Strands of Unity
The Rev. Lane Cotton Winn (left) and ministry intern Latrice Mallard sport pearl necklaces as part of the Louisiana Conference "Strands of Unity" prayer effort for the coming 2019 General Conference in St. Louis, Mo. (Photo Courtesy of Rev. Cotton Winn)
A United Methodist Insight Exclusive
Be on the lookout for women – and some men – decked out in pearl necklaces at the coming special General Conference in St. Louis. They're part of a movement known as "Strands of Unity" sparked by clergywomen in the Louisiana Annual Conference.
The effort became known Feb. 17 through social media posts by Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the resident episcopal leader of the Louisiana Area of The United Methodist Church:
"So, this happened today..." wrote Bishop Harvey. "Toward the end of the morning my phone started going crazy. I kept getting Facebook post alerts. (I am sure there is a much more technical word for it). When I was finally able to take a look, my Timeline was full and my heart even more so as clergywomen from across the Louisiana Conference posted their photos with a post similar to this:
"'They say no two pearls are ever alike and neither are two United Methodists...but we are better, more useful, and more beautiful together. Praying for my bishop, Cynthia Fierro Harvey & delegates as they head to St. Louis this week for General Conference. Today I wear pearls in honor of and solidarity with Bishop Harvey and my sisters around the Louisiana Annual Conference.'
"As I type more posts are coming in!" Bishop Harvey continued. "What an incredible surprise!! It is an overwhelming and beautiful witness of love and support not only for me but for our delegation, and pages, marshals, guests, communicators, bishops, and all the delegates to the General Conference.
"Thank you Louisiana Clergywomen for reminding us to be in prayer during this important time in the life of the church we love. Keep praying. My pearls will be the first thing I pack and each morning when I put them on, I will think of you and all the amazing people in Louisiana and give thanks."
Bishop Harvey's post and those of Louisiana clergywomen were accompanied by a collection of hashtags being used on Twitter: #strandsofunity #wepraywithher #bishopharveybling #gc2019
In one example, the Rev. Lane Cotton Winn posted a photo of herself with "Ministry Intern Extraordinaire" Latrice Mallard at the Southern University Wesley Foundation Appreciation Dinner. Rev. Cotton Winn expanded the slogan in her Feb. 17 post: "They say no two pearls are ever alike and neither are two United Methodists...but we are better, more useful, and more beautiful together. We wear pearls today and in the days to come to represent the countless prayers we’re offering on behalf of the church."
Rev. Cotton Winn wrote in an email to United Methodist Insight: "It’s carnival season here in Louisiana so pearl beads are in abundance! Plus, Bishop Harvey ... wears beautiful pearls often, which many of our young clergy have admired. So in honor of her, and in preparation for General Conference, we wanted to stand in prayer and solidarity with her as we head into the General Conference. So this past Sunday we wore pearls or Mardi Gras bead necklaces, which look like pearls, as a visual representation of our prayers and will continue to wear them through GC."
One of the early participants in the movement, who asked not to be named, explained that the effort began simply as a way to support Bishop Harvey, who has met with Louisiana clergy three times about the Way Forward process.
"I could tell she was tired and worn down," the clergywoman told Insight by telephone. "I know that the person who's highest gets all the flak. So we looked for a way to have a prayer witness for the whole church. Bishop Harvey has told us that whatever is decided, there will be some who won't cross that bridge with us, and we must still be gracious and loving with them."
The clergywoman also confided that the reason she preferred not to be named was because there has been negative pushback about the effort as divisive for supporting Bishop Harvey.
"It's not that we support the position that Bishop Harvey – or any of the leadership – has taken on Way Forward," the clergywoman said. "It's that we recognize how hard this must be for them. It's easier to be angry with someone if you're far away from them, and this was a way to get people to recognize that our leadership is doing incredible work together.
"We wanted to say, 'we see you and we support you.'"
The same day that the Louisiana posts appeared, "Strands of Unity" was picked up by East Ohio Conference communicator Kay Moran Panovec. Ms. Panovec, a former employee of United Methodist Communications, "tagged" dozens of her female colleagues across the United Methodist connection to invite them to join the groundswell of "prayer pearls."
Before long, some men took up the cause as well. Rev. Cotton Winn reposted a photo from the Facebook page of her father, retired United Methodist clergyman the Rev. John Winn, who donned a strand of pearls over his Patagonia jacket. Meanwhile, several of Ms. Panovec's male colleagues chimed in on Facebook wanting to join the movement, and she and other women promised to bring extra pearls with them to St. Louis.
So whenever delegates, volunteers and observers see someone wearing pearls in St. Louis, it's highly likely there's a prayer for every pearl in a "strand of unity."
Editor and Founder of United Methodist Insight, Cynthia B. Astle will be among those wearing peals at the special called General Conference in St. Louis, Mo. Feb. 23-26.