The season of Advent is my favorite time of the year. I do love Christmas, but it is in the anticipation of joy and peace,and the arduous work of struggling for justice – necessary for the fullness of Advent – that I encounter the nameless, faceless, voiceless in our community, all longing for the warm embrace of love. In Advent I see the intersections of injustice, calling me to stand at the crossroads as a witness against a system that excludes and discriminates against women, people of color, the working poor, and the LGBTQIA community.
I hope you’ll read on and hear other voices crying out from these intersections and be inspired to explore ministry that seeks the flourishing of all people and not just a few. Read on and celebrate what we have done this year, and look forward to great opportunities to strengthen our movement in the coming year.
In solidarity,
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Our Witness in the Western Jurisdiction in 2014
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We anticipate the challenges of the future by celebrating the fruits of our labor this past year. We are proud of the new annual conference reconciling teams that have been organized from the ground up: Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and California-Pacific. We added 14 prospective reconciling congregations the past 12 months, and congratulate the following churches/communities that officially joined the ranks of reconciling communities this year:
Aldersgate UMC - Juneau, AK
Cedar Cross UMC - Mill Creek, WA
The Bridge - Tacoma, WA
Queen Anne UMC - Seattle, WA
United Church of Ferndale - Ferndale, WA
United Church - University Place, WA
In the World - Denver, CO
The Heart of Longmont at First UMC - Longmont, CO
Aspen Community UMC - Aspen, CO
WARM (Welcoming, Affirming, Reconciling Methodists) at Fort Collins First UMC - Fort Collins, CO
Sierra Pines UMC - Grass Valley, CA
Willits UMC - Willits, CA
First UMC - Sacramento, CA
University UMC: Isla Vista Student Ministry and Santa Barbara Korean UMC - Isla Vista, CA
Mesa Verde UMC - Costa Mesa, CA
Trinity UMC - Los Osos, CA
San Luis Obispo UMC - San Luis Obispo, CA
Harris UMC - Honolulu, HI
Desert Southwest Conference
Boulder City UM Fellowship - Boulder City, NV
Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists - OR / ID
Montavilla UMC - Portland, OR
Lake Oswego UMC - Lake Oswego, OR
Lincoln Street UMC - Portland, OR
Gresham UMC - Gresham, OR
To encourage more organizing work, we offered trainings in building inclusive communities in Alameda CA, Denver CO, Helena MT, Portland OR, Fort Collins CO, and Claremont CA. We also added over 400 new reconciling United Methodists (RUMs), doubling the number of new sign-ups from last year.
To cap off this year’s witness, I encourage you to do a RUM sign-up drive over the holidays. Online sign-ups can be done here, or you can download and print RUM sign-up cards here and mail them to RMN.
Together, we are building power as we head to General Conference 2016 in Portland, OR!
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Our Witness @ Intersections of Ministry
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Inspiring us and challenging us to remain faithful to our witness are prophets crying out in the wilderness of injustice. Opportunities to be in intersectional ministry offer fresh ways we can be in solidarity with the LGBTQIA community.
Transgender Rights, Racial Justice, and U.S. Militarism – Read the Advent reflections of Pastor Jeanelle Ablola (pictured on the left) on the brutal murder of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman, at the hands of a U.S. Marine: “During Advent, we anticipate the arrival of Emmanuel, of God with us. We anticipate and prepare for that moment when the lines blur between the divine and human, between heaven and earth. We anticipate that moment when God breaks into human history by being birthed into a human body. In waiting for this moment’s arrival, I also cannot help but grieve the damage that has been done recently to the bodies of Others.” Click here to read more. |
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Crossing Borders: Bodies and Identities in Migration – Immigration reform and the plight of immigrants in the United States is a concern we all share as reconciling people. Church World Service invites us to a webinar on Dec. 18th 12:30-1:45pm ESTto explore ways to be in ministry with LGBTQIA immigrants and refugees. I will be on the panel to share about the work we do at RMN. Check the flyer below and register here. |
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Learning Opportunities: "Building an Inclusive Church" Trainings
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We have confirmed two trainings in California and Colorado, with more to come in 2015. These events are free, and donations are welcome. Register and spread the word!
March 7, 2015 (Saturday, 10am – 4pm)
Wesley UMC – San Jose, CA
Register here
March 21, 2015 (Saturday, 9am – 3pm)
Park Hill UMC – Denver, CO
Register here
We anticipate confirmation of training dates soon for Phoenix AZ, Honolulu HI, and Salt Lake UT. Check here for RMN’s training schedule.
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Connect with Your Local Team
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Contact your conference's reconciling team leaders below to know how you can participate in local activities and witness.
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