I'm writing in response to Steve Tillett's 'the continual hijacking of America' in the April 20 UMConnection. As my grandmother used to say, 'open mouth, insert foot.' I ask: 'Rev. Tillett, 'do you have all of the facts?' Terry Schiavo's parents are the ones who wanted to keep her alive. I agree if you are brain dead, you might not want to be kept alive. I for one would not. But this is a family matter and no one else should be involved. It seems Rev. Tillett is quick to put the blame on President Bush. Don't you think it is high time to quit blaming Mr. Bush for everything that is going wrong? We need to thank God every day that we have someone in the White House now who is not afraid to say he believes in God and lives his life as such. It is time for you and me to start getting on our knees and praying for our president and asking God's intervention on behalf of our country. Don Corbett
Catalpa UMC, Hancock Church can't condone gay lifestyle Why are we as United Methodists accepting the induction of a lesbian into the clergy as a leader and pastor? I cannot imagine the unmitigated gall and nerve of such an individual to proclaim herself to be a Christian, and much more a leader, in The United Methodist Church. The Bible names such behavior as an abomination before almighty God. I certainly will pray for Beth Stroud and would hope that God would deliver her from this sinful behavior. She certainly cannot be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and continue in this so called alternative lifestyle. How can the United Methodist Church condone such practices? We should take a stand for what is right and moral and not be influenced by the gay rights activists. Beth Stroud should resign and continue in her satanic lifestyle. This type of lifestyle is an abomination in the eyes of our God. David R. Richardson
Lay Leader, Halethorpe-Relay UMC Church must embrace differences I've been reading and hearing a lot about the Rev. Stroud and her defrocking and re-instatement. This distresses me more than you can imagine. As a life long Methodist, I was appalled by this situation. I don't understand how a church can one minute preach inclusiveness and asking people to join only to turn around and start excluding folks. Can't pastors who are different than I am be at least as Christian as I, if not more so? I have been praying about this, and I haven't found an answer that is different from my first reaction, which is that as long as a pastor is following his/her Christian heart and conscience, why should I exclude them from being a leader in our church? This is an issue that I felt compelled to speak out about. We need to see beyond our differences and embrace our similarities. We become stronger people and a stronger church if we do not divide ourselves. Betty Suitt
Bethany UMC, Ellicott City | 
Login/Register to leave comment