An annual confirmation ceremony at the First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska was met with a small protest this weekend. On Sunday a group of eight teens aged 13 and 14 read a letter aloud to their congregation stating their disapproval of the denomination’s “immoral” views on the LGBTQ+.
“We are concerned that if we join at this time, we will be sending a message that we approve of this decision,” one of the kids said.
The teens protested the church’s stance on the LGBT with the full support of the pastors. Reverend Kent Little says, “Myself and our associate pastor are in full support of their decision, we’re proud of them. It’s not an easy thing to do, to resist.”
The full video is linked below.
FUMC’s website states:
FUMC Omaha is an inclusive and welcoming congregation. We celebrate and firmly believe in love for all. We have a proud partnership with the LGBTQI community of the heartland, and participate in various events promoting an inclusive world. We also advocate for the rights and well-being of those in the LGBTQI community, and are present in the fight for equality and representation.
The teens’ protest is not with their home church but with the Traditional Plan, passed in February. The Traditional Plan backs the denominations Book of Discipline, which prohibits same-sex and clergy marriage.
The rulebook states that, “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” cannot be ordained or appointed to serve in any way in the church. The UMC’s definition of “self-avowed practicing homosexual” is anyone “living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual.”
