i'm sorry, I woke up and it was 1952

This is not okay. I discovered this article after telling the story to my coworkers that you're about to read. This baffles me. Last night I heard the following from a friend who attends a church other than mine: Our youth director received a call today from the program director of their summer mission trip. Program director asks, do you have any colored kids coming on the trip. (I don't know if this was really the reply or added in the story, but I hope it was the actual reply) youth director says, yeah lots of colors what are you looking for. Program director, no seriously do you have any black kids attending the trip. youth director, are you freaking kidding me?! (or a version of such) program director, one of the nights we are going swimming and we need to know if you have any black kids attending because the pool is segregated. youth director makes several statements of shock and appal and I don't yet know what happens from there. I do have faith in this one amazing youth director that right will be done for his kids.
All I have to say is this is not okay of the pool. It is further more unacceptable that an organized church related mission trip would even consider attending such a facility much less to call participating youth directors to see if there will be an issue. Heads need to roll for this. Program director. camp director. mission organization staff. I'm praying for you all through this grave mistake.
I ask how these things can happen still. Aren't there laws, does our not so segregated president have anything to say about this? My coworkers say, someone has to care. Um, it sounds like these prom going kids care. I care. Everyone who I've told this story to cares. I don't want to marr the generally good reputation of a large scale mission trip, but this is not okay. I'm proud to be a part of an organization that will have no such activities and will make an active stand against them. Bradford, leave the comforts of Berkeley and go home and save these people from themselves!

Rethink Church

I went to an event yesterday that was our conference's participation in a new campaign of the umc. The event happened in the eastern portion of my neighborhood, Oak Cliff. This part of the neighborhood is a predominately Spanish speaking population. It was noted by one of the organizers that the only English speaking folks at the event were clergy and other 'church professionals.' But, all the written materials I saw were in English, the speaking that I heard was in English. We obviously need to Rethink Church. Was it that the expected crowd of English speakers didn't turn out? Scared by the humidity or the drive into 'the hood'? I've often had to explain my living in a quite nice and quaint Oak Cliff neighborhood rather than the rough and tumble reputation my dear OC can have.
After this I went to church - to pull carpet. Lots of folks showed up to help and we had the room cleared in 30 minutes. So, I followed this with a stop at the Praise Band rehearsal. This was the moment of the day that unexpectedly rejuvenated me. I do love being at their rehearsals, but last night I was particularly uplifted by the camaraderie and music.
I want to Rethink Church, but there is still some of church now that I'd like to hang onto. Nights like yesterday for one. But, then again even last night could be better. What if rehearsal was open? What if other people got to experience the fellowship and music making processes that I get to when I sit in on a rehearsal. What happens when we open the doors and no one comes in? What happens when we move outside and people walk by or come after the event is over? How do we find the balance in being the church when and where folks need us to be and still be true to our own needs? When do we stop waiting for a committee on interpretation and simply go and be the body of Christ?

A new W in Dallas

They say our current president and family are moving to the 'mountainous' Dallas area. (we're not Kansas but we do our skiing in Colorado for a reason) I attended the installation service of Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe to the North Texas Annual Conference. I know nothing about him other than the bios that can easily be googled. I did however like his presence at worship this afternoon. I have to admit, I mostly went because I love worship. I love to see how people address pomp and circumstance. What is being done to connect an African American man born in 1950 with the population of Dallas and a denomination on the edge of division, loosing members and at a dire lack of young adults. Other than the college choir that was performing and the Bishop's children I don't know that I saw another person in their 20's in the room. I'm sure there were a handful spread among the room, but that's all. I wonder why? Why is the church not popular to our twenty-somethings? I know it is a historical issue and not just our generation, but why? The music was wonderful, the sermon kept my attention, there was an effort to incorporate children and dance. Where are the other church addicts? Where are my friends from seminary who created more opportunity for worship b/c Sunday Church and Tuesday chapel wasn't enough? So, Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, I heard you and I do believe that in some way I hear what you hear. But, do you hear what I hear? A screaming silence in the absence of people like me.

Plenary Witness

The 2oo8 General Conference Proclamation

(click to video link)

We have heard Jesus say – to all persons without exception – “follow me.”

We are part of God’s living body in today’s world, but our United Methodist Church

refuses to accept what God has done,

refuses to keep covenant with its own words in the baptismal promise,
refuses to honor God’s call to professional ministry,
refuses to do no harm,
refuses to open its hearts, minds, and doors.
The unchurched notice. They notice the church
cruelly scapegoating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
on the altar of so-called unity The young notice. They notice the church,
refusing, threatening, removing, closeting
the lgbt people who faithfully serve the church. The world notices.We notice.God notices.
The United Methodist baptismal liturgy calls all of us to
accept the freedom and power God gives us
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves.
It is our duty – our baptismal covenant – to stand against the sin of the church,
to stand for God’s freedom and power,
to affirm God’s entire body of Christ that is the church.
We are God's children,
here … now.
Today we boldly declare by standing here
that our church’s doors and our ministries will radically obey the Gospel
that we defy bigotry and ignorance,
that the anti-gay policies and practices of The United Methodist Church are wrong.
By human means we cannot stand
but by the grace of God we can.
By standing
we reject the idea that homosexuality is a sinBy standing
we affirm that sexuality is a good gift of GodBy standing
we affirm our intent to spread God’s love and graceBy standing
we bless and celebrate families, all families.
We do not stand alone.We stand in solidarity with all those
who are not here,
who are not in our congregations.We stand with those who’ve been forced out and who’ve never come in,
who already affirm one another as beloved children of God,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
We stand with holy boldness
to welcome LGBT laity and clergy into our churches and pulpits, NOW;
to keep baptismal promises for all, NOW;
to affirm calls to ministries for all people, NOW;
to bless covenant relationships in our churches by our clergy, NOW;
to assure membership for all, NOW;
to provide hospitality for all, NOW.
Join us. Stand now. Build our future with hope and trust in God.



Proclamation – Witness – General Conference 2008 – Ft. Worth, TX – Drafted by the Witness Team of Reconciling Ministries Network, Rev. David W. Meredith, Convener

Hope takes a hit

I don't have words to go with the news today. So I post this photo to represent that I wish this line of solidarity and silence didn't have to exist, but I'll stand in it until it is no longer necessary. For the tragic news: "United Methodists uphold sexuality stance" .

The anti-greying of the church

Another good article out today. The kid I use to take care of, not just a delegate, but leading the delegation from my old conference! I remember electing delegates for 2000 General Conference and campaigning to get a young adult to go. And we did, a female one at that. There's something even more rewarding knowing that opened a door to letting Devin lead this year's troupe, at least I like to think we helped.

Sing a new Song

I eat my words. "Authorization of a committee to develop the new hymnal came 20 years after adoption of the first official United Methodist Hymnal. " Even if the vote was 450-438 I'm grateful to see us not just think about a new hymnal but working on one. I am extremely curious, almost enough to inquire what the credentials needed to be on the committee to develop the new hymnal are. I'd love to just be a fly on the wall to learn how a new hymnal is developed and witness the discussions. What stays/what's added/what's reworked. I have a deep passion for developing new liturgy and re-visioning that which we have now. With the hymnal being one of our three basic texts for the designing of UMC worship, I would be beside myself to be privy to these conversations in the coming years.

Even half way across the country I feel a positive energy of hope coming out of conference. My skepticism and anxiety as conference began almost a week ago has turned to another reason to wish I were in Texas right now. A dear friend has just returned to say he experienced some of the most spiritually charged moments while doing street ministry that he has ever felt during such an action. May we no longer be remembered for arrests and broken chalices, but for A Future (and Present) of Hope.

Two of my life partners

"Delegates to 2008 General Conference were treated to a Texas-sized party April 28 -- their one night off.
A member of the Texas Boys Choir performs during a night of entertainment hosted by the Fort Worth Area.After a concert by the Texas Boys Choir, delegates spilled out onto the Water Park courtyard at the south end of the Fort Worth Convention Center for food, music and fellowship. Visitors from all over the world were treated to Texas delicacies including empanadas, quail eggs and Blue Bell ice cream."

Now here is the combination of two entities that I love dearly, but don't always agree with; Texas and United Methodists. After the sessions I streamed today regarding approval of legislature with financial implications, this was a well-earned gathering of the flock and the herd...

As I was streaming this afternoons sessions I heard a matured but still familiar voice arise. My brother's best friend growing up and a child I often took care of, now 21 and speaking quite eloquently. After a moment, of wow, that was a long time ago (10-12 years) I started to think how interesting it is that so many people I was close to growing up are widely connected in the church. My brother and I were both chairpersons of our conference youth councils, as I believe Devin (the now 21 yr-old) was as well. Had I not been in my last two weeks of Grad School I would have found some way to hang around conference this week. More than half of the articles or sessions include a name of someone I've served with or known along the way. It is this connection, these long-time relationships that embody one of the aspects I love most about being Methodist. It was like pulling teeth to get some of the legislation passed today (I particularly think of the legislation to create a committee to do a study which was quite the ordeal) and I do wonder about the course of change, but I wouldn't give up our connectional system to repair either of these. The fact that I can sit at my computer in California, writing papers and hear familiar voices in Texas, making decisions as elected representatives of my little part of 'the church' (whatever that means) makes me feel truly like a part of the body of believers.

Baked Goods and Good ideas Baking

I see evidence of this year's General Conference theme already (in day two) in some of the worships/speeches that I've heard or read notes on so far. (I would like to note, in light of the current political race our outgoing president of the Bishop's council is a woman and our in coming is an African American man, hmm, they co-led the opening worship) Today's comments, "four areas of focus area are: 1) Engaging in ministry with the poor; 2) creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations; 3) stamping out diseases of poverty by improving health globally; and 4) developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world." embody Hope with goals that are measurable. I find hope in articulating goals that are attainable and evaluable, especially when there is a need for healing and unification. Some reports and commentary mark our church to be in a stale-mate on many issues and regardless of how many hold that view, being able to point to progress somewhere is at least healing to me. In my recent complaining on the lack of accountability in the clergy system, I'm thankful for dialogue on new models for effective ministry, this gives me hope. I'm worried when back to back headlines read, General Conference to include emphasis on Health and Cookie Bakers fire up ovens for General Conference no one caught the disconnect in that? But would we be Methodists w/o cookies? May be not, but the article says, "100,000 cookies for 1,000 delegates" Maybe this is why we have to have an emphasis on health. Cookies are okay within reason. I'm really not trying be a downer on cookies, I just took a batch of brownies out of the oven myself. But may be we can reflect on some of our bigger problems in attempting to walk off our 100 cookies per person.

Does it take more than an act of God?

I often think that it takes more than an act of God (not that I actually believe there is anything more than an act of God) to enact change in the United Methodist Church. And yet, I remain a member of this body and intend to continue to worship and fellowship within it in hopes of enacting that exact change which I wonder if it is possible. Today begins the first day of our General Conference which happens every four years. With any luck, I hope to blog a lot in the next week and a half about some of the issues on the table or happenings around conference. It is taking place in my home conference, but alas I am in California this spring and not able to attend any events in person. Thus far today I find most interesting two headlines of the day, one a discussion on UM divesting in companies to show support in opposing Israeli settlements in Palestinian land and the other on whether or not it is time to create a new UMC Hymnal. (*update on 4/30 entry) Committees on both came to some directives and will report back at the next General Conference..in four years. Does it really need to take four more years to decide if we need a new hymnal? By the time that decision is made and a hymnal created, approved and published it'll be time to talk about a new one. And, I pray the situation in Palestine will be completely different and for the better in four years. For always, but especially this week, I ask you to join me and many others in praying for this delegation of our church as they make some very important decisions, even beyond hymnals.
You can find all the articles in the links above. Here are some interesting findings from surveys listed in the Hymnal article that I find curious and questionable.
The top three favorites in the current United Methodist Hymnal are "Amazing Grace," "Here I Am, Lord" and "How Great Thou Art."
The top three favorite hymns from The Faith We Sing songbook are "The Summons," "I’ll Fly Away" and "As the Deer."
The top favorite of United Methodists under 30 is "Be Thou My Vision."
The No. 1 requested hymn to include in a new hymnal: "Eternal Father, Strong to Save."
Top three requests to include an updated United Methodist Hymnal or in The Faith We Sing: "Love Lifted Me," "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and "God Bless America."
Others findings indicate that the:
Most frequently sung non-Christmas hymns over the past three years are "Amazing Grace," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and "Blessed Assurance."
Most frequent songs from The Faith We Sing are "Shine, Jesus, Shine," "Sanctuary" and "They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love."
Ten percent of pastors, worship planners and chief musicians expressed interest in multiple languages in the Psalter.
Thirty-six percent prefer the Psalter as it is now presented, 27 percent prefer not to include the chanting, 38 percent would like Psalms set as hymns and songs.
Seventy-five percent would like to have Healing Services in the hymnal.
The least-used worship service in the hymnal is Word and Table IV, unused by 34 percent.
Forty-three percent want more praise choruses in the hymnal; 34 percent do not.
Seventy percent sing the melodies of our hymns; 61 percent will sing harmony when it is provided.
Seventy percent are comfortable using male-only language for God, 25 percent are comfortable using female language for God, and 42 percent are comfortable using male or female language for God.
Twenty-eight percent prefer to sing lyrics on a screen; 70 percent prefer to use a hymnal or songbook.
Sixty-five percent prefer Wesley texts with their traditional tunes; 33 percent prefer contemporary tunes.