In February of this year, The Global United Methodist Church strengthened their ban on same-gender marriage and LGBTQIA clergy. This stance is reflected in the Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline and was affirmed by the highest court of The Church in April.
Following this announcement upholding the “Traditional Plan”, Methodist Churches across America have begun pushing back, standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA clergy and performing marriage ceremonies for any two people who love each other.
First United Methodist Church here in Omaha is one of those Churches. This Omaha church received additional national attention last month when their group of middle school confirmand students declared to their local congregation, they not become confirmed members of the United Methodist Church because of its’ discriminatory stance towards LGBTQIA persons. Lead Pastor, Kent Little and Sacred Activism Pastor, Cynthia Lindenmeyer sat down with Omaha Public Radio’s Emily Chen-Newton for more on these recent events.