The buzz you’re hearing in the Methodist world is an unprecedented convergence of events, all of which center on the conjoined issues of clergy covenant and same-sex marriage.

The rush includes a retired seminary dean & president in New York state who is also an ordained elder in our connection:

http://global.christianpost.com/news/rev-thomas-ogletree-officiated-same-sex-ceremony-facing-canonical-trial-95792/

A former missionary to the Philippines now serving as a pastor in Massachusetts:

http://truthinprogress.com/2013/05/dear-united-methodist-church-what-if-the-church-gave-a-trial-and-nobody-came/

A pastor under appointment in Binghamton, NY writing an open letter to his bishop:

http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/05/pastor-comes-out-to-his-bishop-for-marriage-equality.html

An Annual Conference in Texas caught up in a commotion over a candidate for ordained ministry:

http://www.unitedmethodistreporter.com/2013/06/furor-over-block-to-gay-clergy-candidate/

For background on the Texas story, check here:  http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/04/convo-weddings.html

And, closer to home, a provocative decision regarding wedding-ceremonies-in-church by a congregation in Winston-Salem:

http://greenstreetchurch.org/public-statement-weddings-green-street-united-methodist-church/

Whew.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring? 

Can factions that speak such different languages and see the world through such different lenses possibly stay together over the long haul?