Unity….unity….unity…..that is the word and the focus of the moment; it was the centerpiece of President Biden’s inauguration address, his anchor point of his administration, and as synchronicity would have it, in the Christian faith tradition we are about to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which started January 18 and concludes January 25. Did you miss that one?  I’m not sure “Hallmark” has a line of cards for it, yet, perhaps. The suggested theme for this year’s observance is “abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit.” (John 15.1-17).  In my observation if anyone has strong evidence of a whole lot of unity in the country, the world and, yes, the church, then, with all due respect, me thinks one is bananas. 

We are so polarized we are unable to even agree on what unity looks like.  What are the rules for dialogue?  What does each side (…sigh…) agree to give up for the whole to come together?  How do we begin?

 

For example it’s been nearly fifty years (!!!) that the United Methodist Church has chosen sides, debated, defended and declared hostilities around how should the church respond to the inclusion, involvement and institutional standing of members of the LGBTQ community. 

 

In the WPA Annual Conference when I was president of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) and the “central casting” representative of the liberal wing each yearly meeting grew more and more combative and contested. Both sides disagreed on everything ranging from how we understood scripture to where we gathered to socialize in the evening ---- the conservative wing went for ice cream and the liberal side headed to the local pub for a beer.  

 

The idea of a beer float for unity was never considered, yet, at one conference session during a heated debate, I stood at the microphone on the floor of the conference and suggested we form a dialogue team to study and discuss the issue. A representative from the conservative team arose, agreed and the Conference Dialogue Team on Homosexuality was formed.  Each side selected 6 members (we were going after that Biblical number 12 thing) and we agreed to hold monthly meetings, initially gathering at table, over a shared dinner.  

 

For our first gathering it was suggested that we share the stereotypes held and labels we attached to the “other side.” It was a bit surprising and unsettling to learn that persons thought liberals didn’t read or study scripture.  Perhaps they thought we preached form the poetry of Walt Whitman.  “I Sing of the Body Electric” sermon title posted on the church sign board would’ve caused quite a few raised eyebrows.   

We met monthly for nearly a year and created a video to share at the next conference.  I’d like to report that we established unity and understanding. Nope….this issue has, is and ultimately will fracture the church. 

For the discussion of unity, where our effort fell apart was the inability to hear, listen to and understand the hurt, pain, loss and anger of one another; to find the shared humanity in the “other.”  I admit, after another General Conference defeat and no recognition of the hurt it caused, I had enough and stopped attending the meetings and moved onto a more inclusive community of faith.  Alas, I cannot, nor do I want to move onto another nation.  We have to figure this one out and make the effort to move past all the hyperbole and hate.  Is that possible? How? Who? When?