“On May 1, I will no longer be a member of the United Methodist Church,” said Boyette, who has already been approved – effective Sunday - as a clergyperson in the new denomination. Its transitional doctrine includes a belief that marriage is between one man and one woman, and clergy must adhere to it – a core point of division in the UMC for decades.īoyette said he expects some churches and pastors to announce Sunday they are joining the Global Methodist Church.
“It’ll be more of a rolling celebration.” Keith Boyette, chairman of the new denomination’s Transitional Leadership Council and a United Methodist minister in Virginia. “This is the date that we can start receiving churches as they leave the United Methodist Church, and that’s going to occur over a considerable amount of time,” said the Rev. Harvey acknowledged the inevitable splintering of the denomination when she preached April 25 during her final address as the Council of Bishops president, “I also realize that it might be time to bless and send our sisters and brothers who cannot remain under the big tent.”Ī leader of the breakaway movement indicated Sunday’s launch would take place with little fanfare. “What we are interested in is a discovery of what God has in mind for us on the horizon as the next expression of who we are as United Methodists.”īickerton, who heads the UMC’s New York City region, succeeded Louisiana-based Cynthia Fierro Harvey as president of the bishops’ council. “We are the United Methodist Church not interested in continuing sexism, racism, homophobia, irrelevancy and decline,” he said. He urged the UMC, even as it suffers defections, to think of May 1 as its launch day as well. Replaced with a virtual/online rally.He said he prays the infighting will stop and the UMC will rediscover its mission to make disciples for Christ. Baldwin, Mike Webb, and Constable Alan RosenĪtlantis Narcisse, Dee Dee Watters, Ana Andrea Molina and Monica RobertĬancelled caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Tony Carroll, Marion Coleman, and Arden Eversmeyerīob Briddick, Julie Mabry, and Josephine Tittsworth Lou Weaver, Sallie Wyatt-Woodell, and Aimee Broadhurst Nicolas Brines, Jenifer Rene Pool and Council Member Ellen Cohen The Royal, Sovereign, and Imperial Court of the Single Star Gene Harrington, Jack Jackson & Linda Morales
Houston Pride Themes & Parade Grand Marshals Year Priscilla (best float by a non-profit group).Pink Diamond (best float by a for-profit company).AwardsĮntries in the parade are eligible for awards in categories with cultural references significant to LGBT history as well as a judges pick and categories with more localized focus: It was the first and only time the parade was cancelled. The Houston Pride parade was expected to take place in the fall for the first time in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic., however due to the increasing cases in Houston the 2020 Pride Parade became replaced with a virtual rally. The 2015 Houston Pride Festival attracted 700,000 attendees, which set a new record. It is currently the most attended and largest gay pride event in Texas, the Southwest region of the United States, and the second largest Houston-organized event in the city behind Houston Rodeo. Owing partially to concerns over increasing congestion over the years in the nearby neighborhoods, and to accommodate a larger festival (held in the daytime before the parade itself), the 2015 parade was moved to downtown Houston. The route of the parade usually had been along Westheimer Road, from Dunlavy Street to Crocker Street. Until 2015, it took place in Houston's most gay-friendly neighborhood, Montrose. With the event after dark, the various units can be creatively illuminated. The necessary revision in a Houston parade ordinance to allow a nighttime parade was facilitated by then-Houston City Council member Annise Parker.
The highlight of the event is the parade, which has been held in the evening after sunset since 1997. The festivities are held all day on the 4th Saturday of June.