5.31.2006
Wednesday we gave these issues over 2 hours on the floor. We are considering sending these petitions to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church from our Annual Conference (the next step in the hierarchy). The General Conference sets our Book of Discipline. The body of the General Conference is the United Methodist equivalent to the Catholic Pope.
The time was broken down this way:
We do not vote until Thursday morning. I don't get to vote, but I get to wear all the propaganda I want:) I have on pins, stoles, bells and ribbons making my stance clear.
Coverage of our conference in the strib.
A former Bemidji pastor: Lyle Christiansen spoke for this issue. A retired lesbian clergy Jean Audry Powers spoke to the motion. The retired clergy are a force for these issues. There is even a reconciling retired clergy caucus.
Ack! A young Marzan from Crossroads is speaking against (so misguided).
Somehow people see this as an attack on gay people who have changed to heterosexuality - I don't see that.
I get the feeling that these petitions are going to pass. That's encouraging.
The time was broken down this way:
- 10 minutes for prepared speeches from each side
- 2 minutes of silent prayer
- 10 minutes for small groups of 3-4 to discuss
- 7 minutes for people from the floor to speak for/against each petition (9)
- moment of silence
- closing prayer from those who gave 10 minutes for and against
We do not vote until Thursday morning. I don't get to vote, but I get to wear all the propaganda I want:) I have on pins, stoles, bells and ribbons making my stance clear.
Coverage of our conference in the strib.
A former Bemidji pastor: Lyle Christiansen spoke for this issue. A retired lesbian clergy Jean Audry Powers spoke to the motion. The retired clergy are a force for these issues. There is even a reconciling retired clergy caucus.
Ack! A young Marzan from Crossroads is speaking against (so misguided).
Somehow people see this as an attack on gay people who have changed to heterosexuality - I don't see that.
I get the feeling that these petitions are going to pass. That's encouraging.