The wish list thing....

I wish for:

1) Books for my kids. (And a globe... it's bad enough that all our stuff shows the USSR, but I've just discovered that Korea isn't divided on our globe!)


2) World Peace.

3) A really dynamic liberal Christian speaker/author-- preferably a United Methodist-- who can write a best-selling book, then go on all the talk shows and let this country learn what intelligent liberal theology really is, and teach people to just be nicer to each other. (Hmm, maybe we can convert Thich Nhat Han?)

4) Jobs (or better jobs) for all my friends who need them.

5) Cures for cancer, arthritis, diabetes, clinical depression, anxiety disorders and AIDS.

6) A cheaper source for SmartWool socks (less than $8 per pair). You don't even have to buy me socks, just send me a link!

7) A pipe organ (with maintenance endowment) for my church.

8) Bars of scented soap-- lavendar, pine, jasmine and lilac are my favorites.

9) The ability to open up more to other people.

10) Anything on my wish list.

Another Reconciling Ministries newsletter

"The UMC has shamefully stripped the Rev. Beth Stroud of her credentials as clergy. It is time for the UMC to stop the violence against gay and lesbian clergy. Neither side questioned the validity of her calling to ministry, neither side questioned the work of the Holy Spirit in her ministry at First United Methodist Church of Germantown, neither side questioned her baptism, her faith, or her love of Jesus that she so readily shares. Both sides affirmed her as a sister in Christ, a truth-teller, a role model of graciousness.

Yet, her faithfulness and honesty have been demeaned by the church. She has been judged not based on her character but on cultural prejudice heaped upon homosexual persons. The church has sinned.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Rev. Stroud is only one of hundreds, if not thousands, of faithful United Methodist seminarians, pastors, district superintendents and bishops who are gay and lesbian. It is God who has called them to ministry in the United Methodist Church and their integrity to this calling has blessed the Church.

Most United Methodists will nod knowingly when you talk about the gifts and graces they have experienced from gay and lesbian clergy. The church's refusal to honor the activities of the Holy Spirit through this marginalized group of faithful servants is sin. It is blasphemy."

-Rev. Troy G. Plummer

The vote was 7 to 6, barely a majority. Sound familiar? At least Rev. Stroud's congregation has remained supportive. They have already announced that she will keep her position as associate pastor; she just won't be able to consecrate communion or perform marriages (one newspaper says she won't be allowed to baptize, but under our Discipline that's not true. However, the church might choose not to have her take that role publicly).