Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction - June 2015 Update with Reverend Dr. Israel Alvaran of Chicago, Illinois, United States for Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction - June 2015 Update with Reverend Dr. Israel Alvaran of Chicago, Illinois, United States for Tuesday, 2 June 2015



"Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit!"

The prophet Zechariah echoed God's declaration pretty clear: only by God's spirit - the ruach - God's breath, shall we become successful in our struggle for justice and a better way of being the Beloved Community.
We might have the best legislative plan, the most amazing strategies and tactics, and brilliant, courageous leadership - but absent the acknowledgment that it is God's spirit that changes people's hearts and minds, we will negate the gifts and graces we bring to the table of reconciliation.
This is such a humbling realization, yet a necessary one. We are one year away from General Conference. We are in Annual Conference mode. We have all the draft resolutions ready and our colorful stoles on hand. But the Spirit of Grace reminds us to pause and take deep breaths. While we do all this work, remember that it is the Spirit that works on healing and conversion.
Our role is to be faithful witnesses. Let the mighty Spirit flow through us in quiet moments of prayer. Let God's Breath sustain our conversations with people. Let our struggle be with our own desire to win with shock and awe. Listen, for God speaks by the silent streams of water.
I am excited to visit some Annual Conference sessions this June: Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, California-Nevada, California-Pacific, and Pacific Northwest. May your annual gatherings be awash with the Spirit's power.
In God's grace,

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 312-488-5313
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Reconciling by the Numbers: New Reconciling Churches and Communities
Here's some good news you can bring to your Annual Conference Reconciling gatherings - 15 new Reconciling Churches and Communities since May 2014. Congratulations! Welcome to our growing Reconciling family!
Alaska
- Soldotna Food Pantry at Soldotna UMC, Soldotna AK
California-Nevada
- Forestville UMC, Forestville CA
California-Pacific
- University UMC: Isla Vista Student Ministry/Santa Barbara Korean UMC,
Isla Vista CA
- First UMC, El Centro CA
Desert Southwest
- Boulder City United Methodist Fellowship, Boulder City NV
- Dayspring UMC, Tempe AZ
Oregon-Idaho
- Wesley UMC, Eugene OR
- St. Paul's UMC, Milwaukie OR
- Montavilla UMC, Portland OR
- Inclusiveness Committee of Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego OR
Pacific Northwest
- Brownsville UMC, Bremerton WA
Rocky Mountain
- In the World, Denver CO
- Green Mountain UMC, Lakewood CO
- First UMC, Alamosa CO
- First UMC, Fort Collins CO
Support our Love Your Neighbor Coalition!

The Love Your Neighbor Coalition (LYNC) - which includes RMN - is a coalition of United Methodists committed to the embodiment of God's love and justice within and through the people and mission of The United Methodist Church to assure The UMC is fully open to the presence, love and grace of God offered to all people. LYNC would like to announce the launch of a new website which contains a joint statement, “A Vision for The United Methodist Church” designed to guide our denomination as we begin to prepare for General Conference in 2016. Please read and consider signing on!
Are you going to San Antonio?
Join Progressive United Methodists on August 6-9, 2015 in San Antonio, TX

The Gather at the River event is 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 young adults and people of color. Consider donating money for scholarships here. See you in San Antonio, TX!
Check out the incredible line-up of Gather workshops!
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 skill 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 call me if you have questions or would like to host a training:izzy@rmnetwork.org, 510-717-4894
June 4, 2015 (Thursday, 9AM - 5PM)
St. John UMC - Anchorage AK
Register here
July 25, 2015 (Saturday, 9AM - 4PM)
Harris UMC - Honolulu HI
Register here
October 3, 2015 (Saturday, 9:30AM - 3:30PM)
Hillview UMC - Boise ID
Register here
We are still working to get a workshop up for Salt Lake City, UT, San Luis Obispo, CA, and San Diego, CA. Check here for training events across the country.
Host a training in your area
Got Rainbow Stoles?

You've seen these colorful stoles at many RMN events and during Annual and General Conference witness actions. The national Parents' Reconciling Network (PRN), an RMN extension ministry, has a Stole Project gearing up to make and distribute 2000 stoles at the 2016 UMC General Conference in Portland.
PRN is looking for volunteer sewers for this project. Instructions and fabric can be sent to you (in multiples of 10 stoles), to be returned to Anne Lewis for delivery to General Conference next year.
To volunteer, please contact Anne Lewis of Woodland Park UMC, WA at woodlandparkumc@gmail.com.
If you would like make stoles for your own congregation or Annual Conference, Anne can send a pattern and instructions, and information about the fabric chosen for GC 2016.
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: Pastor Jaime Nieves
Yellowstone: Mary Maheras
Connect with your conference Reconciling teams on Facebook - "like" their page!
California-Nevada Conference Committee on Reconciliation
Pacific Northwest - Reconciling Ministries Network
California-Pacific Conference Reconciling Ministries Network
Rocky Mountain Reconciling Ministries Network
Alaska Reconciling Ministries Network
Yellowstone Conference Voices of Reconciling Ministries
What YOU can do to help grow our movement:
1,000 new Reconciling United Methodists in 2015!
RMN encourages Reconciling leaders to do a RUM sign-up drive in your church. Online sign-ups can be done here, or you can download and print RUM sign-up cards here and mail them to RMN at 123 W. Madison Street, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60602.
Together, we are building power as we head to General Conference 2016 in Portland, OR!
Email Izzy with questions on how to get connected to your local team
____________________________