Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

5:30 p.m. Sunday February 21

Free admission

Join us for the screening of An Act of Love, a documentary about the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister, Rev. Frank Schaefer, who risked it all for his son. Cosponsored by: Saint John’s Reconciling Team, Rio Texas MFSA, and Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team.

 Why this film is important now

“We now have marriage equality in all 50 States, but the U.S.’s 2nd largest protestant denomination is still sharply divided on this issue.

Full equality for the LGBTQ community cannot exist in the U.S. without the support of the Christian community. Laws may be passed that provide more rights and protections, but those rights will be routinely ignored in places where the community does not agree that LGBTQ citizens should be treated as equals under the law and under God. Just as the struggle for racial and gender equality made huge strides forward once they gained the support of influential religious communities – so will the LGBTQ movement.

We hope that this film will be a strategic and important tool used to elevate the conversation about LGBTQ rights in one of the most significant Christian denominations in the U.S. – the United Methodist Church.

In May 2016, at the denomination’s General Conference, there will be another chance for the rules of the UMC to change and allow for ordination of LGBTQ clergy and for same-sex marriage within the Church. We created this film with this critical turning point in mind.”