Following the declaration of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom that "gay marriages" are legal in the City of San Francisco, the Reverend Dr. Karen Oliveto, Pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church in San Francisco, performed the marriages of gay and lesbian couples who are members of her congregation. Several took place at the San Francisco City Hall, another took place during Sunday worship at Bethany Church, all on the week-end of February 13-16, 2004. I offer you these thoughts.

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In 1996, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church added to the Social Principles (Book of Discipline 65.C) the following statement: "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches." Prior to 1996, the decision of a pastor in the United Methodist Church to offer a blessing upon the relationship of a gay or lesbian couple, while not specifically authorized in the Book of Discipline, was a matter of pastoral care and responsibility.

In 1998, the Judicial Council ruled that "notwithstanding its placement in the Social Principles" which are intended to be "instructive and persuasive," the prohibition against "homosexual unions" had been intended by the General Conference to have the effect of law.

In 2000, the General Conference deleted the statement from the Social Principles and added it instead as 332.6 dealing with "unauthorized conduct" which now says "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches."

United Methodist pastors in local church appointments are appointed to a pastoral charge which is understood to include ministry both with those who are members of a local church and to the community into which the pastor is sent. In a community that includes gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender persons, a pastor is called on to affirm faithful and loving commitments made between couples, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, who have come to the church for ministry and guidance.

Interestingly, in 2000, at the same time that it added "ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions" to its list of acts described as "unauthorized conduct", the General Conference added to the Social Principles this exhortation: "We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn their lesbian and gay members and friends." (161.G).

The United Methodist Church must know it can't have it both ways. We cannot say "we welcome you," and at the same time say "but take your love somewhere else." Where so many have been wounded by past contacts with the church, services of affirmation and blessing truly are an evangelistic opportunity for lives to be awakened to the loving touch of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Richard Wilke, now retired after serving twelve years as presiding Bishop of the Arkansas Annual Conference, wrote an essay titled "What does the Bible call us, as Christians, to do on this issue?" which appeared in the book Finishing the Journey, published in 2000 by Northaven United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas. He concluded,

"I believe from scientific data and from conversations with gay men and lesbians and their families, that Christ Jesus can capture the hearts of homosexuals, and can lead them into faithful, stable, and loving relationships.

 

"When I see two men or two women kneeling together to take holy communion, working diligently for human betterment, and caring for each other across the years, I must pause and believe there is room for them in the household of God. As Fanny Crosby says in her hymn, There is room at the foot of the cross."

Clearly, there are questions of discipline and faithfulness which are to be addressed, but whatever else we may say, we should understand that Rev. Oliveto has performed a profoundly pastoral act for members of her congregation. Under her committed and caring pastoral leadership her congregation is reminding the church that a welcome constrained to remain within at most the boundaries of "don't ask, don't tell," ultimately is no welcome at all.

I invite your responses and ask for your prayers as we continue to work together to be the beloved community of Christ.

March, 2004