Iowa Wesley Center
Logo of the United Methodist campus ministry at the University of Iowa. (United Methodist Insight Screenshot from Facebook)
The United Methodist turmoil over the acceptance of LGBTQ people has spilled over into campus ministry resources.
The Iowa City Gazette reports: "The Wesley Center is negotiating with a potential buyer of the home of its University of Iowa campus ministry because of financial difficulties brought on, at least partly, by a schism in the United Methodist Church over gay rights, leaders say." An anticipated cutback in funds from the Iowa Annual Conference is behind the need to sell the building. The Gazette quotes Wesley Foundation board member Christopher Cheatum that proceeds from the building sale would be used to continue the campus ministry in a new location.
Readers may remember that the Rev. Anna Blaedel resigned as director of the UI Wesley Foundation earlier this year after charges were brought against them* for a third time for being a "self-avowed, practicing homosexual" in ordained ministry. The Gazette article notes: "While Blaedel since has stepped down from her position as director, she still serves as the Wesley Center’s program manager of 'Tuesday Table,' a time of worship, food and conversation for students." The Gazette quotes Mr. Cheatum: “It would be naive to think the cuts to higher education ministries have nothing to do with Anna’s coming out.”
Rev. Blaedel is awaiting trial on a charge brought by John Lomperis, a lay member of the Indiana Annual Conference and director of United Methodist action for the ultraconservative Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), .
*Insight uses Rev. Blaedel's preferred pronouns.
Petition deadline looms as Wisconsin LGBTQ persons seek faith homes
As the deadline looms for submitting legislation to the 2020 General Conference, United Methodists continue to chafe at and react to the February adoption of the so-called Traditional Plan that reinforced the denomination's historic bans on LGBTQ participation. By action of a special conclave, the General Conference – the only body empowered to speak and act for the entire worldwide denomination – reaffirmed that openly LGBTQ persons are ineligible to be ordained as ministers and that same-sex weddings are not to be conduct by United Methodist pastors or in United Methodist churches. The deadline for petitions to overturn the Traditional Plan, as well as affect other United Methodist policies, is Sept. 18.
Last week, the plight of LGBTQ persons seek a faith community was featured by WTMJ in Milwaukee, Wis. An Associated Press article by Sharon Roznik on its website included a section highlighting United Methodist turmoil over the situation. The article quotes Wisconsin Area Bishop Hee Soo Jung:
" 'I would never force a person who opposes same-sex unions to perform a ceremony, but I am not comfortable that we do not extend the same grace to those who believe it is right and proper to preside at same-sex marriages,' he said."
The article also quoted the Rev. Rom Pegram from 400-member Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira, Wis., describing him as a "traditionalist." Rev. Pegram was quoted as saying he thinks splitting the denomination would bring positive change, allowing each camp to go its own way "and remain friends."
Other Christian denominations featured as rejecting LGBTQ acceptance were The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and the Roman Catholic Church. Affirming denominations mentioned were The Episcopal Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Church.
More Reconciling communities noted
The latest newsletter of Reconciling Ministries Network reports 41,828 individual and congregational members as of Sept. 13. The newsletter listed 10 new Reconciling churches or communities and referred readers to a compete list on its website.
Media Mentions as of Sept. 16, 2019
Duke University’s student government rejects Young Life over LGBTQ policies – Religion News Service
St. Mark's United Methodist Church sends statement to worldwide denomination – KCRG, Iowa City, Iowa.
LGBTQ Christians in Wisconsin look for a faith home – WTMJ-TV
Pasco school district scraps LGBTQ 'best practices' guide, but keeps many rules intact – Tampa Bay Times
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.