June 9th, 2023

Good morning, My name is Julie Smith, and I am a member of the Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team. I’m here to share with you why we are asking members of the Rio Texas Annual Conference to sign the petition to support the removal of all language from the Book of Discipline which discriminates against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, or queer.

Over the course of the last two days here together, and for weeks online we have seen the Spirit at work and have witnessed new hope. Many lay and clergy members of our Rio Texas Conference have signed in support of a Resolution to stop the harm that we United Methodists are perpetrating against the LGBTQ Community. We are causing harm to our LGBTQ brothers, sisters, and queer members because the discriminatory language and policies in our Book of Discipline contribute to the slanderous and sometimes violent attacks on these members of God’s family.

Members of the LGBTQ community are targets of violence. Their fear is palpable. Our state legislators have denied fundamental rights to Transgender people. Many members of the community are being subjected to emotional abuse. Gay and lesbian youth don’t feel safe in our churches. Too many Queer folks believe they are not beloved and accepted by God. We are passing down from generation to generation the belief that LGBTQ people are not of sacred worth when their identity is a gift from God.

So, we are asking you to support the removal of all language from the Book of Discipline that fuels the rhetoric that leads to harm and violence beyond our church walls. We are complicit in that harm because of language like “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching,” and a policy which prohibits pastors from performing same-sex marriages.

It’s time for the United Methodist Church, and the Rio Texas Conference, to speak publicly on behalf of God’s love for all persons and condemn attacks on these members of God’s family. We can do that by supporting the removal of all harmful language from our Book of Discipline.

If you have not already, I encourage you to find members of the Rio Texas Reconciling Ministry Team, who are wearing large pins with the Rainbow flames and cross. Have conversations. Ask Questions. Sign the petition.

We may not all agree on issues like this, but open dialog is vital, especially now as we seek to heal from the disaffiliations. We invite you to join us in conversation for faithful listening and honest sharing. We are here. We have team members available for conversation and two tables where you can find us, one in the Exhibit Area, and one in the Registration Area. You can also reach out to us at our website: RioTexansForFullInclusion.org

This is a conversation we hope will continue beyond this week to bring understanding and reconciliation.

Thank you for your time. Bishop, thank you for this opportunity to address the Annual Conference. Please join me in prayer.

Holy God of all, we repent of our silence. We, as an Annual Conference, have not condemned the fear-mongering that keeps us from fully loving our neighbors. Forgive us for not allowing our clergy to minister to all people in all ways. Help us turn from ways that oppress and marginalize your beloved children to ways of life-giving affirmation. In this new day, open our hearts and minds. Show us the gifts of diversity, the gifts that you give us through your varied and wonderful creation. O God, give us the grace to seek understanding and acceptance of all. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Christ, who taught us this message.

Amen.