Rev. Sue Laurie, an out lesbian, was ordained by a grassroots group of LGBTQ United Methodists this morning. Sue earned her Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1995. Though barred from entering the candidacy process because of her sexual orientation, Sue has dedicated the past 21 years to ministry in the United Methodist Church. Today’s ceremony was a public affirmation of Sue’s gifts and graces and of God’s ordination of her long ago.

After her ordination, the sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated. As an act of radical hospitality, we offer to the General Conference the bread and cup consecrated at that service.

The United Methodist Church proclaims that anyone who calls upon the name of Christ is welcome at the table. However, too often, openly LGBTQ persons feel excluded; and, in particular, are banned from presiding over the sacrament. Love Prevails works for the day when all people are welcomed as equals on both sides of the communion table.

During opening worship at General Conference, Love Prevails will provide stations where you can receive communion from openly LGBTQ United Methodists. We recognize that the call of Jesus is never “safe,” so we create this space as an oasis for queer and straight folks alike, where the welcome is explicitly wide.

The banners at the stations will read, “Remember Me”.

We remember the people who have been lost to our denomination as a result of the church’s categorical discrimination against queer people. We remember all who have been marginalized and violated by the church’s many acts of oppression. We also commit to Re-Membering the Body of Christ – to making whole that which has been broken and torn apart.

We encourage you to take communion at the “Remember Me” stations as an act of resistance to our church’s ongoing discrimination of God’s LGBTQ people and to work for the day when Love Prevails.