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BMC Activities at Denominational Conferences 2005Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Activities: BMC Public Witness: A Place at the Table, A Table at the Place
As you might surmise, the decision to reject BMC for yet another year was a disappointment that was added to years of disappointments…The time has come when those of us who continue to remain in relationship [with the church] cannot, in good conscience, maintain silence. We must address this issue for several reasons:
We cannot help but think that a church that continues to respond to people’s loving relationships with the kind of hostility, inhospitality and fear that has been exhibited towards lgbt people, is a church whose very soul is being damaged and diminished. In light of all of this, we want to let you know that BMC has decided to move ahead with the public witness at Annual Conference that we had postponed last year. We do this not out of spite or malevolence, but rather with the understanding that public dissent in the face of injustice is a respectful and faithful response… Several hundred people participated in the witness, which consisted of taking building materials into the exhibit hall, constructing a table, transforming it into a communion table, and sharing in communion together. It was a powerful expression of hope for a more faithful and just church. BMC appreciates Womaen’s Caucus and Voices for an Open Spirit for their support of the witness. Click here to download a Power Point Presentation. BMC Insight Session with SCN Pastors BMC is grateful to Voices for an Open Spirit (VOS) for opening their hospitality room to BMC to display materials and resources, and to hold planning and insight sessions. Over 55 people attended a BMC sponsored evening session that featured pastors Susan Boyer, Debbie Eisenbise and Kreston Lipscomb, who reflected on how the decision to be publicly affirming has affected their congregations. In addition, Womaen’s Caucus had black tee-shirts printed that on the front said Continuing the Work of Jesus…and on the back read Welcoming All, and displaying the logos of BMC, Caucus and VOS. These tee-shirts are still available from Caucus for a nominal fee. BMC Luncheon: LGBT Welcome, Why it Matters
Mennonite Church Canada and USA Convention Activities BMC Luncheon: LGBT Welcome, Why it Matters
MennoNeighbors Space BMC is very grateful to MennoNeighbors for providing an opportunity for BMC to display information and materials at its hospitality room at Charlotte. Lin Garber, convener of MennoNeighbors, rented space at the Omni Hotel for conversation, resources and meetings. MennoNeighbors, an informal network of individuals and congregations “working to proactively foster truth, love, justice and peace,” sparked interest at the convention through its posting of “An Anabaptist Vision for the 21st Century – Some Propositions” on the Wittenberg bulletin board at the convention center. To find out more about this interesting document, contact Lin Garber at neighbors-owner@mennoneighbors.org.
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For over twenty years, BMC’s requests for exhibit space at Annual Conference have been consistently denied. In a May 2005 letter to conference planners, BMC wrote:
Jim Vaughn delighted the gathered crowd with stories from his past in the Church of the Brethren, and challenged them to create a welcoming church. Jim focused on his experiences growing up in different parts of the world and his coming to understand intersections of sexuality and Brethren identity. He then went on to speak about recent experiences at the denominational meetings, and challenged the audience to do more. Jim is known for his forthright message of welcome that he has shared in various forms at Annual Conference, including a few famous t-shirts. 
Over 70 individuals braved the humid heat of Charlotte and a six block walk to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, site of the 2005 BMC luncheon. Patty Friesen, pastor at the Faith Mennonite Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Sara Dick, past moderator of Faith and now in her final year at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, shared the story of Faith Mennonite and its journey in becoming a publicly affirming congregation. Although Faith went through a long, often difficult process, Patty was quick to affirm that it was worth the effort, particularly in terms of the congregation’s ability to reach out to people in its community. The presentation included a lively question and response period.