Friday, January 31, 2020

News and notes from AMD, 31 January 2020


Here are the highlights of postings this week from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, Disability Ministries Committee, Mental Health Ministries, Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Ministries Committee, and UM Congress of the Deaf:
-
AMD
-
DHM/UMCD
-
DMC
-
MHM
-
Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several
          disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
This newsletter is also published on the UM Disability Blog
Visit us on the web or Facebook.

Friday, January 24, 2020

News and notes from AMD, 24 January 2020


Here are the highlights of postings this week from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, Disability Ministries Committee, Mental Health Ministries, Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Ministries Committee, and UM Congress of the Deaf:
-
AMD
-
DHM/UMCD
-
DMC
-
MHM
-
Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several
          disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
This newsletter is also published on the UM Disability Blog
Visit us on the web or Facebook.

Monday, January 20, 2020

If you knew him, you loved him!

In early January, we reported the passing of Rev. David Seymour, a disabled pastor who was ordained and immediately forced into retirement. There have been many comments and shares (with comments) of this news. We have also received, courtesy of Bishop Johnson, a longer response with more reminiscences about Rev. Seymour, which we share here (with permission).

Hello Dear Parents of a true Man of God!

My name is Rev. Rory Russell, I serve as Chaplain of Sussex Correctional Institution. I am both humbled and honored to write you this love note concerning your son, Rev. Seymour who epitomized the term servant leadership as well as he endured hardship as a soldier of Jesus Christ.

I came to know your son as part of the group Kairos International which is dedicated to bringing the Gospel to the incarcerated. Dave participated in every weekend that he could and his impact on the Men was nothing short than miraculous, at the beginning of the weekend he’d always capture the attention of the Men because he’d appear frail and  fragile.

The Men would slowly warm up to him like a group of people sitting by a warm fire on a cold evening. Perhaps it was his warm character, maybe his infectious smile, his light hearted sense of humor, or his unyielding/unwavering faith that would cause a group of the Men to silently volunteer to be his keeper/handlers throughout the weekend.

Then it would happen he would demonstrate his command of the Scripture when giving his talk about how he was a prisoner as well as the Men! Imprisoned in a wheelchair, imprisoned in this body he’d say, right before telling of God’s good and greatness.

When he’d finish I was always amazed at how through the anointing of God almighty Dave had reached everyone in the room (Security Officers, Inmates, other Volunteers, and most definitely this Chaplain). He had reached us all in a way we’d never forget. During the forgiveness ceremony the Men would lift his chair to the stage and he’d wash our hands and smile!

Yes if you knew Rev. Dave Seymour you loved him, although he was bound to that chair, although he had limited mobility, and even though he suffered pain, he was willing to  serve the men of this Institution.

I’m grateful to God for my Brother Dave, and yes because I knew him I loved him. His memory and legacy serve as an example and guide of perseverance, faith,  and charity! Blessed are those who die in the Lord, yea says the Spirit, for they rest from their Labor.

Rest now Brother Dave I’ll see you in the morning! I know you so I love you. 

Rory Russell
   

Friday, January 17, 2020

News and notes from AMD, 17 January 2020


Here are the highlights of postings this week from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, Disability Ministries Committee, Mental Health Ministries, Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Ministries Committee, and UM Congress of the Deaf:
AMD
-
DHM/UMCD
-
DMC
-
MHM
-
Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several
          disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
This newsletter is also published on the UM Disability Blog
Visit us on the web or Facebook.

Friday, January 10, 2020

News and notes from AMD, 10 January 2020

Here are the highlights of postings this week from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, Disability Ministries Committee, Mental Health Ministries, Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Ministries Committee, and UM Congress of the Deaf:

-
AMD
-
DHM/UMCD
-
DMC
-
MHM
-
Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several
          disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
This newsletter is also published on the UM Disability Blog
Visit us on the web or Facebook.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Seminary Course Prepares Future Clergy for Pastoral Care with LGBTQIA+ Persons

by Rev. Leo Yates

Students from diverse backgrounds and faith traditions are enrolled in the course “Pastoral Care with LGBTQIA+ Persons” at Wesley Theological Seminary during its J-term/spring semester. Pastoral care is a vital part of what clergy do in the local church and other ministry settings, and this specific course prepares current and future clergy for providing pastoral care for LGBTQIA+ persons, their families, and their community.

The course offering comes in the wake of the Traditional Plan that passed the 2019 Special General Conference. A need arose from concerns for queer persons of faith, across the life span, as well as their families, who need affirming and compassionate ministers and faith communities. While subtopics of pastoral care and social justice issues are explored, students learn that the relationship is the heart for pastoral care.

Bishop Karen Oliveto, who serves the Mountain Sky Annual Conference, a life-long United Methodist and lesbian, was a guest speaker for the first day of class. The bishop shared her call story and her journey for becoming a bishop, as well the blessings and challenges of serving openly. “I love everyone,” said Bishop Oliveto when responding about some of her episcopal challenges. Students introduced themselves and warmly welcomed the bishop. “It was a fantastic class! Bishop Karen is so approachable and kind and she had this genuine love speaking to our class that was such an incredibly powerful witness. Basically, it was everything that I love about my Wesley experience and I’m so grateful,” said student Alyssa Densham.

Rev. Leo Yates, Jr., a deacon in full connection, is the adjunct professor teaching the course. “I’m grateful for Wesley’s openness to this pastoral care course, and their timing by offering it as the Traditional Plan was implemented on January first,” says Yates. “Students are learning and having conversations about the fears of coming out, homophobia and transphobia experiences, gender identities, community resources, ways to make safe spaces, and other topics that develop sensitivity, while deepening their compassion for serving and affirming LGBTQIA+ persons and their families,” Yates added. Queer theology and special populations, such as queer people with disabilities and queer persons of color, are also touched on this course. Borrowing from Bishop Karen’s pastoral letter, it’s about supporting LGBTQIA+ persons and their families to feel they are not guests, but part of the church family.

It is reality that our churches have LGBTQIA+ parishioners and congregants with friends and/or family who are LGBTQIA+. Quite often queer persons are an extension to our faith communities who may volunteer, serve, receive care, and even attend our worship services. This course is about better affirming them so they see more of the love of Christ in a way that is palpable and welcoming.


a group of students and teacher gather around a screen where Bishop Oliveto appears


Photo contributed by Rev. Giovanni Arroyo.

* Rev. Leo Yates is a licensed therapist and serves as an associate pastor at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Laurel, MD. He can be contacted at RevYates@eumclaurel.org for resources.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Rev. David Seymour – a Memoir


by Bishop Peggy Johnson

In 2008 when I became the bishop of the Philadelphia Area (which has two conferences: the Eastern Pennsylvania and the Peninsula-Delaware conferences), I was made aware of a retired pastor by the name of Rev. David Seymour.  I was told that he had gotten a bad deal from the conference because he had cerebral palsy and he was forced to accept a status of “involuntary retirement” in order to be ordained as an elder.  People felt genuinely sorry about how it all went down but this had been years ago.

Early on in my tenure as bishop I made it a point to find this Rev. Seymour and hear his story first hand. The Easton District Superintendent at the time helped set up a visit to his wheelchair accessible apartment. I found him to be a highly intelligent, theologically grounded person, who had a quick sense of humor and a contagious smile.

It wasn’t long before we invited Pastor David, as he liked to be called, to attend the annual “Mid-Winter Retreat” as our guest.  This was a 3-day event for clergy and their spouses that was mostly social but there was worship and a good keynote speaker. Pastor David was well-received by his colleagues and this became an annual event, with pastors who lived nearby providing transportation and support services.  My husband and I always had dinner with him during the retreat and heard about his many ministries. Serving God did not end with United Methodist “retirement.”  Far from it.
It seems that the UMC did not know what a gift they had tossed away when they told him he needed to retire in order to be ordained back in 1990.  Although he had completed a Master of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary and engaged in a successful appointment as a transitional deacon for several years it was decided that he was “un-appointable.” If one is ordained as an elder they are promised a full-time position with benefits for life. I suppose that was the concern.

In 2012 the United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities published a collection of life stories from their constituents entitled: Speaking Out: Gifts of Ministering Undeterred by Disabilities. Pastor David contributed his story as part of the book.  Here is how he described the end of his active ministry in the UMC:
It was in February of 1990 when I presented myself for the oral examination by the conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry for the office of elder that I was given the surprising announcement. There was no prior warning.  It came as a shock, a totally unexpected action.  At that time, I had thought that my professional career in the ministry was beginning after so many delays.  My time of service within the Bayview Cluster had gone reasonably well, so I thought.  The status of involuntary retirement has brought my career in ministry to an end, before it had a chance to begin.
Oddly I was nevertheless ordained as an elder, but I have not been allowed to serve as one, nor have I been paid any salary. Since that time no church official has proposed any other pastoral appointment with me, or suggested paid employment of any sort within the church system.
My supposition is that my disability was the chief factor in the Board of Ordained Ministry’s action.  At a later date, a church official told me that I would not have been ordained an elder in the first place unless I had retired at the same time, that was a highly unusual procedure. This shows me that the conference officials never intended for me to have a professional career in the ordained ministry. Since the Peninsula Delaware Conference apparently no longer needed my services, no church leader has served as my advocate within the denomination.
For over 20 years, I have endured the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry’s mistreatment of me.  I was deeply hurt by the ruling and its aftermath.  Today, it still stings (pp. 225-226).

Pastor David told me that on the night of the ordination he fastened a fake ball and chain to his wheelchair and sat outside of the auditorium in protest following the ordination service.
But God’s spirit continued to move in Pastor David’s life. One can never hold down God’s plans with a ball and chain and David knew that better than anyone.  He found other fields of service for the remainder of his life at the Talbot Bible Church, the Shore Harvest Church and the Mid-Shore Community Church.  He also served on the Talbot County Disability Coalition and as a volunteer at the Sussex County Correctional Institution.

Pastor David told me that his work with inmates was particularly fruitful.  He would tell the inmates with life sentences that he understood their journey as he had a “life sentence” using a wheelchair.  The inmates would open up to him because he was so approachable and understanding.

The Mid-Winter retreats stopped happening a few years ago.  Funding and changes in how clergy families gather themselves had shifted and this kind of thing became obsolete.  I lost touch with Pastor David after that.  He seemed to not answer his phone or letters any more.  I was saddened to hear about his passing.

I also admit to being yet another church official who did not offer him an appointment in retirement.  Less appointment options available nowadays and the preponderance of inaccessible church buildings and parsonages could be used as excuses for not trying to do something. But these are a lame excuses. Being on this side of the “desk” as a bishop has given me insights I never had when I served in Deaf Ministry as a local pastor. There are difficult challenges in all areas of appointment making. But we should never seek the easy answers.

Blessedly, we still serve a God who “makes a way out of no way” and who has abundant resources for every need.  I applaud conferences who welcome and empower their pastors with disabilities. Bravo to those boards of ordained ministry that strive to promote people with disabilities as a gift to the church and not a liability that needs to be grimly tolerated. We can be doing much better with this. We strive to be accessible to people of color and women in ministry. Why is disability still so far behind when we are a people who seek to do justice?

In memory of Pastor David Seymour, I will strive to keep that challenge before me. Thank you, Rev. David Seymour, elder in the United Methodist Church, for your witness and your heart.

Friday, January 3, 2020

News and notes from AMD, 3 January 2020


Here are the highlights of postings this week from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, Disability Ministries Committee, Mental Health Ministries, Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Ministries Committee, and UM Congress of the Deaf:
-
AMD
-
DHM/UMCD
-
DMC
-
MHM
-

Click here for a list of events of interest to people in disability ministry.
UMAMD logo with the UM Cross and Flame and several
          disability symbols
This newsletter is generally issued weekly by the
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities,
a caucus of the United Methodist Church.

Click here to join this e-mail list.
This newsletter is also published on the UM Disability Blog
Visit us on the web or Facebook.