Hello, My Name is Jenny

[jenorlo]

I just joined this forum in my search for an open and affirming community of believers.

I was raised pentecostal in the A/G church, married in the United Methodist church 20 years ago, and then 10 years ago, came out and moved on. My partner and I have attended the same UMC for almost 10 years.

Two months ago through a series of events, we discovered that our pastor (new to the church - only one year) had real "issues" with our relationship and the fact that we served in the church. His words were "I just cannot accept your lifestyle." We are now searching for an Open and Affirming church in the Kansas City area and in the meantime, we are wanting to become more active in the movement of reconciliation.

We viewed the film "For the Bible Tells Me So" last Sunday in a special screening. If you haven't seen it, you should. For us, it was a call to action. http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/


Enough discrimination in our churches and enough sitting by and watching it happen!

[u-dog]

I just joined this forum in my search for an open and affirming community of believers.

I was raised pentecostal in the A/G church, married in the United Methodist church 20 years ago, and then 10 years ago, came out and moved on. My partner and I have attended the same UMC for almost 10 years.

Two months ago through a series of events, we discovered that our pastor (new to the church - only one year) had real "issues" with our relationship and the fact that we served in the church. His words were "I just cannot accept your lifestyle." We are now searching for an Open and Affirming church in the Kansas City area and in the meantime, we are wanting to become more active in the movement of reconciliation.

We viewed the film "For the Bible Tells Me So" last Sunday in a special screening. If you haven't seen it, you should. For us, it was a call to action. http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/


Enough discrimination in our churches and enough sitting by and watching it happen!

Jenny I am so sorry that happened to you. AND SO ANGRY TOO!! WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS? Who gives a fuck what he has "issues" with? Does he imagine that God cares what he thinks? Of all the heterosexual arrogance!! Boy! I'd hate to be him on the day of judgement... he's got some 'splainin' to do !

Have others in your congregation joined him in his "issues"? has anyone come to your defense?

Well.. anyway... you wanted affirmation and acceptance from other Christians (and non-Christians) you have come to the RIGHT place. WELCOME.

[Gennee]

Hi Jenny and welcome to Soulforce. This is a great forum here and the people are wonderful. I saw the film last Friday and really enjoyed it. I like the way it was presented and it is a must see for parents, churches, and civic organizations.

Gennee
:love::wave:

[keltic63]

Have others in your congregation joined him in his "issues"? has anyone come to your defense?


You know, this was my first question as I read this. Your fellow parishioners have allowed 2 people, who have served faithfully, to just walk away???? they didn't have a problem in the previous 10 years, this guy shows up, and all of the sudden, you are uninvited? :confused:

[iowan woman]

Jenny,


I understand your need to search out a spiritual home that is emotionlly evolved and will fold you and your parnter in. I hope you are successful and that you will maintain your sense of outrage and concern for the next generation of kids coming up. They need people like you who are willing to, as you say, work towards reconcilliation.


iowan woman

[antiochian]

Hi, Jenny! Here I thought the UMC was fairly liberal and accepting. I guess not... Being the naughty, sacrastic person I am, I'd be tempted to respond, "Well, I can't accept your face!" But that's not very nice, is it? :) Congratulations on finding love! I've been chasing knights on galloping horses for some time, but they always get away. Maybe I'll try a road block. Best wishes for the two of you as you seek a church home.

[iowan woman]

Jenny,

I have continued to be bothered by your post. It is my day off, I am before my computer trying to write a short story but I find myself thinking about your situation.

A minister is a paid-for position but folks in church think that the minister is THE CHURCH. There is a problem in a community, take it to the minister. I know. I took a community problem to church members who brought their big Bibles into my place of work; they dumped me on their ministers and left me alone with it. I was shocked.

A minister works in a building all day or from that building, he or she has duties to attend, some that are administrative. Then she or he has to write sermons and place themselves before an audience how many times a week? This is their job, they get paid to do this.

I hate to think you and your partner would leave a whole community (some of whom might really need your presence in order to grow spiritually) because the person that is in a paid-for-position is emotionally and intellectually immature. There must be young folks in that community who will know their pastor ran you off.


iowan woman

[BruceChris]

http://www.welcomingresources.org/oldusa2.htm

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

P.S. Jenny: I couldn't find any Open and Affirming Methodists in K.C. Kansas, but there's whole bunches of them in K.C. MO.

Epworth Roanoke United Methodist Church
1717 W. 41st Street
Kansas City, MO64111

Kairos United Methodist Church
6411 Summit
Kansas City, MO64113

Trinity United Methodist Church
620 East Armour Boulevard
Kansas City, MO64109
www.trinitykc.org

PS: I got this list from the institute for Welcoming Resources, and if you have had any bad experiences with any of them, I apologize, and I might ask you to report this to the IWR.

[Jennifer5]

Welcome! :)