Pierre Theron's Dialogue Response

From Pierre Theron
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2008
To: Bo Gordy-Stith
Subject: Mission Statement

I'm fine with the revised mission statement and will support its adoption by the church.

I doubt that it will have any impact on me or my family and do not believe that it will have a major impact on the church except that there may be a few members who may not be totally comfortable with it. To some degree I question whether a mission statement has any impact on the community outside of the church. In most cases you have to be involved with the church to be familiar with its mission statement. I believe church members and the way they act towards folks in the community have a bigger impact than a mission statement could ever have.

I try to behave the same towards everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. Sometimes I succeed but other times I fail and have to remind myself to be a better person.

Norm Holt's Dialogue Response

From: Norm Holt
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Subject: Welcome Statement Revision

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?

I do not think the statement should be expanded. Our Welcome to the public need not be embellished with identifications of who is welcome, rather we need only say that ALL are welcome and leave it at that. The Welcome Statement as expanded and the considered association with Reconciling Ministries is a step toward bringing our church into the cultural and political arena of our present culture. As I read the Bible I see our savior promoting an embrace of the Kingdom of God rather than the Kingdom of Man (culture and politics, etc.) Our focus of Welcome need only be on the message of Jesus Christ through sermon and ministry. I oppose this statements apparent venture into “Identity Politics*”

* Identity politics is political action to advance the interests of members of a group whose members are oppressed by virtue of a shared and marginalized identity (such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or neurological wiring). The term has been used principally in United States politics since the 1970s. (per internet: Wikipedia)

2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?

I would accept our Church’s statement as revised, but I would consider it unnecessary and obfuscation.

3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?

For myself and my family we would get along with the change. I am concerned that if Skyline gets caught up in “Identity Politics” we would become a pawn of the prevailing political climate at the expense of focusing on the message of the Bible. Our community would then see us a limited agenda institution.

4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

Skyline has accepted me with the dysfunctions I bring to the table. I am pleased to welcome, get to know, and work with all who want to worship here at Skyline.

Anonymous Male Dialogue Response

From: [name withheld: male, 50’s, member or friend for 5-10 years]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Subject: Questions – [name withheld]'s response.

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
I see no need for what I would call selective specificity. Thus, I am not at all in favor of the new proposed mission statement.

2. How would you feel if the church adopted the proposed new revised mission statement?
Based on my first answer, I would be upset because I again see no reason for selective specificity.

3. How would the new mission statement impact you and others?
I truly do not know. I’m not even sure what the impact would be on me, so I certainly won’t guess at what ifs for others.

4. How do I feel God is calling me to behave toward seekers who are gay, lesbian, Bi-sexual or transgender?
The same as anyone else. Painters, lawyers, happy people, divorced people, handicapped people, etc. etc. etc. Please get the point that it doesn’t matter to me because we are not to judge our fellow man, God will be the judge, neither Bo, Vicki, Skyline Council nor [me].

Anonymous Female Dialogue Response

From: [name withheld: female, 50’s, member or friend for 5-10 years]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Subject: Refection Response

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
I feel the current mission statement says it all. We are suppose to reach out to all who seek a deeper relationship with God. So, I am not sure why it is important we change it. I don’t believe we need to get into all of the wordiness of the new statement when the current statement states very clearly we need to reach out to others. I do not like the proposed mission statement.

2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?
I would not like it at all. Once again, the current one says it all. I believe the proposed statement is a round about way of saying to the congregation we are going to become a RMN church and this mission statement supports it 100%. I think it is a play on words and I don’t like it.

3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?
I would be very disappointed with the mission statement changing. I feel like there has been far too much emphasis on RMN. I feel like the move to change the church to RMN has had more emphasis on same sex partners than on God. I think our focus has not been on God and I think this is the reason why there is so much strife and failure at Skyline. I feel as far as a community is concerned, I believe if the church was labeled RMN it would be known strictly as church for GLBT and not be reflected any other way. It disappoints me to see how far we are going to push this and see the damage it is causing. Our current mission statement very clearly states what we should be doing as followers of Christ. If we can’t welcome and accept others into our church for who they are it is not because of our mission statement, it is because of ignorance.

4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?
As far as my beliefs are concerned in how God is calling me, I feel that I have the ability to love others regardless. I do not look at someone for their sexual preference, I look at them for the person they are. I know that there is so much more to all of us than our sexual preference. This is just a small part of who we are as individuals. We are suppose to love others unconditionally and I feel I do this already. Changing a mission statement is not going to change those who don’t love unconditionally. What bothers me tremendously is that we are not putting our focus on God first, I believe we are putting it on sexual preference. Huge concern!!!

Ivan Turner, Jr.'s Dialogue Response

From: Ivan Turner, Jr.

Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008
Subject: Dialog Statement - Ivan

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?

I believe that the Draft Mission Statement is a reflection of who we are as a church already. This is not a radical change, but an expression of the loving and accepting nature that already exists at Skyline.

2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?

I am excited about the opportunity to “let the secret out.” We should not be hiding the great blessing of being a loving and accepting community. We should be exclaiming it as a blessing and a paradigm shift in a world where many find the church old, stuffy and out of touch with the real needs of people and the community. This is an opportunity to be a light of hope to many who have given up hope.

3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?

· Impact to me – finding ways to “walk the talk” by practicing the elements of the mission statement and living as part of “a community of followers of Jesus who freely choose to worship, serve, and live together prayerfully and in peace following a Methodist understanding of God’s gift of grace”

· Impact to my family - learning to understand and express the compassion of God by first accepting others as God’s children and then making them feel welcome.

· Impact to our church – learning to accept the challenge of looking past what makes us different and seeing all who walk through the doors as distinctive children of God.

· Impact to the community – once Skyline UMC finds a way to apply the energy from bridging our differences to create a unique loving community, then those outside of our church will hear the “Skyline buzz” and be clamoring to check us out and see what makes us so different from other churches.

4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

Loving and accepting them for who God has wonderfully and beautifully made them to be and finding ways to serve and support all with my prayers, gifts and service.

At this point in my life, I am a proponent of accepting Christians who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender into full participation in church life including all aspects of fellowship, membership, and leadership.

I believe that the greater United Methodist Church will eventually join Skyline in accepting clergy who openly identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender persons. In the meantime, as a loving and accepting community, we should continue to pray, participate, and serve in the greater Methodist church as a witness to God’s work in our midst at Skyline.

Karen Boyce's Dialogue Response

From: Karen Boyce
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Subject: Reflections on New Mission Statement

It is fine that you attribute to me what I say below. However, if we have a book on public display, I have some concerns that there are those who will try to create an extra division, an "us" and "them" environment. Even so, I still will allow my name to appear.

I believe we should adopt the revised mission statement. It specifically states that everyone is welcome in our church, with no exceptions. I feel everyone who wants to worship with us should be able to do so, and with this revised statement, they will know that they are welcome.

I also believe that anyone in our church, regardless of their sexual orientation, who is qualified for leadership, preaching, or any other gift, should be able to do so, within the same guidelines as everyone else.

I would hope that this revised statement would not have a negative impact on our church, but I fear it might. However, I believe it is the right thing to do, and feel it should be adopted as soon as feasible.
Jesus told us to love everybody - no exclusions. That is what I feel I am called to do.

Karen Boyce

Phyllis and Dick Hite's Dialogue Response

Received written submission in pastors’ inbox week of October 26, 2008 from Phyllis and Dick Hite

What are your thoughts about the proposed revised mission statement? What are your feelings?

We have no problem with the new mission statement.

How would you feel if our church adopted the revised mission statement?

No problem.

How would the revised mission statement above impact you? members of your household? the community?

The new statement is fine!

How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

To treat them no different than any other human being.

Duncan and Natalie Outslay's Dialogue Response

From: Duncan & Natalie Outslay
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008
Subject: RE: dialogue responses

Natalie and I discussed the proposed new mission statement and here are our responses to the questions.

What are your thoughts on the proposed mission statement? What are your feelings?

We feel that the "Reach" portion is very inclusive. It appears to include everyone under the sun. Having spelled out all of the different groups may help others of these different groups who have felt persecuted by the Church.

How would the revised mission statement above impact you? members of your household? the community?

We do not feel that this would impact us or our household. It may certainly affect other households but I feel that ultimately it will affect them in a positive way. A way or a step toward becoming more Christ-like. A community that does not judge but welcomes and loves all.

How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

We feel that God is calling us to treat these individuals no different than anyone else.

Short and sweet. Just like what I have to offer during the council meetings.

See you on Sunday.

Duncan

John Cooper's Dialogue Response

From: John Cooper
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008
Subject: Invitation to join dialogue memo

I read through the handout that you gave me. I think it makes a lot of sense and I think the questions are the right questions to ask.

The one thing you might want to consider including is a paragraph on “why”. I would imagine there may be several members of the congregation that aren’t as close to this issue. Why is it important for Skyline to make this change now? Is there still a place for me? Is this too radical, I am ok with GLBT folks in the congregation but why change the mission statement? Other churches aren’t doing it?

My personal take is:

My vision of a Christian community is one of acceptance. I like to think that no matter what predicament I might be in, the church would be the one place I could find solace and friendship, regardless of whether I was adhering to all the doctrine. It concerns me to think that other Christians aren’t given this same right.

Why now? It is important for the health of the church to stay current with issues facing society as a whole. The gay/lesbian issue has clearly been in the headlines in recent months. By acknowledging it, it shows we are a living church grounded in present day.

What I don’t think the mission is: It is not a line drawn in the sand meant to taunt those with a different perspective. In fact, it is the opposite. It is an attempt to create an atmosphere for all Christians to come together in a safe haven. It is more important for us to acknowledge and support that each of us is trying to get on or stay on the right path than it is for us to review the path others have taken.

I hope this helps!

Ruthann DeJuliis' Dialogue Response

From: Ruthann DeJuliis

Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:10 PM
Subject: Dialogue Responses

What are your thoughts on the proposed mission statement? What are your feelings?

Too bad that All does not mean All to all people, however this reminds me of the time during the civil rights struggle when the words “separate but equal” did not mean equal at all! Since all people are of sacred worth, then the extra effort to identify all people is a effort worth taking. I feel good about our community that will place the feelings of others and their need to be certain of their inclusion about our own need to have a succinct mission statement.

How would the revised mission statement above impact you? members of your household? the community?

How it impacts me and my family is so minor compared to how it might impact others. By that I mean that I recognize that this statement already includes and identifies us; but if in so listing specifically we can begin a conversation that leads others to Jesus then the impact will be huge!

How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

I work with a transgender person that lives in Newark whom I have invited to Skyline. I have listened to her talk over the years and we have discussed topics of spirituality so that I have wanted to invite her so that we might worship together. She flatly refused saying “I have had enough of being judged by church people” to which I replied “I would think you of all people would know something of pre judging” but her past hurts are too great. A different coworker, who lives in Philadelphia, recently came out as a lesbian. Shortly after this announcement I sought her out and commented on her announcement. I told her I’d heard and I wanted her to know it changed nothing for me. She replied “I knew it wouldn’t. I know you get it how we are all just the ‘disciples whom Jesus loved.’ That is all we are supposed to do, in my book, is to make sure everyone know they are that disciple.” She went on to say she hope we can together help this other coworker know that too. At my work it is well known that I am a seminarian, and I am sort of the unofficial chaplain for my work area. That this is what is known about me and my love of people makes me hope that others too will see the love of Christ and seek Him as well. How do I sense God is calling me to behave toward others? The same way Jesus did; by living, laughing, eating and worshiping as one.

Ruthann DeJuliis