Reconciliation Ministries Network Western Jurisdiction - March 2015 Update with Izzy Alvaran "Coming out to the church!" for Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Reconciliation Ministries Network Western Jurisdiction - March 2015 Update with Izzy Alvaran "Coming out to the church!" for Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Coming Out: Tearing Down the Temple's Veil

We are in the liturgical season of Lent which invites us to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus' passion and death. Lent started a bit early for me. I had the rare privilege to speak before the Connectional Table of The UMC last month. They hosted the third and last panel conversation on human sexuality in Maputo, Mozambique on Feb. 10, 2015.
I urge you to watch a video of the panel, and share it with others. I also wrote a blog article about my experience which you could read here. I believe the Spirit's witness at this event was palpable and touched many hearts.
I read a comment about this event that was critical of what I shared. A brother said that my official coming out to the church was akin to the ripping apart of the Temple's veil when Jesus died on the cross - that our church is being torn apart by our witness. When the Temple's veil - separating the holiest part of the sanctuary from people, where only the high priest could enter - was ripped apart by the Spirit, grace flowed from the cross. My coming out to the church tore the veil of my closeted gay existence open with a burst of God's unconditional love. The Spirit imbued me with courage, with your prayers of support lifting me up from the depths of fear and shame that kept me in closet for so long.
Many still remain behind the veil of the closet. Many allies are afraid to come out and stand with their LGBTQ friends and loved ones. Many still feel pain for being shunned for who they are by their church and family. Many are being bullied and denied the hand of Christian fellowship. Many have died echoing hopelessness. This season of Lent, let us remember all of them. May the Spirit rip apart the veil of apathy. May God shred the veil of discrimination against LGBTQ persons, and allow grace and love to flow freely to all people.
We have news and opportunities below to help us rip that veil open. I invite you to read on and share this email with others.
With grace and love,

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 312-488-5313
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Watch the Connectional Table Panel in Mozambique
Bishop Melvin Talbert to Visit Pacific Northwest Reconciling Ministries Events (March 21, 22)

THE GATHERING
"Biblical Obedience and Inclusion: Learning, Engaging, Taking Action"
Bellevue First UMC, 1934 108th Avenue NE, Bellevue WA 98004
March 21, 2015 / 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Pacific Northwest - Reconciling Ministries Network's (PNW-RMN) "The Gathering", is an annual event for learning and fellowship.
Keynote speakers:
- Bishop Melvin Talbert, retired UMC Bishop and member of the RMN Board.
- Jennifer Bird, author of a forthcoming book "Permission Granted: take the Bible Into Your Own Hands."
Workshop offerings include:
Helping Families with Coming Out Issues
Beyond Marriage: Queer Issues in the 21st Century
Sexuality: What we Don't Discuss - Looking at the Rest of the Spectrum
Living Your Welcome
Transgender 101
Stepping Up as an AllyClick here to register online, or download the registration form here. If you have inquiries, please contact Jane Brazell, m.jane.brazell@gmail.com.

WORSHIP AND LUNCH WITH BISHOP TALBERT
Seattle First UMC,
180 Denny Way
Seattle WA 98109
March 22, 2015
(9AM, 10:30AM, 12-2PM)
Bishop Talbert will be preaching at the9AM and 10:30AM services. Lunch fellowship will be from 12PM-2PM. Please register here to RSVP. The cost for lunch is $10. We have limited space so please register early.
Email Izzy with conference or local church updates and news
Learning Opportunities Coming Up!
Register Now! "Building an Inclusive Church" Workshops

Do you want to help increase the number of Reconciling churches, communities and campus ministries? Please join us at one of our upcoming trainings to make a difference locally. In the past year we trained over 250 United Methodists on how to be Reconciling Process Coaches.
RMN has identified over 500 prospective Reconciling congregations – we need your help to engage them in widening their welcome to our LGBTQ siblings. Each process coach training will include skills building around topics common in the Reconciling process including: complex identities, framing, steps of the Reconciling Process, graceful engagement, and conflict management.
These events are free, and donations are welcome. Please register online, and email or me if you have questions or would like to host a training:izzy@rmnetwork.org, 312-488-5313.
March 28, 2015 (Saturday, 9AM – 3PM)
Iliff School of Theology – Denver, CO
Register here
April 18, 2015 (Saturday, 10AM - 3PM)
Redding First UMC - Redding, CA
Register here
April 25, 2015 (Saturday, 10AM - 4PM)
Desert Southwest Conference Center - Phoenix, AZ
Register here
May 16, 2015 (Saturday, 9AM - 3PM)
Westchester UMC - Los Angeles, CA
Register here
We are also looking forward to confirming training dates in Anchorage, AK, Honolulu, HI, and Salt Lake City, UT. We will have more information in the coming months.Check here for training events across the country.
Host a training in your area
Come to "Gather at the River" Convocation
Join Progressive United Methodists on August 6-9, 2015 in San Antonio, TX

Save the date, register, and be at this convocation in August! Jointly sponsored by RMN and Methodist Federation for Social Action, together with other affinity groups and caucuses in our church, "Gather at the River" promises to be an oasis of education and fellowship for progressive and Reconciling United Methodists. We encourage you and your local church to share resources for scholarships to enable many to attend, especially transgender persons, LGBTQ youth and people of color. Consider donating money for scholarships here. See you in San Antonio TX!
Our Witness @ Intersections of Ministry
Inspiring 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. Share them with our Reconciling family.

Draw the Circle Wider: Ministry Without Fear
Matt Berryman, RMN Executive Director, and Bishop Melvin Talbert have been going around our southern jurisdictions on our "Ministry Without Fear" witness tour. Our fabulous Southeastern Jurisdiction regional organizer Helen Ryde put this event together with Florida Reconciling United Methodists. Watch the archived video of their latest visit to Orlando, FL here.
Got Rainbow Stoles?

You've seen these colorful stoles at many RMN events and during Annual and General Conference witness actions, and are probably wondering how you could order them for your congregation. Well, look no further. The Parents' Reconciling Network (PRN), an RMN extension ministry, has a Stole Project which you could support and get your stoles in time for annual conference. PRN is also looking for volunteer sewers for this project. To volunteer and/or to order your stoles, please contact Anne Lewis of Woodland Park UMC, WA at woodlandparkumc@gmail.com.
Connect with Your Local Team

Contact your conference's Reconciling team leaders below to know how you can participate in local activities and witness.
Alaska: Rev. Cindy Roberts
Desert Southwest: Rev. Stephen Govett
California-Nevada: Beth Synder
California-Pacific: Jason Takagi
Pacific Northwest: Rev. Vince Hart
Oregon-Idaho: Deborah Maria
Rocky Mountain: Rev. Jaime Nieves
Yellowstone: Mary Maheras
What YOU can do to help grow our movement
____________________________