Posts by pwsbuilder
Painting Our Lady of Sorrows
The month of May finds those within the Christian tradition solidly within Easter season, reveling in the promise of resurrection, while simultaneously celebrating Mother’s Day. To be honest, I’d never seen much of a correlation between these two events in the past. But since my brother’s death in March, I’m viewing everything through the lens…
Read MoreWords of Encouragement for LGBTQ United Methodists & Allies
“Do not get weary little children. God is not done with us, yet. So keep praying, stay focused and keep the main thing the main thing.” These words were written by Rev. James E. Swanson, Bishop of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, in response to the Judicial Council’s recent ruling to rescind…
Read MorePower For & By LGBTQ People Of Faith
When I was a kid my grandmother would rock back and forth on her green metallic rocking chair singing old Spirituals like, “We shall overcome, someday.” I still remember her tears. My grandmother, big and yellow, a proud Christian, guarded our South Dallas porch singing songs like, “I’m a solider in the Army of the…
Read MoreWe Are Beloved
When was the last time you heard a sermon focusing on your belovedness, with no “but” attached to it? I mean, an entire Sunday service all about taking in and feeling how much God loves you and delights in you—with no mention of, or alluding to the need for you to be better than you…
Read MoreLGBTQI Methodists Already Know the Way Forward
As an aspiring pastor in The United Methodist Church (The UMC) and a staff person at Reconciling Ministries Network, I spend a lot of time trying to explain my work to strangers, new friends, taxi drivers, and anyone else who might casually ask, “So, what do you do?” In these conversations, I spend most of…
Read MoreUnited Methodist LGBTQI Clergy Present At Judicial Council Hearings
Clergy and their supporters attend Judicial Council hearings impacting their ministry, observe liturgical acts of witness April 25, 2017— Members of the United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus (UMQCC) will be present in Newark, NJ, as the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church (UMC) hears several cases concerning the ordination and ministry of lesbian, gay,…
Read MoreTheology Ruined My Father’s Memorial Service
Last night was my dad’s memorial service. I delayed my coming out because of his illness. I knew that he was already struggling with his own mortality and that trying to reconcile the daughter he was so proud of and loved deeply with the ideas he had about LGBT people would be too much for…
Read MoreThank You For Believing With Us!
Thank you for donating, sharing our Give OUT Day page, and spreading the good news of our important work!! Because of you, we raised over $800 to grow our network of LGBTQIA Christians and allies boldly proclaiming that all people are worthy of God’s love! Most importantly, because of you, Believe Out Loud has grown…
Read MoreGive OUT To Believe Out Loud!
Donate today to grow our network of LGBTQIA Christians and allies—boldly proclaiming that all people are worthy of God’s love! In the face of constant efforts to squeeze people who are different out of public space, it is critical to remain grounded in the deep faith that all people—including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex,…
Read MoreUnited Methodist Queer Clergy Release Easter Letter to Church
Nearly 150 United Methodist LGBTQI Clergy and Candidates Release Letter Week Before Key Judicial Council Decisions April 17, 2017—This morning, 147 LGBTQI clergy and clergy candidates in The United Methodist Church (UMC) released an Easter pastoral letter, inviting the Church to deeper love, inclusiveness, and justice. The letter, organized by the emerging United Methodist Queer…
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