Trinity United Methodist Church - Austin, Texas

Unlike previous General Conferences (GC), where there was a direct downward spiral legislatively on LGBTQ inclusion, this Fort Worth's Future With Hope was mixed.

* GC kept the original basic membership language that was
misinterpreted in JC #1032 (49%-51%), but strengthened open
transfers of membership and later by a 2/3rds vote replaced a
"list" to include with the words "ministry to all" in the UM
Constitution section on Inclusivity.
* GC maintained "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with
Christian teaching" (45%-55%) while it added "loving caregivers"
and "same-sex couples with children" to the definition of family.
* GC kept a funding ban on "promoting homosexuality" but stressed
that it could not be used to "reject or condemn lesbian and gay
members and friends" and further passed anti-homophobia,
anti-heterosexism pieces that mandated providing resources to
educate and reduce harm.
* Finally, GC gave us two peaks to celebrate: 1) the election of
moderates to the Judicial Council who hopefully can tell the
difference between "may" and "shall" in the eligibility section
for membership and 2) the refusal to discriminate against
transgender persons -- lay or clergy.

What smoothed the ride out on this roller coaster was the consistent spirit presence of the One Family Tree witness from the Parent's lunch, Young Adult drumming and rally, Reconciling Worship at First UMC, Good Friday "die in" and "Were You There?" floor witness, to the Easter hope wedding of Sue Laurie and Julie Bruno. We started with family and ended with family. We can't create One Family Tree by human means alone, but God can with and through us. Remembering our long-haul mission, planning for 2012 in Florida has already begun.

–Rev. Troy Plummer, Reconciling Ministries Network


( Trinity at General Conference )

As our monthly Trinity Voice goes to print, the United Methodist Church is in the midst of its quadrennial General Conference.  Some voting has taken place that is encouraging, such as the rejection of conservative candidates and the election of more moderate and liberal candidates for our nine-member Judicial Council.  The conference also has made a strong statement against the current war being waged in Iraq. 

Legislation on LGBT issues has yet to be presented in the plenary sessions, but this will surely arise today (Wednesday) and the next two days.  Along with other Trinity members, I was there over the weekend and plan to return on Thursday and Friday.  Susan, our associate pastor, also plans to be there for the next three days as a witness for inclusiveness.  I don't anticipate huge changes in our favor, but I may be wrong about this.  Change is slow, but still we push on.  My prayer is that the UMC will eventually reflect its own national ad campaign slogan of Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds. 

For more information you can go to the following websites for updates:  www.rmnetwork.org, www.soulforce.org, www.mfsaweb.org, or www.umnexus.org/blog.  There is also live video streaming of General Conference through the UMC's official site at www.umc.org. 

Last Sunday at noon we were privileged to hear Gil Caldwell share his reflections on the relationship between racism and heterosexism.  As a young black man, he was part of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Freedom Riders and was one of the heroes I was arrested with in Cleveland at General Conference in 2000.  I encourage you to read his very inspirational article, which appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today.

With hope & prayer--
Sid Hall, Senior Pastor


Eight years ago, at the age of 66, I was arrested at the United Methodist General Conference in Cleveland. I was arrested twice: first as part of a demonstration outside the meeting place, and later with my fellow United Methodist clergy and lay persons who disrupted the legislative session inside.( Read more... )