Ordination - A Covenat Community

Additional Content Pending

In light of recent events, I have spent the day reflecting on the meaning  and value of the ordination that I am on pace to receive in the California Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church this summer.

The content of my reflections are being reviewed by  my beloved mentors in the process. Unintended and unforeseen consequences are a hazard. I hope to post it soon.

Below is a letter that Our social action team has written that relates to my reflections and the state of ordination in our church. I am proud to be part of a church that encourages boldness in the name of love.

Enjoy God,

pg

Jan. 7, 2013

Rev. Felicisimo Cao, Chairperson

Board of Ordained Ministries

California-Nevada Conference

United Methodist Church

1612 – 9^th Street

Sanger, California 93657

RE: Rev. Frank Schaefer

Dear Rev. Cao,

     We are writing today as a group of concerned United Methodists, members of the Social Action Team of the United Methodist Church of Merced.  Our church voted to become a Reconciling Church 5 years ago and, as a result, we have been profoundly blessed to be in ministry with and to many LGBT members.  So much good will and loving connections have come to us because of our being a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network.   During prayer-time one of our members stood up to thank God for our church family for accepting him the way God made him, a gay man.  Tears were pouring down his face as he recounted being turned away from so many other churches. Now he, and many others, feel at home and accepted in a place where they can worship God honestly.

     So it is with both grief and anger that we learned about the trial and subsequent defrocking of Rev. Frank Schaefer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania for officiating at the marriage of his gay son Tim six years ago.  We are proud that Bishop Carcano of the California-Pacific Conference has stepped up and offered Rev. Schaefer a position in ministry in that conference, but that generous act does not take away the shame we feel towards the United Methodist Church nationally.  When will our Church join the 21^st century in acknowledging that gay and lesbian men and women were born the way they are, created by God that way, and, as such, should be afforded all the rights of heterosexual persons? 

     Our reason in writing you is to encourage you and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to support those pastors in the California-Nevada Conference who take a courageous stand against the part of the Discipline which discriminates against LGBT members and those who would offer ministry to them.  We, and many others, will support you in this work.  Let the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be the example for the actions your board may be called to take.

    In the Name of Jesus, We Sign:

    The Social Action Team of the United Methodist Church Merced

    Terry Kruest, Chairperson, Connie Jones, David Hetland, Jennifer Durbin, Jamie Bradley