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Observations About General Conference 2004 at Pittsburgh

Reg and Barbara Olson
May 19, 2004

A. We felt like we were at the very Hub of the UMC. Diversity was obvious every-where, from the color of the delegates’ faces, to their garb, and their tongue. At the opening ceremony more than 70 people were dressed in various native costumes and gracefully danced around the convention hall.

B. There were many "visitors". Our "Common Witness" coalition was very diverse. There was MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action), RMN (Reconciling Methodist Network), PRM (Parents Reconciling Network), AFFIRMATION (The Methodist GLBT Network), MOSAIC (Methodist Students for an Inclusive Church), United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC), and Soul Force.

Our Shower of Stoles display was brilliant. One of the churches we worshipped in was decorated with many beautiful stoles. When the stoles were first being unpacked, the first stole to be taken from the packing box was the one we gave in honor of our daughter-in-law, Shelly.

C. Many of the members of these groups have been involved in attempts to change the Church’s homophobic attitudes and policies over a long period of time. I wondered what keeps them going. They say that 85% of all homosexual United Methodists have left the UM Church. This makes the presence of those “who have stayed” all the more precious. The leaders of these groups are so talented. The church is the poorer for their absence. (What the church does not realize is that if they let the homosexual activists into the church their revolutionary zeal might cool.)

D. It seemed to us that Tony Drake, who was with us much of the time, knew everyone. When the Lee Ball Award was given to the Rev. Gil Caldwell, and the master of cere-monies told about Ball’s campaign to keep the MFSA alive during the post-McCarthy era, by personally visiting ministers all over the nation and staying in their homes Tony said, “He stayed at our house at that time.”!

E. During the two weeks we spent at General Conference we worked with members of all the coalition groups. It was a pleasure to get to know them and their stories. Between 900 and 1,000 rainbow-colored stoles were distributed to the supporters of full inclusion. This made it possible to identify an ally from some distance away. We sent note cards to delegates (I sent to our delegation and to Eastern European delegates, saying "open the doors to our gay and lesbian children. I am the father of a Christian lesbian daughter".

F. One of the insights we gained was the ways in which the Good News (Mark Tooley is one of the spokespersons of Good News, and the Rev. James V. Heidinger II is its president) and Confessing Movement (the Rev. Bill Hinson, president) groups operate their anti-homosexual campaigns. Here are some observations and questions about their movement:

1. Many missionaries who went to take the gospel to the third world nations probably started off with a simple Gospel message couched in literal terms.
2. We wonder how many of those third world churches have developed beyond a literal understanding of the scriptures.
3. The conservative elements in the American churches have probably been the most active financial supporters of the growth of these mission churches.
4. The Central Conference of the UMC continues to receive financial support from our churches.
5. Is it possible that delegates from the third world churches received money which influenced the way they voted at the conference? One of these delegates was overheard to have asked an apparently affluent person “when they were going to get their money, because their VISA cards were getting max’d out.”
6. On the key discussions of homosexuality, which focused on whether or not the Church would admit to “not being of one mind” on the issue, the majority of the speakers were from the Central Conference, and were black African persons. On one occasion they asked, "should the church license people to go to hell?" Central Conference delegates kept saying that God created male and female, thus rejecting same-sex relationships. They also seemed to suggest that maybe homosexuals were of indeterminate sexual identities (neither male nor female). One stated that if all the people became homosexuals we could not procreate!
7. More than one observer commented that the conservative groups “used” these African delegates to argue their case, and that this was a form of racism, for the conservative groups themselves would not support other legislation, like AIDS relief, which could help the African churches.
8. The Good News and Confessing Movement seemed to use the news media to their benefit by setting up press conferences and putting their own “spin” on what was happening without notifying other groups of the Conference.
9. While the delegates from the Central Conference begged that the church send a “clear message” on homosexuality, not diluted with the words “not of one mind” for the benefit of their constituency back home, many observers were astonished to learn that the Central Conference has its own Discipline with certain content unique to it alone. Why didn’t the Central Conference pass its own legislation for its own Discipline? Why were they allowed to vote on the Discipline which binds American United Methodists?
10. The presiding bishop called attention to the fact that some delegates were voting on more than one voting machine, and asked delegates to stop this practice. Observers noted that this behavior did not stop, even after the warning.

G. How were delegate assignments made to the committees which debated and voted on various legislation? We observed that the Rev. Eddie Fox, a very smooth talking conservative from Nashville, was a major force in the subcommittee of Church and Society, which was considering proposed changes to Discipline paragraph 161, on homosexual behavior is incompatible with Christian teaching”. How did he get on that strategic committee? How were the leaders of the committees chosen?

H. It was ironic that on the issue of whether or not United Methodists were “of one mind” (in agreement) in regard to the church’s stance toward homosexuality; the vote in the subcommittee was split 9-6 (against saying that the church is divided), while the full committee the new language actually passed by a vote of 49-48! Then the full house of delegates defeated the measure by a vote of 55% to 45%. Do these numbers suggest that the church is “of one mind” on the issue? This vote was taken Tuesday, May 3, 2004.

Eddie Fox supported the minority report (we are united). James Preston, and Margaret Mallory spoke against it. Three Africans spoke for the minority report, saying "we need clarity." Another delegate sang "You've got to be carefully taught to hate and to fear others". Joy Nye, of West Ohio evoked AIDS data as proof of the sin of Sodom. A Japanese-American delegate from California-Nevada Conference spoke for us. He said that Jesus opposed re-marriage of divorcees, but we don't heed that today. We speak falsely against homosexuals, this is hypocrisy.

The Church chose not to tell the truth. One observer wrote, "millions of dollars were allotted to a campaign that is essentially a gross prevarication."

Despite the fact that there were more delegates from the more conservative areas of the church (southern delegates) this year, due to church growth having occurred in those areas, the dissenting vote against the homophobic statements of the Discipline was still higher than at the last General Conference, when it was split 60% to 40%!

I. On Thursday, May 6, the coalition supporting full inclusion in the church staged a brilliant "River of Life Witness" march and demonstration of its support on the floor of the conference. This was sponsored by SoulForce. Having received the permission of the Council of bishops to make a demonstration, (did the bishops allow it so this would prevent a recurrence of the arrests of Soul Force people in Cleveland in 2000?) about 300-500 demonstrators (including some delegates) marched to the sound of a drum, carrying banners, water bowls, reminders of our baptismal promises, and posters (some read "There are homosexuals already in heaven"), wearing our rainbow colored stoles, and pink triangle armbands, and singing gospel songs (such as “What does the Lord require of thee?”) first ringed the hall outside the bar of the conference, then they marched in a second ring around the inside of the bar of the conference. An estimated 25-30 bishops stood in solidarity with the demonstrators, twice the number which participated in 2000. An estimated 300-500 other supporters rose to stand in place, either at their delegate position, or in the visitors’ bleachers. The presiding bishop Janice Huie of Arkansas’s warm words of welcome to “guests among us” was astounding to some, and set the tone for acceptance of the demonstrators. Other delegates remained in their seats, some with sour looks on their faces. After the demonstration we went to a hallway out side the conference and listened to various speakers- Jimmy Creech, (picture), Rev. Phil Lawson, and Rev. Jean Audrey Powers, etc.

J. The headquarters of the "Common Witness" coalition for full inclusion was the UCC Smithfield church, about five blocks from the convention center. What started out as a drab gymnasium was transformed into a bright “gay” place, with streamers, balloons, brightly colored table clothes etc. The volunteers worked many long hours preparing the breakfasts and lunches for all guests who would partake, numbering on some days over 500 people.

Coalition members handed out over five thousand bottles of water to delegates and visitors, reminding them of our baptism. This was called our "water bottle witness". Daily members also lined the walkway entrances to the convention headquarters with prayer groups in the act of meditation; and robed members held clear bowls of water inviting others to re-affirm their baptism. Most of the members of the coalition stayed at the Holiday Inn, a few miles from the convention center, across the river, and on the other side of the tracks.

K. The Good News group had its headquarters in the convention’s main hotel, the Westin, attached to the convention center by a walk-way. Here is where the bishops and many of the delegates stayed. The Good News people had special breakfasts and boxed lunches which were catered by the hotel. They seemed to have more financial resources at their disposal.

L. The business agenda of the conference and operating procedures were organized in a strange way, with partial reports from the delegate committees being brought up at various different times. There was a homosexual day at which most of the legislation pertaining to homosexuals was brought up. To understand what the house was voting on it was necessary to purchase two volumes of the advanced publication Daily Christian Advocate, costing $40, plus copies of the daily DCA which revealed the votes of the committees. Many of the committee spokespersons did not identify their legislation by topic, but only by page and petition number, thus it seemed to be a great mystery. I wondered how many delegates kept up with the rapid flow of petitions, amendments and substitutions. The subcommittee and full committee votes were not always stated, although they appeared in the DCA, if one was lucky enough to find the appropriate reference.

M. Who “leaked” the Good News document proposing a split in the church? What role did Bruce Robbins play in claiming the essential “unity of the church” of former head of GCCUIC on Friday morning, May 7?

That day at lunch at Smithfield Church two South Georgia delegates attended and (said they were converted) and "thanks for our efforts"

N. Other Experiences on Dates

On Thursday, April 29 we took communion from Bishop Ough at 12:30 noon. Took picture there. That same day took picture of Smithfield sanctuary and Bishop Tuell talking about the Karen Dammann trial. Later picture of Heather Elkins.

Friday, April 30

RMN Reception at Warhol Museum That evening the women's chorus sang, among other songs, "I Ain't Afraid of you etc, its what you do in the name of your God" by Holly Near.

Saturday, May 1

We had a Family Reunion at the Calvary Church. A slide show was presented with pictures of God's family. Gil Caldwell was introduced, and offered to be honorary grandparent to any homosexual in need. I photographed Karen Oliveto, who was arrested in 2000 at Cleveland, and is an elected delegate this year. She said the King of Cambodia saw a wedding of gays and declared that they could have weddings there and that transsexuals have equal rights in his country. A reconciling congregation is the only safe place for many. She performed more legal marriages of gays in two weeks than all the weddings in the previous 12 years of her ministry. Fourteen couples were married in her church on February 12 and following. "Love anywhere strengthens love everywhere, as marriage is protected. Are we United Methodists or Untied Methodists? We sang "Oh for a thousand delegates to open up our doors."

Sat., May 1

Parents Breakfast at Smithfield--

Bishop Fritz and Etta Mutti, parents of two gay sons, spoke and the Bruce and Virginia Hilton Award was given to Bishop Melvin and Lucile Wheatley.

Sat., May 1

MOSAIC March to the convention center and the river.

Retired clergy can work to "let go and let God." Who will brag in 50 years that they kept our gays from the church? (just as we are embarrassed by past sins of racism).

We are a community of the incompatible. We who are incompatible reject the uncompatible.

His Momma Irene said

"There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it doesn't behoove any of us,
To talk about the rest of us"

RMN Family Event at Calvary UMC

Sunday May 2

RMN Worship at E. Liberty Presbyterian Church

We met Rev. and Mrs Rick Otty, pastor and step father of Jeff and Kelly Edmundson of the Clifton congregation.

Troy Plummer said, "Welcome from 240 Reconciling Churches and Communities"

Rev. Dr. Janet Wolf of Nashville preached- "By the power of the risen Christ we are still standing."

Bishop Joseph Sprague baptized his grandchild and the son of Mary Hight Wright, a RMN volunteer and Deacon during our service.

Monday, May 3 Delegate Harriet McCabe (friend of Iris Hamrick) and Ted Campbell, president of Garrett ate with us in the Westin Orchard Room at 5:30.

Friday, May 7, the choir from Troy Plummer's home church Bering Memorial in Houston, a reconciling congregation sang at Smithfield and at the morning worship service of the conference.

O. Shared Insights --

The real sin of Sodom was a lack of hospitality.

I wonder what Bishop Desmond Tutu would advise for the enlightenment of African Christians.

We met Mr. Finklemeyer, who is pro-gay, but was chosen as the prosecutor in the Karen Dammann case. He bought our book

Sue Laurie gave a devotional at Smithfield Church about Ezekiel’s words "woe to the shepherds" (pastors) who lead the sheep astray given. She said, "when you oppose gay spirit-filled pastors you are sinning against the Holy Spirit." Sue graduated from Garrett in 1996, along with Liz Scott.

Dick Harding, of Boston did a study where he asked members of a study group

1. How old were you when you first noticed that others were different? (11-12)
2. How old were you when you first heard the work homosexual? (teens)
3. How old were you when you first heard that the bible was against homosexuality? (23-26 yrs) Your attitudes were developed long before you learned of the biblical texts against it! Dick Harding knows the Booths from Boston. They also know Dr. Seymour Demari, physician. We had supper at the Japanese Restaurant.

The Rev. James Preston broke a communion chalice at the noon communion service to symbolize the brokenness of the church. "The truth is: we are shattered!", said one observer. The Good News people were appalled at this act of vandalism. They saw no parallel between Preston’s act and Moses’ destruction of the first tablet of the 10 commandments, nor with Jeremiah’s potter who spoiled the clay and reshaped it at his potter’s wheel. Good News also said that pro-homosexual folks tried to drown out the singing of the others at this service!

Do bishops now have to turn in anyone known to be a practicing homosexual gay person in their conference, or else face disciplinary charges themselves?

Now are pre-marital sexual relations to be the basis for denial of one’s ordination?

Troy Plummer told us Wednesday, after the infamous vote on "not of one mind" that "We are watermarked, powerfully and permanently part of the Family. . . A watermark is a sign of authenticity. It cannot be erased, defaced, or disgraced."

In 1980 Affirmation was unable to get housing in a hotel at General Conference, because the church exercised its influence. At the Calvary Church, one of the members at that time told the story of how delegates got housing at a brothel-hotel which charged $15 per hour. After they pled their case the manager let them get rooms at $15 a day! He offered them clean sheets every hour.

Also at the Calvary Church the Heatons and Wheatley told of a time when they announced that anyone supporting the gays and lesbians should wear a tie and skirt. Many men took off their ties at the conference!

Motto from Denver--"I am a self-avowed, practicing Christian"

Label on a yellow brief-case "Secret homosexual Agenda"

Rev. James Forbes of the Riverside Church spoke at the Smithfield Church after lunch, about his quest for Prophetic Justice Principals. This was the day after the Conference vote. He asked to wear one of our stoles.

His comments--

Our witness is important. There has been a decline of idealism in our society, according to Thurgood Marshall. There has been a sinister force prostituting our democracy. Forbes gave us a wrap entitled "No time for foolishness."

He spoke of Dominionism--the view that Christ will return. The world is to be given to a central control--right wing folk. Christ will rule with his earthly regents (right wing leaders). Anything necessary must be done even if it is unethical to build up the dominion. People who work like this have been at work for 20 years-- in education, government, etc.

Amos with his herds--saw a wall with a plumb line--we need to measure public policies against a standard of justice. Tell the truth even if it is inconvenient. It requires extraordinary courage. One day we will win the struggle-- see his plumb line items--10 principles. It requires courage. Courage comes from trust in God.

"We are hand made by God" put this on our forehead. Say "I am cute."

Many people long to go back to a situation of male domination! Did you God make all this diversity? God says, "I'm much more resourceful than you ever imagined."

What if we exhalt

1. all folks God made? We could go to hell for that!
2. What if we include the wrong ones--we could go to hell for this!

It is better to take our chances on # 2, and go with #1.

Jesus got his courage from Mary's eyes. She said, "you are special Jesus." The eyes of the laymen and women gave him confidence to lead. In the synagogue the doctors showed him respect. At Jesus' baptism the heavens opened. A vote count (General Conference action) doesn't prove your worth. God says "you are beloved--don't worry how they voted."

Social justice people need to be more spiritual--receive the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. I know that you have been beaten up, but the heavens will open, the angels came and ministered to Jesus--he said, "get thee behind me Satan. Pray for the marchers."

The Watermarked Coalition published daily "Water Quality Reports" or news summaries.

P. Next General Conference

Make more stoles

Pass out cookies or similar things to delegates