Thoughts - "Editor's Notebook" - on GC2008
By Ben Roe, May 9, 2008
Written for RMN publication Katalyst
Someone remembered the emotional shape of the two weeks: a family reunion celebration as people gathered and witnessed, a building of hope as some legislative committee work appeared, a special time of worship on Sunday, and then a crash with the brutality of debate and votes sometime in the second week. This time was similar, but had some special, healing additions.
I was cautioned to expect nothing new as I tried to decide to venture to Fort Worth. I did not want to experience a repeat of the Cleveland 2000 experience. I had only been to one other Conference then (1996) and didn't have much to compare it to, but I have been told since that it was indeed one of the meanest, abusive conferences in recent history. When you hear epithets from delegates you have to wonder where they went to Sunday School, and whether they really get anything from church.
This time, my expectations were pretty low, but I saw signs that told me to keep my eyes open. First was the choice of Marcia McFee and Mark Miller for the worship/music team. I knew their styles and their talents, and knew if they were given enough freedom, they would truly be a blessing to the gathering. I was not disappointed. From the wonderful mix of contemporary, traditional, Latin, African, classical and folk traditions to the sensitive choices at the end of the LGBT witness on Thursday, they were top notch leaders.
The Common Witness coalition of Affirmation, RMN, and MFSA had planned a lot of community-building, affirmation, and confidence in God's continuing presence in the justice and reconciling movements. The warmth of welcome, the connections renewed, the new acquaintances made--all built a sense of community. The activities were designed both to nurture volunteers and to witness to delegates.
Late in the first week, I began to hear about the work that Church & Society subcommittee 2 was attempting to do with all the petitions on Par. 161G. I thought I recognized the power of some holy conferencing. When I saw the result, I was sure of it, because it was a high-quality, honest, and perceptive piece of work. I began to have a little hope.
The Sunday worship service at First UMC was a high point for many, again with a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary songs and flashy as well as subtle, supportive pipe organ music. My soul was lifted. I even heard from the preacher how he had moved from being anti-gay to an advocate! My hope built a little more.
We heard that the time for consideration of sexuality issues would be Wednesday and we began to prepare ourselves. We learned that much work had already gone on before with the Common Witness leadership, thinking carefully about the different contingencies and possible consequences for varieties of direct action, from quiet thanksgiving to civil disobedience and possible arrest.
On Wednesday, first there were some decisions which were not surprising, and "silent witnesses" stood in protest. But when 80% supported a revision including sexual orientation in a petition against "all forms of violence" against people (except verbal during General Conference debate, as we were to soon discover), our spirits were lifted a bit.
But the violence of language was soon to be illustrated. The debate on Par. 161G was rough and confusing, because of either inept or manipulative leadership of the chair, Bishop Whittaker from Florida. If the chair had the power and responsibility to help guide the debate back into respectful holy conferencing, it was an utter failure. One African delegate said that homosexuality was "of Satan." God bless a mother of a gay son who stood to counter that with the words, "When you say that my son is from Satan, I must disagree. My son is from my womb." But the damage was done. No guidance, no suggestion from anyone that that was inappropriate language, other than the one mother. To many of us, it felt like we were left twisting in the wind on another cross of ignorant and hateful language.
I was left wondering how in the world one does "holy conferencing" when one side thinks the other is "of the devil." How can any respect be shown? How bad does parliamentary procedure have to be before someone notices and cries "foul!"
Holy conferencing, which had done so much to craft a truly new approach to 161G, went right out the window when the minority report was presented, with the Rev. Eddie Fox, the presenter, spending a significant amount of time telling us what his pedigree in world Methodism was. I wondered as I heard him speak, when did language about the "incompatibility of homosexuality" become "essential holy scripture"? I thought the essentials were more like "Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and your neighbor as yourself." Or "There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Or "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus." Or even "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him may have everlasting life."
I shook my head as I heard the same old stuff: Where was reason and experience in the minority report? It was as if we were only to live our lives by a very narrow interpretation of scripture (and one not even upheld by any reputable biblical scholars today!), with no recognition of the results of the last 50 years of scholarship on the 7 "clobber" passages so frequently cited or the last hundred years of biblical scholarship. It was as if we were only to live our lives in the 18th or 19th century (or was it the first century?), never mind any scholarship of the scriptures since then. Oh yes, and what about the scientific evidence? The 63 variations of gender from just a biological standpoint? The Christian experience of loving, committed Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer persons? The Wesleyan quadrilateral was ignored to the detriment of the whole church during the debate on Par. 161G. Thank God for Will Green, delegate from New England as an out gay man, whose voice was badly needed and yet unheeded in Wednesday's debate.
Rev. Fox pleaded for us not to "confuse" those persons who believe that "homosexuality" is a sin. Please, he seemed to be saying, let's not confuse anyone with the facts--of biblical interpretation, science, theology, or Christian experience in the 21st century! He asked the assembly not to "harm the connection" across the world--please, he seemed to be saying, let's ignore the hurt of a people excluded.
I've heard this same stuff for 30 years. No one seems to learn, at least no one who's willing to speak up in these church meetings--or is it that some actively try to ignore these voices? We have responded better to a few years of global warming warnings than to many years of faithful witness of LGBT Christians.
The vote to keep the "incompatability" language was separated by only 84 people, but because of the number voting (or not voting) it was still 45% in favor of new language and 55% holding onto ignorance and lies. As the proclamation said the next day, LGBT people were once again sacrificed on an altar of "unity."
Deep sobbing was heard at the gathering that followed. There was also rage. There was lots of grief and sadness. There was even a little ridicule of the detractors. And there was rational planning of the possibility of a meaningful protest witness. Again, some careful planning and drafting of a statement prepared for just this kind of outcome had been done and was accepted by those gathered.
Thank God for the planners who had put pastor David Meredith up front to lead us through these dark valleys. He was pastoral, firm, and compassionate, as he convened and facilitated the group that met to train, reflect, and decide. "For just such a time as this..."
A witness was planned that would take place at a recess on Thursday morning. It was a quiet, respectful witness as we silently walked into place forming a giant cross on the floor around the central communion table. The choice of "Were You There" as a song seemed inspired as many were feeling the pain of a Good Friday experience. A strong, clear, young woman's voice delivered the proclamation, at first declarative, then defiant as a series of promises were read that pointed to "A Future With Hope" for churches who honored the "One Family Tree."
The central table was shrouded in black as many delegates helped cover it with black cloth. A wonderful gift was given from retired Bishop Mel Talbert in the form of a forceful, prophetic speech inviting the conference to reconsider its harmful decisions. And then it was over. Mark and Marcia chose a quiet rendition of "Jesus, Remember Me" as the first song after the end of the witness.
It was a healing time for many as we felt like we had stated our position in a powerful way...
The debriefing following the witness was also healing, as many shared surprises of those who stood unexpectedly.
The grief lifted some on Friday as a joyous wedding ceremony was held for Sue Laurie and Julie Bruno, who celebrated 25 years "with God" as they put it. The black mourning cloth was replaced with the color of rainbows and we looked forward to "A Future With Hope."
In 2012, we will have been in official exile for 40 years. Can God bring us over into a promised land?