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