Questionnaire 2: Question 7 - Yes Responses

In 1993 the Methodist Church called for a 'Pilgrimage of Faith' concerning the subject of sexuality.  Have you heard about the 'Pilgrimage of Faith'?

‘In all honesty, not much.  Must make some enquiries.’

‘I wrote about my pilgrimage for the report that came to the 2005 conference. (See here for letter)’

‘I sent in a contribution to the working party but I thought the report to Conference this year was bland. I note that the continuing working party has no out gay men on it which is appalling and an example of institutional homophobia. Any working party dealing with race, gender, disability etc. would have representation from those diverse communities.'

'The latest response to civil partnerships was spineless. You would never believe that we were the church which married divorcees when the Anglicans weren’t interested in them.’

'The debate, which led to this Conference decision, began in the early 90’s. I was in college at that point. In 1993, I sat through the debate at Conference. The pilgrimage of faith was, as I understood it, a conversation between two distinct sides of an argument over the place and role of gay men lesbians and bisexuals not as members or leaders, but as practising sexual beings.’

‘Not a great deal, but know that sexuality should not be regarded as a serious issue within Methodism and that dignity and respect should be shown and shared.’

‘“Pilgrimage of Faith” put the Methodist Church of GB at the forefront of the debate on sexuality in the Church and provided a wonderful opportunity for the Church to affirm God’s love for all members of His creation irrespective of sexuality.  It was not the first time that the Methodist Church had led the way on such controversial issues following on, as it did almost 20 years after a similar call with regard to gender discrimination.

In its aim to highlight the issues it was very successful.  Indeed the majority of it has been widely accepted.  It is, however, to the Church’s eternal shame that the “celebration of the ministry of lesbians and gay men within the Church” was tagged right at the very end and has been largely avoided ever since.’

‘Merely its existence’

‘It was a sop to gay people at the 1993 Conference – “we are not prepared to embrace you but we will study sexuality in our churches to show we are open and enlightened.”  One or two churches may have done something but most (99%) then ignored it until a decade later.’

‘I responded to the request for feedback but got the feeling there was reluctance on the part of the organisers to share in or encourage any open debate, and felt the subsequent reports reflected this.’

‘Only that it has been called for – I see little of any pilgrimage.  I am not sure that any progress has been made.’

‘Basically to have an “inclusive” church.’

‘Read about it in Methodist Recorder, and attended local meeting organised as a result.  They were poorly attended.’

‘The 1993 resolutions gave me new confidence in the Methodist Church.  At last Methodism dared to talk about gays/lesbians in its midst.  Gay and lesbian Methodists have been trying to establish amicable, solid, progressive links with top people in Methodism, such as District Chairs and President of Conference.  We gay/lesbians believe in pilgrimage which means moving – NOT STANDING STILL.  Just over a year ago I sent a written submission to the working party set up by Conference and led by *** and *** who are caring, compassionate, positive people.  But we are against immovable objects – the people who interpret Biblical texts literally.’

‘I was a member of 1993 Conference as a District Representative and have contributed to the ongoing debate.’

‘I was aware of the Derby Resolutions, as they affected my view of my vocation, when passed in ’93.  I made a response to the working party set up to review the pilgrimage process, through my membership of Outcome.  I encouraged people I knew, who had an interest in the issue, from all sides of the debate also to respond to the working party.  I know that some did.’

‘A welcome part of a wider movement within all denominations promoting equality and inclusivity, otherwise you’d get a theological treatise – for which there is no space.’

‘It is an ongoing exchange of opinion on how gay and lesbian people can be received in the life and ministry of the Methodist Church, in which it is intended that we will all listen to each other and be receptive to each other’s positions.’

‘Study group set up.  Report to Conference 2005.  Study group continues to work towards another report.  Study material to go out to circuits?’

‘I think vaguely I heard about it, I believe at the time on of our Methodist minister left the church and set up his own fellowship which today is a very large and thriving church in the same area that he will draw from.’

‘My minister invited me to send a letter.  I did 5 pages.’

‘It is an exercise in listening to people’s stories and testimonies.  It is listening rather than condemning.’

‘That very little in fact happened about it until a response was presented to Conference last year.  The report was descriptive rather than prescriptive and charted progress since 1993.’

‘Only what was announced in the newsletter following the decision of Conference to engage on the pilgrimage.  The avoidance of the terms 'gay' or  'homosexual' is to be lauded since they polarise people - however it does cloud the issue - I was about a third of my way thru the report on the pilgrimage before it dawned on me what it was talking about.’

‘Committee facilitating a process to get Methodist Church to a point where a decision can be made about “where we stand” re. LGB leaders and blessings of Civil partnerships.’