Thursday, March 22, 2018

"RMN Western Jurisdiction - March Update" The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction in Chicago, Illinois, United States for Wednesday, 21 March 2018

"RMN Western Jurisdiction - March Update" The Reconciliation Ministry Network Western Jurisdiction in Chicago, Illinois, United States for Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Celebrate the power of women!
I was born and raised United Methodist and grew up around the strong influence of deaconesses and clergywomen. I have served alongside courageous comrades who showed me the power of women in creating communities of justice and peace, and I would not be who I am today without the inspiration and ministry of women in The United Methodist Church.
I remember three Filipinx, all named Elizabeth, who impacted my spiritual formation and call to ministry as clergy. The Rev. Elizabeth Bautista, at that time a deaconess, was my kindergarten teacher at Knox UMC - the first Protestant church in the Philippines. She taught me the English language and one of my favorite songs on equality, "Jesus Loves the Little Children." Dr. Elizabeth Domingues, my biblical studies professor in seminary, was a lay member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. She shook my understanding of the Bible which led me to appreciate its message of liberation for all the oppressed. The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Tapia, formerly a deaconess and currently a United Methodist missionary in the Philippines, was my seminary professor on liberation theology. She opened my world to social justice activism, and now I am a rabble-rouser for Jesus.
Finally I lift up my mother Elena, a high school math teacher and seamstress. I learned to cook with her in my teen years, and even today we make lumpia together. At age 71 she still sings in the choir and co-chairs her church's worship committee. When I came out to my parents, my mother said she was proud to tell her friends that I am gay and that she loves me. What power and grace!
#BeTheWayForward #WomenPower

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: 510-717-4894
izzy@rmnetwork.org
"Our Strangely Warmed Hearts - Coming Out Into God's Call" 
"Coming out into one’s authentic, God-created self fosters spiritual renewal and call to ministry.
As John Wesley discovered his true spiritual identity, he experienced a strangely warmed heart. Through poignant stories and well-reasoned principles, United Methodist Bishop Karen Olivetodiscloses why and how spiritual renewal and a personal call to ministry emerge in the strangely warmed hearts of lesbian and gay Christians. In The United Methodist Church (and other Christian denominations), it is difficult or impossible for lesbian, gay, transsexual, and bisexual clergy or laity to become a visible and outward channel for God’s saving grace.
This book traces the history of the church’s struggle with homosexuality, highlighting critical incidents in the culture and church polity which shape the church’s response. The controversy is deeply rooted in how God’s people are searching the scriptures, which are interpreted as a means of grace for some and as a rulebook for others. This book includes first-person narratives of LGBTQ persons faithfully serving in a denomination that denies their calls and—in some cases—their presence. These stories will show how the coming out process is deeply spiritual as one grows into an authentic, God-created and graced self."
Order your copy!
The stories of LGBTQ United Methodists matter, especially at this time when The UMC is in discernment and conversations about how we are to do ministry with all people. This video is the first of our "This is My Story" video series. We thank Brett and Tyler Watson, a married couple from Texas who are now attending a Reconciling Congregation, Turnagain UMC in Anchorage, one of the fastest growing United Methodist congregations in Alaska.
I want to share my story!
Get organized - join us for a training
Do you want to help increase the number of Reconciling Churches, Communities and Campus Ministries?
WHAT: This training will empower Reconciling United Methodists to shepherd churches/communities through the Reconciling process.
WHEN: 9AM – 5PM (lunch/snacks will be provided)
WHERE: We currently have the following locations -
March 24, 2018 - First UMC, Salem OR
April 28, 2018 - Trinity UMC, Las Vegas NV
May 12, 2018 - Park Hill UMC, Denver CO
September 8, 2018 - Tehachapi Valley UMC, Tehachapi CA
REGISTRATION IS FREE! Click on the buttons below to register and/or host a workshop.
Register for the March 24th BIC in Salem, OR
Register for the April 28th BIC Las Vegas, NV
Register for the May 12th BIC in Denver, CO
Register for the September 8th BIC in Tehachapi, CA
Host a BIC Workshop
"For Everyone Born" - July 26-29, 2018
National Convocation of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition

We will gather in St. Louis, MO in just a few months! With hundreds of United Methodists from across the country we will come together for movement building, community, and worship of the One who sustains us. At this year’s convocation - co-sponsored with the Love Your Neighbor Coalition - we’ll be dreaming together of a church committed to justice, love, and a place at the table “For Everyone Born.” No exceptions. Registration information will be out soon!
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. Connect with your conference Reconciling teams on Facebook - "like" their page! BlogFacebookTwitterRMN
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