Submitted by Gary Miller on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 12:20.
There are two major branches of the Society of Friends (Quakers). One is still wrestling with the issue of gay rights. The other group, what we call unprogrammed meetings (we worship God in the Silence). Unprogrammed Quaker meetings for the most part are very welcoming. My local congregation married me and my male spouse. They seemed more excited about the wedding than we were. Our group of Quakers do not have paid clergy--we are all ministers. The person in the congregation who facilitates our business meetings and makes sure every thing gets done is called the Clerk. It would be the highest person in the congregation. My congregation has asked me to serve as Clerk last year and again for this year. Within our congregation, whether one is gay is not an issue. We had a transgender person whom we accepted into membership. All decisions are done with unity of the entire congregation--whether to perform marriage, membership et al. For more information, contact me at rosevillegarymiller@yahoo.com
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 15:38.
As a certified candidate for ordination in the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, I feel very unsure about how a discussion on LGBT issues would be received within my home congregation. Although I believe a number of members and leaders within the church would welcome such a dialogue, I also fear that many of the most influential parishioners would be offended and take their membership elsewhere. Although I believe a large percentage of United Methodists are sensative to a number of LGBT issues, I also think the denomination as a whole will remain silent until they feel that a frank conversation about ministry to the LGBT community will not split the church.
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Quakers are welcoming
There are two major branches of the Society of Friends (Quakers). One is still wrestling with the issue of gay rights. The other group, what we call unprogrammed meetings (we worship God in the Silence). Unprogrammed Quaker meetings for the most part are very welcoming. My local congregation married me and my male spouse. They seemed more excited about the wedding than we were. Our group of Quakers do not have paid clergy--we are all ministers. The person in the congregation who facilitates our business meetings and makes sure every thing gets done is called the Clerk. It would be the highest person in the congregation. My congregation has asked me to serve as Clerk last year and again for this year. Within our congregation, whether one is gay is not an issue. We had a transgender person whom we accepted into membership. All decisions are done with unity of the entire congregation--whether to perform marriage, membership et al. For more information, contact me at rosevillegarymiller@yahoo.com
As a certified candidate for
As a certified candidate for ordination in the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, I feel very unsure about how a discussion on LGBT issues would be received within my home congregation. Although I believe a number of members and leaders within the church would welcome such a dialogue, I also fear that many of the most influential parishioners would be offended and take their membership elsewhere. Although I believe a large percentage of United Methodists are sensative to a number of LGBT issues, I also think the denomination as a whole will remain silent until they feel that a frank conversation about ministry to the LGBT community will not split the church.
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