Haywood County Prepares For Gay Methodists Conference

[struggle4progress]

Asheville, NC -- A meeting of gay Methodists in western North Carolina over Labor Day weekend has law enforcement officials preparing for protests from conservative groups and the Ku Klux Klan.

Haywood County Sheriff Tom Alexander met with other officers Thursday to plan for the September 2 to 5 gathering at the Lake Junaluska Assembly of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a Chicago-based group that wants the United Methodist Church opened to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians. The conference is expected to attract about 500 attendees.

Among those planning to protest the meeting are the Cordele, Georgia-based American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Friday. <snip>

http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/local_article.aspx?storyid=47547

[mzteris]

1. Not to mention

"GOOD NEWS" the ultrafundierightwing association of "United Methodists" who are really Southern Baptists in disguise. They're holdovers from the old Southern Methodists - the offshoot that was pro-slavery/anti-civil rights from the LAST schism that took place in the Methodist Church.

Those people make me sick. Don't even get me started.

[starmaker]

2. way off base

read this link from asheville citizen
www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050826/NEWS01/50825042/1001
Methodist bishop says meeting is not contradictory to discipline
1/2 of group is heterosexual

[mzteris]

3. THEY're way off base

I'm not.

I received - correction - HUBBY got a letter from GOOD NEWS about the abomination taking place at Junaluska. They don't write letters to women. Only to men. They're the head of the household, doncha know.

I'm a member of RUMC, btw.

[starmaker]

4. They don't represent mainstream methodists

my father is a retired Methodist Minister and yes i know that some methodist
are old school. Yet the discipline which governs the church is not in conflict
with this event and presently the bishop has distributed a letter to all churches in wnc
as to this. Hell my mom's choir director is out of the closet and has one of the best choirs around. It should be an interesting weekend. my Mom said she would probably be at the lake next weekend because she can.

[mzteris]

5. They may not represent

the majority of mainstream Methodists, but on this issue, I'm afraid we're in the minority. I haven't attended ANY church (6 years) since the Methodist minister in the town we moved to *suggested* I "might be happier attending another church" after we got into a discussion about inclusivity in the church. (sigh)

[starmaker]

6. What city ? church?

what group sent you info?

[mzteris]

7. The GOOD NEWS

organization

Welcome to
the Good News web site. We are a renewal ministry within the United Methodist Church. For more than 34 years, Good News has been a voice for evangelical and historic Wesleyan concerns within our church. We are committed to being a voice for repentance, an agent for reform, and a catalyst for renewal within our denomination.
James V. Heidinger II
President and Publisher

http://www.goodnewsmag.org/

August 5, 2005
A Letter to Reconciling Ministries Clergy
". . . First, some background. In my July/August editorial, and June letter to supporters, I expressed strong concern that the speakers at your conference—including United Methodist Bishops—will join others “to teach, support, encourage, and strategize how to further the acceptance” of a practice the church has determined to be “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

Participants will hear teachings that directly contradict Scriptural teaching and the clear, tested standards of our Book of Discipline. That should not happen at a United Methodist conference center. Neither should bishops speak at such an event. They are responsible for “carrying into effect the rules, regulations, and responsibilities prescribed and enjoined by the General Conference” (Par.47, Discipline). They are also charged “with the oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the whole Church.” (Par. 427.3) They are not to be dissenters to the church’s doctrine or moral teachings.

The stated purpose of the Reconciling Ministries Network cannot be harmonized with our Book of Discipline’s teaching about same-sex practice, or with Scripture’s. Yet, the most recent report we have heard is that seven bishops will be attending/participating in this conference. There is no way to measure the negative, demoralizing impact their participation in this event will have on the denomination. . . "

[BR_Parkway]

8. Nice how they linked 'conservative groups and the Klan" right out

front of the article. Hopefully more people see the connection between what the hijacked conservatives used to be and how much like the Klan and other hate groups they have become.

[mzteris]

14. Yeah - you'd think

people would start to question themselves when they see they are espousing the same hatred as the KKK!!!

[SunDrop23]

15. That was great.

[libnnc]

9. I reckon I should head home for those doings

looks like all hell's gonna break loose at the Lake. I must put my two cents in!

[mzteris]

10. Conference information

HEARTS ON FIRE - THIS WEEK!

I. SUPPORTING HEARTS ON FIRE FROM HOME
1. Keep Updated at the Blogspot
2. Reconciling Clergy Invite You to Pray and Fast
3. Vermillion, South Dakota Challenges You to Make a Protest Pledge

II. TRAVELING MERCIES ON YOUR WAY TO HEARTS ON FIRE
1. Late Registration
2. Protestors and Security Plans
3. Get Ready for Inspiration!
_________________________________________________

I. SUPPORTING HEARTS ON FIRE FROM HOME

Reconcilers far and wide, In this message you will find opportunities to be connected to the community that will gather together for Hearts on Fire! RMN is indeed a vibrant network that stretches from the largest cities to the tiniest towns to places not marked on a map. Your support matters. Won’t you choose a way to
be in solidarity with the 525 plus pilgrims headed to Lake Junaluska this week?

The Sunday Morning order of worship we will be using is included. Perhaps you can say a prayer or sing a hymn wherever you are. Reconciling Clergy invite you to fast in solidarity. Reconcilers from First UMC in Vermillion, South Dakota challenge you to make lemons out of lemonade with a Protestor's Pledge.
------------------------

1. KEEP UPDATED AT THE BLOG SITE

Daily update on the events will be posted on the web starting September 2.
The url for the blog site is: http://rmnetwork.blogspot.com/ .
------------------------

2. RECONCILING CLERGY PRAY AND FAST

As clergy in the reconciling movement we have an opportunity to prepare ourselves as both disciples and leaders. The presence of the KKK, Good News, IRD, and others at the Hearts on Fire Convocation demand disciplined preparation by each of us for the movement. Therefore, I would like to invite all of you to covenant with me to a disciplined time of fasting and praying between now and Labor Day.

1) Whether attending or not, I invite everyone to fast from their mid-day meal. To feel emptiness and hunger in solidarity with the many persons who will feel deeply and intensely the words and actions of hate and exclusion embodied in the KKK, Good News, IRD, and others.

2) Furthermore, I invite everyone, whether attending or not, to pray daily. You may want to use Jesus' admonition to love and pray for one's enemies. I will be meditating on words from the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our sins and those who sin against us" and "lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil."

We are called to a ministry of non-violent, non-responsiveness to some, a ministry of proclamation and re-framing for others, a ministry of justice for others, and a ministry of companionship and healing presence for yet others. Please pray for everyone in the reconciling movement to discern his/her call and ministry at this time. For the words to Esther are the words to each of us, "Perhaps you have come to this position and this place for just such a time as this."

Grace and peace, David Meredith, Convener of RMC
------------------------

3. VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA CHALLENGES YOU TO MAKE A PROTEST PLEDGE

The Reconciling Ministries Team of the First United Methodist Church of Vermillion, a Reconciling Congregation, will be making a pledge – we don’t know the exact amount yet – per minute that the KKK is protesting at Lake Junaluska and the contribution will be going to RMN. We hope that this will spur other groups to do similar pledges. We can’t tell you the exact amount per minute that we will be pledging as individuals are still sending their pledges in!

You can pledge per minute, half hour, or hour. You can even pledge per picket! You can collect the pledges locally and send them in to RMN as a group or you can make your pledge or gift directly to RMN at: https://s.p3.hostingprod.com/@www.rmnetwork.org/ssl/donate/donate.html
------------------------

________________________________________________

II. TRAVELING MERCIES ON YOUR WAY TO HEARTS ON FIRE

1. Late Registration
Late registration will be handled on site. We cannot guarantee your best choice of workshops or covenant groups with late registration, but we’ll do our best! Make sure you have housing before you come!

Lake Junaluska information: http://www.lakejunaluska.com/
Lake Junaluska meal plans: 800-222-4930
Housing: check on-line for housing in Waynesville, NC.
Asheville airport shuttle: [e-mail]
------------------------

2. PROTESTORS AND SECURITY PLANS
We pray traveling mercies on those who make their way to Hearts on Fire at Lake Junaluska.

Independent conservative caucus Good News along with outside
agitators—Institute for Religion on Democracy and the American Family Association—continue to attempt to stir up inhospitality to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender United Methodists. Such extremism ultimately fosters a climate of exclusion that violates the Gospel and harms the church. Such words lead to actions. Now the KKK will be protesting Hearts on Fire.

Rev. Gil Caldwell asks, “Do our colleagues of Good News and others, who have been less-than-positive about the "Hearts on Fire" Conference accept any responsibility for opening the flood gates of condemnation and hatred (or quietly standing on the sidelines as the gates have been opened) to other more negatively vocal and potentially violent, persons and groups?”

As a people dedicated to justice, such efforts at intimidation only serve as validation of the clear need for our ministries to continue to open hearts, open minds, and open doors. In the midst of manufactured controversy, RMN continues to rejoice in the many miracles already received in making our way to Hearts on Fire this week—for notes of support, for generosity, for new found friends and allies, for Holy Spirit moments of awareness, connection, and grace.

The Lake Junaluska staff have done an exceptional job making our retreat space safe for our over 525 participants. They faithfully coordinated with the local sheriff’s department, the FBI and SBI. RMN has financially increased the security budget at Lake Junaluska’s recommendation. In an agreement with the county, the KKK will be out by the highway. Other protesters will be in a separate place nearer the gates of Lake Junaluska. Across the highway, local Baptist congregations are holding a tent meeting protesting Hearts on Fire. You will be able to see their signs as you enter the grounds of Lake Junaluska. This is not new for many of us. We have seen the signs before--even in such shocking places as Matthew Sheperd’s funeral.

As a people familiar with such protest and also familiar with peaceful resistance, you are reminded to not engage any protestor and to continue to make your hotel registering at Terrace for everyone other than those staying at Lambuth. After registering, you need to wear your Heart on Fire badges to all activities of the convocation. You will, more than likely, be safer than you have been at any other time of your life.
------------------------

3. GET READY FOR INSPIRATION!

=================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RMN MISSION STATEMENT: Reconciling Ministries Network is a national
grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Reconciling Ministries Network is a national network of United
Methodist-focused organizations advocating for the full inclusion of persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities into the life of the Church. Founded in 1984, RMN consists of 197 United Methodist congregations, 28 campus ministries, 23 Reconciling Communities, and over 18,000 individuals. Organizations involved include the Parents' Reconciling Network, Reconciling Ministries Clergy, United Methodists of Color, and RMN's student movement, MOSAIC.

For additional information you may contact the Reconciling Ministries Network office at:

Reconciling Ministries Network
3801 N. Keeler Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641

773.736.5526 Phone
773.736.5475 Fax

Email: [e-mail]
Or visit us on the web at www.RMNetwork.org.

[struggle4progress]

11. Methodists pushing for acceptance of gays start meeting quietly

The Associated Press

A meeting of United Methodists who want gays welcomed in all aspects of church life started quietly Friday with police on hand to deal with expected protesters who never appeared.

"I don't know if it's a combination of the gas situation, storms or weather or what," said Steve Staley, chief of security at the Lake Junaluska conference center. "I wonder if some of the people who talked the big talk had little to back it up with."

The Ku Klux Klan and conservative groups, along with Methodists unsettled by the attempt to change church doctrine on homosexuality at a church-owned retreat, had indicated they would protest to show their dissatisfaction. <snip>

http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050902/APN/509021038&cachetime=5

[struggle4progress]

12. Klan protests Methodist group pushing greater role for gays

The Associated Press

LAKE JUNALUSKA -- About a dozen members of the Ku Klux Klan protested Saturday outside a meeting of United Methodists who want gays welcomed in all aspects of church life. <snip>

About five counter-protesters from Knoxville, Tenn., who were across the street from the KKK, were asked by police to leave because they were not in a designated protest area near a command center run by the Haywood County Sheriff's Department.

A small group of counter-protesters returned Saturday afternoon to a designated area. No incidents were reported. One sign they carried read: "I'm straight but I'm not narrow." <snip>

http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2784192p-9223454c.html

[mzteris]

13. Thanks.

Any word on the "Good News" people protesting? Did they bother to show up?

I received an email from an attendee talking about the conference itself and how inspiring it was.