United Methodists come together Aug. 25–28 to 'Sing a New Song' for LGBT awareness

United Methodists from all over the globe are gathering in Ohio, August 25–28, to plan for more openness to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Christians in the church. Close to 700 supporters will "Sing a New Song" at the convocation, at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.

Actions are already in motion to move the church toward policy change and the General Conference is not until April of 2012. One-thousand clergy have vowed to perform same sex weddings despite prohibitions. Retired bishops signed a statement urging the United Methodist Church to drop the judgmental language about gay people in their Book of Discipline. Black Methodists for Church Renewal, a recognized caucus of the denomination, voted to affirm these bishops' statement.

With 8 million members in the US and 4 million around the world, many Christians are working hard to move the denomination toward accepting the moral equality of all members, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

"The Spirit is opening people's hearts," said Troy Plummer, executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network. "Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians have joined the United Church of Christ in ordaining candidates based on their ability for ministry, rather than their sexual orientation or gender identity. We know that God is opening the hearts of United Methodists as well."

"The church works hard to fulfill Christ's commandment to love your neighbor," said Jill A. Warren, executive director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. "United Methodists support human rights for all people, including LGBT people. I pray for a day when we can all work together to bring peace to war torn countries and to be good stewards of God's creation, as fully-inclusive United Methodist neighbors."

Tim Tennant-Jayne, spokesperson for Affirmation United Methodists said, "Friends, families, bishops, clergy and laity are joining together and speaking out. Like Saint Paul on the road to Damascus, they have been changed from judgment to love. We are all going to Ohio to worship, sing and plan so that the next generation can say to us when the doors are open to everyone, ‘well done thou good and faithful servant.'"
The three national organizations collaborating on this effort are:

Reconciling Ministries Network
Methodist Federation for Social Justice
Affirmation: United Methodist