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                <text>Affirm! Table Manners Newsletter, May 2000</text>
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                <text>This is a newsletter published by Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Concerns during the United Methodist Church's (UMC) General Conference in May 2000. It reflects advocacy efforts for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the UMC and critiques church policies and rhetoric that perpetuate discrimination. The document highlights the activities, speeches, and theological perspectives shared by members of the Affirmation coalition and their allies.&#13;
&#13;
This newsletter features a reprint of a press release issued after Jeanne Knepper delivered remarks critiquing the UMC’s Social Principles, particularly the language that states, “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Knepper argues that this language fosters violence and exclusion against LGBTQ+ individuals and ignores broader biblical themes of compassion, justice, and inclusion. The coalition prioritizes the removal of discriminatory language and policies, framing them as the church’s “Jim Crow” laws for LGBTQ+ individuals.&#13;
&#13;
The document provides insight into the strategies and rhetoric of LGBTQ+ advocates during a critical period in the denomination’s history. The involvement of diverse voices, including people of color, underscores the broad coalition supporting inclusivity and highlights the interconnected nature of various justice movements.</text>
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                <text>Knepper, Jeanne</text>
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                <text>This document is made available for research purposes through the General Commission on Archives &amp; History, The United Methodist Church.</text>
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                <text>The Confessing Movement Newsletter, April-July 2018</text>
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                <text>This issue of the Confessing Movement newsletter provides insights into the discussions and strategies of the Confessing Movement within The United Methodist Church (UMC), focusing primarily on the divisive issue of human sexuality. This edition, published in the lead-up to the 2019 Special General Conference, outlines various proposals under consideration for addressing the denomination's longstanding debates over LGBTQ+ inclusion, particularly concerning same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy.&#13;
&#13;
The Confessing Movement is a renewal group within the UMC dedicated to upholding traditional Wesleyan theology, particularly on matters of doctrine, marriage, and sexuality. This newsletter serves as both an informational resource and a rallying call for members to advocate for the preservation of what the movement considers biblical standards and traditional Christian teachings.&#13;
&#13;
From an archival perspective, this document is  valuable for understanding the theological and organizational strategies of the Confessing Movement during a critical period in the UMC's history. It illustrates how renewal groups within the denomination sought to influence decision-making processes, particularly on the contentious issue of human sexuality. The newsletter also provides a snapshot of the tensions and divisions leading up to the 2019 Special General Conference, reflecting broader societal debates on LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom.</text>
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                <text>Case, Riley</text>
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