Diary of a Delegate: Homophobia and the sin of commission

When speaking of sin, we often separate into two categories: sins of commission (what we have done) and sins of omission (what we have left undone). It's about to get real frank up in here. I asked to be placed on the Church and Society 2 legislative committee for the United Methodist Church General Conference…

Sermon: De-construction

"De-construction" (February 19, 2012) Like so many of us, Peter is quick to build structure and ritual around the fleeting but powerful experience of God in Christ. Where do our structures-- our buildings, yes, but also our denominational systems and preoccupations with statistics-- get in the way of the uncontainable experience of Christ, and where…

Diary of a Delegate: There’s prayer in my politics!

As part of our preparation for General and Jurisdictional Conferences, the New England group of delegates and reserve delegates have been meeting together regularly and conversing over email. I think it's impossible-- or at least I hope it is-- for a group of thirty United Methodist lay and clergy people to meet regularly and not…

Love, Norms, and Heterosexual Priveledge

I don't think it's any big secret that I am an enormous fan of the Fox show "Glee." While the show contains much that is campy, cheesy, and cartooney, it also has several wonderful factors, which I early on decided were 1. Sue Sylvester (such incredibly snarky, wonderful, sarcastic writing), 2. Will Schuester (a character…

Sermon: Annoying Grace

"Annoying Grace" (Feb 12, 2012) Through humor and satire, the book of Jonah invites us to critique Jonah's central beliefs: that people deserve punishment, that God's mercy is a form of weakness or soft-heartedness, and that God's grace, amazing when applied to us, is not meant to be poured out for everyone (Jonah 3:10-4:11 [included…

Secret Diary of a Delegate- overview

Not that there's anything really secret about it. I think I just want to pretend I'm Billie Piper. I am a clergy delegate to the 2012 United Methodist General Conference. For my non-Methodist friends (I do have a few!), this is the once-every-four-years gathering of clergy and lay members of the United Methodist Church, elected…

Sermon: Renewed Strength

"Renewed Strength" (Feb 5, 2012) We all come to a place where we feel tired and stretched too thin-- not necessarily in a bad way, but even from doing too many good things. Jesus himself modeled the need to take time for renewal, not as a rule, but out of his own need. He made…

Sermon: Time Sensitive

"Time Sensitive" (Jan 29, 2012) Some things cannot or should not wait. When God calls us to follow and respond, we can choose to respond like Jonah and run away or put it off, or we can choose to be like the Ninevites to whom Jonah preaches, or like the disciples when Jesus calls: we…