Another fine mess you’ve gotten us in John

“Another fine mess you’ve gotten us in Ollie” is a memorable Hollywood line. It’s from the 1930 movie “Another Fine Mess” with Stan Laurel speaking to Oliver Hardy.

John in this fine mess is John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church.

The United Methodist Church (7 million U.S./4.5 million in Africa, Asia, South America) has a yearly global leadership meeting called a General Conference. Last month at General Conference many folks were shocked the Traditionalist Plan narrowly defeated the One Church Plan in a vote.

The One Church Plan de-centralized the UMC so that different geographic regions could pursue their own conscience. The Traditionalist Plan strengthens penalties for things like UMC clergy officiating same sex weddings.

Since then, California, not surprisingly, has emerged as a national leader in pro-LGBTQIA+ Methodism.

Different regions have an Annual Conference, similar to the dynamics of the General Conference. Rev. Mandy McDow of First United Methodist Church of L.A. asked me to be a “lay delegate” (non-clergy) on behalf of First UMC-LA at this regions Annual Conference set for mid-June.

On April 27, I went to a pre-Annual Conference local meeting in Torrance with Rev. Mandy. Naturally what just happened at the General Conference was the primary topic presented and discussed including Q and A. Because of her pastoral work in Atlanta, Rev. Mandy is known nationally as an LGBTQIA+ advocate. She’s one of 600 Methodist leaders invited to a grassroots conference in Kansas City in mid-May to discuss the future. Just prior to that conference is one in Minneapolis specifically for People of Color, Queer, and Trans folks.

First UMC-LA is positioned to play an important role in whatever it is that’s in the process of unfolding both because of the heritage she has as the flagship Methodist church for Los Angeles along with a steady income source from the land the church owns in South Park/DTLA leased out for parking.

One issue raised during this April 27 meeting by an African American leader is an awareness that when a primarily Anglo group is oppressed, then turmoil seems okay. A Native American leader said what Native Americans spiritually have to bring to the table is rarely received and in all this talk of a “new church”, their voice is still not being heard.

For Skid Row, the Methodist church is not absent. Wesley Health Center (JWCH) originally meant John Wesley County Hospital. The Skid Row Community Improvement Coalition is pursuing a property as a permanent home for the Skid Row Community Refresh Spot that is right across the street from the Refresh Spot. The building is a 1920 Methodist Church that hasn’t been used as a church for at least a few decades and the building is looking forward to celebrating her 100th anniversary.

Part of the April 27 gathering was a church service. Here is a call and response to focus spirit, mind, and body in worship that nicely summarizes this whole situation:

ONE: Go forth ready to let love be a disruptive presence in your life and world.

ALL: We will live as witnesses to resurrection power, filled with the spirit of the One who gives us life.

ONE: May the God of eternal love, the Christ who sends us forth in love, and the Spirit who fills us with love’s presence go with you this day and every day.