Video of A Conversation with Bishop Melvin Talbert, February 9, 2014

February 11, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA

DSC06502We are happy to report that a video of “A Conversation with Bishop Melvin Talbert” is posted on YouTube.  The event was sponsored by the Southwest Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action at Trinity United Methodist Church in Austin, TX on Sunday, February 9, 2014.  Introduction by Rev. Sid Hall.  The Sign Language Interpreter is Clyde Boyd.

Bishop Talbert discusses the events surrounding his ministry of “Biblical Obedience” and the future of LGBTQ issues in the United Methodist Church. Retired Bishop Talbert has been an advocate for peace and for the oppressed and marginalized. He has fought to help The United Methodist Church and society address racism. He is committed to racial, gender and sexual orientation inclusiveness, stating that there is room at God’s table for everyone.

The video is in two parts.  You can watch the two parts on YouTube at the links below.  When you select the playlist link below the second part should start after the first part completes.  The links for the individual parts are listed in case you want to watch them separately. Thanks to Donn German for videoing the event.

There is a playlist that should play both parts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0j1LqkZow&list=PLx2OEEviLEcziW7SR52YtJ492OF5jbGmy

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Bishop Talbert to Celebrate at UUMC Austin, Followed by Lunch & Conversation at Trinity, February 9

February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA

talbert weddingThe Southwest Chapter of MFSA invites you to join us for lunch and A Conversation with Bishop Talbert on Sunday, February 9, at Trinity UMC, 4001 Speedway-Austin, TX. Bishop Talbert will discuss the events surrounding his ministry of “Biblical Obedience” and the future of LGBTQ issues in the UMC.

Lunch will be served starting at 12:15P.M.  The conversation with Bishop Talbert will be from 1:15 to 3 P.M.  No reservations are required.  All are welcome to attend these events. If you would like to help with the luncheon event at Trinity UMC or have questions, please contact Janice Curry, jlcurry@austin.rr.com.

Bishop Talbert to Celebrate Reconciling Ministry Anniversary
at University UMC, Austin
Sunday, February 9 – 8:30 & 11:00am

talbertRetired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert will be joining University United Methodist Church to celebrate our Reconciling Ministry anniversary on Sunday, February 9, 2014. Bishop Talbert will be in the UUMC pulpit at the 8:30 and 11 A.M. services delivering his message on Biblical Obedience.

Bishop Melvin G. Talbert has served The United Methodist Church as a mentor, pastor, conference staff member, district superintendent, general secretary and bishop. An institute was created in his name by Black Methodists for Church Renewal to engage and encourage young lay and clergy to reach their leadership potential.

Talbert has been an advocate for peace and for the oppressed and marginalized. He has fought to help The United Methodist Church and society address racism. He is committed to racial, gender and sexual orientation inclusiveness, stating that there is room at God’s table for everyone.

The celebration will include an installation from the Shower of Stoles project in the sanctuary, an extraordinary collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in twenty-seven denominations and faith traditions, and come from six countries on three continents. This collection celebrates the gifts of GLBTQ persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Project bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.

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Congratulations to Sid Hall on 25 Years of Progressive Leadership at Trinity UMC

February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
sid hallOn Sunday, February 2nd, Rev. Sid Hall was honored by Trinity UMC, Austin for 25 years of progressive leadership at Trinity and in the community. Congratulations Sid!  You are an inspiration to us all!.

 

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A SERVICE OF LOVE & RECOMMITMENT

February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA

Sunday, February 16, 2014 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

University United Methodist Church

2409 Guadalupe Street

Austin, TX 78705

service-of-love-featured-event-171x174University UMC welcomes all couples — straight, gay and transgendered — who would like to have their relationships blessed to a “Service of Love & Recommitment” in our historic Harris Chapel. For questions, please contact Church Office, 512-478-9387 or E-mail
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Rev. Frank Schaefer – First UMC Austin – April 27

February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA

frankschaeferIt has just been announced that Rev. Frank Schaefer will be the speaker at First UMC Austin’s Reconciling Service on April 27.

Rev. Schaefer was put on trial in 2013 by the UMC for performing the marriage ceremony for his own son in 2007.  He was found guilty of violating the UMC’s discriminatory rules, and his ministerial credentials were revoked.  His case is the latest in a series of church trials that are strongly opposed by MFSA.

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Rev. Gil Caldwell officiates his first same-sex wedding

February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
by Rev. Gil Caldwell – RMN Blog, January 29, 2014  caldwell_weddingAs a Civil Rights Movement “foot soldier,” I have used these words of Martin Luther King to guide my activism, not just for people of African descent, but for all justice struggles; “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

My officiating at my first same-sex marriage took place on the Martin Luther King week-end, the Sunday before the official holiday, January 19, 2014. The couple whom I married, Drew Giddings and Dennis Hall are African American men, and they agreed to my acknowledging the significance of their marriage as a response to the justice leadership of Martin Luther King.

– See more at: http://www.rmnblog.org/2014/01/caldwell.htm
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An Excellent Essay by Rev. Monte Marshall

February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
From Travis Park UMC, San Antonio IN SUPPORT OF THE CANDIDACY OF MARY ANN BARCLAY

Pastor Monte Marshall has written an essay to be shared by the Southwest Texas Reconciling Ministries Team.

Rev. Marshall highlights Acts 10 – the dream of Peter – to show why adherence to man’s rules is not necessarily pleasing to God.  An excerpt:

RMN logo“My deeply held concern is that, if strict adherence to denominational rules and reliance on biblical interpretations that are adverse to homosexuality are at the forefront in the consideration of Mary Ann Barclay’s candidacy for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church, a more basic and fundamental question will be missed:  How is God’s Spirit at work in Mary Ann Barclay’s life?”           

“In my estimation, this is the most important question to be asked and answered, not for Mary Ann alone, but for every person desiring to pursue ordained ministry in our church, regardless of sexual orientation.  The discernment resulting from this deeper level of inquiry might even prove sufficient to overrule the Book of Discipline and any particular biblical interpretations that might otherwise work against Mary Ann’s candidacy.”

Click here to read the full essay online. http://swtxreconciling.com/2014/01/16/an-appeal-for-deeper-discernment-an-essay-in-support-of-the-candidacy-of-mary-ann-barclay/
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MFSA Chapter Sponsors Luncheon and A Conversation with Bishop Talbert – Sunday, February 9, 12:15pm at Trinity UMC, Austin

January 14, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA

The Southwest Chapter of MFSA invites you to join us for lunch and A Conversation with Bishop Talbert on Sunday, February 9, at Trinity UMC, 4001 Speedway-Austin, TX. Bishop Talbert will discuss the events talbert weddingsurrounding his ministry of “Biblical Obedience” and the future of LGBTQ issues in the UMC.

Lunch will be served starting at 12:15P.M.  The conversation with Bishop Talbert will be from 1:15 to 3 P.M.  No reservations are required.  All are welcome to attend these events. If you would like to help with the luncheon event at Trinity UMC or have questions, please contact Janice Curry, jlcurry@austin.rr.com.

Bishop Talbert to Celebrate Reconciling Ministry Anniversary
at University UMC, Austin
Sunday, February 9 – 8:30 & 11:00am

Bishop Talbert slider_0Retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert will be joining University United Methodist Church to celebrate our Reconciling Ministry anniversary on Sunday, February 9, 2014. Bishop Talbert will be in the UUMC pulpit at the 8:30 and 11 A.M. services delivering his message on Biblical Obedience.

Bishop Melvin G. Talbert has served The United Methodist Church as a mentor, pastor, conference staff member, district superintendent, general secretary and bishop. An institute was created in his name by Black Methodists for Church Renewal to engage and encourage young lay and clergy to reach their leadership potential.

Talbert has been an advocate for peace and for the oppressed and marginalized. He has fought to help The United Methodist Church and society address racism. He is committed to racial, gender and sexual orientation inclusiveness, stating that there is room at God’s table for everyone.

The celebration will include an installation from the Shower of Stoles project in the sanctuary, an extraordinary collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in twenty-seven denominations and faith traditions, and come from six countries on three continents. This collection celebrates the gifts of GLBTQ persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Project bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.

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Ruling by Bishop Dorff on Decision 1244

January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA

SWTX UMC

RULING OF LAW TO THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

In Decision 1244 the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church reversed my ruling that the request for a Ruling of Law presented to me by Rev. John Elford was moot and hypothetical and therefore not a proper question of law.   The matter was remanded to me for an opinion within 60 days. The copy of the Decision forwarded to me was dated October 26, 2013.

The question asked of me by Rev. Elford was:

“In response to the Southwest Texas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry’s decision to remove Mary Ann Kaiser from the Candidacy process at their June 6, 2013 meeting, I request a ruling of law as to whether a Board of Ordained Ministry can discontinue the candidacy of a certified candidate for ordained ministry who has been appropriately recommended by a District Committee on Ordained Ministry without an interview and examination by the Board of Ordained Ministry?”

Decision of Law

It is the responsibility of the Board of Ordained Ministry to examine and interview all candidates recommended to it by a District Committee on Ordained Ministry (Par. 635.2h, 635.2j, and 324.11).  The Austin District Committee recommended the candidate (Par. 324.10).  In this case, the responsibility for full examination by the Board of Ordained Ministry was not carried out. Therefore, the action of the Board in effectively discontinuing the candidacy of Mary Ann Kaiser was not appropriate according to the Discipline and is of no effect. Since the action of the Clergy Session was to uphold the action of the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the action of the Board of Ordained Ministry was not in keeping with the Discipline, I rule that Ms. Kaiser remains a Candidate for Ministry and is due full examination, including an interview, by the Board of Ordained Ministry.

http://www.umcswtx.org/decision-law-pastoral

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Great Turnout for Pride Parade!

October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
406 Methodists March in Pride Paradeaphoto2Once again Pride week in Austin has come and gone but United Methodists have made sure our presence will be remembered. What a fantastic time we had marching for justice and showing the wider community that despite our denominational stance we believe all should be not only welcomed but affirmed. With 406 United Methodists representing 9 churches marching, it seems safe to say many of us believe that pride is indeed “compatible with Christian teaching.”

Thanks to all who joined us this year.  We laughed, we danced, we got tons of high fives, and many of us were touched by those attending the pride parade who were so grateful to see a church affirming them. First UMC carried a number of great signs like “God loves everybody, no exceptions” and my personal favorite, “We’re sorry for the haters.” No doubt it was a healing space for many.  For more information about the SWTX Reconciling Team, please contact Joy Butler joylbutler@gmail.com  or Tweet Us,  Like Us on Facebook,  We are a LYN2016 coalition partner!

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Journey Of Faith Wins RMN Award

October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA

Journey of Faith and Glenda Whitehead Win the

Voice in the Wilderness Award!

DSC05964The Reconciling Ministries Network awarded Journey of Faith the Voice in the Wilderness Award for “persons or groups who, despite their isolation in wilderness situations, take risks to proclaim the rightness of inclusion of all persons in the community of the church.”  The award was given at the Churchquake Convocation in September. This is a proud moment for their minister, Glenda Whitehead, and all of us as a church.
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UM Judicial Council To Meet In October

October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
(From the Washington Post )The United Methodist Judicial Council will decide whether church ministries can advocate for the acceptance of homosexuality, whether ministers can officiate at same-sex ceremonies and whether a regional conference can urge members to ignore portions of Methodist law.

The rulings made by regional conferences are among 17 items the court will consider at its Oct. 23-26 meeting in Baltimore.

Go here for the full article…

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September Chapter Meeting – Thursday, September 12

August 26, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA

Vision Of A Fully Inclusive Church

The movement for a fully-inclusive UMC is growing.  About 500 people attended the Reconciling Ministries Network’s 12th ChurchquakeAnnual Convocation in Chevy Chase, MD on Labor Day weekend.  Eighteen of our own Southwest Texas Conference Methodists will participated in opportunities for worship, Bible study, singing, conversation, and action to support full LGBTQ inclusion in The United Methodist Church. The Convocation, entitled Churchquake–Embracing Freedom, uses Acts 16:25 as the inspiration for the meetings:

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.

Mary ann 2At our MFSA meeting on Thursday, September 12, some of the attendees will reflect on their experiences at Convocation.  Mary Ann Barclay, Youth Director and Justice Associate at University UMC in Austin, will share her dreams for a fully inclusive UMC.  Mary Ann, who will attend the event for the first time, will marry her partner, Annanda Barclay, at a private ceremony during the event.  As you may recall, Mary Ann was a candidate for ordained ministry in The UMC, when she was preemptively rejected by the Board of Ordained Ministry on June 6, 2013 without an interview. An appeal to Bishop Dorff did not alter the decision of the Board of Ordained Ministry, and it will now go to the Judicial Council.  Her response to this was in the RMN Blog (June 14, 2013),

“I have a path in front of me and it is up to me to be faithful to it regardless of the obstacles. The UMC has one too. And so do all of its members. Eventually these paths intersect and we all meet face to face with choices. Do we remain faithful to the path of love and justice God  has put before us even if it costs us? Or do we listen to the noise around us which drowns out the voice of the Divine?” 

JoyJoy Butler, chair of the Southwest Texas Ministries Reconciling Ministries Team, will also share her reflections of the love and joy experienced at Convocation. Joy has been the SWTX Conference’s main organizer and motivator for the local movement for a fully inclusive UMC. Joy is also the chair of the Saint John’s Reconciling Ministries Team and attended the 2012 General Conference as a Love Your Neighbor volunteer.

Come hear the powerful witness of Mary Ann, Joy, and other attendees.

Please join us on Thursday, September 12 at 7:00pm (6:30pm snacks & conversation) at Saint John’s UMC in Austin, 2140 Allandale Rd., as we continue our journey toward social justice. Questions? Contact Rowland Curry rcurry@austin.rr.com.

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