New York Neighbors for American Values is holding an interfaith candlelight vigil in support of religious freedom and against anti-Muslim bigotry this Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:15pm, Church St. and Park Pl. in Manhattan.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and we must all speak out against the alarming rise in anti-Muslim prejudice (like we must also witness against the alarming rise in anti-immigrant prejudice).
As the dog days of summer wound down, MIND and MFSA officials prepared their legal brief for the Judicial Council case on MIND’s “Ministry to the Marginalized” resolution. The resolution, which was passed by the legislative section of the annual conference in June and then ruled out of order on the plenary floor by Bishop Park, calls on the conference to take out advertisements in LGBT publications to express the conference’s “heartfelt regret for the harm inflicted on LGBT people through the UMC’s homophobia and discrimination, and…share in these advertisements that NYAC has long been opposed to UMC policy on homosexuality and welcome and invite LGBT people to worship in NYAC churches.”
The bishop’s ruling was challenged on the conference floor, a move that set in motion of process that now puts the case before the UMC’s highest judicial body. The MIND-MFSA brief, which was officially filed on August 24, argues that the bishop’s ruling was improperly made and that the resolution itself is within the bounds of the UMC Book of Discipline. “We cannot be silent about the work and Word of God among us, and annual conferences have the right and responsibility to advertise their principled dissent,” it states.
The case will be one of several LGBT-related cases decided by the Judicial Council at its October 27-30 meeting in New Orleans. MIND is working with the national Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) and others to make a vocal and visible witness during this meeting. The text of the resolution, the Judicial Council brief, the bishop’s ruling and background on the case are all here.
MIND will kick off its 2010-2011 programmatic year at its big organizing meeting on Sunday, September 26, 3pm, at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew in Manhattan. Directions are here.
Join us as we plan outreach for the November 20 hate crimes symposium, My Brother’s Keeper: People of Faith Confront Hate Crimes; mobilize for the Judicial Council meeting on our case, unveil a new MIND initiative, elect a new steering committee and more.
What are your hopes and dreams for the reconciling movement for the coming year — in your congregation, in our conference and beyond? Share them online on our Facebook page, and this Sunday in person at the meeting.
Go here for a flyer you can use to spread the word in your congregation.
The mercury peaked at 96 degrees on Saturday, but that did not keep 40 MIND members from turning out for the annual picnic, which this year was held at Park Slope UMC in Brooklyn. The burgers and kabobs sizzled on the grill and we baked in the sun, but the food and the company were good. And so was the cause: In the wake of the attack on Rev. Josh Noblitt, MIND dedicated its picnic to the fight for safe space and the work of building the beloved community. It was one of five solidarity picnics around the country, in addition to the picnic held in Atlanta, which was attended by 150 people.
