05/06/2018
Sometime between April 24 and 26, an unknown person or persons broke into the office belonging to Pastor David Meredith at Clifton United Methodist Church
The intruder(s) did not take David’s computer, or historic pieces of silver from the church – it appears they did not even r***e through drawers or the shelves in search of valuables. What was taken were priceless pieces of David’s history: his framed seminary diploma and his framed ordination certificate.
The leaving of items of monetary value, and the theft of items of specified value to those in the know, suggests a theft by an informed United Methodist, perhaps even a clergyperson. And this is saddening and maddening. Is this what we have come to? Is this what the denomination has come to?
While the removal of these outward signs does not negate the inward reality of seminary education, ordination, and call, these documents hold an irreplaceable sacred worth. As our United Methodist liturgy reminds, "they are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace!" Furthermore, David’s deacon’s orders were signed by Bishop Dwight Loder, and the diploma from Saint Paul School of Theology was signed by Dean Dale Dunlap and President William McElvaney – all of whom are deceased. We cannot call them up and ask them to sign a new issuance of these papers.
Throughout the three decades of Rev. Meredith’s impactful, Spirit-led ministry, there have always been a select few opposed to his presence in the United Methodist Church as a gay man. This opposition reached a head before the 2016 General Conference when complaints were filed over David’s marriage to his partner, now husband, of over thirty years, Jim Schlachter.
The United Methodist denomination currently stands at a crossroads as we seek a Way Forward that builds a more inclusive church, that enables as many people as possible to experience the love of Jesus. The Council of Bishops has recommended the One Church model that removes the restrictive, discriminatory language against LGBTQ people from the denomination’s Book of Discipline. But damage has already been done – harm has already been inflicted.
But out of this harm and hurt can emerge opportunities for hope and healing.
We are calling on those who sent complaints against Pastor David to denounce this hateful attack, and we are also calling on church leaders, specifically David’s District Superintendent and Bishop as well as others who feel led to do so, to denounce this hateful attack.
But even more than that, we are calling on people who have been complicit in oppression and discrimination – or who have stood silent as oppression and discrimination have occurred – to examine their hearts and ask, “Is this the kind of church we want to be?”
For labeling LGBTQ children of God as second class citizens and for quietly permitting others to declare that homosexuality is a sin without rebuttal, has set a precedent that can escalate from fear and mistrust to these kind of hateful attacks. This is no isolated attack. We are called to oppose discrimination and hate in all its forms – these are our baptismal vows, our community vows, our United Methodist vows, and our Wesleyan commitment to “do no harm.”
To become the church we are called to be, the discrimination, the silence, and the harm must stop.
On the evening of Mother’s Day, supporters of all faiths and from across the region will gather at Clifton United Methodist Church at 7 PM to rally for David and for LGBTQ clergy, believers, and children of God everywhere. We will live stream on our page as well. Join us and help us follow the Spirit towards creating the kind of church we are called to be.
