Call - Report 5 from Ohio

There are 606 delegates to General Conference from the United States of America.
We just called all of them.

In what may be the biggest phone bank for justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in history, the 670 attendees of Sing A New Song have just dialed their phones and had conversations with hundreds of United Methodists letting them know that we care about our church and are praying for them.

I cannot begin to tell you how exciting it was. 670 people in a large banquet room dialing in unison and then pressing "send" at the exact same moment.
The room went silent for a few seconds.
And then the first person shot their thumb into the air! Someone answered. A small bell rang to signify that we made contact. Then another, another, and another. Gentle bells were ringing non-stop. The room was alive with humming voices.

"I'm just calling because I'm a Methodist too and I want you to know I care deeply about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in our church."

"Thank you for being a delegate! I want to let you know that I am praying for you and look forward to our work together in Tampa."

"Good afternoon Rev. I've been a Methodist my whole life and I learned in Sunday School that God loves us all."

"Hello District Superintendent, sorry to have missed you but wanted to be sure to leave you a message..."

People were running to hand in their reporting forms.
"I made two calls! Can I make any more?"
"I didn't get my delegate, can I call them back later?"
"Is it all right if I write a letter to them too?"
"My delegate said they're supportive! They're from Texas."

Connections.
Relationships.
Conversations.
Prayer.
The church is on the move.
The Spirit is moving.
I wish you could have seen the people making these calls.

Pastors. Young adults. Senior citizens. Church staff. People in this movement for a long time. People who are at an event like this for the first time.

From the second chapter of Acts...
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

The Spirit gives us the ability today.