I am going to church tomorrow.

[Are_grits_groceries]

It is a United Methodist Church that my family were founding members of. Except for funerals, i have not been in years.

I am going to interrupt the service at some point and challenge the minister and the congregation to take action to help those kids who have been separated from their parents. I will be wearing a yellow armband and I will challenge them on that too.

Prolly get arrested. 🌹

[malaise]

1. Go Grits!

You're a good person

[vlyons]

2. Please take some pictures

Post pics here and report back. Maybe take a few extra armbands for those in the congregation, who want to join with you?

[MariaCSR]

3. Right on, good for you!

I hope it goes well.

[Ohiogal]

4. Please provide a follow up report if you can!

Wishing you best of luck, good for you!

[raven mad]

5. You GO girl!!!

We're in a mess here - and I'm trying to find out where I can get a yellow arm band that has a black edge.......... for mourning.

I'll help with your bail.

[Demsrule86]

6. Do it when they have the 'prayers for the people ' this is what it is called in the Episcopal church

usually there is a point where they ask and are there others? I plan to rise and add the kids torn from their mothers and fathers and the 1500 missing...many who are likely dead.

[Glorfindel]

7. Very brave of you, my dear Are_grits_groceries.

I wouldn't have the courage, but fortunately United Methodists are generally very tolerant and good-hearted people, at least in my experience. (I'm one, myself, but like you, inactive except for funerals and weddings.) I would definitely discourage you from doing such a thing in a Southern Baptist church.

Best of luck, and please let us know how it goes.

[True Blue American]

21. You just walk out of the Southern Baptist!

Never go back!

[barbtries]

8. please report back.

i am so heartbroken that this travesty goes on in my name. thank you!!!

[heaven05]

9. Wow

I wish I was a member, I would second that challenge. In fact, this is a challenge that all so-called 'Christian' denominations have to face along with the ongoing 'pogrom' against AA's, male predominantly, but not exclusively. Sandra Bland, an icon, always comes to mind, too much coinkidink.

[marble falls]

10. My Methodist Church here in Marble Falls has locked all its doors 24/7 and has armed...

parishioners at all times, including one 86 years old at he church all the time. This is in Marble Falls, population 7,000. Seriously. I refuse to go there anymore.

We need to ask a lot of questions.

[BigmanPigman]

107. WHAT?!?!?

That in its self would turn me against organized religion. Which commandments do they pick and choose to obey? That is really, really sick!

[marble falls]

108. I do not get it at all. I'm going back to the Lutheran Church.

[BigmanPigman]

109. Sounds like a sane plan!

[marble falls]

110. And the people are nicer, too. I miss covered dish dinners.

[BigmanPigman]

111. Seems like a win/win to me...good move on your part!

[gibraltar72]

11. Or shot. But good on ya.

[Funtatlaguy]

12. Now that's what I call

Doing the Lords work.
Proud of you.

[RandomAccess]

20. Amen, brother

[lillypaddle]

13. Good for you! nt

[sharedvalues]

14. You have a real chance to make a difference!

Some of the congregation will be on your side.

Stand up, tell a story, and talk about your VALUES.

“I believe that this nation and this church stand for the rights of the poor. Jesus told us to help the least amongst us. That is those poor children and their parents. Those immigrants are fighting to come here for a better life. America is a country that welcomes immigrants who have a dream of making their life better for their children via hard work. If this were a century ago when our ancestors were coming to the US, the Republican Party and ICE and Donald Trump would be demonizing those immigrants too, just as Lindbergh’s America First party did to Irish and Italian immigrants - our forebears. The difference today is that GOP billionaires use the right wing propaganda machine - Fox, Limbaugh, Hewitt, Levin, Breitbart - to lie to America, to incite hate, all to get votes for cutting taxes on billionaires. All the GOP stands for is destroying the government to cut taxes on the rich. And they use identity politics and hate to do it.

All patriotic Americans must stand up against the terrible attacks on immigrants. As Methodists we stand for the poor and the less fortunate. Who is with me? Stand up”


Etc etc.


Its way better to appeal to the values you share with the congregation than to go on the attack. Good luck!

[Kurt V.]

15. you are a hero.

[CanonRay]

16. You go girl!

Proud of you.

[CelticWinter]

17. Sounds like a plan

Good luck to you

[True Blue American]

18. I have noticed in my Church

When they ask for Prayers some one always brings u a current situation in the Country to pra for.

A small Congregation. The young Pastor preached on Division used for money and Power, Vs. Inclusion that is humble and kind. Not one word about Politics, but I am quite sure it went over a lot of heads. The 2 young Pastors are changing the Church to Following the words of Jesus.

Not to turn Jesus into a Religion, just follow in his footsteps.

I tried the old Church that is close to me,did not care for it. This one I do.

[sharedvalues]

72. Amazing. Sounds awesome

Sounds very similar in philosophy to the “Reclaiming Jesus” event recently held in DC.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/reclaiming-jesus-event-brings-its-message-white-house

[True Blue American]

94. Thank you for that

Am sending it on to a couple of friends that are ready to give up on their Church.

BTW, my Church is Church Of The Brethren. They have a series every year where they bring in Pastors and Missionaries of different Denominations to show how much we share, never mind the differences.

[calimary]

100. It does indeed.

Matthew 25:35-45

[Tanuki]

19. I hope you will have some specific, concrete actions to suggest and contact information

in case some of the clergy and parishioners agree with you and are willing to do something. Do you know if the congregation is involved with this United Methodist initiative?

http://njfon.org/

[Tipperary]

91. Crickets to this excellent post. Smh.

[RandomAccess]

22. Thank you.

And bless you.

And good luck. I'll be eager to learn what happens.

[brooklynite]

23. I don't understand your approach...

Has the minister or the congregation supported the Government's policy? Have you discussed your concerns with the Church leadership in advance?

I'm not questioning your motives, but an out of the blue dramatic gesture doesn't seem like the best approach. Consider the times that people protest something by blocking the highway; does that effort get the people stuck in their cars to give thoughtful consideration of the issue at hand?

[sarah FAILIN]

99. Things are different from church to church

Some are very formal, others are not. Many come to a point where the audience is encouraged to ask for prayer from the group for themselves or others. That would seem like a great time for this.

[brooklynite]

102. ...but the OP is talking about "interrupting" the service and potentially getting arrested.

[Alethia Merritt]

24. Hey, you may have just started a movement. Let this go viral! I will do my part.

I will tell my family who are various degrees of Catholic, protestant..(evangelicals, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Apostolic).

Don't know if they can or will muster up the yellow arm bands but I will ask.

[Alethia Merritt]

25. May any of us repost your thread elsewhere? nt

[Are_grits_groceries]

29. Ok nt

[raccoon]

26. I wish you all the best. Two United Methodist Churches I've gone to in my area, I went to

Sunday school and they brought up every God blessed right wing talking point you could imagine.

I was raised a Methodist, but that totally turned me off to that church. As for Baptists, forget it.

They are so intertwined with the Republican Party, it is disgusting.

[Tipperary]

27. I think it was last year that you posted you intended to jerk the tablecloth off the table at dinner

A holiday dinner, if I remember correctly. You said you would do it after the turkey and all the dishes were on the table. I cannot remember the reason except maybe you dislike your family. Did you ever do that? I do not remember any follow up post.

[snacker]

28. Thank you for your courage.

[handmade34]

30. understand and use

the information at hand about the Methodist Church...

many of the 'Sanctuary churches' are Methodist churches...

Rights of Immigrants
We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination.
We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.
We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children, and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families.

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/welcoming-the-migrant-to-the-us

Between 1994 and 2009, according to the Department of Homeland Security Border Safety Initiative, more than 3,860 migrants have died crossing the border between the United States and Mexico (https://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/immigrants/humanitariancrisisreport.pdf).
Raids of workplaces, homes, and other social places have often violated the civil liberties of migrants. Migrants should be given due process and access to adequate legal representation. Due to these raids and the ensuing detentions and deportations that follow them, families have been ripped apart and the migrant community has been forced to live in a constant state of fear.
To refuse to welcome migrants to this country—and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the migrant community in the United States is demonized by members of Congress and the media—is complicity to sin.

….and the official Methodist Church stance on "A Call to Action"



I understand the desire to have the specific church you and your family have history with act but best to put it in terms of the greater Church and beliefs...

“United Methodist Women takes to heart Jesus’ commandment to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Throughout our 150-year history, we have carried this out by extending God’s love to women, men, youth and children around the world, including immigrants and refugees,” said Harriett J. Olson, top executive of United Methodist Women.

[Are_grits_groceries]

40. I knew a lot of this.

Not sure about how this particular church adheres to it.
I wasn’t planning on being my grumpy self depending on what I hear.
Thanks
(Maybe I’ll go to a small Independent Methodist Church next that I attended near my grandparents. There I might get shot.)

[grantcart]

48. I have been to several meetings at Methodist Churches in Tucson

and they are quite well informed about it. Most of the Methodist (and Presbyterian Churches) in Tucson that I have been to have this sign on the door:



You would be well advised to make a personal appointment to meet with the pastor before you make a public presentation with people who are actually deeply involved in the issue.

[jberryhill]

31. Before criticizing them, you might want to read up on what the UMC is actually doing:

Since you haven't been there in a while, you might want to check things like the bulletin board, so that if you want people to take action, you can remind them of the UMC's groups and programs specifically working on this issue:

Here's a link to the UMC Womens organization on their Campaign to End Family Detention

https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/immigration/familydetention

This is information on the UMC's Global Migration Sunday, which the UMC has designated as the first Sunday of Advent:

https://umcmigration.org/

https://www.umcjustice.org/what-we-care-about/civil-and-human-rights/global-migration

Here is the UMC's broader collection of immigration policies and programs:

http://www.umc.org/topics/topic-immigration

http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/church-ready-to-welcome-asylum-seekers

Church ready to welcome asylum seekers

By Kathy L. Gilbert
May 7, 2018 | UMNS

The Rev. Bill Jenkins, pastor of the Christ United Methodist Ministry Center in San Diego, and other church leaders are gearing up to offer shelter to hundreds of migrants gathering at the border seeking asylum.

The migrants reached the border after a months-long journey, fleeing their homes in Central America because of violence. The group of about 300 began their trip to the U.S. in March, traveling atop freight trains, hitchhiking and walking.

So far, fewer than 50 have been processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to news reports.

Jenkins said as the mainly women and children are processed and allowed into the U.S. they will be welcomed to come and live at the center while they wait for court dates.
What the church says

In the interim, the Rev. Guillermo Navarrete, a pastor with the Methodist Church of Mexico, is tending to the people on the Tijuana side of the border.

He said donations of food and clothing are being collected and volunteers are spending time with the children.

“There is a migrant space nearby the border where they have a bath, food, child care and counseling,” he said. “They are asking asylum because of the violence in their countries.”


--------


Since you don't go there, do you know what, if anything, they have done in relation to the UMC's own migrant relief programs?

[B2G]

38. Abort! Abort!! nt

[Ilsa]

120. Thank you for posting this.

Sure, there are plenty if conservatives still running the UMC, but their programs support many liberal an humanitarian causes, politics aside.

[samnsara]

32. you go!!!!

..theres a local church..Presbyterian or something who has active social issues displayed on the outside marquee. Maybe your church would do the same thing.

[Honeycombe8]

33. I think it would be better if you did something a little different.

First, instead of a general "call to action," have a plan. If you just want people to care, it could be considered insulting to suggest they don't. They probably already do. But if you want them to DO something, you have that something at the ready to ask them to do.

I would probably speak with the pastor personally beforehand and ask him to take on the issue as a church project. Standing up and calling to arms might be good entertainment for them (who wouldn't want to see Uncle Harry stand up and call us to arms over something?), but I think it may not be the best way to ask them to do something about a serious issue.

I was raised a Methodist. I don't know if the Methodist church is still the same,but it wasn't one of the crazy alt-right holy-rolly churches. So they were people you could have talked to.

I think the best way is to get the pastor to agree to take on the issue as a pet project, recognizing that one church can do only so much, and has limited funds. But define what it is you expect the church to do, I think. And then, of course, you must get involved in one of the other member's issues....unwed mothers, the homeless in the area, drug addiction, alchoholism in the area, illiteracy, etc.

[jberryhill]

34. "ask him to take on the issue as a church project"

The entire denomination has taken on the issue as a church project. Grits is unaware of that.

This is one of their own videos on the topic:

http://www.umc.org/topics/topic-immigration


http://njfon.org/



Justice for Our Neighbors is a network of 17 sites across the country that provides free or low-cost immigration legal services for low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. JFON attorneys meet with clients at legal clinics in churches and community centers, through referrals and scheduled appointments. See the map and list below to find the location nearest you.

[Tipperary]

35. Thanks for posting this. I just got off the phone with a friend who is a Methodist.

She was very amused when I shared this post with her. We are long-time friends, and i have frequently shared du stories with her. So this particular post was very much enjoyed. She told me this same thing you have posted.

[grantcart]

49. On his way into interupt the service he will probably pass this sign

The Methodists as a denomination and the Presbyterians by congregations are deeply involved in the issue. Thanks for your research.

[Tipperary]

58. This op really has missed the mark on this one.

I truly do not believe she had or has any intention of doing something as stated. And she clearly has no idea as to what her church does on a regular basis to assist in this endeavor.

Why not go and help? Assist them in this? The op’s intention as stated is actually counter-productive.

[grantcart]

60. People are angry and they should be, but he doesn't have the facts he thinks he has.

And, as can be seen on this thread, they are confusing two completely different events

But the really frightening thing is not unaccompanied minors who are now avoiding the immigration court but the 320,000 people who were legal one day and illegal the next.

My son in law is one of them. He won't even cross a street crossing at midnight when there isn't a car in sight if the sign is blinking.

We will all cross. We forget. We then wait for the sign to change to "walk" and then he will walk and join us.

Living in absolute fear. Legal one day, illegal the next.

I applaud the OP for his anger, just want him to have a few more facts.

[Tipperary]

61. Good post.

[Honeycombe8]

89. Excellent. So glad to hear it. Esp since I was raised Methodist. Thanks. nt

[True Blue American]

96. I agree

Because many would become angry.

The Pastor could phrase it in a way that would not be confrontational.

It also depends on the Pastor and how he thinks.

But you know your Church,I do not.

[grantcart]

36. Simply put they are not missing, they are hiding

They are part of the 320,000 Hondurans, Haitians and El Salvadorans that were legal under President Obama and were put into foster care with their families.

President Trump has made them illegal and now they are afraid.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210658852


Its very like that your United Methodist Church is a sanctuary Church and has agreed to shelter these families when they start to pick them up in 2020.

[Are_grits_groceries]

41. No. These kids are missing.

They were taken from their parents and now cannot be accounted for. The ACLU is working on this.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2018/05/22/immigration-children-separate-families-lost-kirstjen-nielson/631627002/

[grantcart]

46. Wrong, a perfect example of two stories that are being mixed together

1) The ACLU is working on the NEW policy of Trump to separate children from their mothers.

2) the 1500 children are UNACCOMPANIED MINORS who the government released in 90% of the cases to their relatives (Brookings Institute). The ACLU and everyone connected to the "catch and release" policy that allowed these UNACCOMPANIED MINORS to be quickly reunited with relatives were quite happy until Trump removed the Temporary Protection order which gave them legal status.

That second group is among 47,000 UNACCOMPANIED MINORS (not minors that were taken from their parents) who were released with a promise to attend a court date.

Under the Obama administration virtually 100% of these unaccompanied minors showed up for their court date.

Under Trump the 320,000 who HAD TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE SERVICE orders and were here legally have lost it and now are illegal and now they have stopped going to immigration court because they no longer have protection.

AZCentral has conflated two different events, both evil in their same way. They are not missing, they are hiding, like my son in law from El Salvador from immigration courts.

You obviously didn't take the time to read the details so feel free to confuse TWO DIFFERENT EVENTS into the same story.

[onecaliberal]

103. They have NO idea where those kids are or who has them. Spare me.

Federal agencies can’t confirm the whereabouts of nearly 1,500 unaccompanied migrant children. In the event that the federal government cannot locate a missing child, a contract service provider will make a note in the kid’s file, but nothing else is done.
“There is not a further attempt to locate the child."

https://thinkprogress.org/federal-agencies-missing-migrant-children-3290c79345d4/

[grantcart]

106. lol, which has nothing to do with the fact that they are conflating two different stories

I have news for you

they don't know where the 7,000 children are that showed up for their Immigration Court

they don't know where the other 40,000 unaccompanied migrants are that showed up and were processed between 2014-2017

they don't know where my wife is who is a permanent resident.

Ninety percent of the UM were released to relatives who had TPS (as per Brookings Institute).

Trump eliminated their TPS standing and is there NO further chance to retain the legal standing that they had under the Obama administration and there is no longer any reason for these families to bring their children to immigration court.

I can tell you how to find them in a New York minute, go to the Social Security administration find where their relatives are working and go to their place of work and follow them home. Fortunately that is now illegal.

The real issue is not the 1500 children who entered the country without relatives but were reunited with them and decided to not show up for the Immigration Court (because as previously stated there is NO chance that the court can provide relief, TPS is an executive branch decision, not a judicial one.

The real issue is that 320,000 families who had legal status because of the TPS provided by the Obama administration and woke up and were no longer legal.

My son in law had TPS as he came from El Salvador in 2000. He had legal status. Five years ago his nieces came to the US as unaccompanied minors went through the system and were released to their parents.

Two years ago children of one of their cousins had their children come up go through the system and was assigned a court date. After Trump there is NO reason to court except to have ICE detain you and send you back, there is option for court ordered remediation so there is no longer any reason to keep the court date so they are considered "missing".

Under Obama they were released and given a date to come to court and regularize their status and be included in their parents TSP. Now that is no longer an option they are hiding from the system that was helping them and is now trying to send them back. They are not missing, they are in hiding.

[summer_in_TX]

114. Do you have any documentation or links to articles about that?

I have not seen more than the shocking headlines about the children who were lost track of in 2017 so have not read the details you are asserting. Not saying you're wrong, just that I'd like to have documentation. I've been assuming the worst, that the administration had them in foster care and that human trafficking might have occurred. Yikes, hate to fall prey to wrong assumptions and be part of spreading misinformation.

[onecaliberal]

122. I think you're on the wrong site. Enjoy the dust bin.

Like trump and the rest of the republicans you don’t seem to understand the definition of the word LOST.

[jberryhill]

47. The ACLU is working on this...

So is the United Methodist Church.

[grantcart]

53. They are working on the NEW policy of forced separation

The undocumented minors arrived without their parents and were not separated from their parents

They are the children of the 320,000 who had received Temporary Protection Status under President Obama were released to come to a court date. Trump removed the TPS and now the 320,000 and the unaccompanied minors who the Brookings Institute has said were placed with their families in 95% of the time are no longer coming to immigration court. They are hiding, not missing.

The details are here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210658852

The United Methodist Church is working on both issues:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210658852

Temporary Protected Status (TPS), established by Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, allows individuals from certain countries to remain and work lawfully in the U.S. during a period in which it is deemed unsafe for nationals of that country to return home. TPS is granted as a result of natural disaster, armed conflict, epidemic or other extraordinary conditions. Approximately 320,000 individuals in the U.S. from ten countries have TPS. In most cases, these TPS holders have lived here more than 15 years, during which time they have had U.S. citizen children, bought homes, built careers, and made the United States their home.

. . .

The Trump Administration has begun terminating this program. The majority of TPS recipients are from El Salvador (195,000), Honduras (57,000), and Haiti (50,000). El Salvador and Haiti have recently received 18-month terminations, meaning their status will be revoked in the summer and fall of 2019, respectively. Honduras has received a 6-month extension, so the next decision date for their TPS program is May 4, 2018. Nicaragua and Sudan have also been cancelled. The majority of individuals with TPS are not eligible to apply for another form of relief. Thus, once their TPS is cancelled they will be considered undocumented, no longer allowed to work lawfully, and be subject to deportation. The financial cost to ending TPS is significant. Not only would these individuals be no longer able to contribute to the U.S. economy, deporting TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti alone would cost over $3 billion. See the attached chart for an overview of the ten countries that have TPS and where the program stands.

Because their is NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ANOTHER FORM OF RELIEF these families have stopped cooperating with the immigration courts and are not showing up for their appointments.

The question isn't what happened to the 1500 but why anyone who is in this category would show up at all. Their relief was given and now taken by Executive Order, there is no judicial relief possible under any circumstances.

[cpamomfromtexas]

37. Can't wait to hear how it goes

[Hortensis]

39. Sympathize, but agreee there are better ways than a

disrespectful, hostile, accusatory interruption. They'd probably just wait quietly for you to leave. But what would you say if activists in the congregation tell you what they're doing and ask you what you're doing besides interrupting their worship so obnoxiously? How embarrassing...

Keep thinking. You need agreement that leads to change, not irritation.

[Tipperary]

43. This poster said last year that she intended to rip up a tablecloth from the table at a holiday

dinner. I have forgotten why. But she wanted to wait until all the dishes were on the table. She had been invited, and obviously someone had done a lot of work cooking etc. This was how she intended to repay their hospitality. Many here posted in favor, while others pointed out how awful it would be.

She never posted if she did it or not. I have a suspicion about these type “making a statement” posts.

[Are_grits_groceries]

52. Sigh....

So I am a “ these type.”
I looked up the post to see exactly what I said.

“I have been asked to Xmas dinner w/lot of Trumpkin relatives.

If I go, I will ask to say the blessing& deliver a ‘come to Jesus’message.

Then I will upend the entire table on them. Merry Effing Xmas.
Posted by Are_grits_groceries | Sat Dec 2, 2017, 09:15 AM (8 replies)”

I didn’t realize that I had to give you a report. I did not go because I decided that it was not worth it. These are people I had tried to reach for years and they are going to have to have an epiphany before they change their minds.

I am waaaaaaay over being agreeable. But you go right ahead and cast aspersions. Keep throwing them.

ATTENTION: I will not be reporting back. I will take a break from DU to avoid getting thrown out if I say what I really think.
I have had a bad year and I do mull over what I say or do so I won’t overreact because of that. This may be an overreaction but I can only take so much. I don’t expect universal agreement with me, but this was a little much. My type will now bid you adieu.

[Tipperary]

55. I called your post a "type" not you.

But by all means go off in a huff. This means you will not have to fill us all in on your big gesture in church tomorrow.

[moriah]

57. Or, how about not stalking other posters history to look at "types" of either?

I'm *certain* you really wanted to know about that dinner after so many months.

[Tipperary]

59. Nope. No stalking. I have a good memory and that one stuck because of my own issues at the time.

I do not like grandstanding posts. Sorry.

I never renewed my star, so I could not stalk even if I wanted to.

[moriah]

62. And it's still far more productive to, as others and I did, suggest...

... that the mainline Methodists, even in South Carolina, might respond quite well to even an interruption, if done respectfully at the proper time in the service and with research.

... than it is to retain such memories over so long and drag them out. Especially a thread with all of 8 replies.

[Tipperary]

63. I remembered. Then it seemed kind of a trend. A pattern, if you will.

That this poster likes to make big statements, but does not follow through. I am not going to apologize for remembering what I considered an awful op. Obviously, you have been researching to know how many replies it had lol.

I completely agree with your first paragraph.

But, I dislike ops on this site that make us all look like we do not know what we are talking about. Or are the kind of people who would throw food on the floor just because we disagree with the politics of someone who invited us to a dinner.

[moriah]

65. Grits felt like you were stalking enough to have already done it....

.... so posted her oh-so-controversial, memorable thread in response to you.

You'd know that if you'd read when you replied to it.

[Tipperary]

66. I am so glad you are here to defend this poster. But I do not care about your opinion.

i actually cannot make sense of this latest post to me. The syntax is all scrambled. Anyway, I have a picnic to attend, so have a great day now.

[moriah]

67. I care about people not making DU suck.

And harassing a user, any user, is making DU suck.

Buh-bye now.

[brooklynite]

73. How is responding to an OPs post "harassing"

If you read back, you'll see that I challenged the approach (without questioning the motives); is THAT harrasing? Is the only acceptable response an "attaboy"?

[moriah]

75. I too suggested that they might get a far different response...

... given my knowledge of Methodists, if they respected the order of service and spoke out at the right time, than they might fear.

Others have said they feel the OP might be choosing the wrong church to "protest" if that's what's intended.

Keeping a post in your head for six months to use to question the person's intent by making the post, and saying it multiple times in the thread? Stalking to ascribe "BS" even if it's not by searching posts but an apparently amazing memory.

[cwydro]

76. Apparently.

Actually, I remember that OP too.

I’m too lazy to look it up, but I might have posted on it.

[moriah]

79. I didn't remember it, but obviously it didn't get traction.

Dragging out old posts is still sucky behavior, which I felt was more productive to engage than to alert on, which many do.

Then again, I'm rather resentful of getting my first hide for commenting that apparently an alert-stalker was out when one was most definitely in action. Ever since, I've decided engaging the behavior was better than making an alert someone else might feel was total BS, comment they did, and get a hide themselves.

[Tipperary]

80. Hell, I got a hide once for commenting that I was on jury duty. True story.

Go figure!

[moriah]

81. Yeah. That's why I engage the behavior.

I asked for Skinner to clarify the "Interference with forum moderation" rule, and he never responded.

So, while I still serve, I don't alert anymore unless it's, like, spam for sites all in foreign languages selling goods. Which are more for MIRT's benefit.

[Tipperary]

82. I do serve, but never alert unless it is really something awful.

My post that was hidden (if I remember) was simply because I told someone their post was alerted.

[moriah]

84. Bingo, same here.

I did PM after serving recently, when the alert itself was too precious not to be shown as a perfect example of exactly what the OP was describing. At least to them if no one else.

[malaise]

117. You don't have to give anyone a report

and please don't take a break.

[malaise]

88. You're suspicious about Grits?

WTF???

[Tipperary]

90. Suspicious about these type posts.

Come on malaise, I know your reading comprehension is better than that.

[Are_grits_groceries]

44. Ya know?

I know many of the people who still go there. A few have voiced opinions that I agree with. And more than a few are flaming Trumpkin assholes.

When I say challenge, that does not mean I will fling fire at them. To begin with, I will be respectful. I WILL ask why this was not addressed in church today since kids are the most vulnerable and time is of the essence.

I was over being agreeable years ago. The only reason I will not fling fire at first is to hear what is said during the service and what is then said.

“How embarrassing...” You have got to be kidding.

[malaise]

95. Bravo sis

We have your back

[WhiskeyGrinder]

42. What is your goal?

[cwydro]

50. Good question.

I actually think this falls under the heading of “cool story, bro.”

[Brother Buzz]

45. You might use some Old Testament Leviticus, a book the conservative members love so much.

When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:33-34

[moriah]

51. United Methodist -- you could interrupt by asking to make a Personal Testimony.

Then explain, if you can do so without lying, that God brought you back to Church after this many years because your heart was torn by the plight of these children -- and you couldn't go another Sunday without confessing and asking for forgiveness from God for your part as an American in this happening.

That you feel called to ask the congregation to join you in confessing and asking forgiveness for that sin during Communion today, and after for the Church to help repent for inaction by working to help them (edit after reading the posts from more active UMC members, asking for that particular congregation to participate in the great UMC migrant programs with even more gusto).

Then, if you get a positive response, work with 'em.

Remember, a lot of Hillary's ethics that fought against her Goldwater upbringing were rooted in her Methodist faith. Methodists might actually respond well if you came across as truly moved and concerned.

[lunamagica]

78. Good approach

[moriah]

86. Especially if it would lead to everyone working, including Grits, with the wider UMC initiatives!

Which, knowing many Methodists, might just be what happens!

[Staph]

54. Sunday, May 27, 2018, is an interesting choice.

On the official United Methodist calendar, it's Peace with Justice Sunday. From the UMC.org website:

Gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday fund programs that advocate for peace and justice in the United States and around the world. These programs empower United Methodists to speak out for removing structures and systems that harm God's children globally.

Depending on the individual church, you might get a lot of agreement and outrage about the missing children. DUers are so much better informed than the general public; many of them may not have heard about it. My 94-year-old, United Methodist mother was watching Chris Hayes last night and heard the reports for the first time. She was horrified. "How can they do that?"

My local United Methodist church (I'm a trustee) sponsors Narcotics Anonymous meetings and participates in food pantry and senior meal distribution. We have our own team for the local AIDS walk. Those of us who went to the Women's March in January 2017 were blessed by the pastor during the preceding Sunday service.

Not all churches are raving, radical conservatives. And Jesus himself was a raving, radical liberal!

[Duppers]

56. I know Southern Baptist support GOP RW ideology.

Years ago, back during the Shrub/Cheney reign, I emailed southern churches info about the crimes and asked that they speak out against the trumped up war based on lies.

Only one church, the huge one where my mother attended all her life, wrote back and in so many words told me to mind my own business.

I wish you much luck! Every dem attending a church service should have your courage!

(Other than for an occasional wedding, this old cootess hasn't been in five decades.)

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

64. Go get em...

You have a different kind of grit, no that kind is not grocery.

[lunamagica]

68. You are so brave. Thank you so much for taking such an heroic action

[lunamagica]

69. Please, tape the whole thing. Make a video that can go viral.

[Duppers]

70. See this post for inspiration

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218285584


Grits has grit! Go Girl!

[bronxiteforever]

71. Kick and recommend.

[cwydro]

74. Please let us know how it goes. nt

[Sneederbunk]

77. The congregation may be more surprised by your attendance

than what you have to say.

[Tipperary]

92. Indeed. eom

[onecent]

83. GOOD FOR YOU. We all have to do something for these kids that are being torn away from

their birth father and their birth mother.

How would THE DRUMP like it if we took IVANKA away.....
Who would really care...is the way I feel about it.

Thanks for doing this....it makes me happy to see people let out all this stuff!!!

And you will have alot more people helping you.

[Kaleva]

85. Kudos to ytou for going well above and beyond compared to what me and others do.

[TNNurse]

87. I do not think you will be arrested, HOWEVER,

if you need bail money, let us know.

[Iggo]

98. This.

I'll kick in.

[malaise]

123. Why I love DU

[yortsed snacilbuper]

93. Dubya is a methodi$t,

I was raised Methodist and always pretended like I believed that $hit, promptly became an Atheist, and never been happier.

[tammywammy]

101. Hillary Clinton is Methodist. n/t

[yortsed snacilbuper]

116. dubya is a religous nut,

the xtians put him in office.

[Ilsa]

119. Dubya is a methodist because that is Laura's

Denomination. W would go to church with the ultra conservative, nondenominational crowd if he could. It was that kind of minister who got him to repent.

[kwassa]

97. Why are you disrupting a church where you are not a member?

You have no connection with this church, if you don't actively attend. They owe you nothing.

[Laffy Kat]

104. You go, grits!

I for one will be standing with you in spirit. Let us know how it goes.

[Tipperary]

118. But we will not be posted on how it goes,

[rzemanfl]

121. Huh? n/t

[bucolic_frolic]

105. As long as you're polite and don't challenge their tax exempt status you'll be fine

[mahina]

112. I'd sit tight till the call for prayers comes near the end and ask for help for them.

Last edited Sun May 27, 2018, 09:52 AM - Edit history (1)

Bet you’ll get a lot of support. There are those in the audience who are with you.

Good luck Grits, love you and your passion. This must change. I’ll be doing the same this morning.

Also, we’re calling on all our representatives to demand congressional oversight of ICE, now.

[Maraya1969]

113. I love you !!!!!! You are what this world is looking for.

I'm serious. You are wonderful.

[malaise]

115. And that's the truth