Reconciling Ministries Network in Chicago, Illinois, United States for Tuesday, 25 July 2017 "The good, the bad, and the ugly of Annual Conference season 2017"
Another annual conference season has come and gone. Legislation was debated, Reconciling folks gathered in community, and efforts were made across the country to push back against discrimination and move forward in love and justice.
Whether or not you saw the tangible results of your Reconciling commitments, 1 Corinthians offers an encouraging reminder:
"Therefore, my dear siblings, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Beloved, because you know that your labor in Christ is not in vain."
Every action made in the direction of Love matters. And thanks to you, there's been a lot of moving in that direction. Check out this year's Annual Conference Season Reconciling Report to get a glimpse of the multitude of ways Reconciling United Methodists are modeling what church can - and should - be.
Mississippi
Reconciling friends gathered for pre-Conference drinks and conversation at a local restaurant - it was great to see so many friendly faces, new friends and old ones! The table at AC was well visited, and many good conversations happened and new RUMs were added. It was also good to be present for the Constitutional Amendment votes which occurred without any harmful discussion, and to witness the widespread lament and concern around the recent departure of two large non-affirming churches in the Conference.
North Alabama
Over 25 friends gathered for breakfast and conversation at Trinity UMC in Huntsville. The RMN table was opposite the registration area so there was a lot of great opportunity for fruitful conversations!
North Carolina
The NC RMN and MFSA groups collaborated as usual to host the Gayle Felton Love Your Neighbor luncheon, with 100 people in attendance.
North Georgia
North Georgia groups gathered for worship to begin the annual conference together. Rev. Will Green (NEAC) was the guest preacher and Revs Mandy Sloan McDow and Lori Osborne presided at the table. Nearly 70 people attended this service with a vibrant processional and reflection on living into our somewhat outrageous calling to live fully alive and challenging the church.
On the following day, Rev. Green offered a challenge to find hope in Christ rather than in institutions. Almost 50 people attended this Reconciling Luncheon.
South Carolina
South Carolina Reconciling United Methodists gathered together for the annual Reconciling Ministries Breakfast at SC Annual Conference. The breakfast was held at First Baptist Church and Dr. Jim Lane, chair of RMSC greeted and welcomed us all into the space. Rev. Dr. Jim Dant, senior pastor at First Baptist, shared his heartfelt welcome to RUMs, offering spiritual solidarity and appreciation of the work for reconciling inclusion. Rev. Tom Summers, Rev. Keith Ray, and Danielle Riechers (a high school student) each shared stories of courage, strength, hope and resilience. Rev. Liam Hooper, RMN’s transgender community organizer, provided an update for RMN and reiterated the commitment to nothing less than the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in The UMC. There were over 100 people in attendance. Read more about this event here.
South Georgia
For the first time in many years, the conference allowed a Reconciling table.
Tennessee
United Methodists for Inclusion hosted a dinner which 100+ people attended where RMN Southeastern Regional Organizer, Helen Ryde, was the speaker.
Virginia
The Reconciling group in Virginia hosted a dinner with 85 people in attendance. Rev Tom Berlin, elder in the VA Conference and member of the Commission on a Way Forward was the featured speaker and took time to answer questions from the audience.
Western North Carolina
213 people came to the Reconciling Worship Service and and about 50 attended the Reconciling Luncheon where RMN's Southeastern Regional Organizer, Helen Ryde, and Kim Ingram were the featured speakers.
"We pray and work for The United Methodist Church to include and accept the LGBTQ community at large, without reservation, as we seek united life together in Jesus Christ."
Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference unreservedly supports Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Area. We pray her episcopacy will be long and fruitful—resulting in many disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We give thanks for vocal disciples in the Western Jurisdiction nominating, electing, consecrating, and assigning Bishop Oliveto.
We disagree with the South Central Jurisdiction’s Petition for Declaratory Decision from the Judicial Council concerning the Western Jurisdiction’s action. We wish our Jurisdiction had waited for the Commission on a Way Forward to complete its work and present the Commission’s results at General Conference. Likewise, we disagree with the Judicial Council’s Decision 1341 on that Petition, and we support dissents to that Decision.
We challenge The United Methodist Church to acknowledge that same sex and transgender relationships under the covenant of marital fidelity are holy unions worthy of full inclusion in the church.
We hold a high view of Scripture and affirm the biblical witness of Galatians 3:26-29 —“You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.” We call upon groups believing to have the one and only correct interpretation of scripture and church doctrine to prayer and humble conversation, for the sake of the gospel and the mission of the Church.
We pray and work for The United Methodist Church to include and accept the LGBTQ community at large, without reservation, as we seek united life together in Jesus Christ. We, the Board Members of Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference, stand as an inclusive, reconciling body to all whom God sends to us. May the people called Methodists welcome and affirm all God’s children with the grace, peace, and love of Jesus Christ.
Signed: Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference Board Members
Rev. Jim Bankston (retired), St. Paul’s UMC – Houston, TX
Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Texas Annual Conference
Rev. Glynden Bode, Rosehill UMC – Tomball, TX
Nelda Brooks, St. Peter’s UMC – Katy, TX
Brett Falkenhagen, St. Paul’s UMC – Houston, TX
Erin Kupcunas Faseler, FUMC – Conroe, TX
Bodie Gilbert, FUMC – Fulshear, TX
Judy Graves, St. Mark’s UMC Pecore – Houston, TX
Norma Graves, Memorial Drive UMC – Houston, TX
Trish King, Strawbridge UMC – Kingwood, TX
Rev. Diane McGehee, Bering Memorial UMC
Kent Ping, Atascocita UMC – Atastcocita, TX
Burke Randolph, Christ Church – Sugar Land, TX
Rev. Greg Rogers (retired), Bering Memorial UMC – Houston, TX
Randy Scott, Bering Memorial UMC – Houston, TX
Lahonda Sharp, Christ Church – Sugar Land, TX
Roxanne Taylor, Texas Annual Conference
Rev. Hannah Terry, Westbury UMC – Houston, TX
Tom Thompson, Texas Annual Conference
Rev. Rahel Yoo, FUMC – Pearland, TX
Deaconess Laura Young, St. John’s UMC – Lubbock, TX
RMN welcomes Brett Roes to staff
After serving at RMN as Communications Associate since April 2016, Nelson Mendoza is wrapping up his time with us this week as he begins his MDiv program at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. His talent and shining personality will be deeply missed!
Joining us as our entering Communications Associate starting on August 3rd, RMN welcomes Brett Roes to the staff. A long-time contributor to RMN, he brings experience, theological depth, and creative strategies for advancing communications for the purposes of LGBTQ justice in The UMC.
Brett Roes is a transmasculine and queer person who grew up in the heart of the Midwest. Even at a young age, they began wrestling with matters of faith and social justice. After receiving a BA in Religion at Simpson College, they moved to Durham, NC where they earned a Master of Theological Studies at Duke Divinity School. While pursuing graduate work, they authored their first book, My Name is Brett: Truths from a Trans Christian, and has since traveled the country for various speaking engagements and readings. Upon graduation, Brett moved to South Dakota with their wife, where they have fought alongside many others for LGBTQ+ equality in the state. Over the past eight years, Brett has been engaged in ministry in multiple United Methodist congregations, and currently serves as a young adult coordinator within the Dakotas Conference. Outside of the office, they can be found working on their second book, wooing their wife, singing sappy folk songs, or pursuing the perfect cup of coffee.
Starting August 3rd, Brett will be available at brett@rmnetwork.org.
Ecumenical gathering of LGBTQ movement leaders
A once in a lifetime opportunity is coming this fall as founders, movers, and shakers in the LGBTQ+ Christian world will convene October 31-November 2, 2017, in St. Louis. Prophets young and old will tell the stories of our history and explore our future at Rolling The Stone Away. Who married first? Who stood up first? Who sacrificed everything? Where do we go from here?
A conference for LGBTQIA saints and prophets—generations past and present—to honor our history and empower our future.
October 31 – November 2, 2017
Marriott St. Louis Airport
Updates
Participating Organizations
After serving at RMN as Communications Associate since April 2016, Nelson Mendoza is wrapping up his time with us this week as he begins his MDiv program at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. His talent and shining personality will be deeply missed!
Joining us as our entering Communications Associate starting on August 3rd, RMN welcomes Brett Roes to the staff. A long-time contributor to RMN, he brings experience, theological depth, and creative strategies for advancing communications for the purposes of LGBTQ justice in The UMC.
Brett Roes is a transmasculine and queer person who grew up in the heart of the Midwest. Even at a young age, they began wrestling with matters of faith and social justice. After receiving a BA in Religion at Simpson College, they moved to Durham, NC where they earned a Master of Theological Studies at Duke Divinity School. While pursuing graduate work, they authored their first book, My Name is Brett: Truths from a Trans Christian, and has since traveled the country for various speaking engagements and readings. Upon graduation, Brett moved to South Dakota with their wife, where they have fought alongside many others for LGBTQ+ equality in the state. Over the past eight years, Brett has been engaged in ministry in multiple United Methodist congregations, and currently serves as a young adult coordinator within the Dakotas Conference. Outside of the office, they can be found working on their second book, wooing their wife, singing sappy folk songs, or pursuing the perfect cup of coffee.
Starting August 3rd, Brett will be available at brett@rmnetwork.org.
Ecumenical gathering of LGBTQ movement leaders
A once in a lifetime opportunity is coming this fall as founders, movers, and shakers in the LGBTQ+ Christian world will convene October 31-November 2, 2017, in St. Louis. Prophets young and old will tell the stories of our history and explore our future at Rolling The Stone Away. Who married first? Who stood up first? Who sacrificed everything? Where do we go from here?
A conference for LGBTQIA saints and prophets—generations past and present—to honor our history and empower our future.
October 31 – November 2, 2017
Marriott St. Louis Airport
Updates
- Early registration rates are good through September 1. Register Now!
- Scholarships are available for students, young activists and scholars. Submit an application.
- Like to find a roommate? Check out our Facebook page.
- More and more folks are stepping up to make a financial contribution to support this once-in-a-lifetime event. You can, too! Donate today.
This conference is organized under the auspices of the LGBT Religious Archives Network, a program of the Center for LGBTQ & Gender Studies at the Pacific School of Religion.
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