FIERY SPEAKER APPLAUDED
First UM Plans Vote
On Whether To Reject
Church's Ban On Gays
In February, Worldwide Church Council
Affirmed Bar To Gay Marriage, Pastors
By JENNIFER HILL • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – A resolution, “We Refuse,” objecting to the international United Methodist Church's reassertion of its prohibition on gay marriage and gay pastors, was inserted into today's Sunday Service program at Oneonta's First UM.
The local resolution calls the church's "Traditional Plan," which reaffirmed its ban and was approved by majority vote last February, “exclusive, punitive, and unwelcoming” and declares it “incompatible with God’s all-inclusive love of and for everyone…and with Jesus’ teachings,” which tell people to love everyone “unconditionally.”
The resolution goes further, labeling the Traditional Plan “un-Christian.” It calls for regional churches and the bishop to reject it and pursue a separate path.
The insert also announced a Special Charge Conference for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, where members of the congregation will debate and vote on “We Refuse.” Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell, the pastor, will preside.
Delivering the sermon today was J.J. Warren, a gay seminary student from Penn Yan whom Bishop Mark Webb, of the Syracuse-based conference that includes Otsego County, has said he will not ordain.
