Does the Beth Stroud Legal Defense Fund have sufficient funds to cover appeal expenses?
03 May 2005
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As we begin preparations for the case to go to the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church, the legal fund is depleted from previous appeal expenses. Beth's clergy counsel and all of the attorneys working on the case are donating their time and expertise. However, at each stage of the judicial process there are expenses related to printing, mailing, research, and travel. We have also had to hire a media relations consultant to prevent the church office from being completely overwhelmed.
How to contact the Beth Stroud Legal Defense Fund |
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How do you talk to conservatives?
02 May 2005
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Through this entire process, Beth has been working hard to avoid divisive politics and, when possible, to engage in thoughtful dialogue with those who hold different opinions on homosexuality. Often this happens in quiet one-on-one conversations away from the media spotlight.
We offer the following link to Shane Raynor's interview with Beth on the "Wesley Blog" as an example of people with different points of view working to find common ground. Both Shane and some of his readers sometimes articulate perspectives that make us uncomfortable, but we respect his blog as a place where genuine dialogue can take place.
Beth Stroud Interview with the Wesley Blog |
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Why is everyone talking about casseroles?!
27 Dec 2004
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In her "coming out" sermon, Beth said,
quote:
I think it will be powerful if the witness we offer to the larger church is not the witness of choking on our own righteous anger, but rather the witness of learning, more and more, how to love one another, and how to recognize the risen Christ in our midst.
She used the "casserole" as both a figurative and a literal image illustrating the need "to be together, to break bread with one another, to slow down and listen to each other and really be a community."
Read more... |
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What can we do to help?
10 Dec 2004
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Read some of our ideas...
Some ideas from The Reconciling Ministries Network
Friday, December 10, 2004 |
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How are lesbian and gay people reacting to the verdict?
06 Dec 2004
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Here are some quotes from email we have received -- both from heterosexuals, as well as lesbian and gay people. We have gotten hundreds of emails, some from as far away as China, New Zealand, London, Darfur, etc. (this is just a quick sampling... I hope to continue adding additional quotes as time allows) |
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A church trial?! How did it come to this?
06 Dec 2004
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There are some good Fact Sheets or Q&A type documents available for your convenience: |
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Why aren't you more angry?
05 Dec 2004
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 The easiest way to answer that question is to tell you a story. This is my buddy Trevor. He is brilliant and has a subtle sense of humor. He likes computers, video games, and basketball. He also happens to have cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair.
Once in a while, we go out to McDonald’s or to get an ice cream together. I have noticed that when we are out together, strangers often feel free to come up to him and say whatever they feel like saying. Sometimes they ask intrusive questions. Sometimes they even say things that are hurtful and thoughtless – once, a total stranger came up to us in McDonald’s and told him that if he really believed in Jesus, he could get up out of his chair and walk.
Sometimes when I’m out with Trevor and this happens, I stand there stupefied and don’t know what to say. Sometimes I make more of a fuss. Always, I feel angry.
One time when I had gotten particularly angry, Trevor caught my eye the next morning at church and grinned his sly grin. “You were really mad last night, Pastor Beth,” he said.
“It just makes me really angry when people treat you that way,” I said. “They don’t think. Trevor, does it make you angry?”
“Oh, Pastor Beth,” he said, grinning even bigger. “If I got angry about stuff like that, I’d be angry all the time.” |
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Why do LGBT United Methodists stay in the church?
05 Dec 2004
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This is a complicated question that Beth's mother has considered extensively through her doctoral research. |
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What does the United Methodist Church say about the Bible?
27 Dec 2004
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This two part posting from the website of the United Methodist Church provides the official stance of the denomination:
It is part of a larger section on that website, describing "What we believe" as United Methodists -- which may also be of interest to you. In particular, the section on "Our Theological Task" (Section 4) highlights principles unique to United Methodism, such as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Tradition, Experience, Reason). |
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