Missionary Renegade: The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction April Update - To New Life and Celebration! with Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran of Chicago, Illinois, United States "General Conference Checklist!" for Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Friday, April 8, 2016

The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction April Update - To New Life and Celebration! with Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran of Chicago, Illinois, United States "General Conference Checklist!" for Wednesday, 6 April 2016

The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction April Update - To New Life and Celebration! with Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran of Chicago, Illinois, United States "General Conference Checklist!" for Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Celebrating New Life and Change!

We celebrate Easter and the advent of springtime in the shadow of the 2016 General Conference (GC) of the United Methodist Church - a quadrennial event that celebrates our life together as a part of Christ's Body, but has also been the venue of disappointment and hurt for the Reconciling movement over the last four decades.
We are children of the Resurrection. We believe that new life comes from the experience of dying. We are not afraid of death, and of change - and the birth pains that usher new life. With hope and faith, we arise and claim life as children of the Risen One. May this be the spirit that warms our hearts as we pray and participate at General Conference - one of unyielding hope in life.
Some of us will be in Portland, Oregon next month as delegates, advocates, and volunteers at this event. Most of us will be home and in our local congregations - but we can be part of creating change. This email is all about what we can do as Reconciling people to celebrate life and change in The United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 312-488-5313
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Celebrate "It's Time" Sunday

In preparation for General Conference, all Reconciling Communities are invited to participate in "It's Time Sunday" by joining together in worship, posting "It's Time" photos on social media, and boosting our numbers as a Network before General Conference by hosting Reconciling United Methodists sign-up drives.
Download resources to equip your congregation in this special Sunday as we invite the Spirit to unite us in shared prayer just nine days before General Conference begins.
Download resources for "It's Time" Sunday
Sign the Open Letter to all GC Delegates

General Conference delegates from around the world will convene in Portland, Oregon next month to consider and vote on proposed legislation that changes and updates our denomination's Book of Discipline.
Let all delegates know that you support proposals that will take out discriminatory laws and policies against LGBTQIA persons. Please sign the letter online by clicking on the button below. I also encourage you to do a signature campaign in your church. Download the sign-on letter by clicking the button below.
We have over 800 signatures already and we can get more before General Conference. Please scan and email the signed letter by May 5, 2016 toizzy@rmnetwork.org.
Sign the Open Letter
Download Letter for Sign-On Drive
Screen "An Act of Love"

An Act of Love is a documentary about Rev. Frank Schaefer’s religious trials for officiating his son’s same-sex marriage. RMN is partnering with the filmmakers to lead screenings and discussions across the country.
Click here to learn more about the film.
RMN has prepared a toolkit that you can use to prepare, promote, and benefit from a screening of this great film.
Learn more about how to host your own screening here.
Screenings in the Western Jurisdiction
April 9, 10AM (free admission)
Tigard UMC, 9845 SW Walnut Place, Tigard OR 97223
April 10, 1:30PM (free admission)
Sacramento First UMC, 2100 J St, Sacramento CA 95816
April 10, 6:30PM (free admission)
Community UMC, 6652 Heil Ave, Huntington Beach CA 92647
April 13 (free admission) please call (206) 282-4307 for details
Queen Anne UMC, 1606 5th Avenue W, Seattle, WA 98119
April 17, 11AM (free admission)
Twin Towers UMC, 1411 Oak St, Alameda CA 94501
April 23, 1PM (free admission)
Hillview UMC, 8525 W Ustick Rd, Boise, ID 83704
April 29 (free admission) - Call (619) 656-2525 for details
Chula Vista First UMC, 1200 E St, Chula Vista CA 91910
Includes Q&A with Rev. Frank Schaefer
April 22 (free admission) - Please call (650) 323-6167 for details
Palo Alto First UMC, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
May 5, 7PM (free admission)
Laguna Beach UMC, 21632 Wesley Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Includes Q&A with Rev. Frank Schaefer
Host a Film Screening
Host a "Building an Inclusive Church" Workshop

Do you want to help increase the number of Reconciling churches, communities, and campus ministries? Host a training to make a difference locally. If we seek change, we have to invest in empowering our congregations to stand up and decide to become Reconciling communities.
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: various identities, framing, steps of the Reconciling Process, graceful engagement, and conflict management.
We have the following BIC workshop scheduled in our jurisdiction:
April 9, 2016 / 11AM-6PM / Elk Grove UMC - Elk Grove CA
Please email or call me if you have questions or would like to host a training:izzy@rmnetwork.org, 510-717-4894
Host a training in your area
Connect with your local Reconciling team