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April 2020

Light

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12, NRSV

Jesus is the light of world. The United Methodist Church is not the light. United Methodist clergy are not the light. United Methodist laity are not the light. Jesus is the “light of all people,” “the true light, which enlightens everyone,” the light that is stronger than any darkness in this broken world (John 1:4, 9a, NRSV).

In the brokenness of The United Methodist Church, there is a present movement designed to dim Christ’s light through acts of legalized injustice and exclusion.

But the God that Jesus reveals to us shines a light stronger than any darkness we can impose. We are to be bearers of God’s light in a broken world. God calls us to carry the truth of God’s love to all of God’s people without exceptions and to place our full trust in that light that cannot be extinguished by any human power or authority.

This month, Resist Harm focuses on light. May God’s grace, may all United Methodists, lean into God’s light and resist any more harm to God’s LGBTQ children.

April Acts of Light Ideas

Worship Resources

Collection of hymns at queersacredmusic.com

These hymns may be used as appropriate in worship; some of the rounds could be sung at protests. Congregations are welcome to modify lyrics to enhance inclusion as desired.

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Liturgical Greetings

These liturgical greetings are to be used at the beginning of a worship service and can be led by a liturgist or a clergyperson. Each greeting contexts the service with inclusive words of hospitality.

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Jan 5 , 2020 Resist Harm Worship Service

Three similar worship services will be happening in Oklahoma the evening of January 5 as a way to bring our community together and make a statement that the harm inflicted by the Traditional Plan is not acceptable. Through this worship service we will lament, resist, act and hold tightly to hope.

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Water Image

This PDF file can be easily converted to a jpeg file

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Blessing of Unions

Use this resource to get ideas on how you could do a vow renewal service/family blessing service. This is a full worship service with Prayer of Confession, Proclamation, Great Thanksgiving and Family Blessing.

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Prayer Flags (for GC2020)

Foundry UMC in Washington, DC is collecting prayer flags, and will carry them to GC2020 so the prayers can adorn the Conference session. They invite you to participate, making your prayer flag creation a part of the worship life of your community.

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Blessed are Those...In the Times of Coronavirus

This Blessing is a part of the library of free liturgical resources available on enfleshed.com.

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Beguiled by Beauty - 6 week worship series

This series from Marcia McFee's Worship Design Studio includes video sequences for online worship and full scripts that work whether you are in-person or not. There is a fee, but hardship rebates are available.

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CovidPrayers.org

Claremont UMC is a Reconciling Congregation. This prayer installation is available outdoors, in front of the church, and also online.

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Other Posts

Christopher's Story

This video was originally produced by Church of the Resurrection for Leadership Institute 2019.
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I am Kathy Webb

My name is Kathy Webb (she/her/hers). I’m a cradle Methodist, a PK, former Trustee at Broadway UMC in Chicago, and past lay leader at First United Methodist Church, Little Rock. I’ve tried to live as my parents taught me: what I am.....is God’s gift to me; what I become....is my gift to God. Over the […]
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David Weekley

My name is Rev. Dr. David Weekley and my call to ministry came at a young age. I tried to deny my call to ministry, but I found no peace so I answered God’s call. After graduation with my D. Min from Boston University I tried to locate another vocation, but ministry is my passion […]
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Los Angeles First – Family Blessing Service

"Worship is beginning now! Join us as we celebrate God’s affirmation of love and grace, while we renew our vows and bless all of our families."
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Pastor Rudy Rasmus

Twenty-eight years ago, Juanita and I planted a church in a 100-year-old, dilapidated building filled with homeless, crack-addicted men and women. With the guidance of our friend and mentor, Dr. Kirbyjon Caldwell, St. John’s Downtown-Houston has served as an insightful laboratory for learning about the lives of people who would not have affiliated with formal […]
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Prayer of Light

Pray With those affected by natural disasters With those who are in their own dark night of the soul With those who see no hope or light With those around the world weary and searching for hope throughout years of war and disease With those who don’t see God’s promise of resurrection With those trapped […]
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Events

External Resources

Theological Declaration from the Western Jurisdiction

Affirmed at a Western Jurisdiction Summit in November 2020, this theological declaration uses rich biblical and liturgical language, and can be adapted for use in local settings. Read the declaration here.
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Songs for the Holy Other

The Hymn Society has edited and shares this free volume of hymns affirming the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Visit their site to download.
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Liturgy from enfleshed

With a commitment to spiritual and theological depth and the centering of marginalized experiences, conversations, and communities, enfleshed seeks to provide liturgy, devotionals, curriculum, preaching, training, and pastoral care that addresses honestly, tenderly, and directly, the beauty and pain of living enfleshed lives.
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Resist Harm Partners

Resist Harm is organized by everyday United Methodists in every corner of the connection and is supported by a number of organizational partners.* To learn more about our partners, visit their websites:
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*The tools, resources, and opportunities posted on Resist Harm have been suggested by people or organizations associated with the movement. They are not necessarily endorsed by all of the partners.
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