Prayer Requests

[Casey]

I dont know if this sounds selfish or not... but... I would really like for someone to pray for my girlfriend, Sadie... well now, she is my ex girfriend... Yesterday, probably the worst day of my life, she broke up with me because she believes our relationship is against God and wrong... I would like for someone to pray that she understands that its not wrong and that i love her with all my heart and soul... Please...

[sjbouza]

Originally Posted by Casey

I dont know if this sounds selfish or not... but... I would really like for someone to pray for my girlfriend, Sadie... well now, she is my ex girfriend... Yesterday, probably the worst day of my life, she broke up with me because she believes our relationship is against God and wrong... I would like for someone to pray that she understands that its not wrong and that i love her with all my heart and soul... Please...

You and her are in my prayers Casey. Have you pointed her to this site? There is a great deal of literature and videos that will, well hopefully, give her a better understanding of what the Bible really says about homosexuality. Print out the booklet "What the Bible Does and Doesnt say about Homosexuality". Also, the thing that helped me the most are these two videos.

How Can I Be Sure That God Loves Me Too...Sermon by Dr White

There's A Wideness in God's Mercy: Video Interview with Dr. Lewis Smedes on Romans 1

Check those out. They really helped me to realize and accept that God made me just as He wanted me to be.

[Casey]

Thank you so much. She actually did see some of the things on this site, but ill try to show her these videos too. Hopefully i can get the love of my life back with your help... Thank you... You are in my prayers too

[andrewlittle]

Jenna will be undergoing testing and preparations tomorrow, and then have surgery on Tuesday. She is expected to be in hospital three days after surgery. As of this time, there is still limited optimism that the tumors (yes, now they know of several) are benign. We will not know for sure until the biopsies are performed as they are removed.

On the church front, I have to be careful what I say. I will just say that someone filed a complaint on Jenna's behalf, and the Bishop's process review committee decided (1) she was treated unjustly by her superiors, (2) she was the victim of bias and unfairness, and (3) she should be ordained in June as originally recommended. The ball is now in the Bishop's court, so we'll see what happens. Meanwhile her church is trying to get out of paying salary and benefits while she is off on medical leave. Ain't Christians great sometimes.

Keep her in your prayers on both counts, if you will.

[kara speltz]

Dear Andrew: Wow, it never rains, but it pours huh? You and Jenna are in our prayers. It absolutely makes me ill to watch a so-called Christian church body act so unjustly. kara

[BenL]

... Keeping you and Jenna in our hearts and minds, and asking God for the fullness of blessing for both of you.

[Vanessa White]

Especially Andrew and Jenna, with the struggles within the church and her physical body;

For Nate, safe journeys, adventures, and peaceful transitions;

For Casey, that what is meant to be will be, and that your love will find the peace within to embrace herself with love;

I will pray for all of you in my mind and heart. Feel the God power within.....

Love and prayer, Vanessa

[Zerbie]

Praying. I wish you and Jenna health, peace, and joy.
Please keep us updated.

[andrewlittle]

Jenna came through the surgery like a champ. They removed the three tumors they had identified, and some smaller ones that they didn't know about, as well performed the complete hysterectomy. The initial opinion is that all the tumors are benign, and that their source was the abnormal cell structures in the uterus. We will know more after the pathology report, but all indications lead to optimism at this point.

Jenna is recovering well, is in good spirits and has very good vital signs. She even has an apetite. Thank you for your continued prayers.

[Vanessa White]

Amen Andrew!!! Love and prayers, Vanessa

[BrentRichards]

Great news! Keep it coming!

[Zerbie]

Very good news!

I hope things continue to look well - keep us updated.

[andrewlittle]

It is official - Jenna's tumors were benign. She is doing well, especially knowing no further treatments are necessary. Her pain is manageable and her outlook is very good - as long as she doesn't think about the church stuff. I do believe prayers were responsible, all of yours included. Thank you so very, very much.

Now, to the church stuff, and what life will look like moving forward.

Earlier, I had written:

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

On the church front, I have to be careful what I say. I will just say that someone filed a complaint on Jenna's behalf, and the Bishop's process review committee decided (1) she was treated unjustly by her superiors, (2) she was the victim of bias and unfairness, and (3) she should be ordained in June as originally recommended. The ball is now in the Bishop's court, so we'll see what happens. Meanwhile her church is trying to get out of paying salary and benefits while she is off on medical leave. Ain't Christians great sometimes.

The Bishop, who had said in a face-to-face meeting that included Jenna's advocates that there was no plan to "get rid" of Jenna, sent her an email the day before her surgery. The email said that she would NOT be re-appointed, she would NOT be continued in ministry, and that she WOULD be dismissed as of June 30. He cited the same unfounded, unwritten, slanderous report of her District Superintendent as was previously found to be "unfair and unjust" by the review team. He lied to her to her face, and then behind her back ignored all the findings of the judicial review team. She is, of course, in no condition to deal with this right now, as health is her top priority.

The net effect of the way this was done effectively removes her from consideration for ministry in any Conference in the US, unless she begins the entire process over again. Other UMC ministers are lining up to help "defend" her, but she is not sure she wants defending. She is done with it, I believe. She has no trust whatsoever that the UMC has any concept of ethics or the covenant relationship that is supposed to exist in a connectional system. She is, however, experiencing pain that cuts almost to her very soul.

WE have found some links that are particularly bothersome. A group in Iowa called the Methodist Lay Reform Movement (yes, they want the UMC to do away with female ministers, are staunchly anti-gay and against "political" involvement of the church - read, no social justice), is interestingly represented in this debacle. Jenna's current and previous church appointments, both of which have been contentious, have provided the main leadership for this movement (which, of course, no-one has bothered to disclose). Being a feminist, and voicing clearly her disagreement with the UMC stand on GLBT people, she is "the enemy" for this group, and they have effectively removed yet one more "liberal", female minister.

Anyway, this all brings up the need for prayers for our future livelihoods. As of June 30, we will both be jobless and effectively homeless. We have credit resources to survive for a period of time, but we are already in debt up to our shoulders from my not being able to find work in Podunk, Iowa. Only last month, when we realized that Jenna would not likely find a home in Iowa UMC, did I start a nationwide search for a church or non-profit position. These things generally take a good long time and, for a time anyway, we will need to find temporary housing and sources of income.

This is a long report. Please pray for whatever you feel moved to pray for. I am having trouble even contemplating what our needs are at this point. Jenna and I are quite overwhelmed.

[kara speltz]

Dear Andrew: How wonderful that Jenna's tumor were all benign. I remembered you at Mass during the petitions. And how awful that she was treated the way she was by the UMC. Unfortunately, it's not surprising given their track record. I'm afraid the the IRD (Institute for Religion and Democracy, sic) has successfully taken control of much of the UMC. They really should change their name to the IRT because what they want is not a democracy but a theocracy.

I know this must be a very scary time for the two of you. But never give up trusting that God does and will provide. Dorothy Day ran the Catholic Worker for 50 years, never knowing how the next days bills would be paid. She used to say God gave her just enough that she never forgot who it was she was dependent on.

You continue to be in our prayers. kara

[lydiam]

I need prayer support for my parents. I am one of the many who is struggling with family relationships (namely my mom) as a result of my sexuality. My Dad is a pastor and very supportive. I sent him a link to Mel White's "How Can I Be Sure God Loves Me, Too" sermon and he wrote back with this:

Lydia,

You are right. It is a fantastic sermon. Mel White puts it together in an amazingly appealing way.

I believe he is right about what makes any of us sure that God loves us. It is a message especially for homosexual persons, but it is so true for all.

I hear what he is saying and want to join in getting the message to my church and to homosexual persons. However, you know better than anybody what I am up against. I want to help my church become accepting and inclusive of all persons. I don't want to be a coward about it. Please, pray for me as I pray for you.

Most of all, Lyd, know that God loves you and of course, I love you. And I look forward to the day when your Mom can be unafraid and tell you she loves you. Meanwhile, we will remain open to God's leadership on how to approach her and others.

Love,
Dad

I'm praying for my dad's courage and wisdom with his church and his wife, and for my mom to open her heart. I'm also praying that I'll have the wisdom to know how to speak to my mom. Thanks for praying with me.

[Vanessa White]

I will pray with you for all of those intentions, as well as a prayer of thanks for you that you have such a loving person such as your father, a man of faith, to stand with you throughout your journeys. God be with your entire family and support system at this difficult time. Vanessa

[d_pedr]

Lydia

God be with you and guide you with your mum.

I'll keep praying that Jesus will give you his peace, and timing, as you speak with your mum.
After 20+ years, mine still thinks my sexuality is a phase that will pass (whatever she means by that).

d_pedr

[d_pedr]

Hi all

please pray for my application as a volunteer for Terence Higgins Trust. (Main HIV/AIDs support group here in the UK)
Pray that God will guide the application through, and I will be put with the right team, with duties that will bring the Glory to Him. I seem to have been fighting this call for years, due to confusion, and worrying about what others would think.
Pray also for my church's responce, as news gets out, my minister is one of my refererences, but I had to go to another elder (rather than my own) for the second reference, due to my elder's oppinions.

God bless you all

d_pedr

[lydiam]

d_pedr,
You are in my prayers as well. I'll be praying for you and the people in your church. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. I'm almost hoping my mom will come to the place where she could at least think of it as a phase. Right now pretends I don't exist.

Vanessa,
Thank you for your prayer too! I really appreciate that and youre right, I'm a lucky girl to have my Dad.

[d_pedr]

Hi all,

have provisional date for volunteer interview with the Terrence Higgins Trust on Friday 15th June at 16:00, in Brighton.

please pray for my arriving on time - traffic and parking, and during the interview.