Greg Dell: “Now is the time” for marriage equality

Rev. Gregory Dell, a longtime hero in the reconciling movement and MIND’s guest speaker at its 2011 annual conference lunch, is urging his colleagues in the New York Annual Conference to sign the Covenant of Conscience and thereby “reclaim the vision and vitality of a faith that refuses bigotry.” Covenant signers pledge to make marriage available “on an equal basis” and the gathering of a broad base of signers is the first step in MIND’s initiative to make marriage equality a lived reality in the New York Annual Conference (NYAC).

In a statement released November 23, 2010, Dell says, “Sisters and brothers, there is no moment like the current occasion for us to reclaim the radical good news of the Gospel and of our faith tradition…. Refusing to embrace and celebrate the miracle of covenantal love between two persons – regardless of their identity – is nothing less than heresy. God gives us the celebration of the gift of love as a privilege.  The church, including you and me, is called to challenge the heresy and offer in its place a celebration of God's abundant love wherever it is found.  Let us respond to the call.”  Read the full statement here.

Dell has been an active part of the reconciling movement seeking to counteract the damage done by the UMC’s official prejudice and discrimination against LGBT people for decades. In 1999, charges were brought against him for performing a September 1998 wedding of two men; it was one of dozens of gay weddings at which he had officiated. The trial resulted in a one-year suspension, which the church said it would lift at any time if Dell promised to stop marrying gay people. He refused, and in September 1999 issued a statement underscoring his commitment to his LGBT members. “Approximately 30% of the congregation I serve is gay or lesbian. My ordination requires me to be in ministry to all persons without discrimination based on their identities,” Dell said.  “I will not withhold a ministry from some which is available to others solely because of an unjust church law.”

Dell was also among those who were arrested on the floor of the 2000 General Conference in protest of the church’s ongoing exclusion of LGBT people. In 2009 he was honored by the Church Within a Church movement for his lifelong ministry of justice, and received an apology from the bishop who had presided at his trial, Jack Tuell.  

The MIND marriage initiative is rooted in the same pastoral commitment exemplified by Dell’s actions. By building a broad network of clergy, laity and congregations that will minister to gay and straight couples, we are building on the longstanding desire in NYAC to honor all covenantal relationships as we work to transform that goal to concrete commitment. Read more about the marriage initiative here.