Justice & Joy Program Book

September 4-7, 2009

10 T

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ATION AL RECONCILING CONV

$7

N O I T OCA

Reconciling Ministries Network United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities called in faith to celebrate, ignite and empower the inclusive church of Jesus Christ.

Schedule at a Glance

Detailed daily schedules start on page 6

Thursday, September 3-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4:00–10:00 p.m. 5:00–7:00 p.m. 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Registration Dinner Reconciling Clergy Gathering

Administration Building Aspen Dining Hall Diamond West

Friday, September 4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7:00–9:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m–8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 2:00–5:00 p.m. 3:00–5:00 p.m. 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Breakfast Aspen Dining Hall Registration Administration Building Preconvocation Gatherings See page 12 Reconciling Clergy, Parents, MOSAIC, Transgender, UMs of Color, Reconciling Communities Lunch Aspen Dining Hall Orientation Sessions (every hour) Bilheimer-Dodge Room Affinity Groups & Recreation List at RMN Office in Sweet Room Dinner Aspen Dining Hall

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:15 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

Justice and Joy Officially Opens Gathering Music & Worship Welcome & Greetings Ice Cream Social

Ruesch Auditorium Ruesch Auditorium Conference Hall Lobby

Saturday, September 5-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7:00–8:30 a.m. 7:00–9:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00–7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

Breakfast Table Talks Conference Hall A & B Breakfast Aspen Dining Hall Gathering Music & Worship Ruesch Auditorium Bible Study Ruesch Auditorium Workshops See page 28 Lunch Aspen Dining Hall Plenary on Intersections Ruesch Auditorium Affinity Groups & Recreation List at RMN office in Sweet Room Choir Rehearsal Ruesch Auditorium Dinner Aspen Dining Hall Plenary on Marriage Equality Ruesch Auditorium Honoring Ministry of Sue Laurie Reusch Auditorium Reception hosted by Affirmation: UM s for LGBT Concerns Dick Hall

Sunday, September 6---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7:00–8:30 a.m. 7:00–9:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00–7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

Breakfast Table Talks Conference Hall A & B Breakfast Aspen Dining Hall Gathering Music & Worship Ruesch Auditorium Bible Study Ruesch Auditorium Workshops See page 28 Lunch Aspen Dining Hall Plenary on Global Connections Ruesch Auditorium Affinity Groups & Recreation List at RMN office in Sweet Room Choir Rehearsal Reusch Auditorium Board Alumni Gathering Pine Dining Hall Dinner Aspen Dining Hall Silver Anniversary & Awards Celebration Ruesch Auditorium Launch Into the Future Ruesch Auditorium Reception hosted by Intersections (Believe Out Loud) Dick Hall

Monday, September 7--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7:00–8:30 a.m. 7:00–9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Breakfast Table Talks Breakfast Regional Meetings Bible Study Closing Worship Lunch

Conference Hall A & B Aspen Dining Hall Conference Hall A & B Ruesch Auditorium Ruesch Auditorium Aspen Dining Hall

Contents RMN Staff Meg Carey Business Manager Rev. Carl W. Davis Director of Development Rachel Harvey Associate Executive Director Antony Hebblethwaite Communications/ Technology Manager Stephanie Johnson Admin & Donor Relations Associate Audrey Krumbach, M.Div. Field Organizer Susan Laurie, M.Div. Outreach Coordinator Rev. Troy Plummer Executive Director

3801 North Keeler Avenue Chicago, IL 60641 Phone: 773-736-5526 Fax: 773-736-5475 www.rmnetwork.org

Convocation Information Welcome!........................................................................2 Justice and Joy Hospitality.............................................3 Daily Schedule...............................................................6 Resource Center............................................................9 Reconciling Extension Ministries..............................10 Convocation Program General Program Information...................................12 Breakfast Table Talks..................................................14 Bible Study...................................................................16 Plenaries.......................................................................19 Workshops at a Glance...............................................28 Workshops....................................................................29 Worship Worship Guide............................................................. 37 Worship Leaders & Preachers...................................39 Friday: For Everyone Born...........................................43 Saturday: God Will Delight......................................... 51 Sunday: When We are Creators...................................58 Monday: of Justice and Joy!.........................................62 Reconciling Ministries Network Information Reconciling Communities..........................................69 History of Movement.................................................75 Gifts and Honorees.....................................................85 Reconciling Resources................................................86 Acknowledgements....................................................90

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2009 Board of Directors

Welcome!

W

elcome to Justice and Joy—our 10th gathering of the Reconciling Ministries Network celebrating our 25th anniversary! We gather as United Methodists, celebrating our love for Jesus Christ and confessing our faith in the grace of God and the love shared as we express our faith together.

During this time we will rest, relax, and restore in the beauty of God’s creation; learn, organize, and launch reconciling initiatives; and through it all pray, play and sing the new creation into action. I especially look forward to worship in this special setting of God’s creation—with powerful worship leaders, music to stir our souls, and joyful prayers to gather our community. While we remember our dreams and hopes of these 25 years, we will dream new dreams, learn new skills, celebrate new friends and family, and hear speakers invoke passions and new futures. With the beautiful Rocky Mountains as our setting, I hope you’ll take advantage of the free time in the schedule to enjoy the spectacular scenery and activities at the YMCA of the Rockies. This is a good time to renew old acquaintances, to make new friends, to celebrate quality time with your family. It also is a good time to relax and breathe in the presence of God, to fully participate in a time with God, to listen and to heal. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Reconciling Ministries Network, I welcome you to Justice and Joy. We are glad you are here to share in the nourishment of community, the peace of the presence of God and the joy of an inclusive fellowship. May you cherish the time you spend here, as we worship and pray, listen and share, and celebrate the Holy Spirit boldly calling us forward. Monica Swink Board Chair, Reconciling Ministries Network

Monica L. Swink, Chair Oklahoma City, OK Ralph A. Williams, Vice-Chair Washington, DC David B. Mauzy, Treasurer Austin, TX Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Secretary Bethesda, MD Helen F. Andrew Sleepy Hollow, NY Vincent D. Cervantes Riverside, CA Rev. Daniel F. Diss Genoa, IL Lawrence T. Duncan Burnsville, MN Rev. Duane A. Ewers Nashville, TN Elizabeth A. Fimbres Tucson, AZ Will J. Green Hull, MA William E. Green Conway, AR Esther V. Houser Houston, TX Rev. David W. Meredith Columbus, OH Dr. Randall Miller Emeryville, CA Rev. Morgan L. Holland Savannah, GA Rev. Joshua M. Noblitt Atlanta, GA Rev. John Oda Albany CA Elizabeth T. Okayama Chicago, IL Rev. Dr. Karen P. Oliveto South San Francisco, CA Rosario L. Quiñones Randolph, NJ Rev. Dr. Bruce W. Robbins Minneapolis, MN Rev. Dr. Martha Scott Oak Park, IL Sally I. Sparks Naples, FL Rev. Dr. Derrick Spiva San Francisco, CA Joy T. Watts Uniontown, OH Christina L. Wright Cleveland Heights, OH Legal Counsel Jennifer Soule Elmhurst, IL

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Justice and Joy Hospitality RMN office is located in the Sweet Room off the West Foyer of Ruesch Auditorium (#34 on map inside back cover). The office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. throughout the weekend to answer your questions.

Phones: YMCA Main Desk 970-586-3341 (24 hrs.) RMN Office x1197 CAUTION: High Altitude The YMCA of the Rockies is at an elevation of 8,010 feet. The physical symptoms most often experienced at this altitude are dryness/dehydration and shortness of breath. It is recommended that you drink water regularly during your stay here. It can be helpful to limit your physical activity for the first day or two to give your body some time to acclimate. Café is located in the lobby of the Administration Building (#1 on map inside back cover) and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. You can purchase a variety of snacks, beverages and light meals there. Gift Shop of the YMCA is located at the eastern end of the Administration Building (#1 on map) and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. You can purchase T-shirts, trinkets, candy, drinks, some toiletries and medicines there. Internet Access – wireless access is available for laptops in most areas of the YMCA grounds and buildings. Computer stations are available in the Library (see below) for $5 per half hour. Library, the YMCA’s Maude Jellison Library (#22 on map), is available to visit and check out books (more than 15,000 titles) or read latest periodicals during your stay. Library hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Meals are served “all-you-can-eat” buffet style in the Aspen Dining Hall (#3 on map) on the lower level of the Ruesch Auditorium. Meal times are: Breakfast: 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Dinner: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. You must present a meal ticket at the dining hall. Persons housed in one of the YMCA lodges receive meal tickets when checking in for housing. Persons staying in cabins or off-site can purchase meal tickets at the Administration Building desk. Costs are: breakfast: $6; lunch: $9; dinner: $12. Costs for these meals for children are: $4, $6, and $8. Note that the convocation program has been arranged so that, as much as possible, everyone does not go to the dining hall at the start of each meal time. Arriving at the dining hall at varying times will reduce wait time. Medical Care – first-aid supplies can be obtained from the RMN Office (above). In case of medical emergency, dial 222 from YMCA phones and first responders will come and an ambulance will be dispatched. The YMCA calls 911 for the ambulance which can be refused if not needed. Name Badge (available at registration) provides entry to all Justice and Joy activities. BE SURE TO WEAR YOUR NAME BADGE AT ALL TIMES. Newsletter, Tree Line, is the primary communications vehicle during the convocation providing you with the daily schedule, program changes and a place to announce your events. A new issue will be available each morning–at breakfast or the morning worship. The deadline for submissions to the next day’s newsletter is 7:00 pm (right before the evening plenary). Leave your submission in the RMN Office. Limit it to 50 words or less. If you have questions contact the editor, Antony Hebblethwaite at 312-607-6754. 3

Justice and Joy Hospitality

Orientation sessions for convocation participants will be on Friday at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. in the Bilheimer/Dodge Room in the Ruesch Auditorium building (#34 on map). Come with your questions and get an overview of Justice and Joy logistics and program with Coordinator Mark Bowman. Quiet Hours at the YMCA of the Rockies are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Recreation information at the YMCA is available at the Sweet Memorial Building (#32 on map). You can check out equipment for tennis, volleyball, basketball, golf , fishing and other outdoor sports. A game room includes pool table, ping-pong tables, foosball tables and other games. Board games and puzzles are also available. Get information here about trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park for self-guided hikes. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. An indoor pool (#13 on map) is available for open swim on Fri., Sat., and Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Mon. 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Locker rooms, showers and towels provided. Justice and Joy is sponsoring group outdoor recreation during the 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. block of time each afternoon. See page 12 for details. Resource Center, located in the Conference Hall #C (#4 on map) provides an extension collection of resources for reconciling ministries as well as RMN and convocation souvenirs. See page 9 for more details and hours. Registration will be from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday in the lobby of the Administration Building (#1 on map). Persons arriving after that time can register in the RMN office (Sweet Room in the Ruesch Building).

Alcoholic beverages are allowed, but not sold on the grounds and may not be consumed in public areas. You may have alcohol in your room, cabin or reserved meeting room. CHECK-OUT TIME FOR LODGE ROOMS on MONDAY is 12:00 noon. The YMCA has graciously extended this beyond the usual 10:00 a.m. checkout. So please be considerate of the YMCA staff by adhering to this deadline. You can store your bags Monday morning or afternoon before your departure in the Bilheimer-Dodge Room behind the Ruesch Auditorium. Turn in your keys at the Administration Building.

• • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • Justice and Joy Buildings & Meeting Rooms (See map on inside back cover) Walter J. Ruesch Building (#34 on map) Aspen Dining Hall (lower level) Auditorium (all plenary sessions) Bilheimer/Dodge Room (enter east or west foyer) Hobbs Room (enter from west foyer) Sweet Room/RMN office (enter from east foyer) Conference Hall (#4 on map) #A (Breakfast Table Talks and other large meetings) #B (Breakfast Table Talks and other large meetings) #C (Resource Center) Longs Peak Lodge (#19 on map) Boulder Field Room (middle floor) Chasm Lake Room (lower level) Diamond East Room (lower level) Diamond West Room (lower level) Granite Pass Room (middle floor) Keyhole Room (lower level) Mt. Ypsilon Lodge (#23 on map) Tower Room #3 NOTE: There are stairs to this room; all other rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Lewis A. Dick Hall (#17 on map) Birch Cabin (across the street from #23 on map) Rainbow Lodge (#28 on map) Fireside Room (basement) MOSAIC Space

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Justice and Joy Hospitality

Transgender Etiquette Transgender people are valuable contributors to the Reconciling Movement and are present with us at Justice and Joy. Those of us who have not been blessed with opportunities to interact with transgender persons may initially feel some discomfort. So here are some hospitality tips. Please do not assume anyone’s gender, even people you may have met in the past. A person’s external appearance may not match their internal gender identity. You cannot know the gender or sex of someone by their physical body, voice, appearance or mannerisms. Pay attention to a person’s purposeful gender expression. It is considered polite to ask: “What pronoun do you prefer?” or “How do you identify?” before using pronouns or gendered words for anyone. When you are unsure of a person’s gender identity and you don’t have an opportunity to ask someone what words they prefer, try using that person’s name or genderneutral phrases like “the person in the red shirt,” instead of “that woman or man.” Please listen to transgender people’s needs and stories when they are volunteered; yet please respect people’s privacy and boundaries and do not ask unnecessary questions. For more information, you can attend a transgender workshop here at Justice and Joy and also look at resources in the Resource Center. Respectful allies are a critical aspect of movements for transgender justice and liberation. Gender identity issues can become real for us–both transgender and nontrans persons–around use of restrooms. The YMCA of the Rockies has both gender-specific (women’s or men’s) and unisex (single-person) public restrooms in addition to the private bathrooms in your lodge rooms. Regardless of what bathroom you are in, please respect all occupants’ privacy. Each of us can decide for ourselves in which bathroom we belong. Location of unisex bathrooms: one off the Longs Peak Lodge main lobby and one toward the end of each corridor in the Conference Hall.

Fragrance Allergies Remember that a number of persons are allergic to fragrances and that such allergies seriously limit their ability to participate in assemblies like this convocation. So please try to limit your personal use of fragrances as you can. We are also asking Justice and Joy participants to honor “Fragrance-Free Areas” in our assembly spaces: in the Ruesch Auditorium, the rows along the eastern wall; and in the Aspen Dining Hall, the two rows of tables in front of the windows.

Media Policy We encourage media coverage of the Reconciling Ministries Network’s events. We seek to maintain a balance between legitimate media access in the interest of accurate reporting, while also respecting the privacy and confidentiality of the participants at Justice and Joy. All media representatives are required to agree to be bound by this policy, register, receive, and display media badges. RMN reserves the right to verify the credentials of all proposed media representatives, and to deny or revoke access in its sole discretion, at any time. All media must wear their media badge so that it is clearly visible at all times. In addition, all media must verbally identify themselves as media when entering conversation with event participants or leaders. Subject to this policy, media representatives are welcome to participate in plenary sessions. Small group workshops, question and answer sessions, and covenant groups, are not opportunities for media reporting or participation. Permission from RMN is required for photography, videotaping or audio recording Justice and Joy activities or Justice and Joy participants. Media representatives wishing to schedule interviews or clarify this media policy—or Justice and Joy participants concerned about media presence—should contact RMN Communications Manager Antony Hebblethwaite at 312-607-6754.

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Daily Schedule Friday, September 4

(see page 4 for location of meeting rooms)

7:00–9:00 a.m......................... Breakfast.............................................................. Aspen Dining Hall 8:00 a.m.................................. Registration opens (’til 8:00 p.m.).... Administration Bldg. Lobby 9:00 a.m.................................. Preconvocation Gatherings

Believe Out Loud Campaign Training...............Conference Hall B



Building Reconciling Communities.......................LP Granite Pass



MOSAIC...................................................... Rainbow Fireside Room



Parents Reconciling Network..............................Conference Hall A



Reconciling Clergy................................................LP Diamond West



Transgender Justice................................................. LP Boulder Field



UMs of Color for an All-Inclusive Church .................. LP Keyhole

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.............. Lunch..................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall 2:00/3:00/4:00/5:00 p.m..... Orientation to Justice and Joy.................WR Bilheimer-Dodge 3:00 p.m................................. Resource Center opens (page 9) . ..................... Conference Hall C 3:00 p.m................................. Recreation: group hike (page 12)................ Sweet Memorial Bldg. 3:00 p.m................................. Affinity Groups (page 12)............. Locations listed at RMN Office 5:00–7:00 p.m........................ Dinner................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall



Justice and Joy Officially Opens

7:00 p.m................................. Gathering Music & Worship (page 43)............Ruesch Auditorium Vincent Cervantes preaching 8:15 p.m................................. Welcome and Greetings...................................Ruesch Auditorium 9:00 p.m................................. Ice Cream Social........................................... Conference Hall Lobby

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Daily Schedule Saturday, September 5

(see page 4 for location of meeting rooms)

7:00–8:30 a.m......................... Breakfast Table Talks (page 14)..................Conference Hall A & B 7:00–9:00 a.m......................... Breakfast (those not in Table Talks)................. Aspen Dining Hall 8:45 a.m.................................. Gathering Music & Worship (page 51)............Ruesch Auditorium Rev. Drew Phoenix preaching 9:45 a.m.................................. Bible Study (page 16)........................................Ruesch Auditorium with Dr. Elaine Heath 10:30 a.m................................ Resource Center opens (page 9)........................ Conference Hall C 10:45 a.m................................ Workshops (pages 29ff.)................. Room assignments on page 28 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.............. Lunch..................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall 1:30 p.m.................................. Plenary on Intersections (page 19).................Ruesch Auditorium with Erin Hawkins & Rev. Barbara Isaacs 3:15 p.m................................. Recreation: group hike (page 12)................ Sweet Memorial Bldg. 3:15 p.m................................. Affinity Groups (page 12)............. Locations listed at RMN Office 4:30 p.m................................. Choir Rehearsal (page 13).................................Ruesch Auditorium 5:00–7:00 p.m........................ Dinner................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall 7:00 p.m................................. Plenary on Marriage Equality (page 22)........Ruesch Auditorium

with Roland Stringfellow & Evan Wolfson Honoring Ministry of Susan Laurie

9:00 p.m................................. Reception hosted by Affirmation ....................................Dick Hall United Methodists for LGBT Concerns

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Daily Schedule Sunday, September 6

(see page 4 for location of meeting rooms)

7:00–8:30 a.m......................... Breakfast Table Talks (page 14)..................Conference Hall A & B 7:00–9:00 a.m......................... Breakfast (those not in Table Talks)................. Aspen Dining Hall 8:45 a.m.................................. Gathering Music & Worship (page 58)............Ruesch Auditorium Rev. Eunice Iliya preaching 9:45 a.m.................................. Bible Study (page 16)........................................Ruesch Auditorium with Dr. Elaine Heath 10:30 a.m................................ Resource Center opens (page 9)........................ Conference Hall C 10:45 a.m................................ Workshops (pages 29ff.)................. Room assignments on page 28 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.............. Lunch..................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall 1:30 p.m.................................. Plenary on Global Connections (page 23).....Ruesch Auditorium with Rev. Dr. Daniel Arichea, Rev. Araceli Ezzatti & Rev. Eunice Iliya 3:15 p.m................................. Recreation: group hike (page 12)................ Sweet Memorial Bldg. 3:15 p.m................................. Affinity Groups (page 12)............. Locations listed at RMN Office 4:30 p.m................................. Choir Rehearsal (page 13).................................Ruesch Auditorium 5:00–7:00 p.m........................ Dinner................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall 5:00 p.m................................. Board Alumni Dinner.......................................... Pine Dining Room 7:00 p.m................................. Silver Anniversary & Awards Celebration (page 24)..........................Ruesch Auditorium Launch into the Future 9:00 p.m................................. Reception hosted by Intersections (Believe Out Loud)....Dick Hall

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Daily Schedule Monday, September 7

(see page 4 for location of meeting rooms)

7:00–8:30 a.m......................... Breakfast Table Talks (page 14)..................Conference Hall A & B 7:00–9:00 a.m......................... Breakfast (those not in Table Talks)................. Aspen Dining Hall 8:00 a.m.................................. Resource Center opens (page 9)........................ Conference Hall C 9:00 a.m.................................. Regional Meetings (page 13)......................Conference Hall A & B Believe Out Loud Campaign 10:15 a.m................................ Bible Study (page 16)........................................Ruesch Auditorium with Dr. Elaine Heath 11:00 a.m................................ Closing Worship (page 62)................................Ruesch Auditorium Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya preaching 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m............... Lunch..................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall

Resource Center Knowledge for the mind… Nourishment for the soul Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Closed during evening plenary session)

Monday 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. You will find the Resource Center in Conference Hall #C (#4 on map, inside back cover)

Something for everyone: books  music  souvenirs  gifts displays  book signing  pictures

Share the Justice and Joy experience with friends and colleagues in your congregation by purchasing DVDs of convocation worship & plenary sessions: A. Worship Fri. evening & Sat. morning–Vince Cervantes & Drew Phoenix preachers B. Worship Sun. & Mon. morning–Eunice Iliya & Grant Hagiya C. Bible Studies with Elaine Heath D. Intersections Plenary with Erin Hawkins & Barbara Isaacs E. Marriage Equality Plenary with Evan Wolfson & Roland Stringfellow F. Global Connections Plenary with Daniel Arichea, Araceli Ezzatti & Eunice Iliya G. Silver Anniversary Celebration & Awards

Martha Blumer, Resource Center manager

Order these DVDs in the Resource Center. 9

Reconciling Extension Ministries MOSAIC: Young People for An All Inclusive Methodist Church Originally “Methodist Students for an All Inclusive Church,” MOSAIC has grown in recent years to also include seminarians, and young adults. Anyone who self-identifies as a young adult is encouraged to participate, but the leadership and vast majority of participants are under 30. MOSAIC seeks to create change in Church policies and practices which are exclusionary of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families, and their allies. By being a grassroots movement, we seek to live out Christ’s message of inclusiveness in local churches, schools and workplaces, as well as our larger community. MOSAIC serves as a presence at various United Methodist events that attract young persons, as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons and their allies. In their 13 year history, MOSAIC has held annual Reconciling Worship services at the United Methodist Student Forum events, sponsored national gatherings, retreats and planning meetings, advocated for full inclusion at three General Conferences, and contributed to the Reconciling Movement in countless ways.

In the upcoming quadrennium, MOSAIC hopes to encourage future resource development for reconciling campus ministries, expand their calendar to include an annual national gathering, build a strong core team of leaders for the 2012 General Conference, and encourage a number of new young adult reconciling leaders. If you are interested in learning more or joining the leadership of MOSAIC at convocation join all young adults for lunch Saturday in the main dining room (look for the signs). If you decide after convocation that would you like to participate in MOSAIC, please email [email protected]. The MOSAIC and young people’s lounge will be located in the Fireside Room in the basement of the Rainbow Lodge (one of the Eastside Lodges). Join us for snacks during the afternoon free times, or stop by to say hello between program elements!

Reconciling Clergy The Reconciling Ministries Clergy is comprised of persons called to ordained ministry within the United Methodist Church who summon the church to a deeper level of spiritual and theological integrity in relationship to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and their full inclusion in all aspects of the church’s life. High priority is placed on training and developing new clergy leaders ready to speak out and act for full inclusion. The network is dedicated to active forms of teaching, organizing, strategizing, resistance and support for one another to help the church become more faithful to the radical love of Christ. RMC hosts a Yahoo Group for Reconciling Clergy and semiannual gatherings. Currently, the co-facilitators of this clergy network are Chett Pritchett and Rev. Monica Corsaro.

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Reconciling Extension Ministries

Parents Reconciling Network Parents Reconciling Network is an outreach program for United Methodist parents and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. We work actively to reach our goal for the church, which is, “We envision a United Methodist Church which in both policy and practice accords all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, full participation in the life of the church.” Taking advantage of opportunities to engage in dialog, we have helped many families realize they are not alone in confronting homophobia, and that there are countless people working to “open the doors” of the United Methodist Church.

Stoles have had an impact on the Church. The stoles have been lovingly sewn by volunteer seamstresses for several years. Please enjoy your Justice and Joy stole. Please join us in our work of PRN. Your prayers for our success are valuable to us. We will continue to organize at the grassroots, the district and the conference level, and we seek persons who would be willing to help especially at the conference and jurisdictional levels. Please contact Reg and Barbara Olson, the coordinators of PRN, at 513-539-2524, or e-mail us at [email protected], if you have questions, need help, or want to support us in this ministry.

United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church

As parents we have been given a wonderful opportunity to witness to God’s love for all of our children. We have learned that “In Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave not free, neither male nor female” … neither straight or gay (Galatians 3:28). The fact that so many homosexuals are filled with the Holy Spirit suggests that homophobia may be an “unforgiveable sin,” (Mark 3:28-29). If God created homosexuals, who are we to challenge his creation? Indeed, “Our CHILDREN are of SACRED WORTH”

United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) is a progressive, multiracial and multiethnic caucus for true diversity in The United Methodist Church. Rooted in the experiences of people of color in The United Methodist Church, UMOC is dedicated to bridging the movements to eradicate all forms of oppression and discrimination in the church. UMOC works to build a church that is anti-racist, anti-classist, anti-heterosexist, and anti-colonialist. At Lake Junaluska, during the Hearts on Fire Reconciling Convocation, UMOC spoke out clearly against the intimidating presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Find out more about UMOC at rmnetwork.org/umoc/.

We have witnessed in a variety of ways at our annual conferences, RMN Convocations, at the General Conference, Judicial Council and elsewhere. Our badges picturing our children with the motto “My Child is of Sacred Worth”, our set of five PRN brochures, and our Rainbow 11

General Program Information Preconvocation Gatherings Several Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) constituent groups (more info on pages 10-11) are gathering on Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., before the official start of the convocation. These gatherings provide unique opportunities to meet kindred spirits and to engage in efforts to strategically expand and strengthen a particular aspect of the Reconciling Movement. The locations of these meetings are: MOSAIC: Young People for an All Inclusive Methodist Church Rainbow Lodge Fireside Room Parents Reconciling Network Conference Hall A Reconciling Clergy Longs Peak Diamond West Reconciling Communities Longs Peak Granite Pass Transgender Justice Longs Peak Boulder Field United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church Longs Peak Keyhole Believe Out Loud Campaign Conference Hall B

Miracle Minutes Because reconciling is a grassroots movement where miracles happen every day in our churches, conferences and communities, one of our convocation traditions is to celebrate these miracles as we journey together toward the loving reign of God. You are invited to share a “miracle story” during convocation. During transitions before plenary sessions, we will celebrate Miracle-Moments: Five minutes in which the first five persons to the microphone get to tell their 60-second story. The best 12

guide for 60 seconds of time is five sentences. Practice your miracle story, hone it to 60 seconds, step up to the microphone, and witness to the power of the Holy Spirit in the Reconciling Movement!

Affinity Groups Do you have an interest or issue that needs a forum? Or a group of like-minded folks looking for a place to gather? Justice and Joy is a great opportunity for kindred minds to come together, so you are encouraged to convene a group of interest to you. Best times for affinity groups to meet are between 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Another possibility would be during lunch or dinner times; however, arranging a space to meet in the dining hall is more difficult and not private. To organize an affinity group go to the RMN office (Sweet Room) and look for the Affinity Group board. Write your interest or request and proposed day and time of a meeting on the form provided. Be sure to leave your cell phone number or another way to contact you to finalize plans. You will be assigned a meeting room and then your affinity group meeting time and location will be announced in the board outside the office and in the Tree Line newsletter. If you have any questions, contact Sally Sparks at 703-998-0305 or email [email protected].

Recreation–Group Hikes Because a large number of recreation staff departed at the end of the YMCA’s summer season, they cannot staff a number of the outdoor adventure activities this weekend. However, trained guides will lead hikes in the Rocky Mountains on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3:15 p.m. Participation is limited to 25-30 hikers each day. Opportunities for both conditioned hikers and less arduous nature walkers. You can reserve a spot in the hiking group on one of these days by signing up at registration or in the RMN Office (Sweet Room). Group hikes will leave from the Sweet Memorial Building at 3:15 each afternoon. Hike will last 90-120 minutes.

General Program Information

Choir

The locations of these regional gatherings will be:

Come make a joyful noise with the Justice and Joy Choir! Join director Jorge Lockward for rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. in the Ruesch Auditorium. All are welcome in the choir, regardless of previous singing experience. Enthusiasm, joy and a welcoming heart are the only prerequisites.

Conference Hall A Western Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Alaska Missionary, California-Pacific, California-Nevada, Desert Southwest, Oregon-Idaho, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and Yellowstone.

Regional Meetings On Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. Justice and Joy participants will have the opportunity to meet with colleagues from your annual conference and get introduced to the new Believe Out Loud campaign. BELIEVE. To believe is to have faith. This is the foundation of the Protestant Community. OUT. The word out is widely understood as the active and open embracing of one’s identity, especially sexuality. LOUD. To speak out loud is to put forth ones beliefs into the public sphere, with accountability, passion, responsibility, and pride. Help RMN kick off its 25th anniversary campaign, Believe Out Loud, dedicated to connecting and empowering Reconciling United Methodists across the network. After assembling for a briefing on key points of this new campaign, we will divide into annual conference groups, each with the guidance of a trained leader. You will get tips on how to organize your annual conference Believe Out Loud team as well as launch this groundswell of BOLD disciples in your area. Reignite your passion for the Reconciling Movement, network with Reconcilers in your region, and take action by participating in this campaign. We truly are changing the church, one story at a time! But the stories must be shared to create connection and the change we seek; we must Believe Out Loud !

South Central Jurisdiction: annual conferences– Arkansas, Central Texas, Kansas East, Kansas West, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Texas, Northwest Texas, Oklahoma Missionary, Rio Grande, Southwest Texas, and Texas. Conference Hall B Northeast Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Baltimore-Washington, Central Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania, Greater New Jersey, New England, New York, North Central New York, PeninsulaDelaware, Troy, West Virginia, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. North Central Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Dakotas, Detroit, East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Iowa, Minnesota, North Indiana, Northern Illinois, South Indiana, West Michigan, West Ohio and Wisconsin. Southeast Jurisdiction: annual conferences–AlabamaWest Florida, Florida, Holston, Kentucky, Memphis, Mississippi, North Alabama, North Carolina, North Georgia, Red Bird Missionary, South Carolina, South Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Western North Carolina.

Believe Out Loud Story Corps Be a part of the 25th Anniversary Believe Out Loud Campaign as we collectively share our stories and passion about Reconciling Ministries Network. During Justice and Joy you are invited to record your story of why you are a part of Reconciling Ministries Network for our national Story Corps. Stop by the Believe Out Loud booth in the Justice and Joy Resource Center (Conference Hall C) one afternoon and talk with persons there about recording your story. When you are ready, they will videorecord your story so that it can be posted on our web site. Remember Rev. Mel White’s observation that in our struggle for full inclusion, “people don’t change until they know people’s stories.” Let’s believe out loud and change our church one story at a time. 13

Breakfast Table Talks Friday, Saturday, Sunday 7:00-8:30 a.m. Conference Hall Rooms A & B Each convocation morning begins with Breakfast Table Talks, guided conversations in small groups over breakfast. Like “covenant groups” at previous convocations, this is an opportunity to get to know a few other Reconciling United Methodists more personally and to reflect on your experiences at the convocation. The breakfast buffet is open in your designated meeting room at 7:00 a.m. You will be assigned to a table where you will eat and meet with the same group each morning. After some time to get food and converse informally, at 7:30 a.m. you will be lead in discussion of John Wesley’s three “simple rules:” 1) Do no harm; 2) Do good; and 3) Practice Loving God (from Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living by Reuben P. Job; Abingdon Press, 2007). This will be a lively, interactive time to listen and learn and to be in dialogue. Because of food service needs, it was necessary to choose in advance to participate in the Breakfast Table Talks. Persons opting out of this part of the Justice and Joy program can eat breakfast in the Aspen Dining Hall. If you wish to change your preference–either to participate or not participate in the Breakfast Table Talks– please inquire when you check in at onsite registration. Thereafter it is not possible to change your location for eating breakfast.

Leaders: The Rev. David Meredith is an Elder in the West Ohio Conference and pastor of Broad Street UMC in Columbus, Ohio where he has served since 1997. He is a longtime leader in the Reconciling Movement and currently serves on RMN’s board of directors. Rachel Harvey, RMN’s new Associate Executive Director, has United Methodist roots and connections in Central Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and New York. Most recently, she spearheaded the national launch of the B1 campaign for The Advance at the General Board of Global Ministries. Rev. Jeni Markham Clewell, an ordained deacon in the Oklahoma Conference, is a long-time advocate for welcome for all people. She has served as a free medical clinic facilitator, music minister, children’s pastor and RMN board member. She resides with her pastor spouse in Cherokee, Oklahoma.  Will Ed Green, from Hope Arkansas, is a first year student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.  He also serves as part-time pastor at Granville Avenue UMC in Chicago. Chad Johns, M.Div. from the Boston University School of Theology, serves as an associate chaplain at Ohio Wesleyan University. He works primarily with the Spring Break Mission Week Program and weekly chapel. He got involved with RMN at the 2004 General Conference.

Day 1:  Do No Harm What would JESUS do (WWJD)?__________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What would JOHN WESLEY do (WWJWD)?_______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What am I learning from other sources?____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What will I do (WWID)? How will it shape my Reconciling ministry_ _________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 14

Breakfast Table Talks

Day 2:  Do Good What would JESUS do (WWJD)?__________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What would JOHN WESLEY do (WWJWD)?_______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What am I learning from other sources?____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What will I do (WWID)? How will it shape my Reconciling ministry_ _________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3:  Practice Loving God What would JESUS do (WWJD)?__________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What would JOHN WESLEY do (WWJWD)?_______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What am I learning from other sources?____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What will I do (WWID)? How will it shape my Reconciling ministry_ _________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 15

Bible Study Justice and Joy: The Face of Love Saturday & Sunday 9:45 a.m. Monday 10:15 a.m. The fountainhead of justice and joy in the Bible is the love of God. In these three Bible studies we will reflect upon Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples. We are using the image “face of love” to help us remember that the love of God is incarnational. We see the love of God in the face of Jesus. Our neighbors see the face of Jesus through us. As we move through this study may the Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds to deeper transformation. May we come to know how deeply we are loved, and grounded in God’s love, may we go forth to bring justice and joy to our neighbors. The Rev. Dr. Elaine A. Heath is the McCreless Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, the director of the Center for the Advanced Study and Practice of Evangelism at Southern Methodist University, and is an Elder in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. In local church ministry her special area of interest is leadership development leading to

congregational health and evangelistic vitality, and the development of new monastic faith communities. Dr. Heath has provided retreat and seminar leadership in spiritual formation and leadership development for clergy for many years. Among her research interests are the new monasticism, the emerging church, spirituality and evangelism, and gender and evangelism. Dr. Heath holds a B.A. degree from Oakland University, an M.Div. from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Duquesne University. Her publications include: Naked Faith: Mysticism and Mission in the Theology of Phoebe Palmer, Princeton Theological Monograph Series (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2009); The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008); and Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community, co-authored with Scott Kisker, (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2009). Dr. Heath is co-founder and pastor of The People of New Day, a new monastic community in the United Methodist tradition in Dallas, Texas. She and her husband Randall Bell live in Garland, Texas and are the parents of two adult daughters. Favorite activities include hiking, camping, bicycling, canoeing, sailing, flea markets, music and watching movies.

John 17 NRSV• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. 1

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 ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 6

Bible Study

And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. 11

 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ 20

NOTES: Day One:  God’s Face of Love for the World __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 17

Bible Study

Day Two:  God’s Face of Love for Me __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Day Three:  God’s Face of Love for the Church __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 18

Plenaries The Intersections Friday afternoon 1:30 p.m. Join staff members of the General Commission on Religion and Race for an interactive approach to looking at our own experiences, and connecting those to the world around us. This context will include individual, small group, and plenary interaction for a hands-on experience. We will discuss the intersections of Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Classism that together create positions of privilege and oppression in our society and church. This plenary will start the discussion of how to address all these issues with our movement and church to bring lasting change. Erin Hawkins has been the General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race (United Methodist Church) since September, 2007. She joined the staff as an Associate General Secretary in 2001, serving as a staff representative and resource consultant to the Southeastern Jurisdiction, Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Initiative and other ministries serving the denomination’s black constituency. She is a Harry Hosier Life Member of BMCR. Erin was previously a legislative assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald from California. She has a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of California at Riverside and two Master’s degrees, one in public affairs from Indiana University and one in organizational development from United Methodist-related American University in Washington. A native of Los Angeles, Erin is a lifelong member of St. Mark United Methodist Church there, and has taught Sunday school and served as an usher, liturgist, choir member and district delegate to

annual conference. A certified lay speaker, she has been a grant writer, program developer, and frequent preacher, keynote speaker and facilitator for local, district, conference and churchwide events. The Rev. Barbara Isaacs is the Associate General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race (United Methodist Church) with primary responsibility for Education, Institutional Development, White Constituency Anti-Racism Concerns and GCORR’s work and relationships in the Northeastern Jurisdiction. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Barbara was ordained an Elder in 1977 and is a member of the Northern Illinois Conference. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theological Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, in 2002. In her thirty-plus years of pastoral experience, Barbara has been a pastor of rural, urban and suburban local churches; a chaplain; and a staff person at educational institutions and general agencies. She has led international study trips for students, faculty, and university chaplains to Nicaragua, Haiti, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Brazil, and Central Europe. Barbara’s most recent publication is her essay “The Lunch Counter Struggle, 1960 to 1963: Women ReMapping Boundaries of Race, Gender and Vocation” in Gender, Ethnicity and Religion: Views from the Other Side, edited by Rosemary Radford Ruether. In 2003 she was honored to present a paper on the role of Dr. Willa Player in the historic racial protest sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina, for Sarah Lawrence College’s conference on Sisters in Struggle: Honoring Women Veterans of the Modern Civil Rights Movement.

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Plenaries

The Intersections Plenary:  Multimedia Resources BOOKS Akers Chacon, Justin and Mike Davis. No One is Illegal: Fighting Violence and State Repression on the U.S.Mexico Border (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2006). Website: www.haymarketbooks.org. Barndt, Joseph. Understanding and Dismantling Racism: The Twenty-first Century Challenge to White America (Minneapolis, Fortress Press, 2007). Brown, Cherie R., George J. Mazza and the National Coalition Building Institute. Leading Diverse Communities: A How-To Guide for Moving from Healing into Action (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2005). Bush, Melanie E. L. Breaking the Code of Good Intentions: Everyday Forms of Whiteness (New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2004).

Mankiller, Wilma, Ed., Everyday is a Good Day: Reflections by Contemporary Indigenous Women (Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing, 2004). Contact information: Fulcrum Publishing, 16100 Table Mountain parkway, Suite 300, Golden Colorado 80403. Tel: 800-992-2908 or 303-277-1623. Website: www.fulcrum-books.com. Noyes, Martha. Then There Were None (Honolulu: Bess Press, 2003). Contact information: Bess Press, 3565 Harding Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816, Tel: 800-9102377, E-mail: [email protected], PACTS. Unfaithing U.S. Colonialism (Berkeley: Dharma Cloud Publishers, 1999). Contact information: Order from PANA Institute at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709. Tel: 510-849-8244. Perkins, James W. White Theology: Outing Supremacy in Modernity (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004).

Harvey, Jennifer, Karin Cass, and Robin Hawley Gorsline, Eds., Disrupting White Supremacy From Within:  White People on What We Need to Do (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2004).

Rothenburg, Paula. White Privilege: Essential Readings on the Other Side of Racism (New York: William Patterson University of New Jersey, 2002).

Helke, Lisa and Peg O’Connor. Oppression, Privilege and Resistance: Theoretical Perspectives on Racism, Sexism, and Heterosexism (New York City: McGraw-Hill, 2004).

Stern-LaRosa, Caryl and Ellen Hofheimer Bettman. Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice (New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2000). AntiDefamation League Copyright.

Jensen, Robert. The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege (San Francisco: City Lights, 2005). In particular, see the following sections: “Facing the Truth: Past, Present, and Future” and “The Emotions of White Supremacy: Guilt, Fear, and Anger.” Kivel, Paul. Uprooting Racism:  How White People Can Work for Justice (Canada: New Society Publishers, 2002). Kondrath, William. God’s Tapestry: Understanding and Celebrating Differences (The Alban Institute, 2008). Lipsitz, George. The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: How White People Profit from Identity Politics (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998).

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Thomas, Linda, Ed. Living Stones in the Household of God (Minnesota: Augsburg Fortress, 2004). Read Jim Perkinson’s essay “Black Theology and the White Church in the Third Millennium: Like a Thief in the Night.” West, Traci. Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women’s Lives Matter (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006). Williams, Linda Faye. The Constraint of Race: Legacies of White Skin Privilege in America (University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2003). Wise, Tim. White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son (Brooklyn, NY: Soft Skull Press, 2005). Wurzel, J. Toward multiculturalism: A reader in multicultural education (Intercultural Resource Corporation, 2004). In particular, see the following essay: “Becoming Interculturally Competent” by Milton J. Bennett (pp. 62-77).

Plenaries

The Intersections Plenary:  Multimedia Resources DVD RESOURCES Crossing Arizona. Produced by Joseph Mathew and Dan Devivo; directed by Joseph Mathew and Dan Devivo. Distributed Rainlake Publications. Website: www.crossingaz.com.



Skin Deep A multi-racial group of college students in a weekend racial sensitivity workshop discuss affirmative action, self-segregation, internalized racism and cultural identity.

Crash. Produced by Don Cheadle; directed by Paul Haggis; screenplay by Paul Haggis; 2004; 112 minutes. Distributed by Lion Gate Films. Website: www.crashfilm.com. This film won three of its six academy award nominated categories in 2005, and received two golden globe nominations.



Unnatural Causes This film sounds the alarm about how our socioeconomic and racial inequities in health and social conditions in which we are born, live and work profoundly affect our well-being and longevity.

Dying to Live. Produced by Rev. Daniel Groody and Bill Groody; directed by Gerri Groody. Distributed by the University of Notre Dame. Website: www.dyingtolive.nd.edu. Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible. Produced by Shakti Butler; directed by Shakti Butler. Distributed by World Trust Educational Services, Inc. [email protected]. Then There Were None. Distributed by Pacific Islanders in Communications. Website: www.piccom.org/ shop/then-there-were-none California Newsreel Selected Resources Contact information: P.O. Box 2284, South Burlington, VT 05407, Tel: 877-811-7495, Email: [email protected], Website: www.newsreel.org



Race – The Power of an Illusion Three-part documentary series: “Difference Between Us;” “Story We Tell;” and “House We Live In.” Shattering the Silences Eight professors of color discuss the special pressures minority faculty face in majority white institutions.

Media Education Foundation (mef) Selected Resources Contact information: 26 Center Street, Northampton, MA 01060, Tel: 800-897-0089, Email: [email protected], Website: www.mediaed.org

Cultural criticism & transformation (bell hooks video presentation)



Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, Childhood & Corporate Power



Racism, White Denial & the Costs of Inequality (Tim Wise lecture on White Privilege)

Contact Lists Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) 3713 [email protected] 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 1403 | East Hartford, CT 06108 | 860-928-2616 | Fax 860-928-3713 Visions Inc. http://www.visions-inc.org/ “Create an environment where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated, leveraged, and were all can perform to their full potential.”

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Plenaries

Plenary on Marriage Equality “As Long as You Both Shall Live: Rings, Vows, Health Care, Extended Family.” Friday evening 7:00 p.m. Leaders from both the secular and faith efforts for marriage equality for all families will update us on the status of efforts, analyze successes and challenges, share future prospects and expand the scope of the conversation to explore what is left out of the current conversations. The Rev. Roland Stringfellow is Coordinator of the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations in the Bay Area of California with the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Sexuality (CLGS) on the campus of Pacific School of Religion. Stringfellow earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in counseling from Indiana University. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in ministry from Grace Theological Seminary and in 1990 became a licensed minister in the Baptist Church. In 2005 Roland was ordained with the Metropolitan Community Church and in 2006 he earned his M. Div. degree from the Pacific School of Religion with a certificate in Religion and Sexuality. He has worked as a pastor in Indiana and California. In addition to all his work within church contexts, Roland also worked in the field of education in a variety of capacities teacher, guidance counselor, college advisor, and vice-principal. In his current position, Rev. Stringfellow is working to create dialogues on the topic of LGBT equality with church congregations and in religious institutions in northern California. He played an active leadership role in the campaign against the state of California’s Proposition 8 in November 2008, speaking to and organizing support within religious communities and communities of color. 22

Evan Wolfson was founder of Freedom to Marry, the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality in the U.S., and serves as the organization’s Executive Director. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Pittsburgh, Wolfson graduated from Yale College in 1978. For two years, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1983, and teaching political philosophy at Harvard College, Wolfson served as assistant district attorney for Kings County (Brooklyn), NY. Beginning with his 1983 law school thesis on gay people’s freedom to marry, Wolfson has published numerous articles on sexual orientation and civil rights. As a pro bono cooperating attorney for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund from 1984 to 1989, Wolfson wrote Lambda’s amicus briefs to the Supreme Court in Bowers v. Hardwick and NGTF v. Board of Education of Oklahoma City. From 1989 to 2001, Wolfson worked full-time at Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund. As Director of Lambda’s Marriage Project, Wolfson coordinated the National Freedom to Marry Coalition and led the ongoing national movement for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. He was co-counsel in the landmark Hawaii marriage case, Baehr v. Miike, which launched the current nationwide debate. Wolfson also contributed his expertise to the team in Baker v. Vermont, the Vermont Supreme Court ruling that led to the creation of “civil unions,” a new legal marital status for samesex couples, and to the GLAAD team in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, which on May 17, 2004 led to marriage equality in Massachusetts. In 2004, Evan was named one of the “Time 100,” Time magazine’s list of “the 100 most influential people in the world.” Evan Wolfson’s first book, Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People’s Right to Marry, was published by Simon & Schuster in July 2004 and was re-released in paperback with a new foreword in June 2005.

Plenaries

Plenary on Global Connections “All the Little Children of the World.” Saturday afternoon 1:30 p.m. Stories from pastors working for full inclusion in Africa, South America, and the Philippines. With a history of colonialism, what does a vibrant and vital worldwide church including the US look like? How will we learn from our sisters and brothers from around the world? Bishop Daniel Arichea earned his bachelor of theology at Union Theological Seminary in Manila and then came to the U.S. in 1958 for a missionary-sponsored preaching tour that led to his doctoral studies at Duke University. He then returned to the Philippines and served pastorates in Bataan and Manila and taught for eight years at Union Theological Seminary. In 1969 he joined the United Bible Societies and worked more than two decades as a translation consultant in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong. After resisting requests over many years that he become an episcopal candidate, he was elected to the episcopacy in absentia in 1994 and served in the Philippines until his retirement in 2000. He has written and published extensively on Bible translation and study. He is currently bishop in residence at Duke Divinity School and Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines where he also serves as professor of New Testament. Arichea has been a strong supporter of the church’s embrace of LGBT persons and participates in a task force of the Council of Bishops that addresses this. He has written: “Very often human sexuality is an intellectual exercise until someone you love is involved. Then you have to go beyond theory to practice…you either love or hate…you either embrace or turn away. The choice is clear but not easy: choose love!”

The Rev. Araceli Ezzatti is founder and pastor of Diaconia Cristiana en la Diversidad ICM (Christian Service in Diversity), the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) congregation in Montevideo, Uruguay, She is dulycredentialed with the Methodist Church of Uruguay, in which she has served as clergy for many years. Until recently she served as interim pastor for Central Methodist Church in Montevideo (which was the first Methodist congregation in the country). That church asked her to resign because of her advocacy for LGBT people. After receiving a Master’s degree in education and theology from Seminario Menonita of Theology in Montevideo, she did graduate studies at the ISEDET in Buenos Aires. There she studied pedagogy with Professor Paolo Freire. She served as a member of the executive & editorial committee that published Freire’s books. She participated in workshops on popular education that Freire led throughout South America, Africa and with the World Council of Churches in the 1970s. She then taught courses and workshops on the Pedagogy and Methodology of Freire at a number of universities and seminaries. More recently, Araceli completed training and certification as a psychologist, including work with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. She has served as Dean of the Institute of Psychology of Uruguay; Director of the National Program of Training for Methodist educators and leaders in Uruguay; Pastoral Coordinator of five low-income Methodist parishes; and Coordinator of Theological Training for the Methodist Church in Uruguay.

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United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns

Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Reconciling Ministries Network Our Ally on the path for Justice and Inclusion Join us at our “Sweets For Sweets” Event Saturday night at the

Justice and Joy RMN Convocation 2009 Mission Statement: Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transformative gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God’s beloved community. Affirmation P.O. Box 1021 Evanston, IL 60204 www.umaffirm.org

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Workshops at a Glance Workshop Room Assignments (see info on room locations on page 4)

Saturday 10:45 a.m. A.1.

Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New Methodists.... WR Bilheimer-Dodge

A.2.

Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influence?................. Conference Hall A

A.4.

Evangelism for Reconciling United Methodists.............................................................. Conference Hall B

A.5.

Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity....................................... WR Hobbs

B.1.

Building An Inclusive Church Community......................................................................... LP Granite Pass

B.4.

Organizing for Change in Your Annual Conference.........................................................LP Boulder Field

B.5.

Media Savvy in a Soundbite World.................................................................................. LP Diamond West

B.6.

Overcoming Discrimination Through the Lens of Paolo Freire................................. Mt. Ypsilon Tower 3

C.1.

Transcending Gender (Introduction)..................................................................................LP Diamond East

C.3.

Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the World................................... LP Keyhole

D.1.

Getting Our History Out of Our Closets...............................................................................LP Chasm Lake

D.2.

Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the Senses to Strengthen your Worship..................WR Auditorium

D.3.

Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop....................................................................................Birch Cabin

D.4.

That’s So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal.............................................................Dick Hall

Sunday 10:45 a.m. A.1.

Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New Methodists.... WR Bilheimer-Dodge

A.2.

Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influence?................. Conference Hall A

A.3.

The Church and Global AIDS.................................................................................................LP Chasm Lake

A.4.

Evangelism for Reconciling United Methodists.............................................................. Conference Hall B

A.6.

JUST Worship................................................................................................................................... LP Keyhole

B.2.

Bringing People Together to Make Change Happen.......................................................... LP Granite Pass

B.3.

Ordination and Social Change.............................................................................................LP Diamond East

C.2.

Toward a Gender-Positive World (Advanced)............................................................................Birch Cabin

C.4.

Black Queer Theology............................................................................................................LP Boulder Field

C.5. Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic? Moving from Apology to Action................................ WR Hobbs C.6.

Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Sexuality and Faith.................................................... Mt. Ypsilon Tower 3

D.2.

Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the Senses to Strengthen your Worship..................WR Auditorium

D.4. That’s So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal.............................................................Dick Hall D.5.

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“Incompatible With Christian Teaching” Film Screening and Discussion.................. LP Diamond West

Workshops A. Transforming Our Congregations A.1.  Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New Methodists Saturday & Sunday, WR Bilheimer/Dodge Many United Methodists are longing for a simpler, more communal experience of church, one that is less about programs and buildings and more about disciplined spiritual practices and missional presence in the world. This workshop will present a vision for distinctly Wesleyan community that is emerging, missional, monastic and Methodist. The Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath is the Bible Study Leader at Justice and Joy. She is the McCreless Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology as well as the director of the Center for the Advanced Study and Practice of Evangelism at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is an Elder in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is co-founder and pastor of The People of New Day, a new monastic community in the United Methodist tradition in Dallas.

A.2.  Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influence? Saturday & Sunday, Conference Hall A This workshop will look at the agenda of a more progressively minded church and ask how it can present a compelling case so that the American people and their elected leaders will listen. We’ll address questions such as:  What is the progressive Christian Church and is it possible to agree on a central message? Can we learn lessons from the past agenda of conservative Christian movements? What happens when a local church puts Gospel faith into a political agenda and action plans?

The Rev. Roland Stringfellow is speaking at Justice and Joy in the plenary on Marriage Equality. Stringfellow is the Coordinator of the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations in the Bay Area of California with the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Sexuality (CLGS) on the campus of Pacific School of Religion. In 2005 he was ordained in the Metropolitan Community Church and in 2006 earned an M. Div. degree from the Pacific School of Religion with a certificate in Religion and Sexuality.

A.3  The Church and Global AIDS Sunday, LP Chasm Lake The Center for Church and Global AIDS provides resources for addressing the challenges of the global HIV and AIDS pandemic and related health needs in the world through programs of awareness, education, prevention, care, and treatment. In particular, the Center challenges attitudes and actions that contribute to stigmatization and discrimination of persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. The workshop will also draw on Donald Messer’s newly-published 52 Ways to Create an AIDS-Free World. The Rev. Dr. Don Messer, president emeritus and emeritus Henry White Warren Professor of Practical Theology at The Iliff School of Theology in Denver, is president of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS. Speaking and leading workshops has taken him to more than 30 countries around the world. He is author of 12 books including: Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis.

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Workshops

A.4.  Evangelism for Reconciling United Methodists Saturday & Sunday, Conference Hall B At a time when our denomination proclaims open hearts, minds and doors while supporting the exclusion of GLBT persons from pews and pulpits, it becomes imperative that Reconciling United Methodist churches proclaim the Good News of God’s wide embrace. We will look at the theological basis for our work as Reconciling United Methodists, as well as practical strategies to strengthen your congregation’s evangelism ministry so that all may encounter God’s saving love and grace through Jesus Christ. The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, is copastor of Glide Memorial UMC, in San Francisco and Adjunct Professor in United Methodist studies at Pacific School of Religion. An elder in the California-Nevada Conference, Karen has served in campus and parish ministries in rural and urban settings on the East and West Coasts. She is the co-author of Talking About Homosexuality: A Congregational Resource (Pilgrim Press).

A.5.  Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Saturday, WR Hobbs Children and sexual orientation or gender diversity—we don’t often think of these at the same time. Even though we want the children all around us—daughters, sons, nephews, nieces, other family members, pupils, neighbors, parishioners—to develop affirming attitudes about sexual orientation and gender difference, we often do not know how to guide them in this process. This workshop will demonstrate the importance of teaching even very young children about sexual orientation and gender diversity. Participants will learn specific ways to model affirming attitudes about sexual orientation and gender difference with children. 30

Melany Burrill, a lifelong United Methodist, has a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Wesley Theological Seminary, worked for 16 years as a Director of Christian Education in a local UM church, and has been leading comprehensive sexuality education weekend workshops in churches for young people and their parents for over 25 years. Her book, All God’s Children–Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, was published this spring.

A.6.  JUST Worship Sunday, LP Keyhole This workshop moves beyond simply looking at “inclusive language,” to taking radical inclusion to another level. JUST Worship is rooted in the understanding that worship services are a primary way that we develop and share the theologies of our communities. Worship conveys powerful messages about justice: about who we are called to be, to welcome, and to love. Rather than fearing that we will unintentionally exclude someone during worship, we will adopt a more holistic and creative frame. Together we will explore (and create) specific worship practices that free us to answer joyfully the call to do justice by celebrating God’s beloved community in worship. Marla Marcum is a doctoral student in ecological ethics at the Boston University School of Theology. She has taught feminist and womanist theologies, Christian social and ecological ethics, and writing. Marla is a life-long United Methodist pursuing ordination as a Deacon. Marla is co-lay leader of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries where she also serves as co-chair of the Reconciling Ministries Committee and chair of the Global Warming Task Force. She is a joyful gardener who seeks to create justice through collective living with her family of choice.

Workshops

Sean Delmore is a doctoral student of sociology and feminist theology at the Boston University School of Theology. Blessed to call Cambridge Welcoming Ministries his local church home, Sean helps craft radically inclusive worship services and serves as the chair of the Church Council. He is the Young Adult Pastor of College Avenue UMC (Somerville, Mass.) and is pursuing ordination as a Deacon in the New England Annual Conference. Sean takes short breaks from justice-seeking to joyfully paddle his flame-colored kayak up and down the Mystic River.

B.  Equipping for Social Change B.1.  Building An Inclusive Church Community Saturday, LP Granite Pass This workshop will teach the skills of one-on-ones as a primary community building tool to help people build relationships with others as they begin or continue to create a welcoming church movement. The workshop will give a brief overview of how one on ones work, why they are key in building a welcoming church movement and offer an opportunity for people to practice doing one on ones. Vicki Wunsch is a trainer with the Institute for Welcoming Resources, a program of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. In this position, she trains both lay leaders and clergy in developing tools for congregations to be a welcoming place for all people. Vicki received her Masters Degree in Instructional Design from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Divinity at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She is currently pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ.

B.2.  Bringing People Together to Make Change Happen Sunday, LP Granite Pass This workshop will teach participants key strategies in building a healthy and energized team to begin or continue to work for the inclusion of all people in our faith communities. This workshop will offer tools and several hands-on activities to help build relationships within communities to build a welcoming church movement. Vicki Wunsch (See B.1.)

B.3.  Ordination and Social Change Sunday, LP Diamond East A representative from The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry will discuss the ordination process in The United Methodist Church, answer questions, and explore with participants the variety of opportunities for clergy and professional lay ministry within the Church. Participants will also discuss changing systems from the inside out and the vital nature of clergy participation in church transformation. Rev. Meg Lassiat is Director of Student Ministries, Vocation, and Enlistment at the General Board of Higher Education. She plans Student Forum, Exploration and other young adult and student ­opportunities.

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Workshops

B.4.  Organizing for Change in Your Annual Conference Saturday, LP Boulder Field This session will examine various models of organizing for justice and change, highlighting experiences in the Texas, Tennessee and the Baltimore/ Washington Annual Conferences. We will focus on how to create justice through education, advocacy and relationship building and provide examples of activities that can be implemented to work toward full inclusion of LGBT persons in our beloved church. Laura Young brings her experience from Breaking the Silence, an organization of clergy and laity in the Texas Conference that aspires to be a healing voice within the climate of fear and misinformation surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity and to create a welcoming atmosphere for ALL in churches. Laura is a clergy spouse and mother of two young children in Huntsville, Texas. Laura Rossbert brings her experience from the Baltimore/Washington Conference and Nashville Area Reconciling United Methodists; both organizations seeking full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the life of the UMC through advocacy and education. Laura worked on the Marriage Project for the Human Rights Campaign and as the Northern Virginia Field Director for Equality Virginia in 2006. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her partner Brian.

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B.5.  Media Savvy in a Soundbite World Saturday, LP Diamond West Do you wonder how some groups have all the luck when it comes to media? Do you wonder why you can’t get your story in the news? It’s not luck, it is media savvy—and it can be learned. Whether you are a newbie or are a media maven, ramp up your skills! You and your organization can become the “go to” people for journalists in your area. Come learn about effective media engagement for LGBT faith groups through clear messages, media interviews, letters to the editor, relationships with journalists and digital media. Ann Craig is Director of Religion, Faith & Values at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where she works with dozens of groups in diverse faith traditions to empower them to engage the media effectively as they work for equality for LGBT people. Ann served more than two decades as an executive in the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and Women’s Division. Ann was President of New York Methodist Federation for Social Action, was co-convener of Affirmation National Council, and co-founder of the Gay-Straight Coalition at Yale Divinity School.

B.6.  Overcoming Discrimination Through the Lens of Paolo Freire Saturday, Mt. Ypsilon Tower 3 This workshop will explore the concepts of discrimination and exclusion through the methodology of renowned Brazilian educator Paolo Freire (author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed). Participants will be guided in exercises of reflection utilizing cards, photos, newspapers to reconstruct the ideas of inclusion, diversity and community. The underlying focus is on the transformative process of moving persons from mental structures of discrimination, i.e., seeing differences as danger, toward an openness to diversity as exemplified in the richness of Creation.

Workshops

The Rev. Araceli Ezzatti will be speaking at Justice and Joy during the plenary session on Global Connections. She is a duly credentialed pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church and the Methodist Church of Uruguay. After receiving a Master’s degree in education and theology from Seminario Menonita of Theology in Montevideo, she did graduate studies at the ISEDET in Buenos Aires. There she studied pedagogy with Professor Paolo Freire and subsequently became a globally-recognized trainer and speaker on Freire’s educational methodologies.

C. Engaging Intersections: Towards Wholeness C.1.  Transcending Gender (Introduction) Saturday, LP Diamond East What is gender? What is sex? Are they the same thing? Is male the same thing as masculine? Is everyone male or female, or are there in-betweens? What does transgender mean? Can people move between one gender and another? Explore the diversity of sex and gender in this participative workshop. Questions and discussion are encouraged, and we’ll even play a game.

C.2.  Toward a Gender-Positive World (Advanced) Sunday, Birch Cabin Through scenarios and stories, participants in the workshop will come away understanding obstacles that various transgender people face in society, in churches, and sometimes among LGB allies. We will discuss tools and resources that move beyond trans education for our communities, to the transformation of systems in those communities. This is a great moment in history for trans leadership, and we need folks working with us as we face legal, financial, medical, and political challenges. The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. As a pastor he has served the Denver Inner City Parish, Minneapolis’ Plymouth Congregational Church, and the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns. As a transgender man he has traveled widely to speak at churches, colleges and seminaries related to the 2005 documentary film Call Me Malcolm. Malcolm’s work is focused on the transformation and wholeness of Christian communities across society’s dividing lines.

Sally Sparks is a member of Dumbarton UMC in Washington, DC. An engineer by training, Sally spent her career helping government agencies effectively use technology. The real challenge was getting disparate groups of people with their own agendas to work together. She carries this spirit as a board member of RMN and in conducting workshops on gender diversity and transgender education to various groups, including city governments, mental health workers, employee assistance programs, schools, and churches.

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Workshops

C.3.  Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the World Saturday, LP Keyhole It’s been observed that social reality is altered when LGBT individuals establish a new gay-aware culture by creating a “community of listeners” who hear their stories. In this workshop a panel of international Justice and Joy participants will present what they believe is needed in their region of the world in order to “create a community of listeners” within the church, the family & friends, and government there. The Rev. Stephen R. Parelli, former Baptist and now Metropolitan Community Church clergy, has served as Executive Director of Other Sheep since September 2005. He and his spouse, Jose Ortiz, have traveled in Latin America, East Africa and Southeast Asia for Other Sheep. Other Sheep is a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry working worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions by connecting people with people and people with resources.

C.4.  Black Queer Theology Sunday, LP Boulder Field This workshop will explore queer theology with particular emphasis on the context of the African American queer persons. All LGBTQ persons and allies can journey together toward the objective of negotiating a space of analysis and understanding which helps cultivate a more inclusive perspective of sexual identity.

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The Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. She is an Elder in The United Methodist Church currently serving as Dean of Students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Dr. Lightsey’s work has been published in denominational and theological journals and her wisdom shared in panels and General Board discussions. She is mother of two adult children and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

C.5.  Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic? Moving from Apology to Action Sunday, WR Hobbs This workshop will focus on understanding and identifying areas of privilege in our own lives as well as the times when we have felt the pain of exclusion. Building on our experiences, we will work to create models for action that involve being in solidarity and partnership. Together we will examine how one advocates for justice from a position of privilege and the things that hold us back. The Rev. Amy Stapleton has been the National Field Organizer for the Methodist Federation for Social Action since 2001. In that capacity, she works with United Methodists across the country to put their faith into action to address injustices in our denomination and world. An ordained elder in the Rocky Mountain Conference, Amy previously was a hospital chaplain, campus minister and served on staff of urban churches in Denver, Colorado.

Workshops

C.6.  Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Sexuality and Faith Sunday, Mt. Ypsilon Tower 3 Where do conversations about sexuality and faith intersect? How can we be comfortable with our own sexuality, in order to help others feel comfortable about their own? During our time together, we will discuss what it means to overcome the body/spirit divide, to be sexually expressive in ways that foster positive human relationships, and share ways in which we can embody an integrated bodyspirit ethic in our relationships, in our prayer and worship, and in the ways in which we seek justice. Chett Pritchett, as an openly gay man, seminary graduate, and advocate for LGBTQ persons and young adults in the life of the United Methodist Church, has presented workshops about human sexuality for campus ministries, local congregations, and the General Board of Church and Society’s Ethnic Young Adult program. He is a member of Dumbarton UMC in Washington, D.C.

D. Arts & Storytelling D.1.  Getting Our History Out of Our Closets Saturday, LP Chasm Lake History is written from the perspective of those who preserve their records, therefore, LGBT religious groups must ensure that the papers we have stored in our files and boxes get into an archive. The LGBT Religious Archives Network (LGBT-RAN) is a unique digitally-based resource that assists LGBT religious leaders and groups in preserving their records. This workshop will present ways you can collaborate with LGBT-RAN so that our voices and stories are preserved for future generations.

Mark Bowman is coordinator of the LGBT Religious Archives Network, a program of the Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry in Berkeley, California. He began as a gay religious activist thirty years ago in United Methodist and ecumenical welcoming church movements and now is committed to the remembering of our rich and profound history. He lives in Chicago and also works as an enlivener of worship and music.

D.2.  Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the Senses to Strengthen your Worship Saturday & Sunday, WR Auditorium Too often vital messages are lost in unmemorable expressions. This workshop is based on Marcia’s latest research in making worship meaningful and memorable. Insights from filmmakers from soundtracks to editing help worship planners and leaders utilize some of the best storytelling techniques to strengthen progressive messages of justice and joy! Dr. Marcia McFee is the Worship Co-Leader at Justice and Joy. She is an author, worship designer and leader, professor, preacher and artist. She combines her background and experience in professional companies of music, theater and dance with a variety of worship and preaching styles in order to bring a fresh experience of the Gospel to each worship setting. She travels extensively in order to teach regional workshops that are accessible to congregational leaders and worship teams. Additionally, Marcia has begun a program of continuing education events in her home town of Lake Tahoe and an on-line subscription to seasonal worship design help called “The Worship Design Studio.”

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Workshops

D.3. Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop Saturday, Birch Cabin Bishop Daniel Arichea will share some experiences of his own family and the role of the church and faith in the development of his perspectives on LGBT persons. These experiences include being on the Council of Bishops since 1995 and teaching a course on The Bible and Human Sexuality at Union Theological Seminary in Manila and the responses of students there. Participants are encouraged to come with questions and be prepared to engage in the conversation. The Rev. Dr. Daniel Arichea is speaking at Justice and Joy in the plenary on Global Connections. He served as the United Methodist bishop in The Philippines from 1994 to 2000. Prior to that, he worked for the United Bible Societies as a translation consultant in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

D.4.  That’s So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal Saturday & Sunday, Dick Hall God’s call for inclusion of all people comes in the words of the Gospel. Of course the Bible and the UM Hymnal are sources of inspiration to many people in following this call. However, their message is muted when forced through a heterosexual-privileged lens. This workshop will explore some favorite texts and hymns ones that give me renewed spirit as a lesbian Christian on the journey toward a Reconciling UMC. Sometimes it is a word such as “rainbow” or “home”, other times it may be the theology of Advent or Shalom that causes me to say, “This hymn was written for gay people!” Come to sing and to enjoy!

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Sue Laurie was a high school math teacher and basketball coach when she experienced a call to ordained ministry. She earned a Master of Divinity in 1995, but has been denied ordination because she is openly lesbian. She has stood with many Reconciling UMs before the United Methodist Church at local church, seminary, Annual Conferences and General Conference seeking authentic welcome for LGBT Christians. She appreciates the people and the many blessings she has enjoyed while serving as an Outreach staff member for RMN since 2001. She lives with her partner, Julie, who she met at Bible Study at her local UMC in 1982.

D.5.  “Incompatible With Christian Teaching” Film Screening and Discussion Sunday, LP Diamond West Since the adoption of the “incompatibility clause” at the 1972 General Conference, GLBT advocates and allies have fought for the full participation of all people in the United Methodist church. This documentary work-in-progress focuses on the personal stories of United Methodists who have dissented from the church’s policy on homosexuality, including clergy, parents and LGBT persons. Anne P. Brown, a member of Metropolitan Memorial UMC in Washington, DC, has produced eight narrative and three documentary shorts. She is currently working on a documentary short, 5020 Cathedral Avenue, which focuses on the extraordinary contributions of gay rights pioneer, Frank Kameny. Incompatible With Christian Teaching is Brown’s first documentary feature.

Worship Guide

Friday Opening: Saturday Morning:

“For Everyone Born…” “God Will Delight…”

Sunday Morning: “When We are Creators…” Monday Closing:

“…of Justice and Joy!”

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Worship Guide

Greetings from the Worship Designers: Worship is one of the most powerful things we do as Reconciling United Methodists. We come to the worship experience not only to talk about hope, reconciliation and making a place at the table “for everyone born,” we come seeking to embody–to know in our bodies– what that means. Worship is powerful because we must be moved to experience both the thrill of being with each other in love and support, and also the challenge of making a place for all, even when that means those with whom we do not see eye to eye. Yes, by choosing this theme song, we have embarked on a road not easily traveled. Each worship service will ask us to listen, dwell, grapple and celebrate through the Word brought in the forms: music, proclamation, embodiment and visuals. Every human sense at our disposal is called upon to open in order to take in the essence of the Holy and respond with prayers and praise. We give God thanks for the many people who will help us bring breath and flesh to bare liturgical bones. In our Opening Worship [“For Everyone Born”], we will set the Table of Love as we ask, “Kanisa litajengua! (Who will build the church now?)” and we shout in answer, “We will! We will!” This service is the “threshold” for our being together. It will set the tone of joy that comes when justice reigns­—when all have a place at the table. In Saturday Morning Worship [“God Will Delight”], we affirm that God delights in each Beloved Child, offering gracious, “spacious” room for our flourishing. It is this action of God that calls us to act on behalf of all God’s Beloved. As we delight in our own beautifully-created miracle-bodies, and honor each other as divinely-inspired beings, we build a foundation for creating compassion and peace for the transformation of the world. Sunday’s Morning Worship [“When We Are Creators”] affirms that, made in the image of the Creator, we are always creating—this is inevitable. The question is “what are we creating?” Even when the world does not give the freedom needed to create justice and joy, God offers that freedom as we follow Jesus Christ–Liberator, Savior, Teacher and Friend. Anointed as disciples, we experience the power of the Spirit. Closing Worship [“Justice and Joy”] is the culmination of our being together… and yet it is also transition. Just as Moses headed back down the mountain to meet the reality of life and community, so too we prepare our hearts for our own journeys away from this mountaintop experience. The Good News prevails: no matter where we go, God is with us and in the power of the Spirit and the love of Jesus, we will always rise in joy for the continued work of justice.

Peace & Passion, Marcia McFee, Worship

Love & Justice, Jorge Lockward, Music

Note: If you would like to have the worship scripts, including all leader/reader parts and descriptions of ritual action, you may download them from Marcia’s website blog: www.marciamcfee.com (go to “Reflections” and search for “RMN Justice and Joy!”) 38

Worship Guide

Worship Leaders: Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Jorge Lockward currently lives in New York City. A noted worship leader and lecturer, Jorge has collaborated in the planning and leading of worship of numerous conferences, including the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and the 2006 United Methodist Women Assembly in Anaheim, California. He was as committee member of the Spanish Language United Methodist Hymnal, Mil Voces para Celebrar and has served as consultant on other denominational hymnals. He is the editor of Regocíjate y Canta (1995), a collection of Latino worship choruses, Tenemos Esperanza (2001) a trilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, English) songbook and recording, assistant editor of Global Praise 3: More Songs for Worship and Witness (2004) and co-editor of For Everyone Born: Global Songs for an Emerging Church (2008). He has served as member of the Executive Committee of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, the Board of the Reconciling Ministries Network, the Consulting Board for Reformed Worship Magazine & Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, and the Board of Directors of Choristers Guild. He currently lectures on music and worship at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, is the Minister of Worship for a new United Methodist church start in the Northwest Bronx and leads the New York based ecumenical chorale Cántico Nuevo.

Dr. Marcia McFee is an author, worship designer and leader, professor, preacher and artist. She combines her background and experience in professional companies of music, theater and dance with a variety of worship and preaching styles in order to bring a fresh experience of the Gospel to each worship setting. Marcia’s passion for helping the church to worship God fully is especially directed toward the education of local congregations. She travels extensively in order to teach regional workshops that are accessible to congregational leaders and worship teams. Additionally, Marcia has begun a program of continuing education events in her home town of Lake Tahoe and an on-line subscription to seasonal worship design help called “The Worship Design Studio.” As well as her experience with local church worship, Marcia specializes in designing and leading conference worship. Over the last 18 years, she has coordinated worship for countless regional and agency conferences, including past RMN events. Along with frequent collaborator, Mark Miller, she designed and led 22 worship services over a 10 day period for the international quadrennial General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dr. McFee received a Master’s of Theological Studies degree at Saint Paul School of Theology with a concentration in Preaching and Worship, where she recently received the Outstanding Graduate Award from the Alumni Association. She earned a Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies at the Graduate Theological Union with an allied field of Ethics. She has been a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty at nine seminaries.

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Worship Guide

Preachers Vincent Cervantes grew up in a traditional Catholic family of Spanish-decent that didn’t leave room for questioning one’s sexual orientation or considering that homosexuality wasn’t a worldly perversion. After graduating high school, Vincent attended Azusa Pacific University, the second largest Evangelical university in the United States, where homosexuality wasn’t only taboo, but also condemned and punishable by university policies. After years of hiding his same-sex attractions, Vincent submitted to reparative therapy through counseling, ex-gay support groups, and even consented to an exorcism. With over a year being spent in counseling and years trying to pray away his homosexuality, Vincent came out and fully accepted himself as gay man in July 2006. As an out gay student at an Evangelical university, Vincent faced many obstacles with fellow students and the administration. In October 2006, Vincent was forced to withdraw from the university because his sexual orientation conflicted with their policies that prohibited “homosexual acts or behaviors.” Vincent then became an advocate for social justice and equality, leading him to organize the “Right To Serve Campaign” in Los Angeles through Soulforce. In 2007, Vincent continued his work with Soulforce as member of the Soulforce Equality Ride. During a two-month journey across the U.S., Vincent along with over 50 other young adults visited Christian colleges and universities that have policies that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, to share their stories and create dialogue about faith and sexuality. Today Vincent continues his work in activism by sharing his story and the stories of other ex-gay survivors. In 2008, he launched his career as a the-

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atrical performance activist, performing plays that address a variety of social justice issues. His recent plays include, “Holy Christ University: Coming Out in Christian College” and “Doin’ Time In The Homo No Mo Halfway House: How I Survived the Ex-Gay Movement.” He has been featured in The Washington Post, HDNet World Report, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, The Cristina Show, Logo TV, and here! TV. Vincent currently lives in Riverside, California, with his partner Vince. The Rev. Drew Phoenix has been an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church since 1989. Drew has served several urban churches, both in Bethesda, Maryland and Baltimore City, Maryland. He most recently served St. John’s of Baltimore City UMC, a Reconciling Congregation. In 2007, while at St. John’s, Drew came out publicly as a trans male to the Baltimore-Washington Conference. As a result, charges were brought against him and his case went before the Judicial Council. The charges were dismissed and no anti-transgender laws were added to the Book of Discipline. In addition to his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., Drew has a Master of Science in Development Management from American University in Washington, D.C. and a Master of Acupuncture from the TAI SOPHIA Institute in Laurel, Maryland. In response to the Spirit’s calling, Drew is currently serving in an Extension Ministry position as Managing Director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT), a grassroots environmental health and justice organization in Anchorage, Alaska.

Worship Guide

The Rev. Dr. Eunice Musa Iliya is the director of the newly-created Directorate of Evangelism and Stewardship of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria. This is a key position in church management as part of Nigerian United Methodist efforts to build and transform the church there. Dr. Iliya, a mother of four, is a native of the Zing local government area of Taraba in Nigeria. She joined the ministry in 1991. She earned her first degree in theology at Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS). She has worked in different capacities as associate and senior pastor of many United Methodist congregations in Nigeria. She was also principal of the women’s leadership training center in Zing, Nigeria from 1997-1999 and was appointed conference treasurer in 1999. Dr. Iliya won the American Green Card 2002/2003 lottery, which gave her opportunity to become a permanent resident of the United States. While in the U.S. she received a Master’s in Theological Studies degree and a Doctorate in pastoral care and counseling from Claremont School of Theology. She has been a frequent and popular preacher in many churches in the U.S. Dr. Iliya was elected a delegate from Nigeria to the United Methodist General Conference in 2008. Despite being admonished by other members of her delegation, she stood in support of the demonstration again the church’s discriminatory policies and actions against LGBT persons. While noting the extreme difficulty of being a solitary support, she affirms that she stood “to support my fellow brothers and sisters who part of this body. ˇ They are all children of God, and we should support them and give them opportunity to be in the same place where God has called us to be.”

The Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya was elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church in July, 2008, and currently serves as bishop of the Seattle Area. He began his ministry career in the CaliforniaPacific Conference in 1978, after earning a B.A. degree at San Jose State University and an M. Div. and D. Min. from Claremont School of Theology. He served as pastor of Berkeley United Church in the Bay Area while pursuing doctoral studies at the Graduate Theological Union. He then served North Gardena UMC and Centenary UMC in the Los Angels area before being appointed the Los Angeles District Superintendent in 2000. He served as Director of Urban Ministries and Assistant Professor of Religion & Society at Claremont School of Theology from 1990-93. He has been an adjunct professor there since then teaching United Methodist polity and field education. He has served in a number of leadership positions in the United Methodist Church, including the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Commission on Religion and Race, and the General Board of Global Ministries. He was first elected a General Conference delegate in 1996. He has served on the board of directors of several social service agencies and also on several interfaith panels. Bishop Hagiya has been studying in the doctoral program at Pepperdine University with a focus on leadership and change strategy as it applies to the church. He became the Executive Director of Leadership Development and the Center of Leadership Excellence in the California-Pacific Conference shortly before he was elected to the episcopacy.

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Reconciling Communities (in historical chronological order) Visit www.rmnetwork.org/findus.asp for links to communities Community

City/State

Date Added

Community

City/State

Date Added

Washington Square UMC*....................... New York, NY....................May-84

United Church of Rogers Park................ Chicago, IL ......................... Oct-88

Wesley UMC.............................................. Fresno, CA..........................May-84

Walker Community UMC........................ Minneapolis, MN................Jan-89

St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... Denver, CO.......................... Sep-84

First UMC................................................... Oneonta, NY .....................May-89

Wheadon UMC*........................................ Evanston, IL........................ Sep-84

Wilshire UMC............................................ Los Angeles, CA ...............May-89

Bethany UMC............................................ San Francisco, CA............... Oct-84

Hemenway UMC...................................... Evanston, IL ........................Jun-89

Central UMC............................................. Toledo, OH ......................... Oct-84

Third Avenue Community UMC*.......... Columbus, OH.................... Sep-89

Edgehill UMC............................................ Nashville, TN . ................... Oct-84

Estacada UMC*......................................... Estacada, OR......................Nov-89

Sunnyhills UMC........................................ Milpitas, CA ....................... Oct-84

Prospect Park UMC.................................. Minneapolis, MN ...............Jan-90

Wallingford UMC...................................... Seattle, WA ......................... Oct-84

First UMC of Germantown...................... Philadelphia, PA ................ Feb-90

University UMC........................................ Madison, WI . .....................Apr-85

Metanoia Peace Community UMC........ Portland, OR....................... Jun-90

Capitol Hill UMC*.................................... Seattle, WA.........................May-85

Holy Covenant UMC................................ Chicago, IL ........................Aug-90

Calvary UMC............................................. Philadelphia, PA ...............May-85

Winfield Community UMC..................... Winfield, IL.........................Nov-90

Park Slope UMC........................................ Brooklyn, NY .......................Jul-85

Bering Memorial UMC............................. Houston, TX....................... Nov-91

Christ UMC................................................ Washington, DC.................. Sep-85

Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew............ New York, NY . ................. Nov-91

St. John’s UMC.......................................... Baltimore, MD . .................. Oct-85

Hollywood UMC...................................... Hollywood, CA . ............... Nov-91

Trinity UMC*............................................. San Francisco, CA.............. Mar-86

Craryville UMC......................................... Copake, NY ........................ Dec-91

Albany Park UMC*................................... Chicago, IL.......................... Oct-86

Trinity UMC............................................... Des Moines, IA .................. Dec-91

Irving Park UMC....................................... Chicago, IL.......................... Oct-86

Mayfair UMC*........................................... Chicago, IL ........................Aug-92

Wesley UMC*............................................. Minneapolis, MN............... Oct-86

UMC of Osterville..................................... Osterville, MA ..................Aug-92

Grant Park-Aldersgate UMC*................. Atlanta, GA........................... Jan-87

First St. Johns’ UMC................................. San Francisco, CA............... Sep-92

Kairos UMC............................................... Kansas City, MO . ............... Jan-87 Dumbarton UMC...................................... Washington, DC .................Feb-87 Trinity UMC............................................... Berkeley, CA . .....................Mar-87 Crescent Heights UMC............................ West Hollywood, CA ........Apr-87 Albany UMC.............................................. Albany, CA ........................May-87 St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... Vacaville, CA .......................Jun-87 Metropolitan-Duane UMC*..................... New York, NY......................Oct-87 St. Mark’s UMC......................................... New Orleans, LA . ..............Oct-87 The Church in Ocean Park....................... Santa Monica, CA . .............Oct-87 University UMC*...................................... DeKalb, IL.............................Oct-87 Hamilton UMC*........................................ San Francisco, CA.............. Mar-88 United University Church....................... Los Angeles, CA ............... Mar-88 Calvary UMC............................................. San Francisco, CA . ............Apr-88 Wesley UMC.............................................. Sheboygan, WI...................May-88

Fair Oaks UMC.......................................... Fairs Oaks, CA.................... Oct-92 First UMC................................................... Corvallis, OR....................... Oct-92 Trinity UMC............................................... Austin, TX .......................... Oct-92 Wesley Foundation at Univ. CA Los Angeles . ............................ Los Angeles, CA ................ Oct-92 Holy Trinity UMC..................................... Danvers, MA .....................Nov-92 University Park UMC............................... Portland, OR......................Nov-92 Lake Merritt UMC.................................... Oakland, CA ..................... Mar-93 Glide Memorial UMC............................... San Francisco, CA . ............Apr-93 Claremont UMC........................................ Claremont, CA ..................May-93 Grace UMC................................................ Santa Cruz, CA .................May-93 Faith UMC.................................................. Cedar Rapids, IA ................Jun-93 Hennepin Avenue UMC........................... Minneapolis, MN ...............Jun-93 Pine UMC................................................... San Francisco, CA . .............Jun-93

St. Francis in the Foothills UMC............. Tucson, AZ . ........................ Jun-88

Wesley Foundation at Univ. of Delaware...................................... Newark, DE . ........................Jul-93

Euclid Avenue UMC................................. Oak Park, IL ....................... Oct-88

St. Mark’s UMC......................................... Stockton, CA ......................Sep-93

*merged with another UMC

69

Reconciling Communities

Community

City/State

Date Added

Community

City/State

Date Added

UM Student Fellowship at Illinois Wesleyan....................................... Bloomington, IL . ............... Oct-93

Wesley Club at University of Washington........................ Seattle, WA .........................Apr-95

Rutland UMC............................................ Rutland, VT . .....................Nov-93

Morningside UMC.................................... Salem, OR ..........................May-95

Toluca Lake UMC...................................... N. Hollywood, CA ...........Nov-93

Wesley Foundation at University CA Santa Barbara.................. Goleta, CA .........................May-95

UM Student Fellowship at American University................................. Washington, DC.................Nov-93 First UMC................................................... Williamstown, MA ............Dec-93

Wesley Foundation at University of Oregon................................ Eugene, OR .......................May-95

First UMC . ................................................ San Rafael, CA ....................Jan-94

Malibu UMC.............................................. Malibu, CA ..........................Jun-95

First & Summerfield UMC...................... New Haven, CT . ............... Feb-94

Temple UMC.............................................. San Francisco, CA . .............Jun-95

The Common Ministry at WA State University.................................. Pullman, WA ...................... Feb-94

United Campus Ministry at Ohio University......................................... Athens, OH .........................Jun-95

Ballardvale United Church...................... Andover, MA .....................Apr-94

Foundry UMC........................................... Washington, DC ................ Oct-95

Clinton-Comanche MFSA Subgroup..... Clinton & Comanche, IA...May-94

Hobson UMC............................................. Nashville, TN . ................... Oct-95

First UMC................................................... Portland, OR .....................May-94

Pacific Beach UMC.................................... San Diego, CA . .................. Oct-95

Walnut Creek UMC................................... Walnut Creek, CA . .............Jun-94

Epworth UMC........................................... Berkeley, CA . ....................Nov-95

St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... San Jose, CA .........................Jul-94

First UMC................................................... Bellevue, WA . ...................Nov-95

UM Community of Hope......................... Tulsa, OK...............................Jul-94 (1999, became UCC)

St. Johns UM-Presbyterian Church........ Columbia, MD ..................Nov-95 Community UMC..................................... Slingerlands, NY . ...............Jan-96

Ravenna UMC........................................... Seattle, WA ........................Aug-94

Epworth UMC........................................... Oklahoma City, OK . ..........Jan-96

United Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois Univ.............................. DeKalb, IL . ........................Aug-94

Epworth UMC........................................... Chicago, IL ......................... Feb-96

Broadway UMC......................................... Chicago, IL ......................... Sep-94 Centenary UMC........................................ St. Louis, MO ..................... Oct-94 Chenango Street UMC............................. Binghamton, NY . .............Nov-94

First UMC................................................... Schenectady, NY ................ Feb-96 Plattsburgh UMC...................................... Plattsburgh, NY ................. Feb-96 Trinity UMC............................................... Atlanta, GA ........................ Feb-96

Church of the Redeemer.......................... Cleveland Hts., OH...........Nov-94

UM Campus Ministry at University of Kansas................................. Lawrence, KS ..................... Feb-96

Trinity UMC............................................... Kansas City,. MO...............Nov-94

Becker UMC*............................................. Becker, MN.......................... Feb-96

Grace Logan Square UMC....................... Chicago, IL .........................Dec-94

Asbury UMC.............................................. Phoenix, AZ........................ Mar-96

Grace UMC*............................................... Saratoga, CA.........................Jan-95 Norwood Park UMC................................ Chicago, IL............................Jan-95

Wesley Foundation at University CA Berkeley............................ Berkeley, CA . .................... Mar-96

Trinity UMC............................................... Kingston, NY........................Jan-95

Central UMC*............................................ South Bend, IN....................Apr-96

Denver Urban Ministries ........................ Denver, CO...........................Jan-95

West Valley UMC*..................................... Chatsworth, CA..................Apr-96

Iliff School of Theology Student Senate . ........................................ Denver, CO...........................Jan-95

Mathewson Street UMC........................... Providence, RI . ..................Apr-96

Saratoga Springs UMC............................. Saratoga Springs, NY . .......Jan-95

UM Fellowship at University of Puget Sound...................... Tacoma, WA ......................May-96

UMC of Sitka............................................. Sitka, AK . ............................Jan-95

Williamston UMC..................................... Williamston, MI . ..............May-96

St. Andrew’s UMC.................................... Palo Alto, CA ..................... Feb-95

Grace UMC of Ridgebury........................ Slate Hill, NY ....................Aug-96

United Campus Ministry at Univ. Southern CA.................................... Los Angeles, CA ................ Feb-95

Mary Elizabeth Inn................................... San Francisco, CA............... Sep-96

Cal-Aggie Christian Association at UC Davis.................................................... Davis, CA . ..........................Apr-95

First UMC of Gardena*............................ Gardena, CA........................ Oct-96

Fellowship UMC....................................... Vallejo, CA . ........................Apr-95 First UMC................................................... Los Gatos, CA ....................Apr-95 Good Samaritan UMC.............................. Edina, MN ..........................Apr-95 70

Cove UMC................................................. Lakewood, OH .................. Oct-96 Wesley Foundation at University of Michigan............................ Ann Arbor, MI ................... Oct-96 East Vancouver UMC............................... East Vancouver, WA..........Nov-96 *merged with another UMC

Reconciling Communities

Community

City/State

Date Added

Community

City/State

Date Added

San Francisco United Methodist Mission.................................... San Francisco, CA..............Nov-96

Northaven UMC....................................... Dallas, TX ...........................Apr-98

Desert Chapel UMC*................................ Apache Junction, AZ..........Dec-96

Wesley Foundation at Vanderbilt University............................... Nashville, TN . ...................Apr-98

Hobart UMC*............................................ Minneapolis, MN................ Jan-97

St. Stephen’s UMC.................................... Mesquite, TX ..................... Apr-98

Agape House at University of Illinois Chicago................. Chicago, IL ..........................Feb-97

Beaver Memorial UMC............................ Lewisburg, PA . .................May-98

Hazel Crest Community Church............ Hazel Crest, IL.....................Feb-97

UMC of Uncasville.................................... Uncasville, CT . .................May-98

Kings Highway UMC............................... Brooklyn, NY ......................Feb-97 El Cerrito UMC.......................................... El Cerrito, CA . ...................Mar-97 First UMC................................................... Boulder, CO.........................Mar-97

First UMC - Chicago Temple................... Chicago, IL ........................May-98 University Christian Ministry at Northwestern Univ................................... Evanston, IL ......................May-98

Simpson UMC........................................... Cleveland, OH................... Mar-97

Wesley Foundation at University of Denver................................ Denver, CO.........................May-98

UMC of Holyoke, South Hadley & Granby.......................... South Hadley, MA ............ Mar-97

Central UMC............................................. Stockton, CA ...................... Sep-98

College Avenue UMC............................... Somerville, CA . .................Apr-97

Clifton UMC.............................................. Cincinnati, OH . ................. Oct-98

St. Johns UMC........................................... Miami Beach, FL ................Apr-97

St. John’s UMC.......................................... Lubbock, TX ....................... Oct-98

Wesley Foundation at Central Michigan University................... Mt. Pleasant, MI.................May-97

Asbury Protestant Ministry at Drexel University...................................... Philadelphia, PA ...............Nov-98

Berry Memorial UMC............................... Chicago, IL ........................May-97

Harvard Epworth UMC........................... Cambridge, MA.................. Feb-99

First UMC................................................... Long Beach, CA ................May-97

Peace UMC................................................. Shoreview, MN .................. Feb-99

Viceroy, College Hill UMC . .................... Wichita, KS ........................May-97

Alum Rock UMC....................................... San Jose, CA ...................... Mar-99

Davis UMC................................................ Davis, CA..............................Jun-97

Lafayette Park UMC................................. St. Louis, MO..................... Mar-99

First UMC................................................... Ellensburg, WA ...................Jun-97

Martinez UMC........................................... Martinez, CA . ................... Mar-99

First UMC................................................... Santa Cruz, CA ...................Jun-97

Onamia UMC............................................ Onamia, MN ......................Apr-99

Grace UMC................................................ Lake Mary, FL .....................Jun-97

The UMC at Sea Cliff................................ Sea Cliff, NY........................Apr-99

United Campus Ministry at University CA Riverside.......................... Riverside, CA ......................Jun-97

Hamline UMC........................................... St. Paul, MN ......................May-99

University Temple UMC.......................... Seattle, WA ...........................Jul-97 Christ UMC................................................ Columbia, MD.................... Sep-97

Pacific Northwest Reconciling Ministries Network................................... Pacific NW Ann. Conf......May-99

Christ UMC................................................ Santa Rosa, CA...................Nov-97

Riverside UMC.......................................... Kezar Falls, ME . ...............May-99

First UMC................................................... Campbell, CA . .................. Nov-97

South Athol UMC..................................... Orange, MA . .....................May-99

St. Matthew’s UMC.................................. Acton, MA .........................Nov-97

Almaden Hills UMC................................. San Jose, CA ........................Jun-99

Wesley Foundation at University of Wisc. Madison................... Madison, WI . .................... Nov-97

Warren UMC.............................................. Denver, CO.........................Nov-99

Delavan UMC............................................ Delavan, WI .......................Dec-97

Epworth Roanoke UMC........................... Kansas City, MO . ...............Jan-00

Trinity UMC............................................... Seattle, WA ......................... Dec-97 Baltimore-Washington Conference AIDS Task Force......................................... Baltimore/Wash., DC.........Jan-98 California-Pacific AIDS Task Force......... California/Hawaii...............Jan-98 People’s UMC............................................ Newburyport, MA .............Jan-98

St. Stephen’s UMC.................................... Marblehead, MA . .............. Jun-98

Marshfield UMC....................................... Marshfield, MA ................May-99

Rutherford UMC....................................... Rutherford, NJ....................Dec-99 First UMC of Omaha................................ Omaha, NE . ........................Jan-00 Methodist Federation for Social Action.............................................. Washington, DC .................Jan-00 Union UMC................................................ Boston, MA . ........................Jan-00

Christian Educators Fellowship.............. Nashville, TN...................... Feb-98

New Hope.................................................. Chicago, IL......................... Mar-00 (formerly Norwood Park UMC and Mayfair UMC)

St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... Ithaca, NY ........................... Feb-98

Lexington UMC......................................... Lexington, MA . ................. Jun-00

John Street UMC....................................... Camden, ME ..................... Mar-98

Central UMC............................................. Detroit, MI ..........................Sep-00

Praxis*......................................................... Minneapolis, MN.............. Mar-98

Arvada UMC.............................................. Arvada, CO......................... Oct-00

*merged with another UMC

71

Reconciling Communities

Community

City/State

Date Added

Community

City/State

Date Added

St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... Redondo Beach, CA .......... Oct-00

Mountain View Community Church..... Aurora, CO.........................May-03

Trinity UMC............................................... Pearl City, HI . .................... Oct-00

Woodland Park UMC............................... Seattle, WA ..........................Jun-03

Chrysalis Class of First United Methodist Church..................................... Georgetown, TX ...............Nov-00

St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... South Nyack, NY................ Jun-03

Gobin Memorial UMC............................. Greencastle, IN...................Dec-00

Koinonia Sunday School Class, First UMC................................................... Austin, TX .........................Nov-03

United Parish of Auburndale.................. Auburndale, MA ................ Jan-01

United Methodist Church of Auburn.... Auburn, ME........................ Feb-04

Chapel Hill UMC...................................... Portage, MI . ........................Feb-01

Sudbury UMC........................................... Sudbury, MA ..................... Mar-04

Christ UMC................................................ New Rochelle, NY.............May-01

Canton UMC.............................................. Canton, NY . .......................Apr-04

East Saugus UMC..................................... Saugus, MA .......................May-01

The Church of the Village ....................... New York, NY......................Jun-04 (formerly Washington Square and Metropolitan-Duane UMC)

Virginia Reconciling United Methodists... Virginia Ann. Conf...........May-01 APACT A Place At Christ’s Table............ Davidson, NC .....................Jun-01 Reconciling United Methodists and Friends of NC............................................ North Carolina . ..................Jun-01 First UMC of Palo Alto............................. Palo Alto, CA ......................Oct-01 Morgan Hill UMC..................................... Morgan Hill, CA ................ Dec-01 Drexel Hill UMC....................................... Drexel Hill, PA ....................Jan-02 First UMC of Tacoma................................ Tacoma, WA ........................Jan-02 Chestnut Hill UMC................................... Philadelphia, PA ............... Mar-02

The United Parish in Brookline............... Brookline, MA . .................. Sep-04 United Methodist Church of YorkOgunquit.................................................... York, ME ............................. Sep-04 Gospel in 21st Century Language Class, University UMC............................ Austin, TX .........................Nov-04 The Community of Reconciliation.......... Pittsburgh, PA ................... Mar-05 First UMC................................................... Vermillion, SD.....................Apr-05 Maynard Avenue UMC............................ Columbus, OH . .................Apr-05

Calvary UMC............................................. Durham, NC . .....................Apr-02

University of South Dakota, CoffeeLoft.org............................................ Vermillion, SD.....................Apr-05

Wesley-Luther Campus Ministry............ Greensboro, NC . ..............May-02

Aptos Community UMC.......................... Aptos, CA ..........................May-05

Cambridge Welcoming Ministries.......... Cambridge, MA ..................Jun-02

Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists.................................... Oregon-Idaho Ann. Conf....May-05

First UMC Duluth..................................... Duluth, MN . .......................Jun-02 Inquirers Class of Grace UMC................ Sioux City, IA.......................Jun-02 Memorial UMC......................................... White Plains, NY ................Jun-02 MFSA – Arkansas Chapter ..................... Little Rock, AK .................Aug-02

Epiphany Sunday School Class, First UMC................................................... Austin, TX .........................Aug-05 Expand the Circle (ETC)......................... Central Texas Ann. Conf..Aug-05

Bloom in the Desert.................................. Palm Springs, CA .............. Oct-02

Servant Leadership School of Central Ohio.............................................. Columbus, OH . ................Aug-05

Niantic Community Church.................... Niantic, CT ......................... Oct-02

Greene Community Church, UM........... Hope, RI . ............................ Sep-05

Wesley UMC.............................................. Naperville, IL...................... Oct-02

St. Luke’s UMC......................................... Washington, DC ................ Sep-05

Adelphi Sunday School Class, First UMC................................................... Austin, TX .........................Nov-02

Affirming and Welcoming Everybody, AWE, Christ UMC................ Lincoln, NE......................... Oct-05

Asbury UMC . ........................................... Charleston, WV ................Nov-02

East Ohio Reconciling Ministries Network................................... East Ohio Ann. Conf.......... Oct-05

Bethany UMC............................................ Madison, WI.......................Nov-02 Reconciling UMs of the Lincoln Area (RUMOLA)........................ Lincoln, NE........................Nov-02

Spirit of Hope UMC.................................. Golden Valley, MN............. Oct-05

Easter Hill UMC........................................ Richmond, CA ...................Dec-02

Balt-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists, B-WARM............................... Balt-Wash. Ann. Conf.......Nov-05

King Avenue UMC.................................... Columbus, OH . ................. Feb-03

Capitol Hill UMC...................................... Washington, DC ...............Nov-05

Voice for Reconciling Ministries YAC..... Yellowstone Ann. Conf..... Mar-03

Collegiate UMC......................................... Ames, IA ............................Nov-05

Wesley UMC.............................................. Concord, NH...................... Mar-03

Mary Taylor Memorial UMC.................. Milford, CT.........................Nov-05

First UMC................................................... Reno, NV ............................Apr-03

New Community UMC............................ Oakhurst, CA ....................Nov-05

Longview UMC......................................... Longview, WA ...................Apr-03

Open Door Class, First UMC.................. Austin, TX .........................Nov-05

Student Community of Wesley Foundation, U. of Iowa............................ Iowa City, IA ......................Apr-03

St. John’s UMC.......................................... St. Louis, MO ....................Nov-05

72

Trinity UMC............................................... Chico, CA ..........................Nov-05

Reconciling Communities

Community

City/State

Date Added

Edgewater Emmanuel UMC................... Minneapolis, MN...............Dec-05 Magnolia UMC.......................................... Seattle, WA .........................Dec-05 Sine Nomine Class, Travis Park UMC... San Antonio, TX..................Dec-05 Centenary UMC........................................ Mankato, MN . ....................Jan-06 Church of the Three Crosses................... Chicago, IL ..........................Jan-06 Broad Street UMC..................................... Columbus, OH.................... Feb-06 Williston Federated Church..................... Williston, VT ...................... Feb-06 Grace For All.............................................. Peninsula-Del Ann. Conf.... Mar-06 Epworth UMC........................................... Rehoboth Beach, DE .........Apr-06 Christ Church United Methodist............ Denver, CO.........................May-06 Elk Grove UMC......................................... Elk Grove, CA ...................May-06

Community

City/State

Date Added

Gay Straight Alliance, Methodist Theological Sch in OH........... Delaware, OH...................... Jan-07 Mittineague United Methodist Church..................................... West Springfield, MA ........ Jan-07 Cameron Church- United Methodist..... Denver, CO......................... Feb-07 Couples Plus SS Class, University UMC........................................ Austin, TX ...........................Feb-07 Gay Straight Alliance, Methodist Theological School................. Delaware, OH .....................Feb-07 Reconciling Ministries Community within S Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church........................ South Indiana AC................Feb-07

First UMC................................................... Dayton, OH . .....................May-06

Women’s Issues SS Class, University UMC........................................ Austin, TX ...........................Feb-07

Minnehaha UMC...................................... Minneapolis, MN .............May-06

Breaking the Silence . ............................... Texas Ann. Conference......Mar-07

St Mark’s UMC.......................................... Sacramento, CA ................May-06

Calvary Church, United Methodist........ Arlington, MA ...................Mar-07

St Paul’s UMC........................................... Dayton, OH .......................May-06

Central UMC............................................. Sedro Woolley, WA . ..........Mar-07

Eden Prairie UMC..................................... Eden Prairie, MN ...............Jun-06

Life and Times Sunday School Class, Christ UMC................................................ Salt Lake City, UT...............Mar-07

First UMC................................................... Point Richmond, CA ..........Jun-06 Grace UMC................................................ Dallas, TX ............................Jun-06 Summit UMC............................................. Columbus, OH . ................. Jun-06 Boise State University United Methodist Students...................... Boise, ID . ..............................Jul-06 Downtowners Sunday School Class, First UMC................................................... Austin, TX ............................Jul-06

Progressive United Methodists of Kentucky................................................ Louisville, KY ....................Mar-07 Wesley Foundation at Howard University................................... Washington, DC..................Mar-07 Junction City UMC................................... Junction City, OR................Apr-07 Greater Rosedale Homeroom Group..... Austin, TX .........................May-07

Companions Sunday School Class, St John’s UMC........................................... Austin, TX .......................... Oct-06

Guilders Circle, UMW, University UMC........................................ Austin, TX .........................May-07

Bethesda UMC........................................... Baltimore, MD ..................Nov-06

Koinonia Class at Sharp Memorial UMC.............................. Young Harris, GA..............May-07

DRUM: Detroit Reconciling United Methodists.................................... Detroit AC..........................Nov-06 First UMC................................................... Cleveland, OH ..................Nov-06 MIND: Methodists in New Directions, New York AC............................................. New York AC.....................Nov-06 Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network................................ Nebraska AC......................Nov-06 RUMI: Reconciling UMs of Illinois......... Illinois Great Rivers AC....Nov-06 Vermont Hills UMC................................. Portland, OR.......................Dec-06 First UMC Downers Grove...................... Downers Grove, IL . ..........Dec-06

Something More SS Class, University UMC........................................ Austin, TX .........................May-07 Advocates for Justice and Peace, Holy Covenant UMC................................ Carrollton, TX .....................Jun-07 Covenant SS Class, First UMC................ Dallas, TX ............................Jun-07 Justice and Witness Society, N Olmsted UMC....................................... North Olmsted, OH............Jun-07 Labyrinth Community, Holy Covenant UMC................................ Carrollton, TX .....................Jun-07

Open Hearts Reconciling Group............ Grand Island, NE ..............Dec-06

Soiree Circle of UMW, University UMC........................................ Austin, TX ...........................Jun-07

Joyce UMC................................................ Minneapolis, MN................ Jan-07

Tibbetts UMC............................................. Seattle, WA...........................Jun-07

Challenges and Choices SS Class, St. Stephen’s UMC.................................... Norman, OK . ......................Jan-07

West Michigan Reconciling United Methodists.................................... West Michigan AC................Jul-07

Explorers SS Class, University UMC..... Austin, TX ........................... Jan-07

Brackett Memorial UMC.......................... Peaks Island, ME .............. Aug-07

First UMC- Ann Arbor............................. Ann Arbor, MI...................... Jan-07

Edison Park UMC..................................... Chicago, IL ........................ Aug-07 73

Reconciling Communities

Community

City/State

Date Added

Community

City/State

Date Added

Grace SS Class, Washington Street UMC........................... Columbia, SC ..................... Sep-07

Wesley Foundation, University of Maryland............................ College Park, MD ...............Jun-08

Lebanon UMC........................................... Lebanon, NH ..................... Sep-07

First UMC................................................... Lawrence, KS .......................Jul-08

Richfield UMC........................................... Minneapolis, MN .............. Sep-07

Sanctuary UMC of Lakewood................. Durham, NC . ....................Aug-08

Friends of Thomas, Tuesday Class, Epworth UMC........................................... Indianapolis, IN...................Oct-07

South Austin Homeroom Group, University UMC........................................ Austin, TX .........................Aug-08

Genesis SS Class, First UMC................... Austin, TX ...........................Oct-07

St Stephen’s UMC..................................... Norman, OK . ....................Aug-08

Grace UMC................................................ Des Moines, IA . ..................Oct-07

Des Moines UMC...................................... Des Moines, WA ................ Sep-08

Nomads SS Class, St. Mark’s UMC........ Bloomington, IN................ Nov-07

First UMC................................................... Ashland, OR........................ Sep-08

St. Timothys UMC.................................... Cedar Falls, IA....................Nov-07

First UMC................................................... Arlington Heights, IL ....... Sep-08

Arch Street UMC....................................... Philadelphia, PA ................ Dec-07

Langley UMC ........................................... Langley, WA........................ Oct-08

Asbury UMC.............................................. Tuckahoe, NY...................... Dec-07

Nashville Area Reconciling Ministry..... Nashville, TN...................... Oct-08

North Broadway UMC............................. Columbus, OH . .................Dec-07

Hilltonia UMC........................................... Columbus, OH...................Nov-08

Trinity UMC............................................... Madison, WI . ..................... Dec-07

New Horizons UMC................................. Columbus, OH...................Nov-08

Keystone SS Class, Trinity UMC............. Kansas City, KS . .................Jan-08

Sebastopol UMC....................................... Sebastopol, CA...................Nov-08

Sophia Circle, District Unit, UMW......... Cal/Nevada Conference....Jan-08

Franksville UMC....................................... Franksville, WI ..................Dec-08

Tabernacle UMC........................................ Binghamton, NY . ...............Jan-08

Kalamazoo First UMC.............................. Kalamazoo, MI.....................Jan-09

Buena Vista UMC...................................... Alameda, CA . ................... Mar-08

Open Table of Christ UMC...................... Providence & Warwick, RI...Jan-09

FEAST: United Campus Christian Ministry at UC Santa Cruz...................... Santa Cruz, CA ................. Mar-08

Reconciling Journey SS Class, West End UMC.......................................... Nashville, TN . ....................Jan-09

Open and Affirming small group........... Bloomington, IN . ............. Mar-08

Upstate New York RMN.......................... Merged NY ACs..................Jan-09

Wesley Foundation , University of Colorado............................. Boulder, CO........................ Mar-08

With Love! Ministry.................................. Phoenix, OR ........................Jan-09

Excelsior UMC........................................... Excelsior, MN......................Apr-08

Hope UMC................................................. Iowa City, IA....................... Feb-09

First UMC................................................... Eugene, OR..........................Apr-08 Hoquiam UMC.......................................... Hoquiam, WA ....................Apr-08 United Methodist Campus Ministry, Columbia University................................ New York, NY.....................Apr-08 Word, World, and Worship SS Class, FUMC......................................................... Georgetown, TX ................Apr-08 First UMC................................................... Napa, CA ...........................May-08 RUM-EPA................................................... Eastern Pennsylvania AC...May-08 Swarthmore UMC..................................... Swarthmore, PA ............... May-08

Holston Reconcilers.................................. Holston AC.......................... Feb-09 Epworth UMC .......................................... Minneapolis, MN.............. Mar-09 Kansas Reconciling United Methodists (KRUM)................................. Kansas West AC................. Mar-09 The College Ministry of Wesley Memorial UMC............................ Huntsville, TX.................... Mar-09 College Hill UMC..................................... Wichita, KS..........................Apr-09 First UMC................................................... North Andover, MA...........Apr-09 Garden Street UMC.................................. Bellingham, WA..................Apr-09

Travis Park UMC....................................... San Antonio, TX.................May-08

Student Community of Wesley Foundation, U of N Iowa......................... Cedar Falls, IA....................Apr-09

St. Andrew’s UMC................................... Sacramento, CA ..................Jun-08

Trinity UMC............................................... Toledo, OR...........................Apr-09

Church and Society Committee, Bear Creek UMC....................................... Woodinville, WA ................Jun-08

Centenary UMC........................................ Richmond, VA....................May-09

First UMC................................................... Loomis, CA . ........................Jun-08 Metropolitan Memorial UMC................. Washington, DC ................ Jun-08 The Church and Society Team................. Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 The Dialogue Sunday School Class........ Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 The Kairos Class Meeting........................ Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 The Library Guild..................................... Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 74

Highlands UMC........................................ Denver, CO.........................May-09 Kenwood UMC......................................... Milwaukee, WI..................May-09 St. Paul UMC............................................. Everett, WA.........................May-09 Eastern Parkway UMC............................. Schenectady, NY..................Jun-09 Grant Avenue UMC.................................. Denver, CO...........................Jun-09 The Journey, group at Forest Chapel UMC... Cincinnati, OH......................Jul-09 Lebanon-Sweet Home Reconciling Group... Oregon-Idaho Ann. Conf....Jul-09 Comments and corrections to [email protected]

History of Movement A Brief History of the Reconciling Movement 1982-83• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • At the September 1982 meeting of Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian/Gay Concerns in Boston, the idea of “developing a program in which local churches will declare their support for the concerns of lesbians and gay men” is approved at the business session that weekend. Mark Bowman, D.J. Porter, and Perry Wiggins agree to develop a plan. The model of the More Light Program, begun in 1978 by the Presbyterians for Lesbians and Gay Concerns, of a local church adopting a statement affirming lesbians and gay men and inviting their full participation in the life of the local church is adapted for United Methodist congregations. Discussion about the need for “reconciliation” between The United Methodist Church and lesbians/gay men at a November 1982 meeting of Affirmation’s General Conference Task Force inspires the name “Reconciling Churches.” This is modified to “Reconciling Congregations” in order to clearly emphasize that this will be a local church network. The second choice is “Self-Avowed, Practicing Churches.” At the September 1983 Affirmation meeting in Baltimore, Mark, D.J., and Perry present a plan which looks remarkably similar to the program today.

1984 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Beth Richardson and Mark Bowman serve as volunteer co-coordinators in the developmental stage of the Reconciling Congregation Program (RCP). The Nashville Affirmation chapter agrees to allow their post office box to be used as the official program address. The first brochure describing the program and the first resource paper, “How to Become a Reconciling Congregation” are written and published. The May 1984 General Conference in Baltimore amends the Book of Discipline to state that “no self-avowed, practicing homosexual shall be ordained or appointed in the United Methodist Church.” In the early morning following the vote on the ordination ban, about a dozen Affirmation members gather outside the Civic Center in Baltimore and pass out brochures to General Conference delegates and visitors inviting their congregations to become Reconciling Congregations (RCs), in essence to dissent from the unwelcoming policies approved by the UMC.

Within one month, two congregations vote to become RCs—symbolically located on both ends of the continent—Washington Square UMC in New York City and Wesley UMC in Fresno, California. 9 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

1985 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The idea evolves of publishing a quarterly magazine which would address a particular theme on lesbian/gay concerns in the church, which would also contain worship/devotional aids, a resource listing, and news from the movement. The first issue of Manna for the Journey is published and “sketches a conceptual framework and a theological context for the RCP” and “provides resources for those who choose to be reconcilers.” One thousand copies are printed as an “act of faith” and are mailed out to Affirmation and Methodist Federation for Social Action members in May 1985. Thanks to the enthusiastic, generous response of the initial subscribers, the second issue “Living and Dying with AIDS” is published in the fall. Being one of the first magazines to devote extensive attention to the growing AIDS epidemic, this issue sells out quickly. In its June session, the California-Nevada Annual Conference adopts a resolution commending the program and encourages its local churches to become RCs. Beth and Mark lead the first training session for “RC Enablers” in the northeast jurisdiction in May at Washington Square UMC. 15 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

1986 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The first local workshop on “How to Become a Reconciling Congregation” is held in Lincoln, Nebraska. Manna for the Journey continues to expand, having 750 paid subscribers by midyear. Melany Burrill and Bradley Rymph become the first coeditors. The U.M. Renewal Services Fellowship challenges the use of the name “Manna for the Journey” (their newsletter was trademarked as “Manna”). It is decided not to risk a lawsuit and change the name of the magazine, since it was so new and had not yet received wide recognition. An informal poll of supporters results in 75

History the name Open Hands, inspired by the II Kings 10:15 text used in John Wesley’s sermon The Catholic Spirit. Supporters in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference make history by proposing a resolution to its June session to become a “Reconciling Conference.” The resolution is adopted. The Wisconsin Annual Conference adopts a resolution suggesting that its local churches consider becoming RCs. Efforts to promote the RCP to the largest possible UMC audience were thwarted when The United Methodist Reporter refuses to accept an ad for Open Hands, stating the magazine violated UMC policy by “promoting the acceptance of homosexuality.” 19 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

1987 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The first national convocation of RCs, “Empowering Reconciling Ministries” draws 120 persons from the 22 RCs and other friends to the United Church of Rogers Park (Chicago). Seeking funds to support the costs of the convocation, a proposal is sent to the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women for $1,000 to assist members of RCs to get to the convocation. The commission approves this grant, noting the funds would be provided from a private fund and not from the operating funds received from the general church. An ensuing public outcry leads to the first (and still only) invoking of the national UMC “funding ban” (then paragraph 906.12 in The Discipline) by the General Council on Finance and Administration and the grant is revoked. Invitations sent to all general church boards and agencies to send representatives to observe the convocation produces a controversy in the General Board of Discipleship. The invitation is debated extensively and two votes by the directors ended in a tie before the chair, Bishop George Bashore breaks the tie by voting against sending an observer. Supportive board members make contributions to send Nancy Starnes as an unofficial observer from the Board of Discipleship. The two above incidents receive widespread coverage in the religious and secular media. Reports of the convocation appear in several gay/lesbian newspapers across the country. RCP friend Wayne Marshall Jones agrees to videotape portions of the convocation and interview representatives of some churches present. The footage he brings home is so inspiring and moving that it is agreed that an RCP video must be produced: Casting Out Fear: Reconciling Ministries with Gay/Lesbian United Methodists. 76

Three more annual conferences—California-Nevada, New York, and Troy—vote to become “Reconciling Conferences” in their early summer sessions. A new RCP brochure, “Is Your Church Open to All Persons?” is produced. Due to the income and expenses of the convocation, the program’s annual financial report doubles. 30 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

1988 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Continued program expansion brings the “growing pains” experienced by many grass roots movements. A joint meeting of the RCP Advisory Committee and the Affirmation Coordinating Committee is held in January to address these program needs. That meeting results in decisions to expand the RCP Advisory Committee to 8 persons and to provide a half-time national staff. Beth Richardson announces her intention to retire as national co-coordinator after the General Conference. Mark Bowman expresses his willingness to serve as a half-time national coordinator. The UMC General Conference in May in St. Louis provides the opportunity for a strong RCP witness. The video, Casting Out Fear, is shown during a daily luncheon forum in the RCP/Affirmation hospitality suite. Seeing the need for a concise resource for lay persons that outlines facts and concerns about homosexuality and the Church, Ann Thompson Cook, along with other Dumbarton UMC members, write and publish such a resource: And God Loves Each One: A Resource for Dialogue About the Church and Homosexuality. The booklet debuts just before Christmas. The first meeting of the RCP Advisory Committee is held in Washington, D.C. Open Hands’ application to join the Associated Church Press (the national association of mainline religious periodicals) is accepted. A fall retreat by the Evangelical Renewal Fellowship in the California-Nevada conference announces the formation of “Transforming Congregations,” modeled after the RCP, but seeking to change homosexuals into heterosexuals. The membership of the UMC Study Committee on Homosexuality, authorized by the General Conference is announced and includes RC pastor, Dennis Alexander (Wesley UMC, Minneapolis) and a former RC pastor, Rebecca Parker (Wallingford UMC, Seattle). 37 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

History

1989 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Affirmation’s Long-Range Planning Committee recommends that the RCP become more autonomous. The Reconciling Conference movement grows stronger as Eastern Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Oregon-Idaho appoint task forces to study such conference action. The Southern New England Conference commends the RCP to its congregations for study and action. The continued high quality of Open Hands results in being honored with two prestigious awards from the Associated Church Press. The “Living and Loving with AIDS” issue receives the 1988 Award of Merit for “in-depth coverage of a current issue” and the magazine receives honorable mention in the overall General Excellence category, both for magazines with less than 10,000 subscribers. The decision to incorporate the RCP as an independent nonprofit corporation is approved at the September Affirmation meeting. Christ UMC (Washington, D.C.) offers a small storage room to serve as an office for the coordinator. Advisory Committee member Reva Anderson, Grant Park-Aldersgate pastor Sally Daniel, and coordinator Mark Bowman testify before the Study Committee on Homosexuality in November. 43 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

1990 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 200 members and friends gather for the second convocation in San Francisco in February. A first-ever youth program draws five youth from RCs around the country and is led by Melany Burrill. The RCP is incorporated in the District of Columbia in July and the first official board meeting is in Philadelphia in August. The board invites all RCs to celebrate the first national RC Sunday during Epiphany, invites leaders of the welcoming programs in other denominations to a weekend for sharing and support, and launches a “92 in ’92” program to double the number of RCs in two years. The General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns votes unanimously (with 2 abstentions) in October to become a “Reconciling Commission,” the first such action taken by a national UMC board or agency. Commmitment services for gay or lesbian couples become a hot issue, following a Washington Post story about Dumbarton UMC adopting a policy affirming such services. The local bishop declares that Dumbarton’s policy contravened his interpretation of UMC law.

The resultant publicity brings a similar action against University UMC (Madison, Wisc.) which had adopted a similar policy in 1986. The witness of local RCs grows and is recognized. Dumbarton UMC and St. John’s UMC (Baltimore) receive the annual Ball Awards from the Methodist Federation for Social Action for their witness to social justice. St. Francis in the Foothills is showcased in a UMC video as one of five “Vital Congregations” by the General Board of Discipleship. Many RCs testify at listening posts held by the UMC Study Committee on Homosexuality. The historic gathering of nine leaders from the More Light (Presbyterian), Open and Affirming (United Church of Christ), Reconciled in Christ (Lutheran), Welcoming (Unitarian-Universalist), and the RCP in October in Chicago brings national attention to a growing ecumenical movement, more than 200 congregations strong. 49 Reconciling Congregations at year end.

1991 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Production of several new resource papers and a study guide for Casting Out Fear is undertaken. At the request of Wheadon UMC, which had amended its reconciling statement to welcome lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, the board devotes a part of its August meeting in Chicago to learning about bisexuality. Recognizing that this is an emerging issue, about which there was not necessarily consensus in all RCs, the board agrees to be more inclusive of bisexual persons in Open Hands and other resources, but not to change official RCP policy at this time. The UMC cable TV show, Catch the Spirit, does a segment on homosexuality in March and included information about RCs for the first time. Covenant services continues to be an issue as the pastor of Walker Community UMC (Minneapolis) is told by the bishop that she could not do such a service there, in spite of the support of the congregation. The second interdenominational meeting of the leaders of the welcoming church programs is boosted by the participation of two new programs: Supportive Congregations in the Brethren-Mennonite tradition and Open and Affirming Congregations in the Disciples of Christ. The initial terms of ecumenical cooperation in the publication of Open Hands are discussed here. The UMC’s Judicial Council unanimously upholds the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns’ decision to become a Reconciling Commission. 54 Reconciling Congregations at year end. 77

History

1992 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1993 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The RCP is visible before, during, and after the UMC’s General Conference which receives the Homosexuality Study Report, but takes no other actions to change the church’s unwelcoming policies towards lesbians and gay men.

Along with Affirmation and MFSA, RCP testifies before the General Conference concerning moving the 1996 General Conference out of Colorado. (Amendment 2 banning laws that would protect gay and lesbian people from discrimination.) The Commission does not choose to relocate the conference but agrees to hold a witness there.

The RCP, along with the Methodist Federation for Social Action, sponsors a series of “Nourishing the Tree of Life” services in about 50 cities across the country during the summer and early fall. These services offer healing and reconciliation and are attended by several hundred persons. Open Hands receives the prestigious Award for Merit for General Excellence for smaller magazines by the Associated Church Press. The Methodist Federation for Social Action honors the RCP with one of its Ball Awards for the RCP’s outstanding social witness. Staff operations of the national office are relocated to Irving Park UMC in Chicago. Mark Bowman continues as program coordinator, now on a full-time basis. Plans for the ecumenical cooperation in the publication of Open Hands are agreed upon at the fall meeting of interdenominational program leaders. (The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is the new program present at this meeting.) The publication process for Open Hands is changed to having one editor and an ecumenical advisory committee. The Wesley Foundation at UCLA becomes the first Reconciling Campus Ministry. Covenant services, once again, catch the national attention as several articles appear about a covenant service in Indianapolis at which an uninvited UMC pastor videotaped the service as evidence to use against the clergy involved. Several bishops warn pastors against conducting such services (none against illicit videotaping). The adoption of an antigay local referendum in Colorado results in the formation of United Methodists Against Discrimination in Colorado, spearheaded by the pastor and members of St. Paul’s UMC in Denver. This coalition, with the support of many other RCs, around the country, distribute petitions calling on the UMC to move its 1996 General Conference out of Colorado as a witness against discrimination. 62 Reconciling Congregations and 1 Reconciling Campus Ministry at year end.

278 persons attend the Third National Convocation of Reconciling Congregations held in Washington D.C. A Youth/Young Adult Task Force is formed to empower the voices of youth and young adults and address their needs in the reconciling movement. A Reconciling Pastors’ Action Network (RPAN) is initiated to provide a vehicle for UMC church professionals to witness to full inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons. The first ecumenical issue of Open Hands was published in the winter with More Light (Presbyterian), Open and Affirming (UCC) and Reconciled in Christ (Lutheran). The Board begins the Angel Campaign which invites supporters to pledge $100 or more for the year. The goal of $40,000 is surpassed. 70 Reconciling Congregations and 3 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end

1994 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Eight years after initial refusal and under new editorship, the United Methodist Reporter accepts an RCP classified ad. RPAN grows to 100 members as efforts toward advocacy and outreach expand.. A New RCP brochure is produced. To meet the growing interest in Reconciling Campus Ministries a new resource paper is also produced. “A Statistical Study of United Methodist Congregation on the Reconciling Journey” by Chad Heilig and Kristin Stoneking is published and shows that churches do not incur loss when becoming Reconciling Congregations. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, RCP invites Tim McGinley, minister of music at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis, to write an original musical drama. A performance company is recruited from around the country. The result is HOME: The Parable of Beatrice and Neal which goes on a 15-city tour throughout the Midwest and receives widespread acclamation from the 1,600 people who see it. The UM Reporter features HOME in a special article. Program coodinator Mark Bowman appears on Lawson Live, a cable TV show.

78

History RCP is invited with Affirmation and MSFA to present suggestions to General Conference Commission regarding “witness” at General Conference. The Commission agrees to a plenary session which will focus on the church’s witness for civil and human rights for all persons.

1996 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Still on the Journey: A Handbook for Reconciling Congregation in Ministry with Lesbians, Bisexuals and Gay Men is published in response to requests for resources on what RCs can be doing after their public declaration.

Outreach coordinator James Preston and colleague Marilyn Alexander publish book, We Were Baptized Too: Claiming God’s Grace for Lesbians and Gays.

RCP staffs a resource table and hosts a reception at Celebrate, a national student conference of more than 2,000 Christian students in St. Louis. 90 Reconciling Congregations and 5 Campus Ministries at year end

1995 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Board begins planning for “Open the Doors” campaign for 1996 General Conference in Denver. RPAN will become “Reconciling United Methodists” is an effort to attain 9,600 signatures for the campaign. RCP works with local folks to bring to the public eye the sexual orientation discrimination based firing of Diana Chalfant, a coach at the United Methodist-affiliated Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. RC and RPAN members protest with letters and phone calls to the college president and area bishop. The fourth national convocation draws 325 persons to Augsburg College in Minneapolis. A highlight is UM leader Jeanne Audrey Powers’ “coming out” sermon. Open the Doors campaign is officially launched. Summer intern Wil Brant writes and distributes proposal for an ecumenical Bible study curriculum. Proposal generates immediate positive response from several other lesbian/gay-affirming Christian groups.

Plans are finalized for Open the Doors witness in Denver which includes a joint WARM hospitality and work center with Women’s Caucus, Affirmation, and Methodist Federation for Social Action.

Welcoming & Affirming Baptists join the cooperative publication of Open Hands with the Winter 1996 issue. Over 75 RCP members and friends come to Denver to carry out an Open the Doors witness which permeates the General Conference. Posters proclaiming Open the Doors displayed in downtown businesses. Volunteers literally open doors for delegates and visitors to conference. Press conference with four testimonies of discrimination in church draws several hundred listeners. Placards with names of over 10,000 Reconciling UMs are unveiled. Fifteen bishops upset conference with their “Open the Doors” declaration. Youth/Student/Seminarian Rally calls on church to “open doors.” Original musical drama Caught in the Middle, written by RCP friends Jean Hodges and Julian Rush premieres. Over 400 persons attend Sunday morning worship in Denver’s RC, St. Paul’s UMC. General Conference maintains unwelcoming policies and adds ban on same-gender unions to Social Principles. Open the Doors stories circulate around the denomination after General Conference. Oregon-Idaho and Wisconsin vote to become the 5th and 6th Reconciling Conferences. Group of students at UM Student Forum react to continued homophobia in church by forming Methodist Students for an All-Inclusive Church (MoSAIC), immediately setting up a national leadership team.

In light of its growing staff and resource needs, RCP prepares to move into a newly renovated, larger office at the same location—Irving Park UMC.

Judicial Council upholds Wisconsin’s Reconciling Conference decision upon appeal.

160 activists from 33 annual conferences participate in six regional Knock-Ins to train and plan for local Open the Doors efforts.

University UMC in Madison, Wisconsin, takes public stand against local antigay group and is subsequently subjected to harassment.

Open the Doors activities spread across the country as local activists write letters and arrange meetings with General Conference delegates, organize Open the Doors rallies and signature parties, and enroll Reconciling United Methodists. Coordinators are recruited to facilitate Open the Doors activities in annual conferences.

New England Conference produces video about its Reconciling Congregations, Because God First Loved Us.

104 Reconciling Congregations and 12 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end

Threshold Meetings throughout the fall and winter bring together over 550 local RCP activists in 25 annual conferences to cross the threshold created by Open the Doors and build a stronger local RC movement. Open Hands editor Mary Jo Osterman leads year-long 79

History ecumenical process of creating new Bible study curriculum Claiming the Promise. Open Hands breaks new ground with “Transgender Realities” issue. Subscription list surpasses 3,000. Angel campaign in which supporters provide annual gifts of $100 or more surpasses $100,000 for first time. $10,000 grant from Gill Foundation sets precedent as first grant from major foundation to support organizing for lesbian/gay concerns in religious communities. 118 Reconciling Congregations and 16 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end

1997 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Board and staff prepare four-year plan with concrete goals on building RC movement, increasing diversity, and undergirding movement growth. Fifth national convocation, Come to the Table, is planned for Emory University in Atlanta—first national RCP gathering in the Southeast. Claiming the Promise: An Ecumenical Welcoming Bible Study Resource on Homosexuality is published in January to immediate widespread acclaim. RCP reaches new audiences with information displays at annual meeting of Black Methodists for Church Renewal and at UMC Global Gathering. RCP staff design and lead first Leadership Training Weekend in Chicago with 20 participants from 10 midwestern conferences. Response is overwhelmingly positive and staff began preparations to hold regional Leadership Training events in fall. MoSAIC carries out powerful witness at UM Student Forum. MoSAIC-sponsored resolution for United Methodist Student Movement to become “reconciling” gets strong support, but falls short of 2/3 vote needed for adoption. Orthodox “Good News” caucus undertakes major national mail campaign with misinformation about the RCP. Resolutions calling on Reconciling Conferences to rescind their “reconciling” status fail. Five hundred RCP members and friends gather on Atlanta for the fifth national convocation, Come to the Table. This inspiring weekend of worship, study, training, and celebration is heralded as the “best convocation ever.” Particularly significant are first-ever Area Strategy Sessions in which RCP activists met to coordinate regional movement-building efforts and four preconvocation forums for particular constituencies: clergy; persons of color; parents of l/g/bi persons; and youth, students and seminarians. 80

Program priority for 1997-98 is to train and empower grass roots leadership in the RC movement. Staff plan to lead eight regional Leadership Training Seminars. 138 Reconciling Congregations and 20 Reconciling Campus Ministries

1998 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The March trial of the Rev. Jimmy Creech for conducting a union service for two women at First UMC (Omaha) receives national media attention. Creech’s argumentthe Social Principles’ ban on “ceremonies celebrating homosexual unions” is not binding- produces acquittal in trial. Later appeal to Judicial Council by South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops results in ruling that the ban is legally binding. Local RCP activists organize first-ever RCP regional conferences that bring together 40 Reconciling UMs in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in May and 125 persons from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska in July. After talks with the General Council on Finance and Administration regarding the UM Cross & Flame in the RCP logo, RCP board decides not to engage in legal battle and institutes a contest for a new logo. Entry from the Rev. Doyle Burbank-Williams (Nebraska) is chosen as the new RCP logo. Logo is an ascending dove on background triangle framed by a cross. The Open & Affirming Ministries (Disciples of Christ) and Affirming Congregation Programme (United Church of Canada) officially join the ecumenical cooperative publication of Open Hands. A diverse group of 90 RCP activists from across the U.S. spend Labor Day weekend in a Visioning Retreat at an upstate New York campgrounds. This spirit-filled gathering lays the foundation for the RCP’s campaign for the General Conference 2000: “Wide is God’s Welcome—Extend the Table.” Retreat participants pledge over $100,000 toward the campaign. The Judicial Council, in reviewing a “Confessing Conference” resolution from the Northwest Texas Annual Conference ruled in October that annual conferences or general church agencies cannot identify themselves as Reconciling, Confessing, Transforming or with any other unofficial church groups. By this action, the Judicial Council overturned previous rulings which upheld the decisions of Wisconsin Conference and the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns to become Reconciling. 148 Reconciling Congregations 22 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end.

History

1999 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2000 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

California-Nevada Reconciling Congregations were prominent among the 1200 persons gathered for the union service of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton in Sacramento. Ninety-five clergy co-officiated in this blessing as a challenge to the UMC policy banning same-sex unions.

General Conference—RCP “Wide is God’s Welcome: Extend the Table” campaign in Cleveland, Ohio; Noon time communion services, often officiated by bishops, grew each day. Over 700 volunteers signed in for portions of the conference!

Eighty representatives from 33 Reconciling Congregations and Campus Ministries gather at First UMC Chicago for the first-ever RCP Consultation in order to discuss implications of recent Judicial Council decisions. The discussion revealed the diversity of situations in which different Reconciling Congregations find themselves. Participants adopted the following statement: “Be it resolved, we the assembled Reconciling United Methodists meeting January 29th and 30th in Chicago have resolved not to surrender the word ‘reconciling’.” The initial phase of the “Wide is God’s Welcome— Extend the Table” campaign is launched in March as sixty RCP activists from twenty-one annual conferences are trained in five jurisdictional Mesa (“Table”) meetings to implement the campaign in their conference. A “Reconciling Cookbook” with campaign ideas is published. “Wide is God’s Welcome—Extend the Table” posters and buttons are on display at annual conference sessions. The Rev. Gregory Dell, pastor of Broadway UMC (Chicago) is tried by Northern Illinois Conference for doing a commitment service for two men in his church last September. Dell is found guilty of disobeying the Order and Discipline of the church and is given suspension from pastoral duties unless he signs statement indicating he will abide by church policy. The United Methodist Student Forum adopts resolution to become a “Reconciling Student Movement” at its Memorial Day gathering as a result of the educational work done by MoSAIC leaders in recent years. Marilyn Alexander is named as Interim Executive Director of RMN. She will later be named Executive Director. The sixth national RCP convocation, “Proclaiming Jubilee” is held in Denton, Texas. This is the first convocation in the South Central Jurisdiction. Fourteen new Reconciling Congregations. 162 Reconciling Congregations, 24 Campus Ministries, and 9 Communities at year’s end.

The first time presence of Parents’ badges stating “My Child is of Sacred Worth” and of the United Methodists of Color statement for inclusion added depth to the message. The Shower of Stoles project surrounded the meeting spaces. A Saturday rally of hundreds surrounded the conference center with a rainbow ribbon “hug” by singing RUMs. Soulforce witness included Jimmy Creech, Rev. Jim Lawson, and ecumenical partners - over 200 were arrested Wednesday of the second week. Thursday morning after impassioned speeches and a negative vote on the truth of differing views, Reconciling witnesses came onto the floor of the conference to protest the continuing exclusion of GLBT United Methodists. 29 were arrested from the floor. Activists begin both the United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) and the Parent’s Reconciling Network (PRN) A video of the General Conference actions was produced and offered as a resource. Reflecting emerging vision and structure, RCP changes name to Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). Nine new Reconciling Congregations. Totals: 168 Congregations, 24 Campus Ministries, and 12 Communities.

2001 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Rev. Karen Damman of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference sends a letter to Bishop Elias Galvan that stated she was living in a “partnered, covenanted, homosexual relationship.” Bishop Galvan filed an official complaint, charging him with “practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teaching.” (BOD paragraph 2702.1.b) The Conference Committee on Investigation did not charge her. Rev. Mark E. Williams discloses his sexual orientation as homosexual to the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference in June. Bishop Elias Galvan filed an official complaint (as above). For the time, Rev. Williams maintains his appointment to Woodland Park UMC as a pastor in good standing. Open Hands Magazine goes out of publication with the Summer 2001 issue. 81

History “Revival!” Reconciling United Methodists and friends gather in Tacoma, Washington for the sixth national convocation. Bible study led by Rev. Irene Monroe and Dr. Mary Ann Tolbert. Worship design by Marcia McFee.

Cincinnati. They were joined by John Calhoun of Affirmation and Kathryn Johnson of MFSA. RUMs from Clifton UMC and Central UMC (Toledo) provide prayer and presence support.

Voice in the Wilderness awarded to Union Memorial UMC, Boston, MA, the first predominately African American UMC to declare Reconciling status.

Thirteen new Reconciling Congregations, one Campus Ministry, and four communities.

Cup of Justice awarded to the Rocky Mountain Youth, for a statement at Annual Conference and to Pacific Northwest AC RUMs for their statement “To Plead the Cause”. Promise of Inclusion awarded to the UM Communications folks for the “Igniting Ministries” campaign to lay claim to the “Open Doors” language and reveal our presence in that. A letter was sent. Beginning of the Clergy Alliance. (This later becomes Reconciling Ministries Clergy (RMC).) A special award from “Clergy Alliance” went to Mark Williams and Karen Damman. I Just Want to Keep Telling My Story video project is completed and offered as a resource for congregations in the Reconciling process. It features people who have experienced both the needs and the joys of Reconciling ministry. It debuted at convocation. Six new Reconciling Congregations. Totals: 174 Congregations, 24 Campus Ministries, and 15 Communities.

2002 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Rev. Mark E. Williams retains his credentials to continue as an ordained United Methodist minister. The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Committee on Investigation found insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint of homosexual practice filed against Rev. Williams. The vote was unanimous. He continues as pastor at Woodland Park UMC which reports a sense of joy and relief at the news. Bishop appealed to the Western Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals asking whether there were egregious errors made by the PNW Conference Committee on Investigation when the dismissed his complaint against Rev. Karen Damman. (July) Flashnet! the RMN email digest begins sharing news and ideas on a weekly basis. This greatly enhances the ability to inform and mobilize our constituency. General Commission on Interreligious Concerns and Christian Unity held listening posts on homosexuality around the country as mandated by the 2000 General Conference. Marilyn Alexander, ED of RMN, Rev. Gil Caldwell of UMOC, and Sue Laurie of RMN testify in 82

Totals: 184 Congregations, 25 Campus Ministries, and 19 Communities.

2003 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The case of Rev. Karen Damman continues. The Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals affirms the local decision to dismiss charges against Rev. Damman. (January). It is appealed to the Judicial Council which remanded it back to Pacific Northwest directing them to send it to a church trial. (October) The Committee on Investigations delays it. Participation at Witness Our Welcome (WOW 2003) an ecumenical welcoming gathering in Philadelphia, PA. One hundred thirty-one persons gather for a United Methodist Pre-WOW Reconciling Day. Highlights include the Dumbarton UMC players, Rev. Janet Wolf, and creative worship offered by MOSAIC. “Miracle Moments” revealed good action in surprising places and General Conference planning was undertaken. Voice in the Wilderness awarded to Bishop Richard Wilke and Rev. Zan Holmes for speaking publicly for the necessary inclusion of LGBT persons in our communities of faith. These two are linked in the minds of UMs who have used the Disciple Bible Study. Cup of Justice awarded to Easter Hill UMC which became a Reconciling Congregation in 2002. Publication of Made In God’s Image: A Resource For Dialogue About the Church and Gender Differences, Ann Thompson Cook Rev. Troy Plummer named as Executive Director in October. Seven new Reconciling Congregations, one new Campus Ministry, two communities. Totals: 189 Congregations, 26 Campus Ministries, and 21 Communities.

2004 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Rev. Karen Oliveto performed the first legal same-sex marriage in a church at Bethany UMC in San Francisco. Rev. Oliveto conducted eight same-sex services during this legally open time in February in San Francisco. A complaint was filed and resolved. Rev. Karen Damman of Pacific Northwest Annual Con-

History ference was on trial in March. Rev. Damman is acquitted by the PNW clergy jury. The jury found no “declaration” that homosexuality is incompatible. She was acquitted and kept her appointment. General Conference (Pittsburgh, PA) RMN’s witness is “Watermarked: A Ministry of Assurance.” The focus is on the radical equality that baptism promises which necessitates removal of exclusionary language. Daily “Remember your Baptism” fonts are at the doors. Hundreds of supporters wear the rainbow stoles introduced by the Parents Reconciling Network. Water bottles, badges, prayer, Saturday “Family Reunion”, Sunday worship with preacher Janet Wolf and baptism rituals inspire and challenge many. Daily “Water Reports” are posted on the RMN website to help people at home to stay informed. The Common Witness strives to pass legislation offering a truth­—that there are differences of belief about homosexuality. The proposed legislation also asked to delete the current “incompatibility” sentence. After a negative vote, RMN is joined by Affirmation, MFSA, and Soulforce for a “River of Life” demonstration on the floor of the General Conference. The common witness of hundreds of GLBT people, and allies such as parents, delegates and Bishops is welcomed in by Bishop Janice Riggle Huie. “RUM clusters” gather in local settings during the General Conference to participate in the Watermarked activities. They provide solidarity and inspiration across the country. Publication of And God Loves Each One: A Resource for Dialogue about Sexual Orientation (2nd edition) Ann Thompson Cook Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (Beth) of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference comes out as lesbian and in a covenant partnership. A complaint is filed by Bishop Peter Weaver. Rev. Stroud is found guilty by a trial jury (12-1). She is defrocked by a 7-6 vote. She decided to appeal.

joyed record attendance—over 600 people! It featured inspired worship, Bible study, workshops and opportunities to meet with extension ministry groups. Reconciling Ministries achieved a higher level of visibility as part of the United Methodist family as we are hosted by Lake Junaluska, the headquarters of the Southeast Jurisdiction. This brought a protest invited first by Good News, then the IRD, followed by Focus on the Family, and then by the Ku Klux Klan. Security was heightened as the staff of Lake J and RMN prepared our church folks for the outburst of un-welcome. The benefits of our time together was heightened by the overt welcome of 43 United Methodist Bishops, and the participation of seven bishops. The sense of the 2004 Watermarked campaign continued— “We are permanently and powerfully part of the family!” The Parents Reconciling Network creates and gives every convo participant a rainbow stole. The visibility of Reconciling presence grows by great measure with the wearing of stoles at Annual Conferences, convo, Judicial Council meetings, and other UM gatherings. The RMN board meets alongside the October Judicial Council hearings in Houston, Texas. They hear testimony for cases concerning the ordination status of Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (Beth) and the discretionary authority of UM clergy to deny membership to lay people known to be gay. Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (Beth) had her credentials reinstated by a North East Jurisdiction appeals committee. Stroud announced that she would not resume her clergy roles until the appeal process is completed. In October the Judicial Council ruled against her appeal. In the Halloween Judicial Council ruling 1032, the council affirmed the discrimination of a pastor who refused to allow a gay man to be a member. This action removed accountability of the pastor to the clergy session of their annual conference and to their bishop. 15 new Reconciling Congregations, 1 new Campus Ministry, and 9 new communities

Five new Reconciling Congregations

Totals: 207 Congregations, 27 Campus Ministries and 31 Communities.

Totals: 194 Congregations, 26 Campus Ministries, and 22 Communities.

2006 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2005 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The national office resources 36 Annual Conferences in May and June. Brochures, stoles, story-telling, worship services, meals, awards, silhouettes, legislation, rainbow ribbons, promoting resources and identifying prospective Reconciling congregations are some of the activities. “Hearts on Fire!” the eighth national convocation en-

The Judicial Council ruling 1032 accelerates the pace of congregations and communities seeking to publicly declare a Reconciling welcome. More people understand the necessity of true conversation and welcome. Over fifty Reconciling UMs travel to Kansas and hold vigil outside the spring Judicial Council meeting and pressure the council to at least practice open communion as they consider open membership resulting in a joint worship including the council and the RMN witnesses. 83

History RMN also filed amicus briefs on behalf annual conferences seeking to live the reality of open membership and inclusion in opposition to 1032. “A Pastoral Letter to the United Methodist Church from 75 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender UM Clergy” is written and released in April. The signatories observe that they have seen the church at its best and… “At the same time, we have known the church at its worst. Since 1972, the UMC has been on a slow but steady course to exclude lgbt people from the life of the church as a whole. Many in our denomination support this dismembering of Christ’s Body. Yet even while our sister Beth Stroud was stripped of her ordination credentials, lgbt clergy continue to serve the church faithfully at every level of leadership.” Annual Conference volunteers push their areas toward a more inclusive church. Over forty ACs received kits from the RMN office. Prayer, worship, water, legislation, silhouettes and stories show our persistence and urgency. RMN introduces a new logo! The rainbow flames that lit up the Hearts on Fire convo now give full color to our inclusive message in new brochures, literature, banners and more. The Clergy Women’s Consultation in Chicago called upon women to remember the past years of persistent knocking until the doors for ordination were opened. The continuing denial to lesbian women instigated the “Bloody Knuckles” action of loud knocking to bring attention to this wrong. 19 new Reconciling Congregations, 1 new Campus Ministry and 8 Communities. Totals: 226 Reconciling Congregations, 28 Campus Ministries, and 39 Communities.

2007 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New web site is launched with more comprehensive and attractive information. Intensive ecumenical faith based organizing trainings are expanded to equip for grassroots growth.  RMN adds a part-time contract staff person to direct a new organizing campaign, “Called To Witness.” “Faith, Hope, Love” is the ninth national Reconciling convocation. The program has an emphasis on worship, on community building and on training for activism within our United Methodist contexts. The Called To Witness campaign is initiated for 22 annual conferences to engage local reconcilers with their delegates to General Conference. New RMN DVD is released including “Reconciling Voices,” “Reconciling Journeys,” a “Young Adult’s Testimony” and “Bishops Speak Up.” 84

As Reconciling becomes more visible in various UM settings—Judicial Council, UMW Assembly, UM Student Forum, GBHEM listening post, Christian Educators Forum, Annual Conferences and so forth, we hope for a grace-filled transition into a United Methodist Church that holds each baptized child as dear. Rev. Drew Phoenix, an out transgender pastor, is reappointed to St. Johns UMC in Baltimore, MD. Dios Nos Ama Por Iqual is first distributed. 18 new Reconciling Congregations, 2 new Campus Ministries, and 23 Communities. Totals: 242 Reconciling Congregations, 30 Campus Ministries, 62 Communities.

2008 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • RMN expands staff from four to six adding a communications director and a field organizer with young adult emphasis. Technological capacity increases adding outreach through blogs, YouTube, and Facebook. The young adults of MOSAIC launch a YouTube project sharing personal testimony for an inclusive church. Good Samaritan UMC of Edina, MN sent General Conference delegates a copy of the powerful “For The Bible Tells Me So” video. “One Family Tree” frames the legislative and witness efforts in Fort Worth for the 2008 General Conference positioning LGBT folks and family in the mainstream of our church, a crucial part of the family. The witness includes worship, daily anointing, “leaves of healing” handouts, a constantly updated blog culminating in 10,000 daily hits, a sidewalk “die in”, a “Jesus Remember Me” Good Friday plenary protest, a bishopsadvocates table, and a last day future with hope lesbian wedding. While not removing the “incompatibility clause”, legislative organizing elected a clean slate of Judicial Council members, passed resolutions against homophobia and heterosexism, an All Means All constitutional amendment, and strengthened language to challenged membership discrimination. In October at Scarritt-Bennett, RMN launched the All Means All campaign training 6 national and 70 regional organizers to prepare 35 annual conferences to engage their annual conference representatives to increase the vote for the All Means All constitutional amendment. 22 new Reconciling Congregations, 4 Campus Ministries, 12 Communities Totals: 264 Reconciling Congregations, 34 Campus Ministries, 74 Communities.

History

2009 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The RMN board adopts three-year strategic plan with an updated mission statement: “RMN 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.” RMN adds its first full-time Director of Development for a 7th staff person. RMN convened the introductory bishops and advocates table fielding 12 reconciling disciples launching this process to affect General Conference 2012. RMN’s successful organizing in 35 annual conferences for “All Means All” creates opposition backlash inspiring a YouTube competition. With ecumenical collaboration, RMN joins as a sponsor for All God’s Children written and published by Melany Burrill and Ann Thompson Cook. The Desert Southwest

Annual Conference follows the Western Jurisdiction’s example and votes to be a welcoming and reconciling annual conference. RMN celebrates its 25th anniversary holding its 10th convocation, Justice and Joy, at the YMCA of the Rockies. The “Believe Out Loud” grassroots regional organizing campaign is launched for 50 annual conferences expanding from 7 to 14 national trainers. This campaign spotlights the vast gap between the large majority that is supportive and those willing to speak support publically. As of July 2009: 13 new Reconciling Congregations, 1 new Campus Ministry, 7 new communities. Totals: 277 Reconciling Congregations,  35 Campus Ministries, 80 Communities.

Gifts and Honorees for Justice and Joy Scholarship Fund Giver

Honoree

Giver

Honoree

Anonymous...............................................................Rev. Troy Plummer

Will E. Green....................................................Rev. Dr. Aida Fernandez

Anonymous.......................................................Jeanne Audrey Powers

Joyce Hill............................................................................Ernesto Barros

Anonymous............................................................................Beth Stroud

Ed Hoar.............................................................................Alice Cromwell

Anonymous................................................. Lori Graham & Sandy Cox

Jen Ihlo............................................................. The Rev. Dr. Mary Kraus

Anonymous................................................Lori Graham & Sandra Cox

David K Johnson.......................................Rev, Ernie and Ann Turney

Anonymous........................................... B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger

Nancy J Kollhoff........................................................... Martin L. Morley

Anonymous..................................................................................Bob Cary

Katy & Paul Krumbach................................................................................

Anonymous..................................................................Gary Pennington

Frederick James Lewis..................................... all those who shaped my spiritual life

Anonymous.......................................... Henry Lee Heather Waymack Anonymous......................................................................... Carolyn Ricks Anonymous........................................ Dumbarton United Methodist Anonymous...............................................................................Sue Laurie Helen F. Andrew..........................................................Elizabeth & Emily David Aslesen...........................................................Dirk von der Horst Diane Berger........................................................................Diane Berger Betty Jo “B.J.” Birkhahn-Rommelfanger...................Mark Bowman Rev. Flora Bowers......................................................................................... Benita A Cole...................................................................Mark E Williams Helen Louise Crede..........................................Harry and Edna Crede Ella Curry.......................................................... The Rev. Drew Phoenix Roxanne Danek..........................................................................Christian Betty & Bob Dorr................................................................. Michael Dorr Ethel M. Doyle......................................................................... Sue & Julie Elizabeth Anne Fimbres............ Susan Morgan fka Susan Mullins James Gragg..................................................................................................

Steven Lynd.................................................................................................... Deborah Mariah.............Amory Peck, Fred Brewington, Jim Lane, Dale McAllister.................................................................. Tom Marston Irvin Lee McKlenshaw.................................... James W. McKlenshaw David W. Meredith................ Susan Vogel, Jerry Hill, & Judy Craig Christie A Newbill..........................................................Mark E Williams Marilyn Nicely..............................................................Mary Jo Ruggles Karen Oliveto........................................................................ Chuck Myer Berry Peters Jeanne Audrey Powers....................................................Stephen Fink Ben & Maggie Roe....................................................................................... Tyler Schwaller.........................................Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre Rev. Amy Stapleton.................Ann & David Cook, Chett Pritchett, Troy Plummer & Walter Treash, Virginia Lapham Jim Todd......................................................................................Julie Todd Mary Todd.................................................................... Tiffany Steinwert David Wilkinson.......... The 36 from St. Francis who died of AIDS 85

Reconciling Resources Purchase these and more at the Justice and Joy Resource Center or purchase online back home at www.rmnetwork.org/store.asp Study Guides and Worship Resources

People and Stories: LGBTQ Experiences

Claiming the Promise: An inclusive Bible Study which explores the historical, theological and community perspectives which affect our understanding of scripture. This seven week study reexamines the seven Bible verses which have been used to demean diverse sexual orientations and offers graceful Christian readings of these verses. Student books are $5.95, (10 or more are $4.50 each), leader guide is $9.95.

Coming Out- Coming In: Faith, Identity and Belonging DVD, This 30 minute documentary gives voice to gay and lesbian Christians. Recorded in North Carolina. (2005) $20.

Holy Conversations: Talking about Homosexuality—a congregational resource: Six discussions about the church, sexuality & the Wesleyan Quadrilateral Karen Oliveto, Kelly Turney & Traci West, (2005) $13.

Reconciling Voices  Reconciling Ministries Network. (2008) This three part DVD introduces the United Methodist Reconciling Movement, describes and encourages the reconciling process. $5.

Shaping Sanctuary: Proclaiming God’s Grace in an Inclusive Church is a collection of worship litanies, hymns, essays, sermons and a study from the welcoming movement $14.

God Loves Each One Series: Introductions to sexuality and gender discussions And God Loves Each One: a resource for dialogue about sexual orientation, Ann Thompson Cook, 20 pages (2004) $5.95 or 10+ for $3.50 each. Dios Nos Ama Por Igual: una invitacion al dialogo sobre la orientacion sexual, Ann Thompson Cook, 24 paginas (2006) $6.95 or 10+ for $4.50 each. Made In God’s Image: a resource for dialogue about the Church and Gender Differences, Ann Thompson Cook, 24 pages (2003) $5.95 or 10+ for $3.50 each. All God’s Children: teaching children about Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, Melany Burrill, 20 pages (2009) $7 or 10+ for $4.50 each.

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Loyal Opposition: Struggling with the Church on Homosexuality  Amy Delong, Tex Sample, ed. Essays, sermons and United Methodist theology supporting inclusion. $15.

Reconciling Saddlebag

$40 (plus $7 s&h) A collection of RMN’s best brochures, books, & DVD’s for initiating reconciling process.

Books: Shaping Sanctuary Claiming the Promise: Student Book Made in God’s Image And God Loves Each One

DVDs: Reconciling Voices Coming-Out Coming In

Brochures: Who is RMN Parents Reconciling Network United Methodists of Color MOSAIC Young Peoples Network Reconciling Methodist Clergy and other helpful information

Reconciling Resources

New & Upcoming: Upcoming Internet Sites Reconciling Process:  An Online Tutorial. This webpage, debuting in late September 2009, features videos, personal stories, sample timelines, handouts for discussions, quizzes and other features to explore the possibilities for a community beginning discussions of full inclusion, sexuality and gender. www.rmnetwork.org/process.asp RMN Witness Blog:  Believe Out Loud campaign online. Read updates from the fifty Annual Conferences Teams, see pictures of trainings and gatherings, watch campaign progress charts, and download resources on storytelling, team building and strategic organizing. Watch this website weekly updates! www.rmnwitness.org/

Printable Resources Available Online The Reconciling Process Envelope:  Introductory Resources. This envelope is full of the best Reconciling Process handouts, explanations and the Reconciling Voices DVD. Resource sheets include sample statements from Reconciling congregations, recommendations for first steps, suggested studies and discussions, and an order form for more resources. Building an Inclusive Church:  A Welcoming Toolkit. Drawing upon twenty five years of experience within a variety of Christian denominations, this Toolkit is a step-by-step guide to help facilitate a Welcoming Process in your local congregation. Biblically and theologically based, it uses tools of relational organizing, congregational assessment, conflict management and change theory. http://welcomingresources.org/welcoming.xml

Books and DVDs for purchase All God’s Children:  teaching children about Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Melany Burrill, 20 pages (2009) $7 or 10+ for $4.50 each. All God’s Children is an essential guide to open and caring conversations with young children about gender and sexual orientation. You’ll find that this small, user-friendly book addresses your concerns, your questions, and your search for just the right words; it also suggests ideas for sermons and classroom activities. Reconciling Voices DVD:  Introduction to Reconciling Ministries. Published by the Reconciling Ministries Network. (2008) This three part DVD explains the United Methodist Reconciling Movement, describes the reconciling process. This introductory resource uses personal stories, interviews with Reconciling United Methodists and simple explanations to encourage participation of individuals and communities.

Purchase these and more at the Justice and Joy Resource Center or purchase online back home at www.rmnetwork.org/store.asp

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Reconciling Resources

How to Become a Reconciling Church, Community, or Campus Ministry: 1. Write and adopt an explicit welcoming statement. Write:  The welcoming statement (also called a reconciling statement) results from a discernment process that includes opportunities for people to learn about God’s fully inclusive welcome. Churches may engage in small groups, lectures, panel discussions, films, sermons, art, and field trips as they intentionally explore Christian hospitality, lgbtq experiences, Gospel teachings on justice, and the Spirit’s call to full inclusion. Adopt:  A leadership group within the congregation or community—such as charge conference, administrative board or church council—can accept the privilege of officially adopting a church’s reconciling statement by vote or consensus. Be Explicit:  This public statement of inclusion must particularly mention “people of all sexual orientations and gender identities” or “lgbtq persons.” Because of the explicit policy statements against homosexual persons by the United Methodist Church, reconciling congregations must be specific in their welcome. Churches often include many other groups and identities in their welcoming statement as they commit to ministry with all God’s children. 2. Make it public. Broadly: tell RMN. Send a letter of affiliation to RMN on church letterhead with the text of your welcoming statement and a few sentences about your community’s experience—educational programs, special events, leaders, and the details of the official decision. Locally: keep the welcome statement in front of people. Most congregations print it in the weekly bulletin as part of their welcome. Newsletters, outdoor signs, letterhead, and websites are other options for public witness. Include a Reconciling Sunday in your annual church calendar and celebrate God’s fully inclusive welcome. Each December, we will send worship materials and resources for the upcoming year to aid your planning of this special day. We suggest the 4th Sunday of January, but many also celebrate during June pride or on the anniversary of their welcoming statement or affiliation with RMN. 3. Consider making an annual contribution to the work of the movement. This is not a membership fee, it is not required. Your financial gift goes where you cannot: to an isolated person searching for a spiritual home, on a reconciling circuit ride, into new resource development, and for Katalyst newsletters. Many congregations include the recommended $250 contribution as a regular line item in the budget; others collect a special offering or hold fundraisers at reconciling Sunday events; this contribution may also be sent through a specific committee or individual. The United Methodist Church can only accomplish our mission to make disciples of all people for the transformation of the world when Reconciling United Methodists welcome persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. At a time when the church struggles to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, who welcomes without exception, Reconciling United Methodists are standing in the gaps and hard places. This can be difficult work, but it brings great rewards in Holy Spirit moments and new family members.

“If we love one another, God lives in us, and love is perfected in us...” “perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:12,18 88

Reconciling Stoles Thank you Parents! These stoles of rainbow colors are intended as a witness of the wearer’s willingness to embrace the diversity of God’s good creation, in their own life, in the life of the United Methodist Church and ultimately, in the Church Universal. This means the wearer stands in solidarity with those who believe all persons should have the opportunity to be full participants in the life of the Church, in policy and in practice, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Similar stoles have been lovingly sewn by volunteers for several years, for RMN convocations, for the 2004 and 2008 General Conferences, for many Annual Conferences and other events. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of the project, any donation ( whether monetary or in future sewing) would be sincerely appreciated. Additional stoles are available at the Parent’s Display Table in the Resource Room. Just one story­… This message came from one of our volunteer stole-makers. It is so gratifying to know that this project is touching lives in ways we may never realize. —Helen Andrew, PRN Dear Helen, We have sewn 108 stoles for convo and they are ready for shipment this week.  In addition we wrote names of our GLBT friends and family on the inside of some of the stoles.  These stoles were draped around the sanctuary for both services at First United Methodist Church Ypsilanti, Michigan. They were blessed by both of our pastors. During the second service (a Spanish language service), the congregation, impromptu, picked up the stoles and wore them during the service.  I was blown away. These stoles were made by women in our Monday night Stitchers Group.  We are a  varied group of women who sew, knit, crochet and give away prayer shawls, lap robes,  etc. to those in need.  Several women of this group gladly volunteered to help with the stoles as well as two of my friends from the Belleville, MI United Methodist Church.   I have been so touched by the support of these women.  The stole project has certainly increased awareness in a beautiful way.  I always look forward to making these.

Blessings to all, Debbie Juriga

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Acknowledgements Justice and Joy is an event of immense magnitude that requires the support and volunteer assistance of so many persons, congregations and organizations. We acknowledge a few of those here.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • These foundations have provided generous financial support for RMN convocations and RMN’s ground-breaking Call to Witness Campaign: Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund  •  Arcus Gay and Lesbian Fund E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

These organizations have provided speakers and leaders for Justice and Joy : Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)  •  Methodist Federation for Social Action

These organizations model hospitality by hosting receptions for Justice and Joy participants: Affirmation: United Methodists for LGBT Concerns  •  Religious Voices Project: Believe Out Loud

The leaders and speakers at Justice and Joy reflect more global presence than ever before. This significantly greater expense has been underwritten by these congregations and institutions: Claremont UMC, Claremont, CA  •  Dumbarton UMC, Washington, D.C. Hennepin Avenue UMC, Minneapolis, MN  •  St. Francis in the Foothills UMC, Tucson, AZ Wesley Theological Seminary

and these generous individuals: Rev. Amy Alletzhauser, Sharon Baker, Rev. Flora Bowers, Rev. Elton & Emily Brown, Rev. James Bryan, Rev. Dr. Hugh Burtner, Rev. Arthur & Margaret Campbell, Rev. William & Doris Campbell, Bishop Ray & Martha Chamberlain, Rev. Charles Chipman, Barbara & Fred Cloud, Rev. Charles Cox, Rev. James Creech, Rev. Janet Cromwell, Rev. Jane Daniels, Dr. Robert Bryant & Rosemary Davis, Rev. Carl Davis, Bishop Jesse & Annamary DeWitt, Elizabeth & Robert Dorr, Franklin Dotts, Rev. John & Barbara Dromazos, Rev. Jane S. Eesley, Revs. Duane Ewers & Judith Smith, Rev. Ariel & Nilda Ferrari, Rev. Virginia Fifield, Rev. Robert L. Gamble, Rev. Dan Gerhard, Rev. Larry Grubb, Pastor Rob Hamilton, Dr. Edward James Hansen, Rev. Jean Hawxhurst & Jerry Cappel, Rev. Lowell Headley, Rev. William Hemphill, Jr., Rev. Donald & Janis Hoyle, Rev. Evelyn Tracy Hunter, Rev. Kathleen Ralston Kaplan, Rev. Linda Kimmelman, Rev. Don Kraps, Dr. Charles Lippy, Betty & Rev. William Marlow, Bishop Calvin & Velma Duell McConnell, Frances & Rev. William McElvaney, Rev. John McNaughton & Donna Bement-McNaughton, Jane Ellen Nickell, Rev. Barbara Nixon, Rev. Dr. Karen P. Oliveto, Beverly & Dr. Philip Peace, David & Marian Poindexter, Rev. Sandra Rehe, Revs. Glen & Lana Robyne, Rev. Gilbert & Bettye Schroerlucke, Rev. Dr. Donald & Katherine Sinclair, Rev. Franklin Smith, Jane & Robert Spencer, Rev. Diane Summerhill, Dr. Jack Swank, Bishop Melvin & Marilyn Magee Talbert, Rev. Terry & Nancy Thomason, Elizabeth & Rev. John Thornburg, Rev. James & Mary Todd, Bishop Jack & Marjorie Tuell, Rev. Dr. Robert L. Walker, Rev. Janine Watkins, Rev. Cheryl Wertheimer, Robert Wulff, Ira & Mary Zepp.

These persons provided gifts for the Silver Anniversary Video Project: Kathryn E. Meredith, Jayne & Legrand Smith, James & Hannah Hwa-Young Will. Thanks to Jennifer Soule for creating the attractive awards given for the Cup of Justice and Voice in the Wilderness.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • We offer special recognition and retirement blessings to Susan Laurie for her many years of faithful and visionary leadership and commitment to the Reconciling Movement. 90

Town of Estes Park

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Elm and Oak Meeting Cabins. Stables, Legett, Jellison and Bennett Buildings.

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Ranchhouse and Dude Rooms. Mountainside Lodge, Beacon Hill, Bison and Bambi Cabins.

Patti Hyde Barclay and 8-bedroom Retreat Cabins. Four Winds and Breezeway Annex.

Administration Building ATM Alpen Inn Aspen Dining Room Conference Hall Conference Office Mootz Family Craft & Design Center Dakota Meeting Cabin Deer Ridge Lodge Eagle Cliff Lodge Emerald Mountain Lodge Gaylord First Aid Station General Store Group Reservations Office Hempel Family Program Building Henry Dorsey Jr. Memorial Pool Hyde Chapel/Dannen Chapel Laundry Legett Christian Center Lewis A. Dick Hall Longhouse Conference Center Longs Peak Lodge Lula W. Dorsey Museum Maintenance Maude Jellison Library Mt. Ypsilon Lodge Pattie Hyde Barclay Retreat Cabin Photo Park Pine Room Restaurant Post Office Ptarmigan Meeting Cabin Rainbow Lodge Ramshorn Lodge Recreation Center Retreat Cabins (8-bedroom) State Meeting Cabins Sweet Memorial Program Building Schlessman Executive Offices Walter G. Reusch Auditorium Willome Conference Center Wind River Lodge Women’s Building

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MISS I O N S TATEM E N T 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.

3801 North Keeler Avenue Chicago, IL 60641 Phone: 773-736-5526 Fax: 773-736-5475 www.rmnetwork.org