Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction - May 2015 Update with Izzy Alvaran for Wednesday, 6 May 2015 - Justice @ Intersections of Oppression!

Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction - May 2015 Update with Izzy Alvaran for Wednesday, 6 May 2015 - Justice @ Intersections of Oppression!



Standing at the Intersections of Oppression

The past couple of weeks brought us images of riots - "the language of the unheard" as Martin Luther King, Jr. would say - a boiling over of protests against racist discrimination experienced by the Black community at the hands of those who swore to serve and protect them.
The Reconciling movement stands at the intersections of oppression, struggling with many others for a new way of being community - seeking a new table with a new social contract that guarantees full equality for all, regardless of race and class, sexual orientation and gender identity.
RMN is committed to "frame its work from the optic of justice, inclusion, and liberation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer persons. To sharpen that optic, RMN will apply an intersectional lens to focus on precise points of convergence between LGBTQ oppression other forms of oppression including racism, sexism, patriarchy, and gender inequality."
I encourage you to plan programs with this intersectional lens on, always striving to include many others not present at our table. Who is not being included? Remember that the strength of our movement is seen when we are connected with the struggles of all disenfranchised groups. The embrace of God's grace extends to all - and we mean ALL.
In solidarity,

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 312-488-5313
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Reconciling by the Numbers: RUMs and RCs
Here is an update of where we are in the Western Jurisdiction (January 1, 2015 to May 6, 2015) in terms of the numbers of new Reconciling United Methodists (RUMs), Reconciling Churches/Communities (RCs), and Prospective RCs. We can do more and sign up 1,000 new RUMs in 2015! Please do a RUM sign-up drive at your church, and use this online link:
Conference New RCs Prospective RCs RUMs (2015) Total RUMs
Alaska 1 0 15 90
California-Nevada 0 6 82 2,774
California-Pacific 1 2 49 1,225
Desert Southwest 1 2 24 764
Oregon-Idaho 1 0 9 894
Pacific Northwest 0 0 66 1,150
Rocky Mountain 3 1 41 808
Yellowstone 0 0 1 147
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!

An Invitation from United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC): An RMN Extension Ministry
United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) is an extension ministry of Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) -- a grassroots organization working towards the full inclusion of all God’s children in The United Methodist Church. In the spirit of UMOC’s mission to engage the wider United Methodist Church on issues of racism, colonialism, classism, and privilege in a color-filled and multicultural world, you are invited to join us for "Gather at the RIver: 2015."
This partnership gathering of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) and RMN will take place August 6-9, 2015, at Travis Park United Methodist Church in historic downtown San Antonio, Texas. This is a time to gather, worship, and work towards the full inclusion of the LGBTQ community. In addition, there will be a Pre-Convocation Day which allows for learning opportunities, community building, and networking. For more information, click here.
UMOC has funding available for a limited number of scholarships to help people of color attend this event. The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is May 15, 2015. Please email us at scholarships@mfsaweb.org
Let's Gather at the River!
Blessings,
Gheeta Smith and Rev. Theon Johnson III, UMOC Co-Chairs
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, 312-488-5313.
May 16, 2015 (Saturday, 9AM - 3PM)
Westchester UMC - Los Angeles, CA
Register here
June 4, 2015 (Thursday, 9AM - 5PM)
St. John UMC - Anchorage, AK
Register here
Tentative Dates:
July 25, 2015 (Harris UMC, Honolulu HI)
October 3, 2015 (Hillsview UMC, Boise ID)
We will confirm and provide registration information for the BIC workshops in Honolulu, HI and Boise, ID soon. We are still working get a workshop up for Salt Lake City, UT.Check here for training events across the country. Below are pictures of our most recent workshops in Redding, CA (left) and Phoenix, AZ (right).


Host a training in your area
Local Reconciling Events
"LOVE IS INCLUSIVE"
June 6, 2015, 7 PM, Church Sanctuary
4031 Avocado Blvd. La Mesa, CA 91941 (Tel: 619-670-4009)
The Reconciling Fellowship at Foothills United Methodist Church invites YOU to a wonderful evening of stories, scripture, movie snippets....and music featuring Danielle LoPresti and the Masses. Refreshments will be served and there is no charge for the event.
Email Izzy with conference or local church updates and news
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

...

____________________________