In this pastoral letter, issued on the eve of the 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, more than 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer/questioning, transgender and intersex (LGBTQI) clergy and clergy candidates come out to the church. In the letter, LGBTQI clergy reminded the legislative body of the covenant they share as baptized members of the Body of Christ and as clergy who have been affirmed as possessing the gifts and graces for ministry and who have served their charges faithfully. Click here to read the letter.
In this second pastoral letter, United Methodist LGBTQI clergy endorse lesbian gay candidates being considered for the position of bishop in The United Methodist Church. The pastoral letter also responds to several circumstances emerging after the 2016 General Conference including the proposal of a Special Commision, Annual Conferences committing to non-conformity, and instances of violence against LGBTQI people and people of color. Click here to read the letter.
United Methodist LGBTQI clergy released this letter after the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church announced the membership of the Special Commission on a Way Forward. Highlight a lack of representation in the commission, the statement points out the fact that, although the commission is tasked with making decision that will affect LGBTQI people, less than 10% of those appointed identify as LGBTQI. The statement also points to the lack of racial and gender representation among the LGBTQI people appointed to the commission. Click here to read the full statement.
April 28, 2017 UMQCC Response to Judicial Council Decisions
Today, nearly 200 UM Queer Clergy and thousands of vocal United Methodist supporters remain grounded in the Gospel of Christ even as the denomination’s Judicial Council ruled, on Friday, April 28, 2017, in ways that continue to dehumanize the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex people.
These decisions will further harm us, our families, the faith communities we serve, the wider LGBTQI community and our allies, but we trust in God's grace and love, and shall remain in solidarity with one another as members of the Body of Christ. These decisions do not negate our call to ordained ministry nor our desire to serve God.
We believe that The United Methodist Church can truly embody God’s love, peace, and justice. We continue to affirm our commitment to love of God and neighbor, to lives of ministry and service, and to the ongoing work of seeking justice and freedom for all of God’s children.
