[RMC News] [2008 General Conference News] May 1 Two Stepping in Texas Report

[Strickland, Skip]

[2008 General Conference News] May 1 Two Stepping in Texas Report
 
Two Stepping from Texas
General Conference 2008
Fort Worth, Texas
Walter “Skip” Strickland &
Olon Mulford Lindemood
 
 
Thursday, May 1, 2008
 
SECTION A:
 
The table was shrouded on Thursday morning. 
 
A black veil was carried in and covered the table during “A Witness.”  The “Witness” / protest took place because of the way that the legislation surrounding the issues of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Persons are not permitted to be candidates, ordained, or appointed to United Methodist Churches. Bishop Palmer said, “We received a witness from a group that feel excluded.”  During the morning session there was a moment when the presiding bishop said that he would have a recess for the purpose of a witness.  Into the room came individuals dressed in black.  Some carried photos, “My child is of Sacred worth.”  Others wore pins, “All means all.” One tee shirt read, “CLOSED HEARTS, CLOSED DOORS, WE MIND.” Delegates who were supportive of the witness stood.  Tears were on many cheeks.  Into our delegation as for many delegations came our bishop to stand with us.  There are other reports that can better articulate an account of what happened.  There is also a link to a video stream of the Witness.
 
SECTION B:
 
Earlier in the morning during a gathering of the Western Jurisdictional gathering there was a poem read:
 
The Rules of Evidence
by Lee M Robinson

What you want to say most
is inadmissible.
Say it anyway.
Say it again.
What they tell you is irrelevant
can’t be denied and will
eventually be heard.
Every question
is a leading question.
Ask it anyway, then expect
what you won’t get.
There is no such thing
as the original
so you’ll have to make do
with a reasonable facsimile.
The history of the world
is hearsay. Hear it.
The whole truth
is unspeakable
and nothing but the truth
is a lie.
I swear this.
My oath is a kiss.
I swear
by everything
incredible.
 
SECTION C:
 
Here are four quotes from the day:
 
1.  A layman from west Texas said: “Kicking a dead horse doesn’t make it run any faster
”
 
2.  William Gates Sr. present on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Global Health said: “All lives have equal value.”
 
3.  William Gates Sr. also quoted John Wesley:  “I look on all the world as my parish.”
 
4. Bishop Hee Soo Jung while preaching offered two words that focused the differences of the United Methodist Church in matters of Human Sexuality:  “Hospitality” and “Holiness” He continued to say that we want radical hospitality and we need holiness with adequate boundaries.
 
SECTION D:
 
We pray for our church.
We pray for each other.
We pray.
 
 
Thursday, May 1, 2008
 
Observations by:
 
Olon Mulford Lindemood
Assistant to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter “Skip” Strickland. 
(Skip wrote:  If you are interested you will be able to see some brief video coverage of the Witness on the "May 1 video Two Stepping report", or the full "Witness" is to be available on the General Conference web site at UMC.org. Most of the rest of the day, May 1st, was spent dealing with Constitutional Amendments.  Remember you can also watch "live streaming," of the General Conference Session at UMC.org. You might be ready to stay up late Friday night to follow the end of General Conference. Thank you for allowing us to share with you during the Conference.)
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