Celebrations and Challenges
The month of June was filled with annual conference sessions and Pride parades/festivals that gave our Reconciling communities time to gather and celebrate. Thank you to all the conferences that warmly welcomed me, and those who hosted Reconciling fellowship meals, staffed RMN tables, passed relevant legislation/resolutions, and marched in various Pride parades. We also have a number of LGBTQ persons commissioned and ordained clergy in our conferences (see below)! You have all shown tremendous witness and I am grateful!We also continue to face challenges. The Judicial Council rejected the appeal of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops to reconsider parts of Decision 1341 which changes the definition of what it means to be a self-avowed and practicing homosexual (read here), and will hear questions related to how complaints were handled in the case of the Rev. Anna Blaedel, an LGBTQ clergy in the Iowa Conference (read here) when they meet in Los Angeles, CA on October 24-17, 2017. We also need to continue prayers for the Commission on a Way Forward. They are engaging various caucuses and groups in our church, and RMN was asked to submit a short statement about what our vision is for the UMC. Watch our video submission here.
With the leadership of our new RMN Executive Director, Jan Lawrence, the next two years provide us an opportunity to shape the future of the UMC. Our work at the grassroots will play an important part in our push for the full inclusion of all God's children in our faith community. Never lose hope. Onwards!
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 510-717-4894
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Summer RUMs Sign-up Drive
A key component of our RMN grassroots organizing is getting more people signed up to support the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministry of The UMC. Summertime provides a lot of opportunities for our communities to organize new Reconciling United Methodist (RUM) sign-up drives. Click here for ideas and resources. You may also use this link for your electronic media outreach to sign up new RUMs in your congregation. THANKS for your commitment to this effort!
Building an Inclusive Church (BIC) 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: complex identities, framing, steps of the Reconciling process, graceful engagement, and conflict management. Participants who desire to become Reconciling process coaches for their church or other congregations will be invited to confirm this at the workshop. Register by September 7, 2017
WHAT: This training will empower Reconciling United Methodists to shepherd churches/communities through the Reconciling process.
WHEN: September 9, 2017, 9AM - 4PM (lunch/snacks will be provided)
WHERE: United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S Melrose Dr, Vista, CA 92081
CONTACT Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran – izzy@rmnetwork.org – 510-717-4894 or Vista UMC at 760-726-0442
Register for the BIC Workshop
Contact Izzy to host a BIC Workshop in your church
Rooted - for Transgender and GNC Christians
Do you identify as part of the transgender and gender non-conforming community? Please consider joining us for an ecumenical leadership development retreat August 11-13, 2017 in Chicago, IL. If you're an ally to this community, please consider making a contribution to our scholarship fund for participants and help us spread the word about this exciting event!
Please note, the deadline for registration is end of day, July 31, 2017.
Learn more about Rooted
Contribute to scholarships by making a donation under "Tickets"
LGBTQ Clergy - Commissionings and Ordinations
We celebrate and honor our LGBTQ clergy who have been commissioned and ordained across the UMC last month. Congratulations to our RMN communications director, The Rev. M Barclay (picture on left), who was commissioned deacon in the Northern Illinois Conference. Read the great article about this historic moment that was featured in the Washington Post - our first transgender commissioned deacon! Below are other LGBTQ clergy newly commissioned/ordained in the Western Jurisdiction.
The Rev. Caitlyn Hamilton (above left) was commissioned elder and the Rev. Kenneth Schoon (above right) was commissioned deacon, both in the California-Nevada Conference.
The Rev. Kimberly Scott (above left) was commissioned elder in the Desert Southwest Conference. The Rev. Matthew Alexander Pearson (above right) was ordained elder in the California-Nevada Conference.
Here's our newly commissioned/ordained clergy in the Western Jurisdiction: Rev. Kimberly Scott (above left), and in the picture on the right (left to right) - Revs. Kenneth Schoon, Matthew Alexander Pearson, and Caitlyn Hamilton.
Here's a couple of lovely group photos of some of our LGBTQ clergy in the California-Nevada Conference (above left) and Oregon-Idaho / Pacific Northwest Conferences (above right).
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.
Alaska: Art Carpenter
Desert Southwest: Rev. Kimberly Scott
California-Nevada: Beth Snyder
California-Pacific: Jason Takagi
Pacific Northwest: Rev. Sharon Moe
Oregon-Idaho: Deborah Maria
Rocky Mountain: Pastor Jaime Nieves
Yellowstone: Mary Maheras
Hawai'i: Darlene Rodrigues
Connect with your conference Reconciling teams on Facebook - "like" their page!Email Izzy with questions on how to get connected to your local team
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