Hi, I'm new . . . sort of

[Jenna Zirbel]

I have hung around Soulforce from the sideline, mostly, wanting to hear your heart felt, collective wisdom. A few of us have met in person, through our connection with Andy. And we have become companions; an affirmation of relationship which is for me the most valued authority for ministry.

We recognize the relevancy of acting in self-determined authenticity and the cost of communally living into that truth. For me a cost came last year, when I was discontinued from the process of ordination in the United Methodist Church (UMC). The board told me that they did not understand my call after eight years of the church’s approval. My allying myself with LGBT and POC has always been a center focus and straight forward stance in my ministry, challenging the Social Principles. Systematically excluding any group of people from God’s unconditional love is heresy and unequivocally against the teachings of Christ to love one another.

Why do I pick today to join in Soulforce? Because I know what it is like to be on the inside. And I know from experience what it is like to be on the outside. I know that the world looks different from inside an embrace of mutual acceptance and kind caring from another as I have found with Soulforce friends. The UMC General Conference holds its opening worship tomorrow to begin it quadrennial meeting that includes the ongoing work of officially deciding who is in and who is out. I move out of the shadows today to speak with you all as well as to continue to listen to God’s call on my life. I want to join my voice with yours in the dialogue for justice-seeking and inclusivity in our communities.

And you know, try as I might, I cannot figure out which, in the giving, is most important, acceptance or lovingkindness.

[Zerbie]

"Our" Jenna now!!! :D:D:D Welcome welcome welcome!!! :p:love::love::love:

I have hung around Soulforce from the sideline, mostly, wanting to hear your heart felt, collective wisdom. A few of us have met in person, through our connection with Andy. And we have become companions; an affirmation of relationship which is for me the most valued authority for ministry.

We have to have connection, otherwise it is dry and empty noise to try to lead or inspire, help, or teach. Relationships with affection are what it's all about. We all learn and become brighter, wiser, in such a process.

Systematically excluding any group of people from God’s unconditional love is heresy and unequivocally against the teachings of Christ to love one another.

Yes it is. If I had grown up hearing Christians say things like that I wouldn't so vehemently have avoided being one. You just elucidated why I spent my life avoiding churches.
Seeing people, like you and Andy, who are involved in their church to speak like this is changing the world. And my mind.
Since being on this forum and meeting some phenomenal local church leaders engaged in social justice, I have even started looking up area churches with the thought of possibly popping in to one for a visit. :)



Why do I pick today to join in Soulforce?

Jenna, you've been in Soulforce for a long time. ;):love::love:


And you know, try as I might, I cannot figure out which, in the giving, is most important, acceptance or lovingkindness.

I'll offer a possible answer:

Lovingkindness, for in giving lovingkindness one gives acceptance simultaneously. If not, it is not really lovingkindness, it is false kindness, an outward show. In giving lovingkindness you offer the radiance of your heart to someone, and acceptance automatically comes with. Acceptance cannot be taken apart from true love.
:love::love:

[keltic63]

Jenna! :love:

welcome to the forums!

[Vanessa White]

I am so glad that you are here......:love:

Peace, love, and blessings to you. I hope to be among those to meet you in person someday. Thank you for all that you do, to open up minds and hearts.

The UMC doesn't know what they are missing without you, and short change themselves greatly......:love::love::love::pray:

[nmwolfboy]

Well met and welcome, Jenna!!!

i've generally become a Soulforce lurker in the past several months, but i couldn't let your intro post pass by without responding. i agree with Zerbie - you've been a part of SF for some time.

Hopefully someday i'll have the opportunity to meet you & Andy face to face. God bless the both of you!!!!

Pax, :dove:
scott

[Pablo Rafael]

Jenna,

It is very good to meet you here for the first time. Your name has come up in many conversations, always in very positive references.

Straight individuals like you who stand up for those marginalized by church and society are a blessing. It is a shame that your determination to show love to others has cost you. In the future there will be a day when LGBT individuals will be totally accepted in the church. And that day will come because of people like you and Andy.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[paul]

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

We have heard great things about you from Andy, so it is wonderful that you are here and we can finally meet you. We love Andy dearly, he is such an integral part of our community.

And you know, try as I might, I cannot figure out which, in the giving, is most important, acceptance or lovingkindness.

Well, I'd guess that's either the scholar in you that poses such a question, or you are speaking tongue in cheek?

Scholars love to define and refine. But like Zerbie, I kind of see the two as synonymous. I proffer a new word: "lovingkindacceptance." Hey, why not, you'll note someone else before us had a problem figuring which was more important "love" or "kindness," so they just combined the words :D.

My own particualar definition of love cannot help but include acceptance as part of love. To me love means seeing a person for who they are and validating that person. To me, if you accept the challenge to love, you cannot avoid the acceptance thing. Acceptance is the action part of love.
"let us not love in word and in tongue, but in deed and [thus] in truth."

So glad you are here Jenna, and I look forward to getting to know you.
paul

[scott snedeker]

I'm very glad to see you come on board! I have also been following your challenges through Andy. I used to live in Greenfield Mass just over the Berkshires from you. This is a beautiful time of year there! Are the fiddle heads up yet?

[Daniel]

Jenna! I love you! The warmth and radiance that emanates from your post is both palpable and heartwarming. I send it back to you ten-fold- cup running over- in showers of blessings.

You so so so so so welcome here!

:love:

[Jenna Zirbel]

Wow, awesome! You all have taken my breath away; you who are so ready to welcome this person into your midst, into your community. It is a lesson in sacred lovingkindacceptance (to quote Paul.) I know we are simple people looking for a good place to bloom and be, but the spaces are hard to come by in my experience. You act as if the reality of living well is that giving is as good as, if not better than, receiving. I was sooooo worried about how I would find a way to admit that you were already my own, that I have counted on you to keep me company when I have been woefully discouraged, that you have modeled courage for me in the face of prejudice biggie-sized, and that I brag about you all the time - about how enlightened my friends are. It's a mighty goooooooooood feeling to be part of the group.
:D:D:D

I better get back to packing. Andy is using all the good boxes.

:D:D:D
:love:

[BruceChris]

And share warm welcomes with the people you are getting to know.

Sorry to hear about your disconnect from the UMC. With a true calling, maybe a more accepting church or denomination lies in your future. And there ARE accepting Methodist churches out there, you just have to find them.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Gennee]

Hi Jenna and welcome to SF. I am a POC and transgender. Your willingness to stand up for your beliefs and live by them is something desparately needed in these times. I applaud :applause: you for your courage and convictions.

Gennee

:love::pray::wave:

[tymejumper]

Well, looks like you're stuck with us for now!:lol::lol:

Hope you enjoy us!