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In May, members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference adopted a motion calling for a series of dialogues on issues related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) orientation.

The petition, presented by Foundry UMC in Washington, D.C., asked that Bishop John R. Schol appoint a team to develop and organize a series of dialogues during the next four years in each district. The petition was based on a recommendation from the 2004 General Conference that calls for conversations about homosexuality.

Following up on the motion, Bishop Schol will appoint a team of eight people by mid- to late July to identify a process to be used by congregations and conference leadership for the dialogue, he said.

The eight people will include two people that do not have a firm stance for or against the denomination?s present policy, three people that are in favor of the denomination?s present policy and three people that disagree with the present policy. All of the individuals selected will have demonstrated process skills and a genuine interest in dialogue rather than forwarding his/her position, according to the bishop.

Individuals with gifts and passion for serving on the team should send an e-mail to by July 7 and respond to the following questions:

? Name and address;
? Church;
? Clergy or layperson;
? Stance on the present United Methodist policy;
? Process skills/gifts and where you have used them;
? Why do you feel called to serve on this team?
? How would you recommend that we engage in dialogue on this issue?