Missionary Renegade: Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction November Update - Reconciling by the numbers and upcoming opportunities Be thankful! #BeCounted! for Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction November Update - Reconciling by the numbers and upcoming opportunities Be thankful! #BeCounted! for Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction November Update - Reconciling by the numbers and upcoming opportunities Be thankful! #BeCounted! for Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Thankful for God's Bountiful Grace!

I am thankful for the opportunity to organize with Reconciling Ministries Network - and do this as an openly gay clergy under official appointment from my bishop. That is grace! I am thankful that I get to work with all of you as partners in the quest for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the life of our denomination. You are God's gift of grace to me!
Together, we have made great strides in reaching our annual organizing goals in the Western Jurisdiction. We have surpassed our 2015 target of 1,000 new Reconciling United Methodists - with two more months to add to that number. We have added 42 congregations this year as prospective Reconciling churches, almost double our target. We are one church shy of meeting our goal of 18 new Reconciling churches with a couple more about to turn in their paperwork to become part of our network. By year's end, we would have offered 11 Building an Inclusive Church workshops. All this by the grace of God and your efforts!
We have a lot more to do, but let us pause and be thankful that God has blessed our labor with success. Be thankful and #BeCounted as a Reconciling United Methodist!Thank you very much!

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 312-488-5313
izzy@rmnetwork.org
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Register Now! "Building an Inclusive Church" Workshop

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: various 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
November 14, 2015 (Saturday, 9AM - 4PM)
Santa Barbara UMC - Santa Barbara CA
Register here
Check here for training events across the country
Below are group photos of our most recent workshops. Top: Hilliview UMC (Boise ID) Bottom: Left - Sonoma UMC (Sonoma CA), Right - Pacific Beach UMC (San Diego CA)