Worshippers lament vote setback
Bloomfield church pastor expresses disappointment with prohibiting Methodist same-sex unions
They were, at times, mournful and weeping, or hopeful or angry.
They prayed together, sang together and shared their fears and hopes.
Many wore rainbow ties, stoles or other visual reminders of their congregation’s position.
Worshippers at First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh on Sunday grappled with a vote last week by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church against same-sex marriage in the church and against the ordination of openly gay clergy.
At First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, which prides itself on being welcoming to all, the vote was on the minds of many.
“Nothing has changed in this place. Nothing has changed in this place,” the Rev. Tracy Cox, pastor of the Bloomfield church, told worshippers before Sunday’s service got underway.
Congregants together also recited the words on the front of the church program that all are welcome there, “regardless of Christian perspective, education, economic condition, race, gender, national origin, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or marital status.”
Following the regular worship
service, many gathered to review what had happened at last week’s conference in St. Louis to share their thoughts and offer prayers of lament and hope.
Church delegates there adopted the “Traditionalist Plan,” which prohibits the ordination of LGBTQIA clergy and prohibits United Methodist churches from hosting same-sex wedding and clergy from officiating them, Tracy Merrick of Wexford, who was in St. Louis last week, explained.
The plan regarding clergy who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual or allied also included penalties for churches that violated those rules.
However, a judicial council still must decide if what was approved is constitutional, Mr. Merrick said. Additionally, a future General Conference could reverse course, he said.
“I’m kind of hopeful that the whole thing will be thrown out,” he said.
Others shared words they found comforting, such as Ellie Sorock of Highland Park, whose son is a transgender man.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?” Ms. Sorock recited from reading Psalm 27.
Several also told Rev. Cox that they appreciated her welcoming message.
“Our community is weakened, because we cannot celebrate with our family, fully, the things that are in their lives and in their hearts. I am grieving,” said Connie Morin, 29, of Wexford, who said her brother is gay.
Congregants also hung rainbow bunting and flags outside the church.
“We are the church that God has called us to be. We’re not changing that,” Rev. Cox said.