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We have decided to follow Jesus...
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The past weeks after the Judicial Council issued decisions related to the election and consecration of an openly LGBTQ bishop and the candidacy, commissioning, and ordination of LGBTQ clergy have been spent in reflection, prayer, and resistance. Harm against LGBTQ persons in The UMC has been heightened. Read news and commentary here.
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We have decided to follow Jesus, and there will be no turning back. The Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops' responded with a pastoral letter that affirmed Bishop Karen Oliveto's ministry as bishop and the gifts and graces of our LGBTQ clergy and candidates. The emerging United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus issued a statement on April 28th emphasizing that "these decisions do not negate our call to ordained ministry nor our desire to serve God."
We have a lot to do in the coming months leading up to the special 2019 General Conference. Our task as Reconciling United Methodists is to lift our church and its leaders in prayer, keep our witness for inclusion going strong, stand in solidarity with LGBTQ persons, and organize to increase the number of Reconciling communities and individuals. No turning back. |
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Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 510-717-4894
izzy@rmnetwork.org
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Below are various ways you can engage locally. There are learning opportunities, annual conference witness, participation in Pride parades, workshop opportunities, and ways to ensure we keep growing the number of Reconciling United Methodists!
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Annual Conference Witness
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I will be present in the following annual conference sessions (on the dates listed):
Alaska Missionary - June 1-3, Anchorage AK
Yellowstone - June 7-10 in Billings MT
Pacific Northwest/Oregon-Idaho - June 14-16 in Portland OR
Rocky Mountain - June 16-18 in Denver CO
California-Nevada - June 21-24 in Burlingame CA
Annual conference-related Reconciling events:
- - Building an Inclusive Church pre-conference workshop on May 31st 3-8PM at Turnagain UMC, Anchorage AK. Register here.
- - Pre-conference Reconciling Dinner on June 7th, 5PM at Grace UMC in Billings, MT. Contact Mary Maheras for details and to RSVP.
- - Pre-conference Patio Reception hosted by RMN, MFSA and progressive groups on June 14th at 4-6PM in Portland OR. Contact Deborah Maria for details.
- - Desert Southwest Conference Board of Church and Society Lunch on June 16th, 11:30AM at Phoenix-Glendale Renaissance Hotel, Glendale AZ. Click here for details.
- - Rocky Mountain Conference's Reconciling Ministries Dinner on June 17th, 7-9PM at the Marriott Hotel (Denver Tech Center), Denver CO. Please register to pay for the dinner here (you can pay just for dinner without the conference registration fee). For registration questions, contact Shelley Rabern.
- - California-Pacific Conference RMN & MFSA Dinner on June 17th, 5-7PM at University of Redlands, Redlands CA. Contact Jason Takagi for details.
- - California-Nevada Conference Committee on Reconciliation Lunch on June 22nd, 12-1:30PM at Burlingame UMC, Burlingame CA. Contact Beth Snyder for details and to RSVP.
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Participation in 2017 Pride Parades
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Organize your congregation and fellow Reconciling United Methodists to march in your local Pride parades and send us pictures of the way you're fabulously faithful at photos@rmnetwork.org so we can celebrate on our social media pages.
- Big Sky/Montana Pride Parade, June 17th, 10AM, Billings MT (Third Avenue North between North 22nd Street and North 27th Street). Contact: Rev. Sarah Beck.
- Denver PrideFest Parade, June 18th, 11AM, Cheesman Park, Denver CO. Contact: John Kingsbury.
- Anchorage PrideFest Parade, June 24th, 11AM, Downtown Anchorage, AK. Contacts: Tia Hollowood and Art Carpenter.
- San Francisco Pride Parade, June 25th, 10:30AM, San Francisco CA (Market and Beale Streets). Contacts: Wayne Kamiya (Wesley UMC, San Jose CA) and Tyree Leslie (coordinator of Glide UMC's contingent)
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Building an Inclusive Church Workshops
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Do you want to help increase the number of Reconciling churches, communities and campus ministries? Join us for a training designed to help participants coach ministries through the Reconciling process. The 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. Participants who desire to become Reconciling process coaches for their church or other congregations will be invited to confirm this at the workshop.
WHAT:
This training will empower Reconciling United Methodists to shepherd churches/communities through the Reconciling process. This is free, and lunch/snacks will be provided. Donations encouraged.
WHEN: May 20, 2017, 9AM-4PM - Trinity UMC, Chico CA. Register here.
May 31, 2017, 2-8PM - Turnagain UMC, Anchorage AK. Register here.
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Rooted - for trans and GNC Christians
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Do you identify as part of the transgender and gender non-conforming community? Please consider joining us for an ecumenical leadership development retreat August 11-13, 2017 in Chicago, IL. If you're an ally to this community, please consider making a contribution to our scholarship fund for participants and help us spread the word about this exciting event!
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| Mark your calendars! We've got a date and location for our national gathering in 2018 where progressive United Methodists will join together for organizing, community, worship, and preparation for LGBTQ advocacy at the special called General Conference in 2019. We'll be making a big reveal of the location on Saturday, June 3rd. |
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Connect with your local Reconciling team
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Contact your state or conference's Reconciling team leaders below to know how you can participate in local activities and witness.
Connect with your conference Reconciling teams on Facebook - "like" their page!
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