Articles

United Methodist Church proposes historic split over gay marriage and LGBT clergy

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Greg Dell at desk in office at Broadway UMC

WGN9 video screenshot

January 3, 2020

By CNN Wire and Ben Bradley, WGN9, Chicago

United Methodist Church bishops and leaders are proposing a split into more than one denomination in a bid to resolve years of debate over LGBT clergy and same-sex weddings, according to the church's official news agency.

The proposal, from a 16-member group of bishops and church leaders, says a separation Read more

A letter to Greg Dell

November 20, 2016

This letter is a report to the Community United Methodist Church 2016 Charge Conference from Rev. Robert Harman, the Senior Pastor who welcomed Greg to his first appointment in Naperville, IL beginning in June of 1970. Published here with permission of Rev. Robert J. Harman.

Dear Greg,

I received a request the other day for my annual report to the Church Conference at Community United Methodist Church in Naperville. I cannot think about CUMC today without a filter named Greg Dell.

In 1970, the Pastor Parish Committee decided it was time to request the appointment Read more

Remembering Greg Dell

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Hal Baim/Windy City Times

November 15, 2016

By Jan Hensley-Olson, Affirmation newsletter, Vol. 42, Issue 1, Fall 2016

Affirmation and all organizations and individuals that fight for a more justice-filled world have lost a beloved friend. Gregory Robert Dell, age 70, passed away in Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, October 30, 2016, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Greg has spent a lifetime championing the disenfranchised.

Greg was a pastor Read more

Rev. Greg Dell: a remembrance

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Josh Hawkins

November 8, 2016

By Tom Holmes, OakPark.com

Pastor Greg Dell died on Oct. 30, 2016 from the complications of Parkinson's Disease. Many older members of Euclid Ave. Methodist Church here in Oak Park remember him from the years he served that congregation from 1985 to 1995.Read more

Community remembers LGBTQ ally Rev. Gregory Dell

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Windy City Times file photo

November 3, 2016

By Gretchen Rachel Hammond, Windy City Times

When people attended one of Rev. Gregory Dell's services at Lakeview's Broadway United Methodist Church (BUMC), no matter what their race, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic background or level in society, the first thing they heard was "we don't just tolerate you, we celebrate you."Read more

A revolutionary in our midst

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Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune

November 1, 2016

By Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune

On days when it seems that the world is tumbling backward, it helps to remember how far we've come.

The death of the Rev. Greg Dell on Sunday, at the age of 70, is one reminder.Read more

Remembering Greg Dell

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October 31, 2016

By cathy knight, executive director, Church Within A Church Movement

The Church Within A Church Movement grieves the death of Rev. Greg Dell who passed Sunday October 30, 2016.

Greg has been the foundation on which we stand in this Movement. Greg was the founding co-convener of CWACM and guiding light for 15 years.Read more

Pages

Thoughts by and about Greg

This [ministry] is what I love to do. But if it costs you your integrity to survive, it's not worth surviving.

Pastor Greg Dell
I can't do anything different.

My religion says that I'm to serve all people.

I can't serve some and not others.

Pastor Greg Dell
He was funny as all get out. His sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye. Everyone who knew Greg could tell you about that expression.

He had the ability to take meaningful things seriously and maintain a sense of humor and a lightness about himself personally.

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, pastor Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
He really had a heart for justice.

They were not just words for him. It was his way of life.

Everything was about justice and equity for him.

Rev. Vernice Thorn, retired pastor, member CWACM
I became convinced... that the gospel, that which was giving life to people, was really expressed in the civil-rights movement and its insistence on justice and fairness for all people regardless of their identity.

Injustice in any form was injustice in all of its forms.

Pastor Greg Dell
[Greg was] a beacon on love and inclusion.

Greg's sermons were awe-inspiring, blending scripture with current events and person[al] experience then bringing it home to the scripture.

Scott McGowan, attended Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
His witness has made a difference both transforming one person and in the larger story of the movement for inclusion.

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, pastor Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
In every fiber of his being, Greg really believed in the love of God having the kind of power that can overcome earthly power.

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, pastor Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
He taught me how to create my own identity and my own voice and he gave me space to do that. He would step back and push me forward.

Rev. Vernice Thorn, retired pastor, member CWACM
Don't violate the character and nature that God gave you. It is something to be treasured, loved and expressed.

Pastor Greg Dell
I loved hearing his voice and there was a physical joy about him when he preached.

Jim Bennett, Lambda Legal Midwest Regional Director; member Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
Greg in his ministry believed and believes that the church 'rite' of marriage ought be provided 'for all,' despite the fact in the United Methodist Church today, it is only 'afforded to some.'

Rev. Gil Caldwell
Putting faith to action is a huge piece of what he [Greg] gave the church.

Jacqueline Boyd, director of music, Broadway United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL
Greg said many times at Euclid that part of a deep faith is an ability to be angry about situations involving pain and loss, but that [those situations] never have the last word. This disease will not destroy him. It isn't the last word.

Carl Rinder, member of Euclid Methodist Church, Oak Park, IL
Everyone knows what a soft spot Greg has in his heart for the babies and little ones. I think baptisms were always one of his favorite “duties.”

He beamed with joy and delight as he held our daughter aloft in a jubilant procession around the sanctuary, proclaiming, “Welcome your new sister, sisters and brothers” as everyone clapped and cheered.

Katy Clusen, member of Broadway Methodist Church, Chicago, IL
On my last visit with Greg... I told him how his consistent message of God's love for LGBTQI persons has saved lives, and that the risks he took to challenge UM polity on our behalf will continue to energize CWACM.

We've all been changed for knowing you, Greg. Rest, now. You've taught us well. We'll take it from here.

cathy knight, executive director, Church Within A Church Movement
This is how God made us, all different, so beautiful, a garden of humanity, and we should be able to come together and be who we are.

Pastor Gregory Dell

Tribute to Greg Dell

This is how God made us... we should be able to come together and be who we are.

Articles

United Methodist Church proposes historic split over gay marriage and LGBT clergy

GregDell-WGN9video-UMCsplit-2020-01.jpg

A letter to Greg Dell

Remembering Greg Dell

CGH-GregDell.jpg

Rev. Greg Dell: a remembrance

OP-GregDell.jpg

Community remembers LGBTQ ally Rev. Gregory Dell

WCT-GregDell-Podium.jpg

A revolutionary in our midst

CT-GregDell-BroadwayUMC.jpg

Remembering Greg Dell

IWU-Jade-and-GregDell.jpg

Pages

Thoughts by and about Greg