Saturday, July 1, 2023, 1-3 pm
Cost: $10
 |
| Sheila and I walked in our first Pride parade in order to demonstrate our support for our beloved friends, relatives, former students, and others who, due to their sexual orientation, are under attack right now by resurgent right-wing extremists. |
 |
| We walked from the City Hall down Broad Street to the confluence of the rivers. |
 |
| Sheila's rainbow umbrella was a perfect accessory for the walk. |
 |
| I was please that the several hundred folks in the parade had an enthusiastic audience all along the route. |
 |
| Two different folks asked Sheila and me to pose for pictures of our "Turn Your Back On Hate" shirts. |
 |
| The parade continued across the Robert Redden foot bridge to... |
 |
| This bouquet of shards was a creative visual representation of the painful brokenness of the congregation. |
Maria Bowers
Praying for everyone involved.
Joyce Mink
We prayed for your whole church today at CSUMC. That's a hard thing to deal with.
Terrell Shaw
Joyce Mink just heartbreaking... I will lose my home church of 61 years.
Julie Adair
Terrell Shaw What happened???
Terrell Shaw
Trinity UMC voted to disband today (they use the euphemism of "disaffiliation"). I'm sure there will be a new church (independent? GMC? Other?) organized on the property, but we who choose to remain United Methodists will not be a part of that.
Carl Franklin
So sorry. What were the issues? How long have you been a member? Courage on your quest to find a new church home. Hard to believe you won’t be a part of the live nativity now.
Claudia Kennedy
Terrell Shaw I have recently joined the UMC of Carrollton. I felt so welcomed by the congregants. Our ministers are awesome! Even Tootsie, my support canine is welcomed! At seven years old in a tiny country church in Emmanuel County, I asked to be “Methodized,” saying my cousins were Baptized. Rev. Sanford Brown said, “Huh? Okay, with your mother’s permission we can do that.” After my husband, an Episcopalian, died last Feb., I came back home. The warm welcome was a balm to my wounded spirit. I pray for the best for everyone concerned. I am very thankful to Rev. John Simmons and Rev. Ken Stephens for their support.
Howard Smith
Terrell Shaw this vote is just another example of why I place so little “faith” in organized religion.
Terrell Shaw
Carl Franklin here's the ballot (I took a picture of mine) that states the issues pretty plainly. Those who voted yes are, in my opinion, primarily fearful of possible coming changes to the Book of Discipline regarding same-sex marriage and LGBT ordination. Interesting that actually those changes have not happened yet and are much more likely with the exit of the groups that are leaving.
Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
I’m so very sorry for this loss. I don’t know why it’s so hard to follow Jesus teachings but I grew up Baptist and had to leave because my understanding of being like Christ doesn’t fit with many of the leaders of the faith anymore. It’s heartbreaking.
Bob Doster
So sorry. Go see the grands, they'll fix your broken heart.
Terrell Shaw
Good idea, Bob Doster.
Bob Doster
it always worked for me. Hope it will work for you and Shelia
Paula Barkley Fensom
As someone whose mother’s family attended Trinity UMC as a child, I am disappointed in all the people who call themselves Christians and Methodists without apparently understanding what both of those things mean.
Voting to leave the UMC over including ALL children of the Creator in ALL parts of the UMC is blasphemous.
And this argument amongst so called Christians and Methodists is why I haven’t returned to the UMC in 9 years.
Following the supposedly correctly translated words of Leviticus is NOT following the teachings of Christ.
Ann Gore
Terrell Shaw, I am sure that you are grieving. It is so sad. Sending our love to you and Sheila!
George Dean
Praying that you will get through this and find peace in spite of the circumstances..
Nancy Hunter
I know you’re heartbroken.
Marsha Yancey Atkins
I’m so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and Shelia. You two are Christians that I respectand admire for the way you live your faith. I wish the vote had gone differently.
Gretchen Dodson
A church split hurts like cutting off a limb. Knowing you are on the right side of history is little comfort. I pray for peace and guidance.
Jamie Fergerson
I appreciate you sharing so much of the news for those of us who are not there. I’m at Disney World and have shed more tears over this loss today than I imagined I would. While my faith in the institution of the UMC has long been shaky, I’d held on to faith in the goodness of the people who raised me. But it seems that many of the adults who taught me and welcomed me into their homes as a child voted to disband a whole church over the question of welcoming LGBTQ people - supposedly some while loudly speaking lies about us.
My parents shouldn’t have to find a new church after almost 50 years. Your family should not be the ones leaving what your family built. People like me don’t deserve to be furthered harmed and hurt by the church. But this is what is. Christ is betrayed again and again by faith leaders and politicians because of His love and welcome, not in spite of it.
Jamie Fergerson
The lyrics here seem appropriate.
<>
Leanne Hand Cook
Jamie Fergerson amazing song!
Nick Douglas
So sorry. So sad.
Martha Jane Montgomery
I’m so sad for you all
David Matheny
Wish I could have heard it.
Karyn Page-Davies
Oh, Terrell. How have actions and beliefs taken this unbelievable turn? Sad times. Love one another.
Holly S Kelly
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Bonnie Gardner
So sorry, Terrell. Wishing you peace
Terri Morgan
I’m so sorry.
Vincent Mendes
Sorry Terrell
Mary Caldwell
I know what a loss that is for you and Shelia, Terrell Shaw. It is such a shame. Trinity has been a foundation of community for so many. I am sorry.
Amber Clark Ware
I'm so sorry Mr. Shaw. I lost my faith in the church where I was raised (Southern Baptist) many years ago; Jim and I visited StPeters RomeGeorgia a few years ago and both quickly found our faith again. It hurts my heart that the church I loved for so many years as a child doesn't love so many of the people that need that love and compassion the most. We don't attend regularly (I could make excuses for being busy/work but none of them truly matter or are sufficient) but I feel certain that you would love The Episcopal Church and the hearts of the people there. It is so very true what they say about TEC....everyone is welcome.
Emily Robinson
Amber Clark Ware yes. This
Clayton Hensley
I had two childhood churches disaffiliate so I understand your grief. Luckily the church where I am a member and the church where I work have remained UMC. In the long run I believe the denomination will actually be stronger. Still those shards of glass really illustrate what's happening.
Lynne Crothers Williams
Prayers for your church.
Paula Graves
I’m so sorry to read this. I don’t understand how anyone can have hate in their heart for anyone. Why can’t we mind our own beeswax and just let people live? Again, I’m so sorry for you and Sheila.
Cindy Smith
Just too sad, Terrell Shaw.
Ann Pullen
Terrell, I am so sorry to learn about Trinity's vote. I know it is devastating for you, Sheila, and so many others in the congregation
Charlene Payne
John’s mother would be so saddened to see this happening. She loved Trinity-we all had a special place in our hearts for that sweet church.
I feel your pain-our church will vote in August to determine disaffiliation or not.
We are looking for a new UM church , just in case. I can’t support Global Methodist. This movement will be regrettable .
Terrell Shaw
Charlene Payne our mistake was allowing those who want to leave to go unchallenged. It is harder to get the folks who are happy with things as they are pretty much, and who are less likely to be paying close attention to the controversy to come to a meeting and vote. so the stay UMC group must be organized and must give lots of reminders and phone calls and work to get out their vote.
Lanette Adams Greene
I am so sorry. I believe God has a call for you. Just listen.
Fred Gould
I attended this wonderful church early in my career. Now may you have success in your endeavor to find a new church home.
Terrell Shaw
Thanks Fred— we still miss y’all.
 |
| Another of my mentors at Trinity UMC was Burnita Burton (on the right). This picture is from 1969. |
To my fellow members of Trinity United Methodist Church:
Today is the day.
Will Trinity United Methodist Church be voted out of existence today?
Please no! We can continue to have a "big umbrella" church, where we all accept the fact that no two of us will ever agree on every single thing. But if we can agree on the basics: God is love and we are called by the Great Commandment to love God and each other, then we can find ways to work together and accomplish good things. We don't have to agree on everything else.
So I am simply begging my friends, please don't disband Trinity United Methodist Church. Yes, it will be a smaller congregation no matter which way the vote goes, but if we stay UMC no one is forced out.
On the other hand if we vote to disband (with hopes to later attract part of the current Trinity UMC to form a new independent church) then all those who remain United Methodist will in actual undeniable fact lose their church home and be forced to find a new UMC congregation or be churchless. And those who choose to join the new as yet undefined church will have to start from scratch to do everything from apply for 501-c3 status to finding a pastor, creating a governing structure, and do without or gradually build some sort of denomination programs, missions, youth programs/camps, etc. etc etc. I truly do not believe that those who say they want to leave the UMC realize that what would be left will be a very different church. All of the resources, programs, missions, support we are used to from our wonderful Methodist connectional system will be gone from the newly organized group.
Please don't do that. Please vote NO. Please vote to allow Trinity United Methodist Church to continue to serve God and our neighbors here in Rome, in Georgia, and in the world through the worldwide United Methodist Church with all its resources and programs and missions and seminaries and children homes and camps and retreat centers and relief committee and so much more.
If my membership in Trinity UMC is voted out of existence, I will try to be kind. I will still be a United Methodist even though my congregation is gone. I would have no local church when Trinity UMC disbands. I would be be forced to find a new church home.
How terribly sad that would be for me and those others who remain United Methodists.
BUT if we stay UMC, even though some will choose to move to one of the many other protestant churches in Rome, our congregation will already have its structure, its membership roll, its UMCOR resources in emergencies, its youth programs and camps, its itinerancy, just all those programs missions and resources we are used to in our United Methodist connectional system. We will be able to move on and begin to rebuild.
Please vote no. Please do not dissolve our Trinity United Methodist Church.
Martha King, one of my mentors at Trinity and a leader at the local, district, conference and general conference levels. Martha died 23 years ago.
---------------------
I just received a sad note from another Trinity member who (with her husband) would vote against the proposal to dissolve Trinity United Methodist Church but cannot be in town to vote in person as required tomorrow. I have real problems with this whole process. The General Conference was mistaken to change the Book of Discipline to allow a portion of a congregation to exclude a different portion of the congregation and dissolve a UMC congregation in order to create a rump congregation that might at some point join a different denomination. There are MANY protestant congregations in Rome, including those of other Methodist denominations. Those who no longer consider themselves United Methodists have no shortage of other potential home churches. Why force the United Methodists at Trinity out? it just boggles the mind and breaks the heart.
 |
I believe many of my Methodist mentors, now gone, would be heart broken to see our congregation considering disbanding Trinity United Methodist Church. The idea certainly breaks my heart and I pray that enough of those of us who want to continue to be United Methodist will show up this Sunday to avoid that tragedy.
Here are more a dozen who influenced my life through this congregation of the United Methodist Church. If I had more time I could write about the influence of each on my life and then add another dozen pretty quickly.
My parents of course
Wint and Frances Barton
Burnita Burton
Madelyn Collette
Leonard and Frances Hancock
Hugh Holt
Rev. Warren Jones
Martha King
Chastain Parker
Harold Parker
Mary Stewart
Bobby and Dot Storey
Miss Annie Beth Terrell
I will not pretend to know how these folks would vote were they able tomorrow. But I do know that most of them had loved ones who lived (or live) alternate lifestyles.
These were all United Methodists. They lived through some very divisive times, but they stuck with the United Methodist Church to the end.
As to the living: as I look around the congregation at my Trinity friends I see that most of them also have loved ones who live alternate lifestyles.
My heart aches for the friends who have left Trinity for other churches over the last decade or so. I truly miss them and wish they had stayed. But they made that choice. They have free will. Our congregation did not vote to exclude them. If the vote is passed to disband Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday, those of us who remain United Methodists will have no choice. Our local church will no longer exist. Our membership will be in some sort of limbo. We will be forced to either have no local church or choose a different one. That is simple fact.
 |
| We don't really know what Jesus looked like. This was the most common depiction of Christ from my childhood days. Often small churches had this print framed at the front of the sanctuary. |
Recently I read the Bible straight through from Genesis to Revelations. I was struck again at what a revolution the New Testament is.
God is love. And Jesus' great commandment is all about love. Love God and love your neighbor.
 |
| John Wesley |
John Wesley the founder of Methodism declared that his parish was the whole world. My understanding is that our "neighbors" are all our fellow earthlings, folks.
 |
| Papa (Benjamin Wilson Baird) |
When a cousin went to my grandfather, a lay Methodist preacher and farmer, for advice as he was considering a call to preach, Papa told him: "Don't try to scare folks into the Kingdom, son; you've got to love them into it."
I cherish my heritage as a United Methodist Christian.
I sincerely hope my friends at my local church, Trinity United Methodist, will vote on Sunday to keep our congregation going into its 149th year.
Stay United Methodist.
John Wesley and his friends, The Holy Club" were derisively called "methodists" because of their strict discipline. John Wesley famously said: "I look upon all the world as my parish." And so does the United Methodist Church. Just as Wesley and the early Methodists were very organized, so are we United Methodists. By organizing our congregations into districts and conferences and jurisdictions and a worldwide "general" conference Methodists are able to multiply and streamline their efforts to accomplish more good. No individual United Methodist stands alone. He is part of a congregation that is organized into assorted committees and boards to oversee different aspects of the church's mission. The pastors and laymen cooperate with other congregations in their district under the leadership of district superintendents to maximize the good works in a larger area. I our case there are a dozen or so districts within our Annual Conference (in our case the Northern half of Georgia, with a bishop assigned as its leader. The Conference is a major unit of Methodist work. The conference has a wonderful youth program that includes summer camps and retreats, it sponsors pastors schools and retreats, it assigns pastors to the congregations of the conference (a pastor for every congregation, a congregation for every pastor.)
It seems to me that those who want to "disaffiliate" (disband and organize new groups) wish to toss out much of the "method" from their new groups. To me it looks a lot like Baptist-lite.
What a wonderful influence on my life my church has been!
 |
| The view from an upstairs window. |
 |
| Trinity UMC's choir, mid-nineties |
 |
| Detail from one of the Pansy windows. |
 |
| Trinity UMC's annual Nativity Scene |
I was sitting in an easy chair checking e-mail and, probably, Facebook, yesterday when Sheila came in from the front porch announcing this little piece of mail.
Oh, how this simple postcard brightened my afternoon!
 |
| I need some interpretive services from their Mama but the primary message is plain and it sure warms this grandfather's heart.. |
 |
| It's great to be friends with Santa -- or is it the Goatman? JK! |
“Every day, every year, and for every graduating class, there is a choice to be made. It’s the same option for all grown-ups, who have to decide to be one of three types of Americans -- those who embrace liberty and freedom for all, those who won’t, or those who are indifferent.”
-- Tom Hanks at Harvard graduation 2023
