As I write this on the last day of Methodist Annual Conference, I am struggling to recall the images and stories of the past few days. I was not a delegate and did not attend conference sessions so merely was an observer of the passing scene in the exhibit hall.

RUM-NC was highly visible this year from our perch near the west entrance of the Greenville Convention Center. As conferees entered from the parking lot, they were greeted by our crowd of “silent witnesses.” The witnesses survived the entire conference this year in contrast with last year when they were stolen only after a few hours of being posted outside the front entrance of the center. When Jeanie Aycock and Terry Frye made the new ones this year, they added another sign that said, “Thou Shalt Not Steal --- (signed) God.” Whether that was the cause of their survival or not or because they were observed by more people coming and going, only God knows.

But as one observer noted, another interpretation of the sign could be read as “Thou Shalt Not Steal God.” Perhaps for too long we have allowed the biblical literalists to “steal God,” i.e. to establish as Methodist dogma that their interpretation of the Bible was the ONLY valid interpretation. They convinced many people that those who didn’t read the Bible as they did not only were wrong but also were going to hell because of it. So for the past generation or so we’ve been debating about what the Bible says (or does not say) about homosexuality and sin.

I won’t repeat any of those discussions here --- we handed out lots of pamphlets on the subject and RMN has more on their web site if you’re interested. I was struck by two images, however, that have remained in my mind.

The exhibit tables for the Transforming Congregation Program and the Concerned Methodists were just to the right as you came in the door. They were professionally designed with lights and slick literature, but they were joyless and dour both in the people attending them and their few visitors. They presented a view of religion that was fearful, exclusionary, and guilt-ridden. They’re sure that the Methodist Church is coming apart.

The RUM-NC table was filled with goodies and lively conversation and people stopping by for a drink of cool water and to try to understand our “radical brand” of hospitality and why we were “giving away” food and drink. We didn’t have the usual “debates” of prior years; most visitors were very sympathetic to our cause and wondered out loud why the church was taking so long to come to a fuller understanding of what Jesus meant when he said, “All are welcome.”

The Praise Service Friday night echoed out into the hallways with a message of inclusion and joyful singing. But I couldn’t help but notice that most of the RUM-NC supporters were straight allies and friends and that gays and lesbians were largely absent. I don’t know if we just don’t come to conference or if we are apathetic about RUM-NC or just all social action groups. We had an enthusiastic and vocal group at the Thursday Worship Service and pizza lunch. The rain held off, and RMN Outreach Coordinator Sue Laurie twisted the common put-down that gays encounter from church folks who condemn their behavior but who smile and say, “don’t take it personally.” She reminded us that if religion is to have any meaning or any impact, we have to take it personally. If Jesus isn’t a real part of your life, then you really don’t understand the Gospels.