Long Day

The humidity is rising and the tension is beginning to build on issues such as the Call to Action, the Fiscal Budget for the next 4 years, the role of the bishop, the world-wide nature of the church and the prohibitive language regarding homosexuality.  All 13 legislative committees met for the second day, unraveling the nearly thousands of petitions.  I heard that two committees have completed their work.  Many committees have divided into sub-groups in order to get all of the petitions assigned a fair look.  The rooms are packed. 

I spend my day "surfing" the committees.  There are places for reserve delegates and observers to sit and listen.  It is interesting to see how different the groups conduct business.  The Finance folks were very efficient, exact with Robert's Rules of order, and prepared.  Other groups were sitting in circles, some laughing, some intense, emotional and raw.   For those following the legislation, you can check the gc2012.umc.org website to follow the reports.  In short, subcommittee votes today prefer "Plan B" to the CTA, voted to keep the statement of clergy prohibited to perform same-sex unions/marriages in the discipline, voted to strike the words, "incompatible with Christian teaching" and voted to allow the Council of Bishops to elect one bishop to be "set aside" as the President of the Council, without geographical assignment/responsibility.  Busy day.

The best part of GC is always the worship.  Tonight we had a "Act of Repentance" for the injustices our church has had upon the Native American people.  It was a sobering worship service, with the first steps taken towards reconciliation.  What kept coming to my mind as I heard the stories of land being stolen, land that many of our churches in the WNCC are built upon, land where many of our folks are buried in church cemeteries...  taken from the Cherokee in such cruel ways.  I think as we will inevitably close some of our many churches in the coming decades (especially if we keep voting against exclusion of GLBT people), we should close these buildings, and give the property to the Cherokee.  Sounds ludicrous, sounds like a lightening rod, but it sounds like restitution.  Give the land back to those whom land was taken. 

Okay, well we shall end the post right there!!  Lots more to write.  But my eyes are weary, and my pillow is calling.