Missionary Renegade: The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction - October Update from Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran for Tuesday, October 4, 2016 "Can I count on you?"

The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction - October Update from Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran for Tuesday, October 4, 2016 "Can I count on you?"
Unfinished business

This summer was a wild ride for Reconciling United Methodists! At every turn, we stood up and showed up strong in our witness. We passed resolutions declaring non-conformity to discriminatory policies of The United Methodist Church, ordained out LGBTQ clergy, and we elected our first openly lesbian episcopal leader, Bishop Karen Oliveto.
There is so much more work to be done. We need to plan our next moves and sharpen our vision. As a grassroots movement, we need to hear your voice. If you have not filled out the RMN regional organizers' survey, please do so asap. Click here to read our joint blog, and here to watch our video. Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey here. We need your ideas and your sense of where the Reconciling movement should go moving forward.
No doubt we will hear from the Council of Bishops soon about their "Commission on a Way Forward." We will have representatives on this body who will advocate for changes in the policies and structure of The UMC. We have unfinished business after the 2016 General Conference, and your voice and participation is needed to hold the bishops' commission accountable. Stay strong. Keep hoping and praying. Onwards!
Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 510-717-4894
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Save the date!

The Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM) is planning a spring retreat on Presidents' Day weekend, February 17-20, 2017 in the Portland OR area. With a very relevant theme - "A Movement Forward: Connecting Our Causes For God's Kindom's Sake" - WMJM expects Bishop Karen Oliveto as keynote and inspirational speaker.
Beth Zemsky will lead the main part of the weekend, which will focus on building our movement of people who are passionate about justice in a lot of different areas. Beth has the ability to help people think intersectionally and will help move us to a new competence in intersectionality to strengthen our movement.
Retreat participants will work on community organizing, expanding involvement, and financing the movement. There will focus on the intersectionalities and connections between our various causes and passions as we move forward as Western Jurisdiction United Methodists.
Inspiring worship and music are being planned. Come network with like-minded people! More updates to come in the near future.

Meet Bishop Karen Oliveto
The Western Jurisdiction of the UMC has a new episcopal leader, Bishop Karen Oliveto, elected this past July at the regular session of the Western Jurisdictional Conference in Scottsdale, AZ. Former pastor of Glide UMC in San Francisco - the largest United Methodist congregation in our jurisdiction - Bishop Oliveto made history as our first openly lesbian bishop. She is married to Robin Ridenour, a deaconess. Click on the photo above or here to watch a video about Bishop Oliveto.
Connect with your local Reconciling team