Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
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Reconciling Ministries Network
Reconciling Ministries Network When we lose sight of Jesus’ prime directive we lose sight of reconciliation. The prime directive is to love God and others. Its goal is our reconciliation with others and with all of God’s creation.
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Peter L. DeGroote When we lose sight of Jesus’ prime directive we lose sight of reconciliation. The prime directive is to love God and others. Its goal is our reconciliation with others and with all of God’s creation. (Loving...
Reconciling Ministries Network I’ve come to understand that being gay is a gift from God...I understand that it has opened me up spiritually, causing me to delve deeper into my faith. It’s helped me to become vulnerable and become more connected to my community. It has given me the opportunity to give back to...my community in ways that I never would have if I’d just been a regular old Methodist preacher from the South Georgia Conference.
Source: www.newsreview.com
By Kel Munger. Gimme that ol’-time queer religion! Published on July 2, 2009 as Sacreligious! in the Columns section of the Sacramento News & Review
Lloyd Moseley We're beginning the work to become a reconciling United Methodist Church. Please keep us in your prayers ...... Skip
Reconciling Ministries Network In this issue of Flashnet, we announce our speakers for the Justice & Joy Plenary, "At the Intersections". We are happy to welcome Erin Hawkins, the General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race and The Rev. Barbara Isaacs, the Associate General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race.
Source: www.rmnetwork.org
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
Reconciling Ministries Network The President and First Lady Michelle Obama host a reception for LGBT Pride Month in the East Room of the White House on June 29, 2009. Worth a listen.
Source: www.youtube.com
Reconciling Ministries Network "Becoming an open and affirming congregation, and proclaiming the understanding of God's grace in which that position is grounded, has renewed and revitalized our church. I pray that the courageous decision of our fellow Christians at St. Paul in Everett and at Edmonds Christian Church will have the same beneficial effect for them, and I have no doubt that it will."
Source: www.heraldnet.com
You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 250 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. ...
Reconciling Ministries Network UMNS: “Strong majorities of United Methodist clergy support hate crimes laws and workplace protections, and a plurality support adoption rights. On the other hand, United Methodist clergy are evenly split on legal rights for same-sex couples, with 51 percent supporting either marriage or civil unions.”
Reconciling Ministries Network We celebrate the courage and authenticity of Renee Sappington and Connie Campbell for addressing the Mississippi Annual Conference about Amendment 1. This address caused controversy and Bishop Ward (in the background) replied with a pastoral letter (see below).
Source: www.youtube.com
Renee Sappington and Connie Campbell speak on Amendment 1 at Mississippi Annual Conference. The Annual Conference met between June 11 and 14, 2009.
Reconciling Ministries Network It seems that there have been times when "All means All" was lived out in faith communities. It is impossible to understand why today more than 50% of my denomination trembles at such a vision.
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Transgender Clergy Person My denomination is presently split over what is known as the, "All Means All" campaign, essentially a grassroots effort to remove a long list of those especially welcomed in our churches to simply say, "All people...
G Lake at 9:28am June 29
it is so difficult...the challenge posed by an almost 50-50% difference on views (and thus, practices) of inclusion of GLBT persons in the United Methodist Church. would it be better to split into 2 different denominations...i do not think so. is it better for each of the near 50% of vote to consider their view to be "the" right one...i do not ... Read Morethink so. does this mean that people's understanding of why there are GLBT persons in the world differs...yes, i would suppose that is near the heart of the statistics. so what do we do know...that is the question that is yet to be answered. the inquiry, however, needs to be inclusive of all, including both reports of those near 50% who differ. what good is it to gain inclusion of some to loose the inclusion of others. inclusion, in whatever means it comes to be...and it will...somehow...some way...by God's good grace and love...must be total inclusion of all.
Reconciling Ministries Network Rev. West is Professor of Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School in New Jersey. She is a clergy member of the United Methodist Church. "I have come here as a follower of Jesus Christ. As the divine incarnation of Love, the Word of God that became flesh and dwells among us, Jesus embodies the antithesis of hate."
Source: www.hrcbackstory.org
Continuing our series of speakers from HRC’s Clergy Call for Justice and Equality, Rev. Dr. Traci West speaks movingly of how our current work for justice stands in the august tradition of the early twentieth century reformer, Ida B. ...
Reconciling Ministries Network
New York Marks 40th Anniversary of Stonewall Riots: a Round-up. http://www.towleroad.com/2009/06/stonewa
Source: www.youtube.com
Live narration from SFGMC's 2009 Spring Concert "Tune In, Turn On, Sing Out", relating Stonewall to today's current equal rights battles; accompanied by video montage of SFGMC taking part in rallies and marches fighting for rights throughout the State of California. ...
Reconciling Ministries Network The congregations in Everett and Edmonds vote to publicly welcome gays and lesbians, joining other churches in the county..."The churches that are becoming openly inclusive don't want to leave their denominations," he said. "They're willing to stand in some tension with official denominational policy in order to try and bring about some change."
Source: heraldnet.com
The congregations in Everett and Edmonds vote to publicly welcome gays and lesbians, joining other churches in the county.
Roxanne I've been away from the computer and just checked, checked again and am so proud to say I'm from Wisconsin! All Means All here and the numbers pleased me. Yes, our message is being heard, the stories of real people listened to and we have momentum for the work ahead. AMEN!
Reconciling Ministries Network A poem by Langston Hughes.
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Langston Hughes It would be too bad if Jesus Were to come back black. There are so many churches Where he could not pray In the U.S.A., Where entrance to Negroes, No matter how sanctified, Is denied, Where race,...
Reconciling Ministries Network "A substantial majority of gays cite their faith as a central facet of their life, consider themselves to be Christian, and claim to have some type of meaningful personal commitment to Jesus Christ active in their life today."
Source: www.usatoday.com
A significant majority of gays and lesbians six in 10 say faith is important in their lives, but heterosexuals generally state such commitments more often, according to a new survey by a Christian research firm.
Alan at 8:08am June 26
Back in 2002, Darren Sherkat published a groundbreaking piece in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion reporting on his analysis of data from the General Social Survey. The analysis indicated that gay men scored significantly higher than straight men on almost every measure of religiosity in the survey including church attendance, ... Read Moreprayer, and subjective importance of religion for life. On the other hand, they were also significantly more likely to report abandoning religion. Gay men scored lower in key measures than straight women, BTW. There were other interesting findings in this study.
The fact that this study was published with nary a peep from the mainstream media still surprises me. People involved in the sociology of religion (all 10 of us - just kidding!) are aware of it, but almost no one else.
The fact that this study was published with nary a peep from the mainstream media still surprises me. People involved in the sociology of religion (all 10 of us - just kidding!) are aware of it, but almost no one else.
Jackie at 9:25am June 26
The thing that amuses me about "heterosexuals generally state such commitments more often" is that I've noticed that the heterosexuals seem to be bigger hypocrites than any homosexual I've met.
Reconciling Ministries Network "The testimony of a same-sex couple at an annual gathering of United Methodists in Jackson has kindled a controversy over the church's acceptance of homosexuals."
Source: www.clarionledger.com
The testimony of a same-sex couple at an annual gathering of United Methodists in Jackson has kindled a controversy over the church's acceptance of homosexuals.
Mary at 9:01am June 26
God bless the courage of Connie and Renee, of Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and the AC worship design team-- and bless all who struggle and fear, and help us to be better sisters and brothers to each other and the world.
Reconciling Ministries Network at 4:23pm June 28
An additional article on this story:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/
http://www.onenewsnow.com/
Everette Morgan From Grace United Methodist Church in Dallas and former member of Edgehill United Methodist Church Nashville...will not ever join a UMC that is not part of of RMN and if there isn't one where ever I live I will just go to the Unitarians!
Reconciling Ministries Network Dietrich Bonhoeffer...writes, "The pious fellowship permits no one to be a sinner...Many Christians are unthinkably horrified when a real sinner is suddenly discovered among the righteous."
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell In recent years it has been my custom on Father's Day to write about a Father who has been open in his support of a member of his family who is Lesbian or a Gay...
Reconciling Ministries Network Article about former RMN Board Member Rev. William D. Bouton who died on Thursday. "He was an advocate for people who were "disenfranchised," she said, an "inclusive pastor" who got involved with issues involving the poor and homeless, as well as gay rights and racial equality."
The Daily Star, Oneonta, NY - otsego county news, delaware county news, oneonta news, oneonta sports
Source: www.thedailystar.com
A longtime Oneonta reverend concerned with all members of the community died Thursday after a long battle with cancer, friends and family said Monday.
Reconciling Ministries Network From the Lansing State Journal: "It also was - in the midst of controversy in the United Methodist Church statewide and nationally regarding participation of gays and lesbians in church leadership and ministry - the first UMC congregation in Michigan (in May 1996) to become a 'Reconciling Congregation.'
Source: www.lansingstatejournal.com
WILLIAMSTON - It took 101 farmers hauling 219 loads of fieldstone from the surrounding countryside of late-19th-century Williamston to provide the literal 'building blocks' of the Williamston
Jayne at 2:35pm June 23
This is my church and I couldn't be more proud of who we are what we are all about! This is a church where people have always "spoken their mind," have always stood up for what is socially just, and continue to challenge the powerful who choose to abuse their power!
Mary at 3:01pm June 23
This church raised me, nurtured me, comforted me, taught me, blessed me, and they continue to do so as I continue to grow and change and learn at seminary. This I believe and pray and hope for: The people of this United Methodist Church are not a referendum, are not an ad campaign. The people of the United Methodist Church are folks, just like ... Read Moreyou and me, and he and she, and she and she, and he and he, and him, and her, coming together as a community of faith, wanting to believe that 'Jesus loves me' is a song for all of God's creation, including each and every one of US.
Reconciling Ministries Network Interesting perspective from Matt Kelley in Tennessee: "I can't help but wonder if Amendment 1 has become about much more than just Amendment 1. Like so many other cultural milestones, Amendment 1 has come to represent much more than just itself. Rightly or wrongly, the voting on Amendment 1 has become a referendum on how inclusive the United Methodist Church really wants to be."
Source: matthewlkelley.blogspot.com
Husband, father, pastor, blogger, podcaster, but really just a guy trying very hard to walk in the way of Jesus and trying to help others do the same.
Reconciling Ministries Network In the Mississippi Annual Conference, a lesbian couple courageously told their story of life within the church; following criticism, the Bishop wrote a pastoral response. Bishop Ward's response is linked below. The Amendment 1 vote in Mississippi was 303 yes, 784 no.
Source: unamalachica.blogspot.com
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Hope Morgan Ward to the Annual ConferenceGrace and peace to each of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.The 2009 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference was filled with wonderful and with challenging moments. ...
Dan at 4:46pm June 23
To be honest, I'm a little surprised that the Mississippi conference allowed them to talk. And, believe it or not, I'm surprised there were as many YES votes as there were. I guess I'm cynical.
Lisa at 5:37pm June 23
I am so weary with the church hurting people. At least on that night, people had the opportunity to listen, if only they would. I guess the wheat and the weeds point is that we don't know which is which and it's not ours to judge. It's remarkable that such a small event and response can be seen as courageous, but I know that it is. So, I do applaud their courage.
Reconciling Ministries Network When others who are not of our church, denomination, beliefs, or faith do as Jesus taught should we denigrate their motives, try to stop them, or take pleasure in their activity? The way we answer these kinds of questions affects our definition of reconciliation.
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Peter L. DeGroote 1. Some of Jesus’ followers were threatened by a man who was not of their group healing in Jesus’ name and asked if they should stop him. How might we answer the question today? When others...
Reconciling Ministries Network Amendment 1 Vote Counts as of 6/20/2009
Source: www.rmnwitness.org
Google Spreadsheet results as of 6/20/2009. Amendment 1 needs to be ratified by by a two-thirds aggregate vote of Annual Conference and Central Conference members. ¶ 4. Article IV. Inclusiveness of the Church—The United Methodist Church is a part of...
Reconciling Ministries Network Alive and growing, the Welcoming Church Movement encompasses many churches, clergy, religious and laity here in Western New York. These are the places where the spirit of love is moving in our midst, a spirit that does not distinguish between different sexual orientations. Here are the prophets who are filled with joyful expectancy of the time when all people will be embraced in life and ministry in Christ’s name.
Source: www.buffalonews.com
Marriage equality for same-sex couples is a hot-button issue nationwide, but here in New York it is particularly timely to consider. Recently, the State Assembly passed the marriage equality bill by an overwhelming margin for the second year in a row. ...
Reconciling Ministries Network These aren’t church folk for the most part. They’ve been hurt by church folk, or fear they might be, so they keep secrets and stay away. They hang out at support groups, or Club Q, or coffee houses or safe places on campus. But they have the same worries and fears and hopes as people in my straight world. They support charities and hold fund-raisers, gather for potlucks and encourage each other. They celebrate their
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Stephen Griffith “I live in two worlds.” I said it aloud to a friend as we sat visiting after an event attended by a number of gays and lesbians. She thanked me for coming, and said how much it...
Reconciling Ministries Network Help us to accept That ALL MEANS ALL is just a dream, for this year. Several other entries on the Called to Witness Blog.
Source: www.rmnwitness.org
This prayer was prayed in community prior to the vote and handed out to delegates before the vote. The Florida Team felt that this prayer helped the vote there. Help us to accept That ALL MEANS ALL is just a...
Marilyn at 4:41pm June 18
The amendment passed in NY - but it's not looking good in other parts of the country, I'm afraid.
Roxanne at 6:03pm June 18
I'm wondering if Wisconsin has a pass?
Lynn at 4:15am June 19
Indiana meets next week for the first time as the Indiana Area Conference, a new entity. I am really worried about this vote.
Reconciling Ministries Network Amendment 1 Annual Conference Vote Counts 6/17/2009.
Source: www.rmnwitness.org
Google Spreadsheet updated for 6/17/2009. Results for New York, Southwest Texas, Tennessee, Rio Grande
Reconciling Ministries Network Happy Pride Month! In the early morning hours of June 28th, 1969, a small seed of resistance, dignity and liberation burst into bloom at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. As police came to conduct their monthly raid, a sudden spirit of rebellion surged through the crowd and within minutes police and patrons alike realized this night was not to be business as usual.
Source: www.rmnetwork.org
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
Reconciling Ministries Network Richard Foster defines a spiritual discipline in In Celebration of Discipline as those times, places and activities that we choose to place ourselves so that God can bless us, grace us and strengthen us to live in the world, yet not of the world.
Source: www.rmnblog.org
By Katy Krumbach “this is my child, my beloved in whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17 Last week we were looking at ‘old’ photos- - in other words, pictures of me 30 years ago. The face in the picture...
GLBT as being other than people who are regarded according to the love of God for them, just as for everyone, goes against the grain of our being foks in the Kin-dom.