Category Archives: Methodist

Ancient History Made Contemporary and Compelling

Colleen Kwong is a pastor and an artist (potter). We began bumping into each other and exchanging our work a few years ago at church conventions. My fingers trace her clay labyrinth that sits on my desk. I sent her a proof copy of Wormwood and Gall, and she soon replied that she “devoured” it and sent the following review.

Who would think that a book that begins with “On a late summer’s day in the reign of Emperor Vespasian…” would be a page-turner?! And yet, RW Holmen has taken a page from ancient history and made it feel utterly contemporary and compelling.

He describes the sensory atmosphere of first century Jerusalem and environs with such ferocity that one feels, smells, sees, hears, and tastes the desperation and the occasional delight of those present in that place.

As with other writings that engage historical settings, we know the ending before we begin, but Holmen is able to take us on the journey with the protagonist Markos (the reconstructed imagined writer of the gospel of Mark) with such clarity that we feel the urgency of the time.

For the knowledgeable historian, this book offers insights into the very human aspects and possible scenario for the writing of Mark’s gospel. For those with less historical knowledge, it provides enough factual information to make the story understandable in its historical context.

Holmen hints at the power of the person Jesus through his contacts with Jesus’ relatives and friends, but does not overpower us with the usual saccharine media portrayal of “knowing Jesus as Christ.” He manages to give glimpses into the hope and possibilities of following the Christ as shown in those who knew Jesus and attempt to follow the teachings and example of Godly living. All this in a time that was brutal, where loss is great, and hope is almost unimaginable. Personal decision making and community responsibility is lived out by the book’s characters in varying ways, each having to live with their decisions, and some questioning the meaning of it all.

It is in this world of destruction, tragedy, chaos and confusion that Markos and his circle struggle for a sense of humanity and meaning. And, lucky for us, Markos is able to record it for us, as he is a scribe.

Thanks to RW Holmen for also being a scribe, doing the hard work of researching, recording, imagining, and reconstructing a possible scenario of the writing of the Gospel of Mark. This book would be a wonderful addition to a Bible study, to give life to the characters that often seem distant, and to invite us into a world that, though distant in time and place, feels contemporary through Holmen’s writing.

Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

I have attended countless church conventions as voting member (delegate), visitor/observer, or as vendor hawking my religiously-themed books. In this latter context, I became acquainted with a group of Wisconsin Methodist queer activists. In fact, when I penned Queer Clergy, a chronicle of the history of queer Christians seeking a place at the table, I featured two of them. Steve Webster was a principal organizer of the first gathering of queer Methodists in 1974 that became the first advocacy group within the Methodist church under the name of Affirmation. Pastor Amy DeLong successfully defended herself against the gatekeepers in a nationally-followed ecclesiastical trial in 2011. Their advocacy continues with others from Wisconsin and elsewhere as “Love Prevails.”

The Conference logo of Love Prevails.

Following the wrenching rejection of the more liberal and moderate versions of Methodist plans to deal with long-standing, onerous provisions of the Methodist Book of Discipline in favor of the “traditionalist” plan that not only reaffirmed the anti-LGBT policies of the UMC but actually called for rigorous enforcement of the bans on queer clergy and queer marriages, “Love Prevails” expressed their frustration:

“It seems that all United Methodists are scared and fearful this morning about what’s going to happen today. This is what it feels like to be an LGBTQI+ United Methodist. This is what it feels like every moment of our lives, since 1972 when the United Methodist Church created these horrible policies that are killing us and destroying our lives. We’ve been the crosshairs this whole time.”

And more, in effect suggesting that “thoughts and prayers” offer a false balm that masks inaction.

Love Prevails demands a bridge between prayer and embodied proclamation, an exchange between the internal disposition of relationship with the divine and action in the external world of oppression, including the church.

In my travels, I met UCC Pastor Loey Powell, and her story is also featured in my book. Here is her take on the UMC actions this week:

I post this with love and with a bit of hesitation but not in any way to minimize the powerful, heartfelt prayers and words which have been spoken and shared to support our UMC lgbtqia siblings and allies. I, too, have offered prayers. I find myself, however, wondering about all the words telling those of us who are queer that God loves us. There are some who undoubtedly need to hear this because of the ways in which religion has, in some traditions, assumed an all too powerful place in life, a religious impetus driven by human failings and need to control other humans. “In the name of God….”, etc.

What I need to say is that those of us who are lgbtqia are strong, self-loving, and not in need of the approval of the straight community to be who we are. What I keep coming back to are the multiple subcultures in which we thrive, play, create, organize and stay healthy, subcultures the straight community is simply not aware of. Women’s/lesbian music – and music companies. Drag shows and clubs. Safe spaces we know about. Mentors, role models, churches and synagogues where we thrive, organizations that fight for our civil rights. And on and on. Artists, singers, authors, academicians, and theologians of all ethnicities and races and genders have been celebrating and authenticating our lives. So when someone says what has happened in the UMC will cause harm to us….yes, part of that is true but more than hurt, we are pissed. And being pissed does not come from a place of feeling less than, it comes from a place of strength. We are strong. We already know in the deepest parts of our beings that we are loved by a Love far greater than what we can comprehend. And we will always be singing for our lives even when silence is all there is. We will sing.

In the dark of night, dawn seems distant. Much of the UMC is grieving right now, and we sit shiva with them. And sing.