Articles

Articles about Greg's ministry and the people it touched.

See also Media Coverage of the Charges Against Greg, the Trial, and the Appeal for articles about the events of 1998-2000.

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.

June 01, 2014

By Lois McCullen Parr, former Pastor of Broadway UMC

As we welcome Frank Schaefer this night, celebrating the prophetic role that has moved him into the national spotlight, we also recall our own history in the Northern Illinois Conference, and an earlier prophet among us.

January 13, 2014

By Steve Chawkins

When retired Methodist bishop Jack Tuell was asked how he changed his mind on issues of gay ordination and gay marriage, he explained it simply: “I changed my mind when I changed my heart.”

But the answer was more complicated.....

Greg Dell in front of a "We M.I.N.D." banner.

October 25, 2012

Blog post by Robin Miles, from the group MIND (Methodists in New Directions) in New York

This post is in honor of Greg Dell. I realize you probably have no idea who that is. I’m sure there are others who feel the way I do about him; that he is one of the most genuine human beings I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and I miss him.

cathy knight presents award to Greg Dell as Gilbert Caldwell looks on.

September 30, 2009

By cathy knight / CWACM

On September 26, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois, at the second awards event of the Church Within A Church Movement, the Rev. Greg Dell received the Gilbert H. Caldwell Justice Ministry award.

Crowd of protesters holding signs on a city street in Chicago.

September 16, 2009

By William Burks, Windy City Times

A decade ago, Windy City Times became an inadvertent player in the history of the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the life of Rev. Greg Dell, then-pastor of Lakeview's Broadway Methodist Church, when it published a front-page news story with pictures of a commitment ceremony held at the church.

Greg Dell standing in a doorway in a long hallway.

October 12, 2008

Story by Kate Arthur, IWU Magazine, Volume 17, Issue 3: Fall 2008

There are days when Greg Dell can’t speak for anyone. Days that his words are too soft, too breathy, too slurred, or too slow for anyone to understand. And on those days, he knows he has to be patient and wait until the speech muscles weakened by Parkinson’s disease allow him to form words again.

Thoughts by and about Greg

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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Don't violate the character and nature that God gave you. It is something to be treasured, loved and expressed.

Pastor Greg Dell
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
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
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
[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
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
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
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
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
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

Tribute to Greg Dell

Articles

Remembering Greg Dell, Founding Co-Convener of CWACM

A History of Prophets

Bishop Jack Tuell Had Change of Heart on Gay Issues

In Honor of Greg Dell

The Rev. Gregory Dell Receives Justice Ministry Award and Apology

Greg Dell’s Path to Making History

Faith Beyond Words

Thoughts by and about Greg

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Thoughts by and about Greg