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Lent, 2004
Beloved in Christ,
As we walk with Jesus and his disciples
during this Lenten season of deepening reflection, I want you
to know that I pray for the revelation of God's reconciling power
more fully among us in these days. We are in a time of extraordinary
conversation and debate around significant matters of sexuality,
particularly same gender marriage and the blessing of same sex
unions. Thoughtful and caring persons hold deeply divergent convictions
on what is God's desire in the midst of our life together.
As your Bishop and chief pastor of the
church, it is my desire that we move through this time with grace.
I am called to provide Episcopal oversight and pastoral care
for all persons in this annual conference, no matter their perspective
on this issue or the current situation related to Bethany UMC
and Rev. Karen Oliveto. Each person must be treated with respect
and care for the sake of our unity in Christ Jesus.
It is important to remember that the
California-Nevada Annual Conference has a more than 30-year history
of ministry for and with gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered
persons. This significant history is a hallmark of faith that
must be continued. It would be a sin to drive persons away from
our churches where they have found a spiritual home because of
the way we conduct our debate or our loss of hope that God's
Holy Spirit is still working in our midst.
It is our Book of Discipline that calls
us into relationships of reverence with all persons. "We
implore families and churches not to reject or condemn their
lesbian and gay members and friends." Let us remember that
the life and leadership of our denomination, our conference,
and each local congregation needs the gifts and graces of all
persons for the sake of Christ's evangelistic mission to make
disciples in His name.
We do not know where this current discussion
will take us or how the Book of Discipline will be changed at
the General Conference. Nevertheless, we do know that even in
difficult and uncertain times the mandate of Jesus is the sacred
tie that binds us together - " Love one another as I have
loved you."
May God grant us wisdom, courage and
Christ's resurrection presence and power at this critical time
in our Church and the world.
Your sister in the love of Christ,
Beverly J. Shamana
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