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by Soulforce
(Photo: AP Images / The Press Democrat, Christopher Chung)
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The highest court of the U.S. Presbyterian Church will convene in Texas on Friday to consider whether a lesbian minister violated ecclesiastical law when she blessed the weddings of same-sex couples in California.
The case surrounding the Rev. Jane Spahr, a 69-year-old grandmother, highlights deep divisions within the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and its 2 million members, as well as other mainline Protestant denominations over gay and lesbian marriage.
Spahr, who has battled for greater acceptance of homosexuality in the life of the Kentucky-based church for decades, was the first openly gay Presbyterian pastor asked to preside over a local ministry, though she was barred from accepting the post because of her sexual orientation.
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by Guest Author
Note from Director of Programs Jason Conner: This Symposium would not have been possible without the tireless and valiant efforts made by Wes. Our thanks go to him for making this such an exceptional event!
After just under a year’s worth of organizing, conference calls, reservations, and possibly hundreds of emails, I was very excited to see Jason Conner and J. Mason pull onto the campus. After a quick meal at Manchester’s finest restaurant, El Mesquite, we returned to campus for a quick tour and made our way to the location for the Leadership and Non-violence training. Upon arriving, we were all excited to see that we already had a good crowd waiting. After a few minutes of preparation, the presenters and the audience were both ready to begin.
The atmosphere was fantastic! Jason introduced Soulforce and the meaning of their visit to campus, and J. Mason introduced the training. Everyone seemed very intrigued and receptive as the presentation carried on. The audience was made up of several Peace Studies students, student leaders from several different organizations on campus, and a few faculty and staff members. In total, the amount of visitors was around 30 people, and proved to be the perfect size group. People were comfortable questioning the topics that did not make sense or that were not agreed with, while others felt the one-on-one attention of the Soulforce crew. After the training, several students made their way to the front to thank Jason and Mason for the wonderful opportunity. We also heard from two students who drove all the way from Cincinnati, OH to hear the dynamic duo speak!
The next day at 3:30 in the afternoon, Soulforce was heard once again on campus. This time, they were here to provide a convocation requirement for many students known as VIAs (values, ideas, and the arts) at Manchester. The panel arrived early to prepare while Jason and Mason made last minute arrangements. Originally we had ordered 250 chairs for the program, but as time quickly faded, we realized the need for more seating. In total, another 50 chairs were added, and the VIA still had people filling up the aisles and standing along the wall without seats. We quickly estimated that roughly 400 students were in attendance making this the biggest turn-out in Soulforce history for their panel. Panelists Mason, Dorothy, Michael, Cheri, and Whitnee took their seats while Barb (professor of social work), the moderator, introduced the schedule of events. Questions dwelt with personal definitions of intersectional justice, how society and individuals can help with intersectional justice, and what groups are currently working to achieve intersectional goals. The audience was captivated by some of the emotional answers in which panelists told of their minorities and stories of social denial and acceptance. Following the convocation, several students stayed behind to discuss their insights with the panel and the Soulforce crew. One particular conversation lasted well over forty-five minutes!
Later that evening, Soulforce and students reconvened for a night of open mic and the performance from J. Mason (J. Mase III). The crowd was a good size, roughly 30 people, which helped keep the event on a personal level, and with a variety of talent. Joseph Myers, a sophomore Communication and English major was first to present at the open mic. His poem recalled an array of stereotypes that surround the Black community while refusing his participation or acceptance in a single one. Following suit, students read segments of autobiographical essays, told stories of their pasts, and continued with emotional poetry. As a nice intermission, Jason Conner taught the attendees his infamous “Window Dance!” Complementing the talent of Jason, J. Mase III took the stage with his impressive, comical, and emotional routine of poetry. All-in-all, the evening was very inspiring and uplifting.
Soulforce was an amazing experience for Manchester College, and I, on behalf of everyone here, would like to thank them for the outreach, talent, and charisma that they brought to us!
Wes Heath is the co-president of the Active Inclusive Movement or AIM at Manchester College. He was the student liason for the recent Soulforce Symposium.
You can ensure the success of future Symposiums by donating today.
by Jason Conner
Soulforce and AIM at Manchester College are proud to be partnering on special events happening on campus October 3rd – October 4th!
Here you will find a description of each event and their locations. All of these events are open to the public. Folks from the community and other schools are encouraged to attend! You can come to one of the events, or be a real daredevil and attend all three!
The events:
Soulforce Leadership and Nonviolent Strategies Training
Monday, October 3rd – 8PM – Union Lahman Room
This training is perfect for student leaders, faculty and anyone interested in developing leadership skills. Infusing Nonviolent strategies and principles as taught by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr into team and group management this leadership training will be unlike any other.
Performance by J Mase III preceded by an hour of open mic poetry/spoken word/story telling
Tuesday, October 4th – 7:30PM – Wine Recital Hall
Join us for a performance by renowned performer J Mase III! Attendees will also have a chance to show off their own talent for an hour of open mic. J Mase III takes the stage at 8:30PM. Find out more about J Mase at www.jmaseiii.com
A landmark Panel on Intersectional Justice
Tuesday, October 4th – 3:30PM – Union Hoff/Lahman
What exactly is intersectional justice? Manchester welcomes local and national participants to a panel on social justice and equality. Especially poignant to students and faculty in sociology, psychology, and social justice fields this panel will take an in-depth look at unique identities and how they intersect with one another. This is a VIA event.
RSVP on facebook for these events!
If you can’t join us in Indiana, please donate to make this and other Symposium programs possible!
by Bill Carpenter
Trial continued this morning at 9 am with the penalty phase. The Church asked for suspension until Amy signed agreement to never again perform a holy union as long as its prohibited by the Book of Discipline. It was later ruled that an indeterminate suspension would not be allowed.
The respondent (Amy) suggested a penalty commensurate with the offense. Perhaps to follow the northern Illinois annual conferences recent resolution of no more than 24 hours suspension. Or perhaps require Amy to lead listening/dialog circles throughout the UMC to seek healing aroung the issue and the trial.
Its been nearly three hours since delliberations began…so, now we wait.
- Bill Carpenter
by Bill Carpenter
THE VERDICTS ARE IN.
For conducting a holy union ceremony – GUILTY. Vote 13 to 0
FOR BEING A SELF-avowed practicing homosexual – NOT GUILTY. Vote 12 to 1.
Backstory
It’s noon Wednesday and the first phase of the trial has ended. The church rested its case after questioning the Respondent, Amy DeLong, and attempting to coax out (some would say coerce) a two statements from her. First, that she is a “self-avowed practicing homosexual,” the term the United Methodist Church uses to describe people like me. The only responses Amy could give when asked directly if she was one was “that’s what the UMC calls me but I would never use that phrase to describe myself.” The other statement that the church council seemed intent on eliciting was an affirmative answer to their question “have you had genital contact with a person of the same sex?” Amy thoughtfully and respectfully replied that she could never acknowledge the private details of my sacred relationship with someone who is intent on doing me harm.
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by Bill Carpenter
“Justice” moves slowly! For one hour this morning, the Respondent’s attorney (that’s UMC-speak for defendant Amy DeLong) offered proof that had been disallowed by the presiding officer (judge) prior to the trial. All the info goes into the trial record but is not heard or considered by the jury.
Details like two bishops and numerous district superintendents being aware that Amy was in a committed partnership with her partner Val for the last ten years. And that one of her bishops ha stated to her thAt her partnership would not be a problem.
Stay tuned – jury selection after lunch.
by Bill Carpenter
Amy DeLong’s support team is gathered at the Settle Inn in Kaukauna, WI and is welcoming supporters from all over the U.S. and continuing to organize for the trial start tomorrow. Currently, volunteers are canvasing the neighborhood of the Peace United Methodist Church, where the trial is being held, with flyers explaining why they’ll be seeing people vigiling on the sidewalk outside the church. It’s a great way to educate and seek out allies in this trial process.
Tonight there’s a gathering for dinner at a nearby restaurant followed by a trial overview. The support team has been organizing for months and is ready with tear jars as gifts for all attending the trial and other symbolic reminders of the experience of pain and loss and the search for justice throughout history.
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