Oklahoma Apology
Photo Courtesy of Oklahoma United Methodists for LGBTQ+ Equality
What Michigan United Methodists previously embraced, North Alabama and Oklahoma United Methodists rejected: an apology for the harm done to LGBTQ persons and their allies for the adoption of the Traditional Plan.
Greg Garrison, AL.com reported on the June 4 session of the North Alabama Annual Conference at which the proposed apology was brought up. Garrison wrote:
"Representatives of churches from across North Alabama, meeting at Von Braun Center in Huntsville, considered an apology that said, 'General Conference 2019 did do significant harm to all participants, listeners, and especially the LGBTQ+ community and their families, through derogatory language, manipulative tactics, and accusations throughout the debate, and finally a vote on a plan that does not treat all individuals as having the same sacred worth.'
"...The proposed apology failed after arguments for and against: 213 voted yes, 363 voted no."
Last week, Oklahoma Annual Conference rejected a "resolution of confession" by an even narrower margin – 333 no to 332 yes, according to Oklahoma United Methodists for LGBTQ+ Equality.
Centrist/Progressive delegate elections reported
It appears that speculation about the adoption of the Traditional Plan awakening "a sleeping bear" are proving to be true. Thus far, centrist/progressive delegates have been elected in Arkansas, North Texas, Michigan, Florida and "even South Carolina," according to a post by the Rev. Jack Harnish posted on Facebook. Rev. Harnish also report that "key leaders of the WCA (like Jeff Greenway [Western Pennsylvania] and Rob Renfro [Texas]) did not get elected."
Media Mentions as of June 6, 2019
The Amazing Ordination of American University Chaplain Joey Heath-Mason, aMarried Gay ... – Washington City Paper
Their campaign for LGBTQ inclusion stymied, these SCMethodists set sights on 2020 – The State
Doctrines are dividing the United Methodists – Greenville Daily Reflector
Sacramento-area Methodists to march in Pride parade, resisting international church ruling –Sacramento Bee