special commission.  Our group felt hopeful after this announcement.

When we returned from lunch we heard Rev. Adam Hamilton make a motion which mostly supported the Bishops’ proposal.  Amendments were made and rejected.  Finally the motion itself was defeated.  We were disappointed.  Why did delegates choose to ask for the bishops’  leadership and then reject it?  The whole thing was muddled by poor parliamentary procedures.  Delegates spent more time arguing parliamentary procedure than discussing the issue (and this was true for everything today).

When the session reconvened after a break, a motion was made to simply accept the bishops’ proposal as written.  After speeches for and against, delegates voted in favor of moving forward together.  While not everybody was happy about this, many of us are feeling hopeful.  We need to take a break from all of the nastiness—especially that being directed against LGBTQ people.

We were told that the conservatives might try to introduce legislation to overturn the decision so we sat in plenary for a while.  We stayed for a special presentation on the massacre at Sand Creek in 1864.  Afterwards we left and returned to the church by bus, totally exhausted.  We found a little Lebanese restaurant close by and are now settling in for the night.  It’s been a long day.

Written on 5/18/2016

United Methodist Church General Conference, Day 8

We were tired this morning so Sarah and I didn’t arrive at the Convention Center until after 10 a.m.  We had been asked to sit as witnesses today and to try to sit with other LYNC volunteers.  As we walked into the plenary session, we heard Bishop Ough, president of the Council of Bishops, announce that they are not in agreement so there will be no split.  So once again our bishops have failed to lead us.  We went into prayer.  The mood in the room was somber.

We sat and tried to follow legislation.  The process is painfully slow; there were so many questions and challenges to parliamentary procedure.  My district superintendent, who was sitting near me, said they may not finish all of their business by the end of the conference.  If they don’t, that’s it; it’s not taken up later.

After a lunch break, we returned to the plenary session just after 2:00 p.m.  We found LYNC volunteers singing around the edge of the hall so we joined them.  Earlier Bishop Ough had read scripture about binding us together with chains.  Therefore, we sang “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” over and over: some people had their wrists bound.  We finally began slowly walking in a line and along the back.  Business continued on the floor.  We heard a delegate make a motion from the floor to ask the bishops to deliberate and return with a nonbinding proposal for our direction forward.  Still singing we walked out the opposite door and formed a circle.  There may have been as many as 200 people.  We continued singing a bit longer.  Pastor Duane and Pastor Barbara said hello and joined us.  This action felt powerful and peaceful.

We returned to the plenary session and listened to more legislation with multiple amendments and questions.  It moved very slowly.  Sarah left at the break.  I returned briefly but left when I got a text from a friend I was meeting for dinner.  I enjoyed a delightful dinner and conversation; it was a good break from church politics (although we did discuss it).

I returned to the Jupiter for a LYNC meeting.  There was lots of singing and planning.  We learned that the bishops did go into a meeting for further discussion.  We will all be present to see what tomorrow brings.  My favorite quote from the evening: “Justice is what love looks like in public.”

Written on 5/17/2016

United Methodist General Conference, Day 7

Wow, what a day!  I am so tired but not ready to sleep.  I need to share my day.

My alarm went off at 6:00 a.m., very early for me.  Sarah and I headed over on the bus to the convention center, arriving around 7:30 a.m.  We joined the Jericho March which was already in progress.  I grabbed a sign, making sure it had the word “love” on it.  We walked around and around the outside of the convention center singing.  We paused when we got to the Martin Luther King statue and greeted delegates coming off the train.  I smiled and said good morning to all of them.  The crowd continued to grow and we got louder and louder.  On the seventh time we circled the building; we were in full force and many cameras were aimed at us.  At the end we stopped by the statue and sang in a round led by Mark Miller.  We chanted “tear down those walls!”  The walls didn’t fall but we have hope.

Sarah and I entered the plenary session to hear what was going on.  The bishop in charge was trying to explain to the delegates how to use the electronic voting system.  It was painfully slow and the bishop commented that at this rate they may not finish until August.

We left and walked over to the LYNC lunch.  This time we sat with a pastor named Bea and had an interesting conversation.  We hurried over to the plaza for United Methodist Women’s “Don’t Poison Our Water” rally.  We were handed cowbells and signs.  There were a number of good speakers who told us how polluted water affected lives in their communities.  The crowd was fairly large and not just women.

We returned to the convention center to sit in on more of the plenary session.  We noticed a group of people gathered outside the hall.  Most of them were wearing “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts and we knew some of them.  Sarah commented that something was happening so I asked one of them.  The answer was that they were disrupting the session and we were invited to join them.  We chose to go in and sit down and got up to join them as they walked in.  We chanted “black lives matter” and that changed to “gay lives matter” then “trans lives matter.”  We circled around the room.  Many people in the stands were on their feet cheering.  It seemed like nearly everybody had their cameras out.  We ended up back in the center again and a black, lesbian clergy woman started the group pounding on the table.  We circled around it.  The clergy woman began talking about the people who have been left out by the church.  Someone else led us in prayer then we began to sing.  Soon we returned to chanting and marched out of the room.  It was an amazing experience and we just happened on it.  Sometimes you just need to be present and be ready.

After sitting a bit and visiting with some women in the UMW lounge, Sarah and I joined the volunteers at the Jupiter Hotel for snacks and conversation.  At 5:30 p.m. Bishop Tolten delivered a rousing speech to all of the volunteers.  Following that there was a nonviolence training; I popped in and out of that since I’ve been through that before.

At 8 p.m. our Love Your Neighbor Coalition meeting began.  We started with song and sharing.  Plans for the next few days were discussed.  And then our leader, Steve, got up to make an announcement.  Members of the board stood with him and gay clergy were behind them (a cloud of witnesses).  Steve said that the Council of Bishops is meeting to discuss a split.  The proposal is to set up a commission to work on it.  There would be a special General Conference in 2018.  During that time there would be no trials and no persecution of LGBT clergy.  The bishops were actually meeting while we talked.  Everybody was stunned and rather emotional.  LYNC is not taking a position but waiting for the bishops to lead.  We finished in prayer and song then people stood around talking.  Sarah and I stayed for communion then caught the bus to go “home.”  What a day.

Written on 5/16/2016

A Day for Worship and Hope

This was a day of rest for most of us attending the United Methodist Church General Conference.  I met other LYNC volunteers at the Jupiter Hotel and took a school bus over to Montavilla United Methodist Church.  A rainbow balloon arch greeted us when we arrived.  We were served donuts and coffee while we waited for the worship service.

The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus and Bridging Voices sang for the service and they were wonderful.  The pastor read a quote from Harvey Milk.  Yes, there was a theme for this service.  During the children’s time, the pastor told the kids how he fell in love with his wife and how they respected each other.  Do you think God was happy?  Yes.  Suppose he had fallen in love with a man instead.  Would God be happy?  There was a mixed reaction.  He assured them that God would be happy.  It was a very inclusive children’s message.

During his message, Pastor Timothy talked about General Conference and our frustration as reconciling people.  He is a Presbyterian minister who has chosen to serve in the United Methodist Church because it has global influence.  He said we are not free while LGBT people in other countries such as Africa are being persecuted.  Pastor Timothy stated that change will come from faithful people from all nations.  We have only one wild and precious life so we must fight for the oppressed all over the world.  So many of us are frustrated and talking about leaving the church; this was a powerful message to hear.

Sarah and I returned to the Jupiter Hotel and ate lunch at the Doug Fir.  We took the bus to First United Methodist Church, arriving about 1:30 p.m.  We were there to help set up for the 3:00 p.m. LYNC service.  Our job was to set out the stoles of pastors who have been defrocked over the past 20 years and the stoles of those who have been barred from becoming pastors because they are gay.  There were stoles hanging from the pulpit, from the altar, from the railings, and anywhere else we could find.  Stoles of all colors with a myriad of designs.  There were about 150 stoles—such a powerful statement.  Someone found Sue Laurie’s stole, the lesbian who was “ordained” a few days ago.  I hung it from the pulpit and she saw it there.

As people gathered for the service, the Harambe Gospel Choir of Shenandoah University sang for us.  Once the service began, acclaimed Methodist musician, Mark Miller led us in singing his wonderful songs.  The congregation stood, waving red ribbons and balloons.  (It’s Pentecost today.)  The Spirit filled the sanctuary.

A most inspiring sermon, “God’s Plan, God’s Time” was delivered by Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey.  She had people on their feet a couple times.  She reminded this discouraged group that people can’t stand in the way of God’s plan.  Everything is done in God’s time—and the time is now.  What an uplifting message!

We shared communion then sang and did a responsive reading, “A Call to #JustLove.”  The music response was “Draw the Circle Wide.”  The benediction was delivered by Sue Laurie who was now wearing her stole and Rev. Amy DeLong.  I think I can say that we all left in a better mood.  We acknowledge that accomplishing inclusion in our church this year will be tough.  We are holding onto hope for a change in our church.

Written on 5/15/2016

UMC General Conference, Day 5

Well, I did not make it to the 8 a.m. service at General Conference; I was just too tired.  Pat, the amazing woman who runs things at the church and at Peace House, was already in the kitchen when I walked in at 7:15 a.m.  She had a pot of soup on the stove for the volunteer lunch.  Since I did not have anything to do this morning, she asked if I would cut up lettuce and stir the soup.  Of course I said yes.

When I came back down I met Mpajay from Uganda and Jean from Nigeria.  Jean does not speak English but P does fairly well.  The only language the two men have in common is Swahili which Mpajay said he doesn’t speak too well.  I talked with Mpajay as we ate breakfast.  I heard his views on the U.S.; this is his second trip here.  He told me he plans to seek asylum here.  The violence in his country is horrible.  He knows that it will take a while but once he is granted asylum he plans to bring his wife and children here.  He is doing it for his children.  In 5 years he’ll be too old he said (he’s 38 now).  Jean is an alternate delegate; I wish I could talk to him.

When Pat came back I had a garbage bag full of chopped lettuce for her.  We loaded food into the car and drove to the hotel where the LYNC lunch takes place.  I walked across the street to the convention center.  I found my friend, Judy, at the United Methodist Women’s lounge.  She was doing a shift there so I relaxed and waited for her.  When she finished we went over to the volunteer lunch and I tried some of the soup that I had stirred during the morning.

We returned to the convention center and when Judy left, I searched for a committee meeting to attend.  I found a Church and Society subcommittee that was voting on issues around homosexuality.  It was a bit difficult to tell what they were addressing without being able to see the written text of the resolutions.  The person next to me showed me a couple of them.  One that mentioned gender “confusion” passed (indicating ignorance on the subject).  A positive one regarding sexual orientation was defeated.  One resolution that was against the criminalization of homosexuality was narrowly defeated.  When statements pro and con were being made on the right to marry, the chair actually cautioned a speaker not to use words like “anything” to refer to people.  A petition regarding ministry to LGBT people passed.

Not surprisingly, it was the Africans and the southerners who spoke against LGBT people.  On each resolution or petition two speakers for and two against were allowed.  It was clear during these statements that some of the delegates did not really understand sexual orientation.  I heard this morning that the African delegates met 2 days before the conference started and were basically told how to vote.

During a break a young man from the Ukraine began speaking to me and the woman in front of me.  Apparently he noticed all of the people in rainbow colors around him.  He told us that in the Ukraine and in Russia it would be a problem if the churches allowed homosexuality because it is against the law.  He went on to say that he personally is against changing our language against gay people because of what it says in the Bible.  He quoted Leviticus and we tried to point out the other laws (ie. mixed fiber clothing) but he brushed it off saying we’re not talking about that.  He was very self-righteous and didn’t really want to listen to what we had to say—he just kept talking.  He mentioned Adam and Eve so I asked him if he believed the story really happened.  He looked shocked and said “of course!”  I asked about the two creation stories and he wouldn’t acknowledge that they contradicted each other.  It was a polite conversation with the two of us trying to find out what this young man thought and convince him that there are other ways to interpret the Bible.

The cause of the split in our church is not just cultural.  We do not read the Bible in the same way.  I asked the young Ukrainian if he believed in Wesley’s quadrilateral (scripture, tradition, reason, and experience are used to come to theological conclusions).  He said he did but it appeared to me that he was only using the first two in his thought process.  Obviously he is a literalist and that is true of most people with his point of view.  Progressives do not read the Bible literally.

It’s been a difficult few days for LGBT people here.  I cannot pretend to understand how they feel because I am not the target.  A lesbian lay delegate from New York was told she was out of order by a bishop during her 3 minute statement when she said “LGBT.”  I’ve heard this woman speak and she is impressive.  It was very hurtful to her and others when she was shut down like that.  We are talking about people, not an issue.  This is not a matter of there being two sides to a question.  It’s about our church singling out a group of people to discriminate against.

When the subcommittee adjourned for dinner I was done.  The normal Portland weather had returned and it was wet and dreary out.  I took the bus back to the church.  I walked a block to an Indian restaurant and enjoyed a delicious dinner and chai tea.  Tomorrow is Sunday and I’m ready to worship with some loving people.

Written on 5/14/2016

UMC General Conference, Day 4

This morning we took a bus to the convention center and went directly to Global Ministries in the exhibit hall so Sarah could get some help with a financial transfer her church is making to a mission project.  We learned that there would be some speakers soon so we hung around.  We learned about Mission Initiatives—growing our church in areas that are not currently being served.  Bishops from the Central Asia and Central Africa Conferences told us how they are starting new churches.  We chatted for a while with a young woman who works with Global Ministries and learned what she does.  On the way out we stopped at the United Methodist exhibit and picked up some small buttons; mine say “edgy,” “daring,” and “bold.” 

We walked over to the LYNC lunch and received franks and salad.  Once again we had the opportunity to meet new people.  After that we attended a flash tabernacle for an immigration vigil.  There was lots of singing and chanting, mostly in Spanish.  There were some great speakers which we heard in both Spanish and English plus signs with messages like “Stop the deportations!”  This was a short event , thank goodness, because it was hot in the sun.

We immediately went over to the camp out event with Rev. Mike Tupper and Rev. Frank Schaefer.  Mike is the pastor I met the other day who is camping out as a statement about our church excluding LGBT people.  Frank made national news when he was defrocked by the United Methodist Church for officiating at his gay son’s wedding.  There is a new movie out, “An Act of Love,” that tells his story.  Both men spoke and took questions.  Frank shared that his gay son is going to seminary but unless things change, he will be barred from becoming a pastor.  Frank is calling Mike “the tent prophet.”  Frank, his son, and Mike are camping out on the sidewalk there tonight.  I introduced myself to Frank, thanked him, and told him a little about Idaho, including that I got arrested.  We discussed the discrimination in our church and he told me he was not encouraged by what he had seen so far at General Conference.

Sarah left to see her friend for the weekend.  I went inside the convention center to sit and enjoy a cold drink.  I chatted a while with some people I know, then settled in at a table to rest and check email and Facebook.  It was very quiet; delegates were all in committee meetings.  I decided to go to the Jupiter Hotel to see what was happening.  It was quiet there too but I did get to chat with my friend, Gayle.  A guy came in with posters for the “An Act of Love” movie and he told us that he’s the filmmaker.  I talked with him briefly.  I met a woman named Marilyn from Nebraska and we went to the restaurant next door to have dinner.  Afterwards we went back to the Jupiter where there was supposed to be a meeting.  I ended up in a conversation with four other people.  We shared our experiences in the church, especially relating to inclusivity.  One woman shared that a Nigerian delegate stated that they had been told that gay people are devil worshipers but he had never met one himself.  A group of gay people introduced themselves to him.  It does seem that one step we need to take is to re-educate many of our African members who were misinformed by evangelicals.

It became clear there would be no meeting so I excused myself and hurried to catch the bus.  Unfortunately, the app gave me a stop that the bus driver didn’t know and we passed it.  He told me to get off and catch the bus going back the other way.  So I stood alone in the dark wondering when the next bus was coming.  I reprogrammed the trip planner, stumbled off to another bus stop, only to realize that I’d missed that bus.  The next try simply told me to walk ½ mile to the church. 

All was quiet when I walked in.  I was supposed to have a new roommate for the night but I didn’t see anyone.  I went downstairs and found Providence.  He said that there were three men sleeping but no woman.  He showed me a video of himself and several others singing earlier today.  He was so delighted with the results –for good reason.  It told him I had bus problems and he said he kept getting lost.  I showed him the bus app.  He is leading singing at worship in the morning but I told him I wasn’t sure I could get up that early.  We’ll see. . .

Written on 5/13/2016

 

UMC General Conference, Day 3

Sarah needed to rest her ankle today so I was on my own.  I successfully took the bus to the convention center, chatted with a couple people, and then walked over to the LYNC lunch—baked potatoes and salad.  Afterwards I entered the convention center.  I had planned to catch the communion service but ran into a couple of pastors I know and chatted too long.  Instead I went back to the exhibit hall.  I talked to a woman with Global Ministries and she showed me a large map of where in the world our church does ministry.  Impressive!  She pointed out all of the icons representing the various areas of ministry.  There were buttons for most of them and I chose a justice one.  And of course I got a bag of stuff.  While talking to her, I heard an amazing gospel choir.  I walked over to check them out and was amazed to find they were from Denmark.

I sat and rested my feet for a while.  Today I had bandages on the bottom of my feet to cover my blisters, plus socks and walking shoes.  There was no Jericho Walk for me today.  I walked out to the grassy area where we held our flash tabernacle.  The climate vigil was being set up and I was there to volunteer.  My first assignment was to check the solar lights for the lanterns.  I was glad when we were done with that job because the sun was hot on my back.

Next I helped with the paper lanterns.  Churches from all over had sent decorated lanterns with prayers attached.  The organizers were totally overwhelmed by the response.  They had bought 600 sticks for the lanterns and they were soon gone.  Our task was to pull open the lanterns and insert the metal pieces that hold them open.  Next we added the solar lights.  There was such a variety in size, color, and design.  Some were obviously done by children while a few others looked professional.  Finished lanterns were spread around—attached to poles and bushes, laid on the ground or put in baskets.

I was preparing to take a dinner break before the event but food was brought in for us.  I love free food!  I changed into my rather large green vigil shirt.  As people arrived we invited them to take a lantern on a stick.  The program was opened by my bishop, the Oregon-Idaho Conference bishop.  The Strathdees led us in singing songs about the earth.  We had speakers from various countries who spoke about how climate change is affecting where they live.  We had fabric “salmon” that danced on poles held by the Danish group that I saw earlier.  They sang for us, too.  I was a communion server and stood near three of the “salmon” while people approached and took communion from us.

By this time all of the lantern lights had come on.  People placed their lanterns into the center of the circle.  We were reminded that the only light source around us was solar and that we can work toward renewable energy.  People admired the beautiful lanterns and gradually left.

I took apart a few lanterns but I was rather worried about traveling alone in the dark back to the church so I left.  Between the bus app and the GPS, I made it back okay.  Sarah was already asleep.  I think I’ll sleep well tonight.

Written on 5/12/2016

 

 

 

UMC General Conference, Day 2

Sarah and I took our time leaving this morning.  We figured out how to use the bus app we put on our phones.  It was just a short walk to the bus stop.  We showed our phones to the bus driver and we were on our way.  A short time later we stepped off the bus and walked just a few blocks to the Jupiter Hotel.

At the Jupiter we checked in at the LYNC center.  We signed up for a shift at the Jericho March and talked to Lance who was sitting at the desk.  I called my husband and learned that the garden and pets are all still alive.  He even covered the garden on a cold night.

We walked over to the convention center and found the first aid station.  I got some bandaids (for the finger I sliced on Monday) and Sarah showed her swollen ankle to the attendant.  He told her to go to another room so she could be taken to urgent care—she decided to wait.  We walked over to the Inn for the volunteer lunch—soup, salad, fruit, and cookies.  We sat with a couple from California and had a good visit.

Sarah and I had planned to attend an Aids vigil but instead we got a LYNC message about a flash tabernacle.  We arrived at the designated location and I helped put up a canopy on a mound of grass.  People wearing rainbow colors began arriving.  We were soon joined by several people in traditional Filipino clothing.  They told of the struggles of their people, the resistance to militarization and plunder in Mindnao.  One woman was a survivor of the recent massacre of farmers who were asking for rice and got bullets instead.  We signed postcards of support and took photos with signs.  This event was part of an effort of intersectionality; people struggling for rights need to support each other.

Sarah and I were scheduled for the 2:00 p.m. shift of the Jericho Walk.  We picked up signs from the previous walkers.  Mine said “Boycott Divest Sanction” and Sarah’s said “Black Lives Matter.”  We began our walk around the convention center, passing other walkers going the other way.  By the time we made it around once, Sarah’s swollen ankle was really bothering her so she went inside to get transportation to an urgent care.  My blisters on the bottom of my feet were hurting but I was determined to finish my hour walk.  A guy named Mike offered to take Sarah’s place and I gratefully accepted. 

I learned that Mike is a pastor who is retiring in just 7 weeks.  He has a gay daughter and officiated at her wedding.  He had a complaint lodged against him but there was resolution without a church trial.  Mike began doing camp outs, his statement about LGBTQ people being left out by the church.  He has been sleeping outside since November.  When we finished our shift we talked a few more minutes.  He showed me his daughter’s wedding photos.  There was so much joy on their faces.  We hugged and said goodbye.

I hobbled into the convention center.  My blisters were much worse.  I sat down and took off my sandals for a while.  Reluctantly I put them back on and made it to the exhibit hall.  I had some good conversations with exhibitors.  There were two pastors from Kentucky and Tennessee with a display about an environmental group.  I scored a free book, video, and leader’s guide for a study that we might want to try at our church.

While I was walking with Mike, a woman in a car stopped and told us about a United Methodist Kairos event.  I learned more about it from a couple of people in the exhibit hall.  When Sarah returned from the clinic (with a prescription) we decided to go even though it had already started.  There were drinks and really good food (this was dinner for us).  While we ate we listened to a Palestinian Christian woman from Bethlehem who told us about the reality of life under the Israeli occupation.  After her the Filipinos we heard earlier in the day spoke.  We left after a little bit so Sarah could fill her prescription. 

Using the bus app we successfully made it back to the church without too much walking.  There were a lot of people in the room next to us when we walked in.  Sarah went to bed in the middle of the yelling and drumming.  It sounds like some sort of drama group.  I moved to the office.  The noise has died down and I think all will be quiet soon.  Sweet dreams. . .

Written on 5/11/2016

The First Day of United Methodist General Conference

We awoke to an unusually beautiful sunny day in Portland.  After my shower I found breakfast waiting downstairs.  Sarah was already eating.  Providence was playing the piano and singing.  How lovely to be serenaded during our meal.

The three of us walked the 2 ½ miles to the Jupiter Hotel.  We learned that Providence is 21 years old, comes from a large family and is a successful professional musician.  His father is a United Methodist pastor in the Congo.  Once we arrived at the Jupiter, Sarah and I checked in with the Love Your Neighbor Coalition and then Sarah, Providence, and I struck out for the convention center.  When we arrived, people in rainbow stoles were gathering around the Martin Luther King statue.  We sang a few songs, and then at 10:32 a.m. we passed through security one by one and entered the convention center.

Communion elements were placed on the floor and people formed circles around them.  In the center was a woman named Sue Laurie, an out lesbian.  We were all there for Sue’s ordination by a grassroots group of LGBTQ United Methodists.  They were surrounded by supporters, both gay and straight.  Although Sue earned her Masters of Divinity in 1995, she has been barred from entering the candidate process because of her sexual orientation.  Despite this, Sue has dedicated 21 years to ministry in the United Methodist Church.  The ceremony publicly affirmed Sue’s gifts and God’s ordination of her many years ago.

The ceremony included scripture read by LGBT clergy and wonderful justice songs of our church.  Hands were laid on Sue and soon hands connected us all.  Communion with juice served in rainbow rimmed glasses was served to all.  Ceramic hearts were distributed to all present to remember this day.  It was a beautiful ceremony filled with emotion.  We all sang from the heart.  I was so glad to be present.

We walked over to a nearby hotel where lunch was being served to LYNC volunteers.  We shared a table and conversation with two retired pastors, both of whom now live in Colorado.  Sarah and I headed back to the convention center to hand out flyers.  I had the ones telling about the morning’s ordination.  From our rainbow stoles and buttons, it was obvious who we were.  Some people eagerly accepted the flyers and others politely declined.  We could often guess which was which.

Finishing my job, I entered the large room where the opening worship was about to begin.  I had never shared worship with thousands of people before.  Amazing!  The music and the liturgy included other languages besides English.  The music was very multi-cultural.  Since our annual conference is hosting, my bishop was one of the speakers.  Communion included stations all over to accommodate the multitude of people.  There were some extra servers today, groups of openly LGBTQ United Methodists who offered communion to all but were there to especially offer a safe space for both queer and straight folks.  Sarah, a lesbian, was one of the servers.  She later told me that it was a wonderful experience.

After the service, Sarah and I visited the exhibit hall before looking for dinner.  Not wanting to go far, we found a sports bar with a limited food menu.  We enjoyed some salad and wine before heading back to the convention center.  We arrived for our shift to do the Jericho Walk but could not find the signs we were supposed to carry.  We were part of a team of four; the other two were a couple, retired pastors.  We prayed then walked together and talked.  It was a lovely way to spend time, even though it wasn’t what we had planned.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring. . .

Written on 5/10/2016

Beginning My Adventure in Portland

I’m sitting in the chapel of an old church that was closed last summer.  The sanctuary is visible from where I sit. It’s so quiet.  The only sounds are the clicking of a clock and a train whistle in the distance.

A friend and I left the Boise area this morning and stopping only for lunch, gas, and a pit stop; we made it to Portland a little after 4 p.m.  My friend dropped me off at Peace House, a community house.  Sarah, who belongs to a church in Idaho Falls, was already there along with Pat, the resident cook.  We helped her chop up vegetables for the salad. 

Soon the house residents began to show up, along with another guest named Providence.  We learned that he was from the Congo and had come to our church conference to share his music.

After a delicious dinner and good conversation, our host drove Sarah, Providence, and me to the old church and showed us our beds.  After we were settled, he drove Sarah and me to the Jupiter Hotel for a meeting of volunteers.

We are all in Portland for the United Methodist General Conference.  This Conference is the governing body of our church and only happens every 4 years.  People come from all over the world for this meeting.  I am a volunteer for the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, a collection of groups working to make our church more inclusive.  Homosexuality is a very difficult subject and could split our church.  On our drive to Portland I learned that 111 United Methodist clergy and candidates had come out in a letter to the church.  The Reconciling Ministries Network website, where it was shared, had actually crashed after this announcement.  This is an incredibly brave step for these people.  We are waiting to see what happens next.  Many of us will be there to support them.

Written on 5/9/2016