Thursday, September 27, 2018

RMN Western Jurisdiction - September Update from Izzy Alvaran for Thursday, 27 September 2018 from The Reconciliation Ministry Network of the United Methodist Church in Chicago, Illinois, United States

RMN Western Jurisdiction - September Update from Izzy Alvaran for Thursday, 27 September 2018 from The Reconciliation Ministry Network of the United Methodist Church in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hope for a Way Forward
Late last month, I was honored to be part of a global gathering in Portland, OR. With the theme “Listening with Open Hearts: Building Bridges and Deepening Relationships,” this event sought to (1) provide an opportunity to share issues and concerns related to our various contexts, especially those facing The United Methodist Church outside of the United States, (2) deepen our understanding and relationships with one another, and (3) create an environment of intentional listening.
About 40 lay and clergy participants came from Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, United States, and Zambia. They represented the diversity of the global United Methodist Church in terms of race, ethnicity, age, ability, gender, and sexual orientation. The listening post was sponsored by the Oregon-Idaho Conference and the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. I participated in the listening post as an out queer clergy from the Philippines Central Conference. I am grateful that RMN provided the resources for me to attend.
The listening post gave me hope for a way forward - for what the church could be when we are not saddled with relationships strained by colonialism. I caught a glimpse of the UMC that I want to be part of - the future of a global connection rooted in respect and love for each other, regardless of our differences. Intentional listening and honest conversations allowed me to check my own privileges and reflect on how I could rise up from my own sense of oppression to be part of healing and reconciliation in our denomination.
Going into the frenetic preparations for General Conference 2019, I take one lesson from this gathering: seeking positive change in the church flows from building genuine relationships, not from slogans and rhetoric.
Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Israel I. Alvaran
Western Jurisdiction Organizer
Phone: (510)717-4894
izzy@rmnetwork.org
Support PNW-RMN's Re-launch!
Pacific Northwest Conference's RMN group is the oldest organized RMN team in the Western Jurisdiction. This conference also has the most number of queer clergy in our region. They have a re-launch event on October 7th in Seattle, and even if you can't make it, please show them support. You can do that by purchasing tickets. Just click on the button below. You can also share the Facebook event page widely: https://www.facebook.com/events/209866959730199/
Support PNW-RMN
Get Organized: Join a Workshop!
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:
October 6, 2018 - First UMC, Sacramento CA
October 13, 2018 - Foothills UMC, La Mesa CA
REGISTRATION IS FREE! Click on the buttons below to register and/or host a workshop.
Register for the October 6th BIC in Sacramento, CA
Register for the October 13th BIC in La Mesa, CA
Host a BIC Workshop
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.
Desert Southwest: Rev. Kimberly Scott
California-Nevada: Beth Snyder
California-Pacific: Jason Takagi
Connect with your conference Reconciling teams on Facebook - "like" their page!
Email Izzy with questions on how to get connected to your local team
Western Jurisdiction
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