Diary of a Delegate: Two megachurch pastors walk into a bar

Given my previous post, it should come as no surprise that the highlight of my day yesterday was going out to an open air bar with some friends, old and new. It was a gorgeous night and we found a great spot to hang out. When we walked in, one member of our group noticed…

Diary of a Delegate: Days Four and Five- Let me be full, let me be empty

When Bishop Weaver gave his episcopal address a few days ago, he concluded by inviting us to share in the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, which contains the phrase "let me be full; let me be empty..." The past two days have been both full and empty.You'll note that I don't distinguish between the two days or…

Diary of a Delegate: Day Three – Tears

Yes, I know. Technically, I could subtitle any day at General Conference, or anywhere else for that matter, with that word. I'm a crier. It's me. But Thursday there were more tears than usual. I'll give a shout out to Adam Hamilton, who after a lot of critique of the proposal he helped present, agreed…

Diary of a Delegate: Day Two – bad roller coaster

Wednesday was a day of highs and lows, which will probably be a theme for General Conference in, um, general. We began the day with three main addresses, one each from the episcopacy (the Council of Bishops), the laity, and the young people of the church. New England Conference’s Bishop, Pete Weaver, began the day…

Diary of a Delegate: Day One- of Worship and Wordsmithing

The first day of General Conference was a wild and fun ride for me (watch here). I'm an extrovert (obligatory pause while everyone who has ever met me offers a snide comment) and a church nerd (ditto), so I think I'm made to love certain aspects of General Conference. It's wonderful to see so many…

Video: It’s not a sin to be gay

I was asked by the folks at the Breaking the Silence project to submit my belief in full inclusion for all people as a video. Here's the link to that video: It's not a sin to be gay (full length) (I also edited a shorter version, for those who don't have 9 and a half…

Diary of a Delegate: Wheels Up

I'm headed out to the airport in a few hours on my way to Tampa for General Conference. Things on my heart as I journey: - Following a lively discussion at my church yesterday, I'm even more interested to follow the petition to divest United Methodist funds from Caterpillar, Motorola, and Hewlett Packard in opposition…

Sermon: I’m a Creationist!

"I'm a Creationist!" (it's not what you think...) (April 22, 2012) Scripture teaches us the importance of caring for all of creation as God's good gift. This is never at odds with our work for social justice for the poor and oppressed, but an integral part of it. We give thanks for the earth this…

Diary of a Delegate: Reproductive Rights and Doing no Harm

Like all legislative committees, Church and Society B will divide into subcommittees to handle the categories of our (rather massive) load of resolutions and petitions. Although I requested this committee because of my strong desire to see our church change its policy on homosexuality, there's a good chance I may volunteer for or be placed…

Diary of a Delegate: End– or Beginning– in Sight

It's my last official day of work before General Conference. The phone is ringing constantly with church work and with people calling delegates for last minute legislative pitches. It's actually kind of fun in a strange, stressful way. Here online, I want to give another thanks to UM Insight for reposting my thoughts on bullying…