Wednesday, January 17, 2018

"RMN Western Jurisdiction - January Update" Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran from The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction in Chicago, Illinois, United States

"RMN Western Jurisdiction - January Update" Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran from The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Looking back, moving forward!
Let us begin the new year celebrating what we have done in 2017, and look forward to the challenges and joys of 2018. This update includes a statistical report and opportunities for witness in service as Reconciling United Methodists in 2018. I always say that the work of changing people's hearts and minds is the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our role as witnesses is to show up and share our stories of hope and love.
May 2018 be filled with more surprising opportunities to be channels of God's amazing grace!
Moving forward with you,

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 510-717-4894
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Reconciling by the numbers
RECONCILING COMMUNITIES: We currently have 889 Reconciling communities (churches, Sunday school classes, campus ministries, etc.) as shown in the image below. The image in the middle shows the distribution of these Reconciling communities by region. In the Western Jurisdiction, we added 20 new Reconciling communities in 2017 out of 70 new ones across the connection. The bottom image shows the distribution of Reconciling communities by conference in the Western Jurisdiction.
RECONCILING UNITED METHODISTS (RUMs): We currently have 34, 645 RUMs across the connection as shown in the image below. The bottom image shows the distribution of RUMs by region. We added 154 new RUMs in the Western Jurisdiction in 2017 out of a total 802 signed up. We need to reach more in 2018 by organizing RUMs sign-up drives!
Opportunities for witness - recommit and give
Let us start the year by taking two very important actions:
1. With the upcoming called General Conference drawing near, now is the time to recommit ourselves to the work of LGBTQ justice and equality in The UMC. Sign the letter "Hope and Action for a Just and Inclusive United Methodist Church" and share with others. We're all in this together.
2. Throughout the years, RMN has been empowered to work alongside our LGBTQ community in calling The UMC to accountability around inclusion and justice. We are able to do this only through your generous support. Will you be a regular sustainer of our Reconciling movement? We need your help!
Grow the movement - join us for a training
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: varying identities, framing, steps of the Reconciling process, graceful engagement, and conflict management. There will also be a time for participants to confirm whether or not they would like to be process coaches for their church or other congregations.
WHAT: This training will empower Reconciling United Methodists to shepherd churches/communities through the Reconciling process.
WHEN: 9AM – 5PM (lunch/snacks will be provided)
WHERE: We currently have three locations -
February 3, 2018 - Saint Francis in the Foothills UMC, Tucson AZ
March 24, 2018 - First UMC, Salem OR
April 28, 2018 - Trinity UMC, Las Vegas NV
REGISTRATION: Click on the buttons below to register and/or host a workshop
Connect with your local Reconciling team
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!
Copyright © 2018 Reconciling Ministries Network, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Reconciling Ministries Network
123 West Madison Street, Suite 2150
Chicago, Illinois 60602, United States
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