Short Takes

More than 300 UMs and other Christians heard Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader (Wisconsin Area) challenge them "to be faithful to God and each other" and to "challenge the systems Jesus challenges" as part of the inaugural Kairos CoMotion gathering in Middleton, WI, February 21-23. Retired UM Bishop Judy Craig and Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopalian bishop, also spoke. Bishop Rader retold the story of Queen Esther. "We've been warned," she said. "We've been warned not to talk openly about sexuality. We've been warned not to say that the Book of Discipline is sometimes incompatible with Christian teaching. We've been warned not to tell that we are gay or lesbian. We've been warned." In the face of this warning, Rader encouraged Kairos CoMotion participants not to be silent about their gifts. Kairos CoMotion began in October 2000 as a group countering "a growing exclusiveness within the church," according to their press release. -- Wesley White, Kairos CoMotion


reprinted by permission of Newscope, United Methodist Publishing House, March 8, 2002.