Yesterday the Global United Methodist Church voted to widen the definition of clergy ineligible to serve in our church and strengthened the penalties against pastors who perform weddings of same-gender couples.
Then the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, which is made up of churches in Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona declared that we would continue to be an inclusive church, regardless of the decision made by the larger church.
I have no idea what is going to happen next on the global or jurisdictional stage. I do know that here in the Parish we will grieve, we will lament, and we will go about the business of sharing God’s love with all people. I’m going to officiate at the weddings of friends and parishioners, regardless of the make-up of the couples. On the district level, I am going to vote for gifted candidates to be licensed in ministry or moved on to the board of ordained ministry for commissioning, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I am going to continue to advocate for a church with doors open to all.
We have a long road ahead as we figure out how to be the church God calls us to be, but I know who God is, I know who I am, and I know who the Parish is. For today that is going to have to be enough.
-Eilidh
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