Methodist Conference June 2005 - What really happened. ( 2nd July 2005  )

The working group that produced the Pilgrimage of Faith Report is to continue its work for another year following an amendment made to the resolutions passed at this year's Methodist Conference.

The Pilgrimage of Faith Report was written in response to a request made at the Methodist Conference in 2003, that evidence of the pilgrimage, referred to in resolutions passed at the Derby Conference in 1993, be brought before the Methodist people.

‘Conference recognises, affirms and celebrates the participation and ministry of lesbians and gay men in the church. Conference calls on the Methodist people to begin a pilgrimage of faith to combat repression and discrimination, to work for justice and human rights and to give dignity and worth to people whatever their sexuality.’ Derby Conference 1993 ( Resolution 6)

The Pilgrimage of Faith working group was directed by the Methodist Council to bring its report to the Methodist Conference 2005 and to do its work in the light of all six resolutions adopted at the Derby Conference of 1993.

The working group carried out its work between June 2004 and March 2005, and gathered its evidence, making every effort to understand the different perspectives that members of the Church brought to the issue.

Described by one of its co chairs as 'taking the temperature', the report set out the diversity of views that exist within the Methodist Church on the degree of acceptance of the ministry and participation of lesbian and gay people in the life of the Church, and concluded with a series of resolutions and recommendations.

During the debate - which was sensitively conducted and in a less adversarial way than most other debates, the report was received and a series of resolutions agreed.

Revd Cassandra Howes, National Co-ordinator of OUTCOME, and a member of the working group, who was present during the debate said "It was clear from those who contributed to the report and who spoke openly and honestly in the debate, that lesbian and gay people in the Methodist Church are no longer prepared to be invisible. It is also clear that heterosexist attitudes are being challenged but that discrimination still exists in some parts of the Church."

OUTCOME, along with Sustaining 6, a group set up following the Derby Conference in support of Resolution 6, welcomed the Pilgrimage of Faith Report and supported its recommendations and resolutions as an affirmation of the need to accord basic human rights to all people in the Methodist Church.

Cassandra Howes said "the report represents our continuing struggle as Methodists to deal with the issues. We are not united and we do not agree, but a Methodist Church in which different convictions are held, where there is diversity of views is nevertheless STILL the Methodist Church. We believe the report will help us in fulfilling our calling as Methodists by encouraging us to respond to the Gospel of God's love in Christ"

The Pilgrimage of Faith working group during the next year will do further work on the issues it identified including work on guidelines for ministers and churches on how to respond to requests to conduct prayers or services of blessing for same-sex couples.

"Some national press reports,” said Cassandra Howes today, “were misleading and incorrectly interpreted the resolutions in such a way as to suggest the Methodist Church had agreed to blessings for same sex couples. This is not the case. However, the continuance of the working group means that conversations about this and other issues are now very firmly on the Methodist Church agenda. Members of OUTCOME would see public celebration and affirmation of loving commitment, as part of the ongoing mutual support and pastoral care that the Church should offer all its faithful pilgrims including same sex couples and would want to urge the Pilgrimage of Faith working group to seriously consider what is possible by way of provision of liturgy and religious context for those who register a Civil partnership and want the opportunity to express their commitment to each other before God and the Church".

OUTCOME provided a stall throughout the Methodist Conference and arranged a fringe event. Using stories based on real situations Conference participants were encouraged to understand the repression and discrimination still faced by lesbians and gay men in the Church. It is hoped to take this work further in the setting up of a theological reflection group and through publication of resource material for further study. ENDS

For further details

www.OUTCOMEonline.org.uk info@OUTCOMEonline.org.uk www.methodist.org.uk

OUTCOME is: A group of LGBT ordained and lay Christians and their friends within the Methodist Church. We are working towards a fully inclusive Church, by challenging the Church, witnessing as gay Christians and supporting the Church and its members both lay and ordained in dealing with issues surrounding sexuality. We are recognised and supported by LGCM as an LGBT caucus within the Methodist Church. LGCM Press Officer: Martin Reynolds 07795 162781 01633 215841