MIND has to be at General Conference in Portland, Oregon from May 10 through 20th when the United Methodist Church delegates gather to write the rules that will govern the church for the next four years. MIND is going so that we can hold the church accountable for discriminatory policies and hopefully prevent the codification of those policies for another four years.
Imagine what another four years will do to transgender youth struggling to find their place in the world and in the church…
Imagine the strain and difficulties placed upon LGBTQ clergy who are forced into a closet because the church does not affirm their committed relationship and is only concerned if two people are “practicing”…
Imagine another four years of ministerial candidates sitting before District Committees on Ministries and Boards of Ordained Ministries wishing they could can be honest about who they are and their call to serve the church…
Imagine another four years of irreparable harm perpetuated against sincerely committed gay and lesbian couples who are turned away from the rite of marriage in the very church that they attend and help to sustain…
Now imagine an inclusive United Methodist Church.
In order to send people to Portland, MIND needs your help. Sending an activist to General Conference for 10 days will cost approximately $1,000 per person. MIND would like to send a delegation of at least ten people. As of today, we have one person paid for! Nine more to go—and we can do this!
Here are ways you can help!
- If you can make a donation to MIND to fund activists to attend General Conference please give via this button:
- Please note in description: “MIND GC2016”
- Mail your donation to Asbury United Methodist Church, 167 Scarsdale Rd., Tuckahoe, NY, 10707. Attn: “MIND GC2016”
- Organize a fund drive in your congregation to sponsor someone to go to Portland in May.
- If you are planning to attend General Conference for any reason and want to work with MIND on the ground, let us know that you are attending.
- Share news from MIND about General Conference on social media!
- Pray for our MIND activists and for change within the church.
- Stay tuned! We will have much more news in the coming months.