The leadership team at Dignity and Worth has recently been made aware of a letter in the Methodist Recorder newspaper (June 11 edition) from a group of Methodist evangelicals who are supporting the proposals for same-sex marriage in the God In Love Unites Us report. Here’s a photo of the letter:
We were extremely pleased to see this letter of support and would like to publicly thank all involved. Here’s our response:
“We, the Leadership Team of Dignity and Worth, wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to those who wrote the letter supporting same-sex marriage (Methodist Recorder, June 11) We were deeply moved by what was said and recognise the cost to each of the signatories in making public their own views and their disagreement with others.
We were extremely grateful to read the acknowledgement that people on all sides of the debate around marriage and relationships are “sincerely endeavouring to remain faithful to Jesus Christ, faithful to the Scriptures, and faithful to the founding principles of Methodism”. This echoes our own position of always seeking to respect the integrity and faithfulness of those who deeply disagree with us, and to maintain the open hand of fellowship and reconciliation even when it costs us much.
We also offer our thanks to the many evangelicals who have approached us directly to share their change of heart. We believe it is these acts of simple courage that make it possible for the church to become a place of gospel reconciliation. In recognising “the core truths of faith that unite us”, and honestly acknowledging the joys and challenges that differences bring, the church embodies hope to a deeply fractured and divided world.
With the Conference only a few days away, we are conscious of those from all parts of the church who are anxious about the things that might be said and the decisions that will be made. We call on all Methodists, therefore, to continue to pray that the Spirit of gentleness, of wisdom, and of truth will guide and comfort us, and challenge us to remain faithful to our common Lord.”
Revd Sam McBratney, Ms Ruby Beech, Revd Mandy Briggs, Revd Delyth Liddell,
Revd Pearl Luxon, Revd Farai Mapamula, Mr Alister McClure, Revd Barbara Pettitt,
Mr Ben Riley, Revd Mark Rowland, Mx Aaron Barnes.