Affirmation group sends message to bishops
4/30/1998 News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646) 369-3759 · New York by United Methodist News Service A prayer that the United Methodist bishops and pastors continue to shepherd the whole flock was dispatched April 26 to the denomination's Council of Bishops.
The message came from Affirmation, an unofficial United Methodist caucus supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and "transgendered" concerns. Affirmation's national council met April 24-26 in Minneapolis.
In its greeting to the Council of Bishops, meeting through May 1 in Lincoln, Neb., the caucus said, "We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and inspire your deliberations in the coming days, that you may lead and nurture a church in which all God's people are truly welcome and all pastors continue to shepherd all one hundred of the flock."
Morris Floyd, Affirmation spokesperson, said the council welcomes any effort of the bishops "to find a path all United Methodists can walk together, despite important differences in understanding God's will."
United Methodists have been divided over a ruling from a recent Nebraska church trial that absolved the Rev. Jimmy Creech, who had performed a same-sex union ceremony. More than 150 United Methodist clergy have signed a statement supporting such ceremonies, Floyd said.
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