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"Resist Harm" cookies made for #ResistHarm reception at Trinity UMC in Fayetteville, Ark. (Photo Courtes of #ResistHarm).
If you need to lighten your mood in anticipation of General Conference 2020, the Rev. John Patrick Feagins has a YouTube playlist for you!
Rev. Feagins, senior pastor of La Trinidad UMC in San Antonio, Texas, has a puckish sense of humor, as his Facebook posts attest. He put together an unofficial playlist of songs from the 1980s that reflects various aspects of United Methodism at this juncture. His selections range from The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” to R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Among others, there are also cuts from Billy Joel, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, U2, and Pet Shop Boys. The latter two bands rate two videos each.
Rev. Feagins says one of his personal favorites is The Human League’s “(Keep Feeling) Fascination,” which aptly sums up our interest in the machinations going on around the UMC’s future. Insight favors Billy Joel’s “My Life” and Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors.”
Anyone else care to put together their own playlist, possibly of songs from the 1970s? If you do, we know there’s at least one episcopal vote for something from The Carpenters (and you know who you are, Bishop). If you build a GC2020 playlist, drop us a note at um-insight@as-tex.net and we’ll share the link to your inspiration as well.
Marriage Rites Group Joins with Resist Harm
A new group, Marriage Rites, has formed to offer “a vibrant witness to the extravagant grace of God, which fosters encouragement in the churches for all betrothed couples to experience the celebration, confirmation, and affirmation of their Christian covenant in marriage.”
Marriage Rites
The group consists of ordained clergy, churches and lay leadership who are willing to perform same-sex weddings and covenant blessings or to host same-sex weddings or covenant blessings performed in their churches. A primary intention for the group is to extend the grace of religious blessing to committed same-sex couples without causing harm from the current penalties in the Book of Discipline to United Methodist clergy under appointment. To do so, clergy are invited to sign an inclusion commitment on Marriage Rites’ website.
Marriage Rites has aligned with the #Resist Harm movement to push back against the UMC’s punitive stances. The group pledges to continue “for as long as it takes to release the Church from the shackles of unjust constraints.” Click here to find more information about Marriage Rites and what it offers.
From the latest #Resist Harm newsletter: "Our theme in February is LOVE, and our calls to action in February invite us to demonstrate love, including a reaffirmation of the marriage covenant or family blessing service. We've curated a list of ideas for what you could do. These options for action offer a counter-narrative of who the UMC can be. Also don't forget that the tools available on Resistharm.com include a daily prayer guide, weekly worship planning guide and book of the month club with discussion guide."
Media Mentions as of Jan. 27, 2020
Secular media are still chasing the story of the UMC’s impending “divorce,” and they’re getting it right and wrong to about the same degree. Read any of the following stories with a skeptical eye because few secular journalists understand the nuances of United Methodist proposals and workings. (Also, some links are behind paywalls).
Gay rights dispute is pulling apart the United Methodist Church, after decades of argument – Washington Post
Big news decades in the making: Why are United Methodists finally going to divorce – GetReligion (blog)
Tradition versus inclusion: Local Methodists grapple with potential split over LGBTQ ministers ... – The Commercial Dispatch
Local United Methodists caught up in debate over LGBTQ community – Green Valley News
Is the United Methodist Church about to split? Three things to know – The Daily Iberian
United Methodists to split over gay marriage – The Baptist Message
A split in the second largest denomination in the world over the homosexual issue is evidence that ... – VCY America
How United Methodists are preparing to tackle possible split over LGBT issues – The Tennessean
Local Methodists ponder proposed denominational split – DoorCountyDailyNews.com
Local United Methodist congregations may (or may not) soon split away over the LGBTQ issue – thesuntimesnews.com
After years of debate, do United Methodists have a path forward? – Atlanta Journal Constitution
United Methodist Church conflict over LGBTQ at critical point – Sunbury Daily Item
United Methodist Church in Canyon speaks out on possible split – abc7amarillo.com
Isn't it ironic? How the Methodist opposition to same-sex marriage caused a gay man to join the ... – Lansing State Journal
YDS Methodists reflect on potential church split – Yale Daily News (blog)
Methodist Church Un-United – Atascadero News
Breaking bread in a broken church – Duke Chronicle
It’s Still About Your Church by Bishop Gary Mueller – Arkansas Conference.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist insight, which she founded in 2011.