Regular followers of this blog know that I haven’t posted much lately, and that’s because I have been on the road promoting my novel, A Wretched Man. Most recently, I spent four days with the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodists (UMC) in La Crosse. I managed to sell a goodly number of books and network with numerous congregations and organizations that may use my book for an adult forum or book club discussion. The study guide that I prepared as a pdf document proved to be quite popular.
The trip to La Crosse had an unintended benefit: my exhibitor’s booth was placed next to Kairos CoMotion, an LGBT advocacy group within the Wisconsin UMC, and I had plenty of time to visit with Jim and Steve, a gay couple who have been together for many years and who were married in Toronto four years ago. Steve has long been an LGBT leader and spokesman within the Wisconsin UMC following his rejection for admission to a UMC seminary because he was gay. At the conclusion of the convention, I accompanied Jim and Steve to a meeting and communion service for the Kairos CoMotion supporters. I hope to post more about this group and the status of LGBT issues within the Wisconsin UMC later.
Switching from past book-related appearances to future ones, I note that in yesterday’s Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper, I was lumped together with a couple of heavy hitters of progressive Catholicism under the header “Controversial Roman Catholic speakers are coming to Twin Cities.”
First on the scene is author Obie Holmen, who will be reading from his new book, “A Wretched Man,” Thursday at the House of the Beloved Disciple, 4001 38th Av. S., Minneapolis. The reading will be preceded by a 7 p.m. “mass of celebration for our LGBT brothers and sisters.”
I must smile at the article headline since I am not Roman Catholic nor do I think my support for the majority position of the ELCA on this blog qualifies me as “controversial”. But any press is good press, as they say, and to be linked with luminaries of Roman Catholic progressive thought such as British theologian James Alison and feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether is flattering.
Early in July, the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) will hold its national, General Assembly in Minneapolis. Cokesbury functions as the official booksellers for the Presbyterians, and their bookstore will offer my book for sale during the weeklong Presbyterian assembly that promises up to 8,000 attendees. On Monday, July 5th, at 2:30 pm, I will be present in the Cokesbury bookstore at the assembly to autograph copies of the novel.
Finally, Lutherans Concerned North America (the ELCA gay advocacy group) will hold its biennial convention in Minneapolis beginning July 7th. The theme of the gathering will be Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters. On Saturday morning, July 10th at 8:30 am, I will present a workshop entitled “Paul the Apostle–History’s Greatest Homophobe?” The LCNA convention will close with a celebration dinner back at the Minneapolis Convention Center (after the PCUSA clears out) to remember and relive the historic vote in that venue last August.
On the evening of Saturday, July 10, we are having a night on the town! We will head over to downtown Minneapolis to revisit the historic place where the ELCA voted for full-participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It’s appropriate to revisit the site. Many people said that celebration felt “stuck in their throats”. We hope that we will be able to clear our throats and cheer with joy. It will be an evening of reconciliation, celebration, and defining our path moving forward.
Busy. Busy. Busy. But also extremely rewarding. Hope to see you along the way.
Pingback:Obie Holmen, back from a book tour, still stirring up trouble « Locally Grown Northfield
As I understand the history, one of the more controversial churches in Lutheranism stands right on the grounds of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I am talking about the original Muskego Norway Lutheran Church. This is supposed to be the first Norwegian Lutheran Church in America that stood near Waterford, WI. but it was not the first Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Conflict arose when the lay pastor Elling Eilssen ,who was a follower of Hauge, got ordained by a German Lutheran minister. The congregation decided that they wanted a pastor who was ordained in the state church of Norway. ( Did a bishop do it ?) Anyway, the lay pastor formed his own church -the white church- a quarter mile away and both churches had a following. So why are we fighting this battle again? I belonged to the (Muskego) Norway Lutheran Church for over 30 years and found this history most interesting. The first Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was formed in Illinois . They spread northward and westward and many members of Norwegian Lutheran Churches are descended from those early Norwegians or those who came soon after. Our house in Wind Lake was on land originally owned by Evan Heg whose son Hans Christian Heg led the Norwegian regiment in the Civil War. I came from the area of SW Wisconsin that has more Lutheran Churches by the square mile than many areas. Some of them will join LCMC, some will stay in the ELCA. The population of this area is declining and the rural economy does not sustain the people so some of the churches will fold. Time marchs on but Christ does not change. How we look at His teachings does vary by the decades and the centuries. There will always be those who only see the law in His teachings but there will be others who will see compassion and inclusiveness. But the fact remains- if we are Christian, we all have the same Savior. God Bless You Obie “as you become a spokesperson for liberal Catholics. ” 🙂
Why did I not know you were in La Crosse?
*smacks self for not paying better attention*
Wish I could be up in the Cities for the LCNA conference. Alas, I get new students that week and I can’t vanish from the office!