'Struggling to reach out to one another'

 

By Cathy Farmer

 

Respect. Civility. Sensitivity. Compassion.
 Prayerful. Struggling to be led by the
 Spirit of God.

These are the words Memphis Conference delegates use to describe their impressions of General Conference 2004 after the first week of deliberations.

“It has been very uplifting,” said Ellen Peete, Director of United Methodist Neighborhood Centers. “I have seen the people struggling to be led by the Spirit of God, struggling to reach out to each other even though they feel differently about the issues.”

“Yes, the mood here has been wonderful so far,” said Anita Kay Archer, co-chair of the delegation. She added that, as she expected, her legislative committee is recommending the demise of the General Council on Ministries and the creation of a Connectional Table.

“I’ve been so touched,” said Sandra Burnett, lay delegate from Paducah, Ky. “In the Global Ministries committee, one man brought a resolution called ‘Just One Day of World Peace.’ He’s asking the world to not engage in war on August 22. It’s amazing that one man would think he could accomplish such a goal, but he and his ‘Circle of Friends’ have already contacted other governments and gotten some of them to sign on. We approved his request in our committee.”

Ben Boone, Jackson District Superintendent, said, “Among other issues, Faith and Order talked about language in the Discipline relating to homosexuality. We debated and decided to keep the original language calling for fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness. We also approved the concept of continuing dialogue over divisive issues rather than shutting off communications.”

He added, “We dealt with the difficult issues with respectfulness and civility. We talked to, not at, each other–with each other, not at each other.”

Roger Hopson, elected vice-chair of Church and Society, was faced with the most legislation.

“The mood this year is a lot more caring in dealing with these issues than it was four years ago,” he said. “There’s more listening, sensitivity and compassion.”

Hopson added, “In our committee, homosexuality has been the big issue. Most are adamant about  strengthening or maintaining the language in the Discipline. They want our stance to be clear and to be church law."