Browse Items (266 total)
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Frontier Album #2
Images documenting the American West and various ministries of the church. -
Frontier Album #3
Images documenting the American West and various ministries of the church. -
Gail Hinand Mailgram
This is a brief correspondence addressed to the president of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Sent by Gail Hinand, identified as the Director of Empowerment of Women for Church Women United, the message acknowledges and celebrates a decision made by the Women's Division to support a lesbian woman worker. The mailgram emphasizes corporate responsibility to protect the rights of women within the church and commends the division for its progressive stance.
The mailgram serves as a historical artifact capturing the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ inclusion and gender equity within the United Methodist Church during the late 20th century. It documents the efforts of allied organizations, like Church Women United, to support and affirm these changes. The message provides a glimpse into the advocacy networks operating within and adjacent to the UMC, illustrating the interconnected nature of efforts to advance justice for marginalized groups. -
General Conference Focus News Bulletin
This item addresses the ongoing debates and tensions within the United Methodist Church (UMC) regarding human sexuality, church doctrine, and the role of bishops during the 1996 General Conference. It provides insights into the broader social, political, and theological landscape of the denomination during this time, including reactions to a public statement by a group of bishops regarding homosexuality.
This item captures the theological debates, cultural pressures, and political sensitivities that shaped the denomination's approach to controversial issues. The reactions to the bishops' statement highlight the diversity of opinion within the church and the challenges of balancing doctrinal adherence with calls for inclusivity. The news bulletin provides a lens into how the UMC navigated social change and maintained its global identity amid growing divisions. It also underscores the influence of broader cultural and political contexts on the church’s decision-making processes. -
Guide to the Study Document on Human Sexuality
The document, Guide to the Study Document on Human Sexuality, published in 1983 by Discipleship Resources, is a comprehensive resource developed by the United Methodist Church (UMC) for individual or group study. It reflects the church's attempt to engage members in theological reflection and dialogue about the complexities of human sexuality. The guide was commissioned by the 1980 General Conference to accompany a "Study Document on Human Sexuality" and includes supplementary materials to facilitate education, discussion, and program planning within the UMC.
This document is structured into sections that address a wide array of topics, including the biblical and theological roots of sexuality, the cultural and societal influences on living patterns, and issues such as homophobia, family dynamics, and singleness. It provides an expansive overview of human sexuality as understood within the church's theological framework and seeks to encourage open, rational, and compassionate dialogue among its members.
This document displays the UMC’s engagement with social issues, particularly during a period of heightened debate over human sexuality and LGBTQ+ rights. It reflects the denomination’s effort to balance tradition with evolving social understandings and its commitment to addressing sensitive topics in a structured and educational manner.
The inclusion of a robust bibliography also highlights the breadth of resources available at the time, offering insights into both church and secular perspectives on human sexuality. This makes the guide a valuable resource for understanding how the UMC sought to frame and address these issues in the early 1980s. -
Hawaii Album #1
Images documenting life in Hawaii and various ministries of the church. -
Hawaii Album #2
Images documenting life in Hawaii and various ministries of the church. -
Hawaii Album #3
Images documenting life in Hawaii and various ministries of the church. -
Holy Union Invitation for Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton
The document, Holy Union Invitation for Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton, offers context to the significance of their union within the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the broader LGBTQ+ community. The invitation provides logistical details about the ceremony, which was held on January 16, 1999, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento. It situates the union as both a personal celebration of love and a deliberate act of protest against UMC policies prohibiting such ceremonies.
The invitation underscores the dual purpose of the holy union: as a sacred expression of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton’s 15-year relationship and as an act of civil disobedience by participating clergy. It explicitly acknowledges the UMC’s prohibition of same-sex unions and frames the ceremony as a protest against this stance. The presence of clergy officiants, media coverage, and anticipated protestors highlights the event’s broader sociopolitical implications, making it a pivotal moment in the movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the church.
The document illustrates the intersection of faith, protest, and community in the late 1990s. It serves as a record of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and allies within the UMC and the lengths to which advocates went to affirm love and justice. The inclusion of advocacy organizations and explicit acknowledgment of controversy situates this union as a significant event in the broader movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion in religious spaces. -
Homosexuality Resource Packet Letter
This is a cover letter accompanying a resource packet intended to support families with gay members and church leaders planning ministries for such families. Created by the Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church (UMC), the letter contextualizes the packet within the church’s mission to provide care, guidance, and support to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
The letter explicitly identifies two primary audiences: families with LGBTQ+ members, particularly parents, and pastors or church leaders. Its dual focus reflects the UMC's recognition of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their families within both the broader society and the church community.
The letter offers a snapshot of the UMC’s engagement with LGBTQ+ issues in the late 1970s. It highlights an institutional effort to navigate a contentious topic with compassion and an intent to provide constructive resources. The acknowledgment of controversy and the call for dialogue and education signal the church’s attempt to balance theological tradition with evolving social understandings. -
Hospitals and Homes Album #1
Images documenting deaconesses, hospitals, orphanages, settlement houses and other social and medical services sponsored by the church. -
Hospitals and Homes Album #2
Images documenting deaconesses, hospitals, orphanages, settlement houses and other social and medical services sponsored by the church.
Advisory Warning
These archival exhibits contain historical materials that reflect the social, cultural, and theological perspectives of their time. Some content may include language, imagery, or viewpoints that are outdated, offensive, or harmful by today’s standards. These materials are preserved to document history and promote understanding, but they may be difficult to engage with for some viewers. We encourage users to approach these resources with sensitivity and awareness of their historical context. If you have questions or need support, please contact the archives.