I'm sorry...

For all the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual people out there, I'm sorry. I'm sorry the United Methodist Church has let you down once again. I'm sorry that we cannot be open and welcoming to everyone. I'm sorry...

The only thing I can say is that I have hope. After the minority report passed, I felt betrayed. I could not understand... but I want to say again something that Heather told me. How can I make a difference, how can I CHANGE THE CHURCH if I leave? If I leave because the Church has betrayed me, then who will be a voice for those who do not want to leave, but want to be fully accepted as well.

Plus, I can't leave. I love this Church. I have grown up in this Church, and many people I know are a part of this Church. Instead of giving up on the Church, I choose to stay and wait for change.

I am sorry that you have to wait four years. I am sorry that we have made you wait, but please, please stay with me. There are people, atleast 40% of Church people, who accept you for who you are. There are pastors, churches, district superintendants, and even bishops, who support and accept you.

So I ask you, please stay standing with me. For we will stand together, and in four years, we will try again for change, for a future with hope...

Human Sexuality, Majority Report

I'm sorry if I have this wrong. It was a whole mess of amendments and motions (what's new?), but if you think it should be something different, please just let me know:

We recognize that sexuality is God's good gift to all persons. We believe persons may be fully human only when that gift is acknowledged and affirmed by themselves, the church, and society. We call all persons to the disciplined, responsible fulfillment of themselves, others, and society in the stewardship of this gift. We also recognize our limited understanding of this complex gift and encourage the medical, theological, and social science disciplines to combine in a determined effort to understand human sexuality more completely.

United Methodists, along with other Christians, have struggled to find principles for applying traditional teachings to contemporary understandings of human sexuality. We recognize that sexuality is part of the larger human mystery, to be received and acknowledged in grateful responsibility.

We reject all sexual expressions that damage or destroy the humanity God has given us. We deplore all forms of the commercialization and exploitation of sexual relations, with their consequent cheapening and degradation of human personality. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation or use of children by adults and encourage efforts to hold perpetrators legally and financially responsible. We call for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for children thus abused. We believe that the Church family should support all families in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults.

We challenge all members of our community of faith to commitment, integrity, and fidelity in their sexual relationships. We affirm that all are God's children and of sacred worth; yet we have been, and remain, divided regarding homosexual expressions of human sexuality. Faithful, thoughtful people who have grappled with this issue deeply disagree with one another; yet all seek a faithful witness. We continue to reason and pray together with faith and hope that the Holy Spirit will soon bring reconciliation to our community of faith.

The fire in our disagreements points to a deeper human mystery than we knew. We believe that the Spirit has brought our collective conscience to acknowledge this mystery more honestly, and to make our claims with greater humility before God and our neighbors. We therefore ask the Church, United Methodist and others, and the world, to refrain from judgment regarding homosexual persons and practices as the Spirit leads us to new insight. Therefore, let us seek to welcome, know, forgive, and love one another as Christ has accepted us, that God may be glorified through everything in our lives.

<-- so it is my understanding that this would have been the final majority report to be voted on if the minority report did not pass...

Human Sexuality, Minority Report

Book of Discipline, paragraph 161, part G
We affirm that sexuality is God's good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.
Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.
We deplore all forms of the commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children and for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for abused children. All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence. The Church should support the family in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults.
We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the church in our struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God's grace is available to all. We will live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gays members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.