Justice & Joy Program Book

September 4-7, 2009 $7
10 T N
HN TI O
ATION
AL RECONCILING CONV 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. Registration Administration Building
5:00–7:00 p.m. Dinner Aspen Dining Hall
7:00–10:00 p.m. Reconciling Clergy Gathering Diamond West
Friday, September 4------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7:00–9:00 a.m. Breakfast Aspen Dining Hall
8:00 a.m–8:00 p.m. Registration Administration Building
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Preconvocation Gatherings See page 12
Reconciling Clergy, Parents, MOSAIC, Transgender,
UMs of Color, Reconciling Communities
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Lunch Aspen Dining Hall
2:00–5:00 p.m. Orientation Sessions (every hour) Bilheimer-Dodge Room
3:00–5:00 p.m. Affinity Groups & Recreation List at RMN Office in Sweet Room
7:00 p.m. Justice and Joy Officially Opens
7:00 p.m. Gathering Music & Worship Ruesch Auditorium
8:15 p.m. Welcome & Greetings Ruesch Auditorium
9:00 p.m. Ice Cream Social Conference Hall Lobby
Saturday, September 5--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7:00–8:30 a.m. Breakfast Table Talks Conference Hall A & B
8:45 a.m. Gathering Music & Worship Ruesch Auditorium
9:45 a.m. Bible Study Ruesch Auditorium
10:45 a.m. Workshops See page 28
1:30 p.m. Plenary on Intersections Ruesch Auditorium
3:00 p.m. Affinity Groups & Recreation List at RMN office in Sweet Room
4:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Ruesch Auditorium
7:00 p.m. Plenary on Marriage Equality Ruesch Auditorium
Honoring Ministry of Sue Laurie Reusch Auditorium
9:00 p.m. Reception hosted by Affirmation: UM s for LGBT Concerns Dick Hall
Sunday, September 6----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8:45 a.m. Gathering Music & Worship Ruesch Auditorium
10:45 a.m. Workshops See page 28
1:30 p.m. Plenary on Global Connections Ruesch Auditorium
3:00 p.m. Affinity Groups & Recreation List at RMN office in Sweet Room
4:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Reusch Auditorium
5:00 p.m. Board Alumni Gathering Pine Dining Hall
7:00 p.m. Silver Anniversary & Awards Celebration Ruesch Auditorium
Launch Into the Future Ruesch Auditorium
9:00 p.m. Reception hosted by Intersections (Believe Out Loud) Dick Hall
Monday, September 7---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9:00 a.m. Regional Meetings Conference Hall A & B
11:00 a.m. Closing Worship Ruesch Auditorium
Contents
Convocation Information
Welcome!........................................................................2
RMN Staff Justice and Joy Hospitality.............................................3
Meg Carey Daily Schedule...............................................................6
Business Manager
Resource Center............................................................9
Rev. Carl W. Davis
Director of Development Reconciling Extension Ministries..............................10
Rachel Harvey
Associate Executive Convocation Program
Director
General Program Information...................................12
Antony Hebblethwaite
Communications/ Breakfast Table Talks..................................................14
Technology Manager
Bible Study...................................................................16
Stephanie Johnson
Admin & Donor Plenaries.......................................................................19
Relations Associate
Workshops at a Glance...............................................28
Audrey Krumbach, M.Div.
Field Organizer
Workshops....................................................................29
Susan Laurie, M.Div.
Outreach Coordinator
Worship
Rev. Troy Plummer
Worship Guide............................................................. 37
Executive Director 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
3801 North Keeler Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641 Acknowledgements....................................................90
Phone: 773-736-5526
Fax: 773-736-5475
www.rmnetwork.org
1
2009 Board of Directors
Welcome! Monica L. Swink, Chair

Oklahoma City, OK
Ralph A. Williams, Vice-Chair
W
Washington, DC
David B. Mauzy, Treasurer
elcome to Justice and Joy—our 10th gathering of the Austin, TX
Reconciling Ministries Network celebrating our 25th Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger,
anniversary! We gather as United Methodists, celebrating our Secretary
Bethesda, MD
love for Jesus Christ and confessing our faith in the grace of
Helen F. Andrew
God and the love shared as we express our faith together. Sleepy Hollow, NY
Vincent D. Cervantes
During this time we will rest, relax, and restore in the beauty of Riverside, CA
God’s creation; learn, organize, and launch reconciling initia- Rev. Daniel F. Diss
tives; and through it all pray, play and sing the new creation Genoa, IL
into action. I especially look forward to worship in this special Lawrence T. Duncan
Burnsville, MN
setting of God’s creation—with powerful worship leaders,
Rev. Duane A. Ewers
music to stir our souls, and joyful prayers to gather our com- Nashville, TN
munity. While we remember our dreams and hopes of these 25 Elizabeth A. Fimbres
years, we will dream new dreams, learn new skills, celebrate Tucson, AZ
new friends and family, and hear speakers invoke passions and Will J. Green
Hull, MA
new futures. William E. Green
Conway, AR
With the beautiful Rocky Mountains as our setting, I hope Esther V. Houser
you’ll take advantage of the free time in the schedule to enjoy Houston, TX
the spectacular scenery and activities at the YMCA of the Rock- Rev. David W. Meredith
Columbus, OH
ies. This is a good time to renew old acquaintances, to make
Dr. Randall Miller
new friends, to celebrate quality time with your family. It also is Emeryville, CA
a good time to relax and breathe in the presence of God, to fully Rev. Morgan L. Holland
participate in a time with God, to listen and to heal. Savannah, GA
Rev. Joshua M. Noblitt
Atlanta, GA
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
Rev. John Oda
the Reconciling Ministries Network, Albany CA
I welcome you to Justice and Joy. Elizabeth T. Okayama
We are glad you are here to share in Chicago, IL
the nourishment of community, the Rev. Dr. Karen P. Oliveto
South San Francisco, CA
peace of the presence of God and the
Rosario L. Quiñones
joy of an inclusive fellowship. May Randolph, NJ
you cherish the time you spend here, Rev. Dr. Bruce W. Robbins
as we worship and pray, listen and Minneapolis, MN
share, and celebrate the Holy Spirit Rev. Dr. Martha Scott
Oak Park, IL
boldly calling us forward.
Sally I. Sparks
Naples, FL
Monica Swink Rev. Dr. Derrick Spiva
Board Chair, Reconciling Ministries Network San Francisco, CA
Joy T. Watts
Uniontown, OH
Christina L. Wright
Cleveland Heights, OH
Legal Counsel
Jennifer Soule
Elmhurst, IL
2
Justice and Joy Hospitality
RMN office is located in the Sweet Room off Meals are served “all-you-can-eat” buffet style
the West Foyer of Ruesch Auditorium (#34 on in the Aspen Dining Hall (#3 on map) on the
map inside back cover). The office will be open lower level of the Ruesch Auditorium. Meal
from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. throughout the times are:
weekend to answer your questions. Breakfast: 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Phones: YMCA Main Desk 970-586-3341 (24 hrs.) Dinner: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
RMN Office x1197 You must present a meal ticket at the dining hall.
Persons housed in one of the YMCA lodges
CAUTION: High Altitude receive meal tickets when checking in for hous-
The YMCA of the Rockies is at an eleva- ing. Persons staying in cabins or off-site can
tion of 8,010 feet. The physical symptoms purchase meal tickets at the Administration
most often experienced at this altitude Building desk. Costs are: breakfast: $6; lunch:
are dryness/dehydration and shortness $9; dinner: $12. Costs for these meals for chil-
of breath. It is recommended that you dren are: $4, $6, and $8.
drink water regularly during your stay
here. It can be helpful to limit your phys- Note that the convocation program has been
ical activity for the first day or two to arranged so that, as much as possible, everyone
give your body some time to acclimate. 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.
Café is located in the lobby of the Administra-
tion Building (#1 on map inside back cover) Medical Care – first-aid supplies can be obtained
and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. from the RMN Office (above). In case of medi-
You can purchase a variety of snacks, bever- cal emergency, dial 222 from YMCA phones and
ages and light meals there. first responders will come and an ambulance
will be dispatched. The YMCA calls 911 for the
Gift Shop of the YMCA is located at the east- ambulance which can be refused if not needed.
ern end of the Administration Building (#1
on map) and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 Name Badge (available at registration) provides
p.m. daily. You can purchase T-shirts, trinkets, entry to all Justice and Joy activities. BE SURE
candy, drinks, some toiletries and medicines TO WEAR YOUR NAME BADGE AT ALL
there. TIMES.
Internet Access – wireless access is avail- Newsletter, Tree Line, is the primary commu-
able for laptops in most areas of the YMCA nications vehicle during the convocation pro-
grounds and buildings. Computer stations are viding you with the daily schedule, program
available in the Library (see below) for $5 per changes and a place to announce your events.
half hour. A new issue will be available each morning–at
breakfast or the morning worship. The deadline
Library, the YMCA’s Maude Jellison Library for submissions to the next day’s newsletter
(#22 on map), is available to visit and check is 7:00 pm (right before the evening plenary).
out books (more than 15,000 titles) or read lat- Leave your submission in the RMN Office.
est periodicals during your stay. Library hours Limit it to 50 words or less. If you have ques-
are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. tions contact the editor, Antony Hebblethwaite
at 312-607-6754.
3
Orientation sessions for convocation partici- Alcoholic beverages are allowed, but not sold
pants will be on Friday at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 or on the grounds and may not be consumed in
5:00 p.m. in the Bilheimer/Dodge Room in public areas. You may have alcohol in your
the Ruesch Auditorium building (#34 on map). room, cabin or reserved meeting room.
Come with your questions and get an over-
view of Justice and Joy logistics and program CHECK-OUT TIME FOR LODGE ROOMS on
with Coordinator Mark Bowman. MONDAY is 12:00 noon. The YMCA has
graciously extended this beyond the usual
Quiet Hours at the YMCA of the Rockies are 10:00 a.m. checkout. So please be considerate
from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. of the YMCA staff by adhering to this dead-
line. You can store your bags Monday morn-
Recreation information at the YMCA is avail- ing or afternoon before your departure in the
able at the Sweet Memorial Building (#32 on Bilheimer-Dodge Room behind the Ruesch
map). You can check out equipment for ten- Auditorium. Turn in your keys at the Admin-
nis, volleyball, basketball, golf , fishing and istration Building.
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 Justice and Joy Buildings & Meeting Rooms
trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park for (See map on inside back cover)
self-guided hikes. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 Walter J. Ruesch Building (#34 on map)
p.m. daily. Aspen Dining Hall (lower level)
Auditorium (all plenary sessions)
An indoor pool (#13 on map) is available for
Bilheimer/Dodge Room (enter east or west foyer)
open swim on Fri., Sat., and Sun. 9:00 a.m. to
Hobbs Room (enter from west foyer)
12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and
Sweet Room/RMN office (enter from east foyer)
Mon. 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Locker rooms,
showers and towels provided. Conference Hall (#4 on map)
#A (Breakfast Table Talks and other large meetings)
Justice and Joy is sponsoring group outdoor #B (Breakfast Table Talks and other large meetings)
recreation during the 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. block of #C (Resource Center)
time each afternoon. See page 12 for details. Longs Peak Lodge (#19 on map)
Boulder Field Room (middle floor)
Resource Center, located in the Conference
Chasm Lake Room (lower level)
Hall #C (#4 on map) provides an extension col-
Diamond East Room (lower level)
lection of resources for reconciling ministries
Diamond West Room (lower level)
as well as RMN and convocation souvenirs.
Granite Pass Room (middle floor)
See page 9 for more details and hours.
Keyhole Room (lower level)
Registration will be from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Mt. Ypsilon Lodge (#23 on map)
Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday Tower Room #3
in the lobby of the Administration Building (#1 NOTE: There are stairs to this room; all other rooms
on map). Persons arriving after that time can are wheelchair-accessible.
register in the RMN office (Sweet Room in the Lewis A. Dick Hall (#17 on map)
Ruesch Building).
Birch Cabin (across the street from #23 on map)
Rainbow Lodge (#28 on map)
Fireside Room (basement) MOSAIC Space
4
Transgender Etiquette Fragrance Allergies
Transgender people are valuable contributors Remember that a number of persons are aller-
to the Reconciling Movement and are present gic to fragrances and that such allergies serious-
with us at Justice and Joy. Those of us who have ly limit their ability to participate in assemblies
not been blessed with opportunities to interact like this convocation. So please try to limit your
with transgender persons may initially feel some personal use of fragrances as you can. We are
discomfort. So here are some hospitality tips. also asking Justice and Joy participants to honor
“Fragrance-Free Areas” in our assembly spaces: in
Please do not assume anyone’s gender, even the Ruesch Auditorium, the rows along the eastern
people you may have met in the past. A person’s wall; and in the Aspen Dining Hall, the two rows
external appearance may not match their internal of tables in front of the windows.
gender identity. You cannot know the gender or sex
of someone by their physical body, voice, appear-
ance or mannerisms. Pay attention to a person’s Media Policy
purposeful gender expression. It is considered
polite to ask: “What pronoun do you prefer?” or We encourage media coverage of the Reconcil-
“How do you identify?” before using pronouns or ing Ministries Network’s events. We seek to
gendered words for anyone. When you are unsure maintain a balance between legitimate media
of a person’s gender identity and you don’t have access in the interest of accurate reporting,
an opportunity to ask someone what words they while also respecting the privacy and confidenti-
prefer, try using that person’s name or gender- ality of the participants at Justice and Joy.
neutral phrases like “the person in the red shirt,”
instead of “that woman or man.” All media representatives are required to agree
to be bound by this policy, register, receive, and
Please listen to transgender people’s needs and sto- display media badges. RMN reserves the right to
ries when they are volunteered; yet please respect verify the credentials of all proposed media repre-
people’s privacy and boundaries and do not ask sentatives, and to deny or revoke access in its sole
unnecessary questions. For more information, you discretion, at any time. All media must wear their
can attend a transgender workshop here at Justice media badge so that it is clearly visible at all times.
and Joy and also look at resources in the Resource In addition, all media must verbally identify them-
Center. Respectful allies are a critical aspect of selves as media when entering conversation with
movements for transgender justice and liberation. event participants or leaders.
Gender identity issues can become real for us–both Subject to this policy, media representatives are
transgender and nontrans persons–around use welcome to participate in plenary sessions. Small
of restrooms. The YMCA of the Rockies has both group workshops, question and answer sessions,
gender-specific (women’s or men’s) and unisex and covenant groups, are not opportunities for
(single-person) public restrooms in addition to the media reporting or participation.
private bathrooms in your lodge rooms. Regard-
less of what bathroom you are in, please respect Permission from RMN is required for photogra-
all occupants’ privacy. Each of us can decide for phy, videotaping or audio recording Justice and
ourselves in which bathroom we belong. Joy activities or Justice and Joy participants. Media
representatives wishing to schedule interviews or
Location of unisex bathrooms: one off the Longs clarify this media policy—or Justice and Joy partici-
Peak Lodge main lobby and one toward the end of pants concerned about media presence—should
each corridor in the Conference Hall. contact RMN Communications Manager Antony
Hebblethwaite at 312-607-6754.
5
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
6
Daily Schedule
Saturday, September 5
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
1:30 p.m.................................. Plenary on Intersections (page 19).................Ruesch Auditorium

with Erin Hawkins & Rev. Barbara Isaacs
4:30 p.m................................. Choir Rehearsal (page 13).................................Ruesch Auditorium
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
7
Daily Schedule
Sunday, September 6
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

10:30 a.m................................ Resource Center opens (page 9)........................ Conference Hall C
10:45 a.m................................ Workshops (pages 29ff.)................. Room assignments on page 28
1:30 p.m.................................. Plenary on Global Connections (page 23).....Ruesch Auditorium

with Rev. Dr. Daniel Arichea,
Rev. Araceli Ezzatti & Rev. Eunice Iliya
4:30 p.m................................. Choir Rehearsal (page 13).................................Ruesch Auditorium
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
8
Daily Schedule
Monday, September 7
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

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… Share the Justice and Joy experience with
friends and colleagues in your congregation
Nourishment for the soul
by purchasing DVDs of convocation worship
Hours: & plenary sessions:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday A. Worship Fri. evening & Sat. morning–Vince
10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Cervantes & Drew Phoenix preachers
(Closed during evening plenary session)
Monday 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; B. Worship Sun. & Mon. morning–Eunice Iliya
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & Grant Hagiya
You will find the Resource Center in C. Bible Studies with Elaine Heath
Conference Hall #C (#4 on map, inside back cover)
D. Intersections Plenary with Erin Hawkins &
Barbara Isaacs
E. Marriage Equality Plenary with Evan

Something for everyone: Wolfson & Roland Stringfellow
books music souvenirs gifts F. Global Connections Plenary with Daniel
Arichea, Araceli Ezzatti & Eunice Iliya
displays book signing pictures
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 In the upcoming quadrennium, MOSAIC
Inclusive Methodist Church hopes to encourage future resource devel-
Originally “Methodist Students for an All In- opment for reconciling campus ministries,
clusive Church,” MOSAIC has grown in recent expand their calendar to include an annual
years to also include seminarians, and young national gathering, build a strong core team of
adults. Anyone who self-identifies as a young leaders for the 2012 General Conference, and
adult is encouraged to participate, but the encourage a number of new young adult rec-
leadership and vast majority of participants onciling leaders.
are under 30.
If you are interested in learning more or join-
MOSAIC seeks to create change in Church ing the leadership of MOSAIC at convocation
policies and practices which are exclusionary of join all young adults for lunch Saturday in
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, the main dining room (look for the signs). If
their families, and their allies. By being a grass- you decide after convocation that would you
roots movement, we seek to live out Christ’s like to participate in MOSAIC, please email
message of inclusiveness in local churches, Audrey@rmnetwork.org.
schools and workplaces, as well as our larger
community. MOSAIC serves as a presence at The MOSAIC and young people’s lounge
various United Methodist events that attract will be located in the Fireside Room in the
young persons, as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, basement of the Rainbow Lodge (one of
transgender persons and their allies. In their 13 the Eastside Lodges). Join us for snacks
year history, MOSAIC has held annual Recon- during the afternoon free times, or stop by
ciling Worship services at the United Method- to say hello between program elements!
ist Student Forum events, sponsored national
gatherings, retreats and planning meetings,
Reconciling Clergy
advocated for full inclusion at three General
Conferences, and contributed to the Reconciling The Reconciling Ministries Clergy is comprised
Movement in countless ways. 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 identi-
ties and their full inclusion in all aspects of the
church’s life. High priority is placed on train-
ing 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 Reconcil-
ing Clergy and semiannual gatherings. Cur-
rently, the co-facilitators of this clergy network
are Chett Pritchett and Rev. Monica Corsaro.
10
Reconciling Extension Ministries
Parents Reconciling Network Stoles have had an impact on the Church. The
Parents Reconciling Network is an outreach stoles have been lovingly sewn by volunteer
program for United Methodist parents and seamstresses for several years. Please enjoy
families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- your Justice and Joy stole.
gender persons. We work actively to reach our
Please join us in our work of PRN. Your
goal for the church, which is, “We envision a
prayers for our success are valuable to us. We
United Methodist Church which in both policy
will continue to organize at the grassroots, the
and practice accords all persons, regardless
district and the conference level, and we seek
of sexual orientation or gender identity, full
persons who would be willing to help espe-
participation in the life of the church.” Taking
cially at the conference and jurisdictional lev-
advantage of opportunities to engage in dialog,
els. Please contact Reg and Barbara Olson, the
we have helped many families realize they are
coordinators of PRN, at 513-539-2524, or e-mail
not alone in confronting homophobia, and that
us at reginald.olson@sbcglobal.net, if you have
there are countless people working to “open
questions, need help, or want to support us in
the doors” of the United Methodist Church.
this ministry.
United Methodists of Color for a Fully

Inclusive Church
United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclu-
sive Church (UMOC) is a progressive, multi-
racial and multiethnic caucus for true diver-
sity 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
As parents we have been given a wonderful anti-colonialist. At Lake Junaluska, during the
opportunity to witness to God’s love for all of Hearts on Fire Reconciling Convocation, UMOC
our children. We have learned that “In Christ spoke out clearly against the intimidating
Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Find out more
slave not free, neither male nor female” … nei- about UMOC at rmnetwork.org/umoc/.
ther 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”
We have witnessed in a variety of ways at our

annual conferences, RMN Convocations, at the
General Conference, Judicial Council and else-
where. 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 guide for 60 seconds of time is five sentences. Prac-
tice your miracle story, hone it to 60 seconds, step
Several Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)
up to the microphone, and witness to the power of
constituent groups (more info on pages 10-11) are
the Holy Spirit in the Reconciling Movement!
gathering on Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., before
the official start of the convocation. These gather-
ings provide unique opportunities to meet kindred Affinity Groups
spirits and to engage in efforts to strategically Do you have an interest or issue that needs a fo-
expand and strengthen a particular aspect of the rum? Or a group of like-minded folks looking for
Reconciling Movement. The locations of these a place to gather? Justice and Joy is a great opportu-
meetings are: nity for kindred minds to come together, so you are
encouraged to convene a group of interest to you.
MOSAIC: Young People for an Best times for affinity groups to meet are between
All Inclusive Methodist Church 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Rainbow Lodge Fireside Room Another possibility would be during lunch or din-
ner times; however, arranging a space to meet in
Parents Reconciling Network
the dining hall is more difficult and not private.
Conference Hall A
To organize an affinity group go to the RMN office
Reconciling Clergy (Sweet Room) and look for the Affinity Group
Longs Peak Diamond West board. Write your interest or request and proposed
day and time of a meeting on the form provided.
Reconciling Communities Be sure to leave your cell phone number or an-
Longs Peak Granite Pass other way to contact you to finalize plans. You
will be assigned a meeting room and then your
Transgender Justice affinity group meeting time and location will be
Longs Peak Boulder Field announced in the board outside the office and
in the Tree Line newsletter. If you have any ques-
United Methodists of Color
tions, contact Sally Sparks at 703-998-0305 or email
for a Fully Inclusive Church
salire@yahoo.com.
Longs Peak Keyhole
Believe Out Loud Campaign Recreation–Group Hikes

Conference Hall B Because a large number of recreation staff departed
at the end of the YMCA’s summer season, they
Miracle Minutes cannot staff a number of the outdoor adventure
Because reconciling is a grassroots movement activities this weekend. However, trained guides
where miracles happen every day in our churches, will lead hikes in the Rocky Mountains on Fri-
conferences and communities, one of our convoca- day, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3:15 p.m.
tion traditions is to celebrate these miracles as we Participation is limited to 25-30 hikers each day.
journey together toward the loving reign of God. Opportunities for both conditioned hikers and less
arduous nature walkers. You can reserve a spot
You are invited to share a “miracle story” during in the hiking group on one of these days by sign-
convocation. During transitions before plenary ing up at registration or in the RMN Office (Sweet
sessions, we will celebrate Miracle-Moments: Five Room). Group hikes will leave from the Sweet Me-
minutes in which the first five persons to the mi- morial Building at 3:15 each afternoon. Hike will
crophone get to tell their 60-second story. The best last 90-120 minutes.
12
General Program Information
Choir The locations of these regional gatherings will be:

Come make a Conference Hall A
joyful noise with Western Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Alaska
the Justice and Joy Missionary, California-Pacific, California-Nevada,
Choir! Join director Desert Southwest, Oregon-Idaho, Pacific North-
Jorge Lockward for west, Rocky Mountain, and Yellowstone.
rehearsals on Sat-
South Central Jurisdiction: annual conferences–
urday and Sunday
Arkansas, Central Texas, Kansas East, Kansas
afternoons at 4:30 p.m. in the Ruesch Auditorium.
West, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico,
All are welcome in the choir, regardless of previous
North Texas, Northwest Texas, Oklahoma Mission-
singing experience. Enthusiasm, joy and a welcom-
ary, Rio Grande, Southwest Texas, and Texas.
ing heart are the only prerequisites.
Conference Hall B
Regional Meetings Northeast Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Balti-
On Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. Justice and Joy more-Washington, Central Pennsylvania, Eastern
participants will have the opportunity to meet with Pennsylvania, Greater New Jersey, New England,
colleagues from your annual conference and get New York, North Central New York, Peninsula-
introduced to the new Believe Out Loud campaign. Delaware, Troy, West Virginia, Western New York,
Western Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.
BELIEVE. To believe is to have faith. This is the
North Central Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Da-
foundation of the Protestant Community.
kotas, Detroit, East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Iowa,
Minnesota, North Indiana, Northern Illinois, South
OUT. The word out is widely understood as
Indiana, West Michigan, West Ohio and Wisconsin.
the active and open embracing of one’s identity,
especially sexuality. Southeast Jurisdiction: annual conferences–Alabama-
West Florida, Florida, Holston, Kentucky, Mem-
LOUD. To speak out loud is to put forth ones phis, Mississippi, North Alabama, North Carolina,
beliefs into the public sphere, with accountabil- North Georgia, Red Bird Missionary, South Caroli-
ity, passion, responsibility, and pride. na, South Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Western
North Carolina.
Help RMN kick off its 25th anniversary campaign,
Believe Out Loud, dedicated to connecting and Believe Out Loud Story Corps
empowering Reconciling United Methodists across
Be a part of the 25th Anniversary Believe Out Loud
the network. After assembling for a briefing on key
Campaign as we collectively share our stories and
points of this new campaign, we will divide into
passion about Reconciling Ministries Network.
annual conference groups, each with the guidance
During Justice and Joy you are invited to record
of a trained leader. You will get tips on how to
your story of why you are a part of Reconciling
organize your annual conference Believe Out Loud
Ministries Network for our national Story Corps.
team as well as launch this groundswell of BOLD
Stop by the Believe Out Loud booth in the Justice and
disciples in your area. Reignite your passion for
Joy Resource Center (Conference Hall C) one after-
the Reconciling Movement, network with Reconcil-
noon and talk with persons there about recording
ers in your region, and take action by participating
your story. When you are ready, they will videore-
in this campaign. We truly are changing the church,
cord your story so that it can be posted on our web
one story at a time! But the stories must be shared
site. Remember Rev. Mel White’s observation that
to create connection and the change we seek; we
in our struggle for full inclusion, “people don’t
must Believe Out Loud !
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. Leaders:
Conference Hall Rooms A & B The Rev. David Meredith is an Elder in the West Ohio
Each convocation morning begins with Breakfast Table Conference and pastor of Broad Street UMC in Colum-
Talks, guided conversations in small groups over break- bus, Ohio where he has served since 1997. He is a long-
fast. Like “covenant groups” at previous convocations, time leader in the Reconciling Movement and currently
this is an opportunity to get to know a few other Recon- serves on RMN’s board of directors.
ciling United Methodists more personally and to reflect Rachel Harvey, RMN’s new Associate Executive Direc-
on your experiences at the convocation. The breakfast tor, has United Methodist roots and connections in Cen-
buffet is open in your designated meeting room at 7:00 tral Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and New York. Most
a.m. You will be assigned to a table where you will eat recently, she spearheaded the national launch of the
B1 campaign for The Advance at the General Board of
and meet with the same group each morning.
Global Ministries.
After some time to get food and converse informally, at
Rev. Jeni Markham Clewell, an ordained deacon in
7:30 a.m. you will be lead in discussion of John Wesley’s the Oklahoma Conference, is a long-time advocate for
three “simple rules:” 1) Do no harm; 2) Do good; and 3) welcome for all people. She has served as a free medical
Practice Loving God (from Three Simple Rules: A Wes- clinic facilitator, music minister, children’s pastor and
leyan Way of Living by Reuben P. Job; Abingdon Press, RMN board member. She resides with her pastor spouse
2007). This will be a lively, interactive time to listen and in Cherokee, Oklahoma.
learn and to be in dialogue. Will Ed Green, from Hope Arkansas, is a first year
Because of food service needs, it was necessary to student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
choose in advance to participate in the Breakfast Table He also serves as part-time pastor at Granville Avenue
Talks. Persons opting out of this part of the Justice and UMC in Chicago.
Joy program can eat breakfast in the Aspen Dining Hall. Chad Johns, M.Div. from the Boston University School
If you wish to change your preference–either to par- of Theology, serves as an associate chaplain at Ohio
ticipate or not participate in the Breakfast Table Talks– Wesleyan University. He works primarily with the
please inquire when you check in at onsite registration. Spring Break Mission Week Program and weekly
Thereafter it is not possible to change your location for chapel. He got involved with RMN at the 2004 General
eating breakfast. 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

______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3: Practice Loving God

______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
15
Bible Study
Justice and Joy: The Face of Love congregational health and evangelistic vitality, and
the development of new monastic faith communi-
Saturday & Sunday 9:45 a.m. ties. Dr. Heath has provided retreat and seminar
Monday 10:15 a.m. leadership in spiritual formation and leadership
development for clergy for many years. Among
The fountainhead of justice and joy in the Bible is
her research interests are the new monasticism, the
the love of God. In these three Bible studies we emerging church, spirituality and evangelism, and
will reflect upon Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples. gender and evangelism.
We are using the image “face of love” to help us
remember that the love of God is incarnational. Dr. Heath holds a B.A. degree from Oakland
We see the love of God in the face of Jesus. Our University, an M.Div. from Ashland Theological
Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Duquesne University.
neighbors see the face of Jesus through us. As we
Her publications include: Naked Faith: Mysticism
move through this study may the Holy Spirit open and Mission in the Theology of Phoebe Palmer, Princ-
our hearts and minds to deeper transformation. eton Theological Monograph Series (Eugene, OR:
May we come to know how deeply we are loved, Pickwick Publications, 2009); The Mystic Way of
and grounded in God’s love, may we go forth to Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian
bring justice and joy to our neighbors. Outreach (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008);
and Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan
The Rev. Dr. Elaine A. Heath is the Community, co-authored with Scott Kisker, (Eugene,
McCreless Assistant Professor OR: Cascade, 2009).
of Evangelism at Perkins School
of Theology, the director of the Dr. Heath is co-founder and pastor of The People
Center for the Advanced Study of New Day, a new monastic community in the
and Practice of Evangelism at United Methodist tradition in Dallas, Texas. She
Southern Methodist University, and her husband Randall Bell live in Garland,
and is an Elder in the East Ohio Texas and are the parents of two adult daughters.
Conference of the United Method- Favorite activities include hiking, camping, bicy-
ist Church. In local church ministry her special area cling, canoeing, sailing, flea markets, music and
of interest is leadership development leading to watching movies.
John 17 NRSV• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • •
1
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked 6
‘I have made your name known to those whom
up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; you gave me from the world. They were yours, and
glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, you gave them to me, and they have kept your
2
since you have given him authority over all word. 7Now they know that everything you have
people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave
given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may to me I have given to them, and they have received
know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ them and know in truth that I came from you; and
whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking
finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the
Father, glorify me in your own presence with the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me,
glory that I had in your presence before the world because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and
existed. yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
16
Bible Study
11
And now I am no longer in the world, but they 20
‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on
are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy behalf of those who will believe in me through
Father, protect them in your name that you have their word, 21that they may all be one. As you,
given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be
12
While I was with them, I protected them in your in us, so that the world may believe that you have
name that you have given me. I guarded them, and sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have
not one of them was lost except the one destined given them, so that they may be one, as we are one,
to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 23
I in them and you in me, that they may become
13
But now I am coming to you, and I speak these completely one, so that the world may know that
things in the world so that they may have my joy you have sent me and have loved them even as
made complete in themselves. 14I have given them you have loved me. 24Father, I desire that those
your word, and the world has hated them because also, whom you have given me, may be with me
they do not belong to the world, just as I do not where I am, to see my glory, which you have given
belong to the world. 15I am not asking you to take me because you loved me before the foundation of
them out of the world, but I ask you to protect the world. 25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not
them from the evil one. 16They do not belong to the know you, but I know you; and these know that
world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17Sanc- you have sent me. 26I made your name known to
tify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you them, and I will make it known, so that the love
have sent me into the world, so I have sent them with which you have loved me may be in them,
into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify my- and I in them.’
self, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
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 annual conference. A certified lay speaker, she has
Religion and Race for an interactive approach to been a grant writer, program developer, and fre-
looking at our own experiences, and connecting quent preacher, keynote speaker and facilitator for
local, district, conference and churchwide events.
those to the world around us. This context will
include individual, small group, and plenary inter- The Rev. Barbara Isaacs is the As-
action for a hands-on experience. We will discuss sociate General Secretary of the
the intersections of Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, General Commission on Religion
Classism that together create positions of privi- and Race (United Methodist
lege and oppression in our society and church. Church) with primary responsi-
bility for Education, Institutional
This plenary will start the discussion of how to
Development, White Constitu-
address all these issues with our movement and ency Anti-Racism Concerns and
church to bring lasting change. GCORR’s work and relationships in the Northeast-
ern Jurisdiction.
Erin Hawkins has been the Gen-
eral Secretary of the General Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Barbara was ordained
Commission on Religion and an Elder in 1977 and is a member of the North-
Race (United Methodist Church) ern Illinois Conference. She received her Doctor
since September, 2007. She joined of Philosophy degree in Theological Studies and
the staff as an Associate General the Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies from
Secretary in 2001, serving as a Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, in
staff representative and resource 2002. In her thirty-plus years of pastoral experience,
consultant to the Southeastern Jurisdiction, Black Barbara has been a pastor of rural, urban and sub-
Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), the urban local churches; a chaplain; and a staff person
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Cen- at educational institutions and general agencies.
tury Initiative and other ministries serving the She has led international study trips for students,
denomination’s black constituency. She is a Harry faculty, and university chaplains to Nicaragua,
Hosier Life Member of BMCR. Haiti, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Brazil,
and Central Europe.
Erin was previously a legislative assistant to U.S.
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald from Barbara’s most recent publication is her essay “The
California. She has a Bachelor’s degree in business Lunch Counter Struggle, 1960 to 1963: Women Re-
administration from the University of California at Mapping Boundaries of Race, Gender and Voca-
Riverside and two Master’s degrees, one in public tion” in Gender, Ethnicity and Religion: Views from the
affairs from Indiana University and one in organiza- Other Side, edited by Rosemary Radford Ruether.
tional development from United Methodist-related In 2003 she was honored to present a paper on the
American University in Washington. role of Dr. Willa Player in the historic racial protest
sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina, for Sarah
A native of Los Angeles, Erin is a lifelong member
Lawrence College’s conference on Sisters in Strug-
of St. Mark United Methodist Church there, and
gle: Honoring Women Veterans of the Modern Civil
has taught Sunday school and served as an usher,
Rights Movement.
liturgist, choir member and district delegate to
19
Plenaries
The Intersections Plenary: Multimedia Resources

BOOKS
Akers Chacon, Justin and Mike Davis. No One is Illegal: Mankiller, Wilma, Ed., Everyday is a Good Day: Reflec-
Fighting Violence and State Repression on the U.S.- tions by Contemporary Indigenous Women (Golden,
Mexico Border (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2006). CO: Fulcrum Publishing, 2004). Contact information:
Website: www.haymarketbooks.org. Fulcrum Publishing, 16100 Table Mountain parkway,
Suite 300, Golden Colorado 80403. Tel: 800-992-2908
Barndt, Joseph. Understanding and Dismantling Rac- or 303-277-1623. Website: www.fulcrum-books.com.
ism: The Twenty-first Century Challenge to White
America (Minneapolis, Fortress Press, 2007). Noyes, Martha. Then There Were None (Honolulu: Bess
Press, 2003). Contact information: Bess Press, 3565
Brown, Cherie R., George J. Mazza and the National Harding Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816, Tel: 800-910-
Coalition Building Institute. Leading Diverse Com- 2377, E-mail: info@besspress.com,
munities: A How-To Guide for Moving from Healing
PACTS. Unfaithing U.S. Colonialism (Berkeley: Dharma
into Action (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2005).
Cloud Publishers, 1999). Contact information: Order
Bush, Melanie E. L. Breaking the Code of Good Inten- from PANA Institute at Pacific School of Religion, 1798
tions: Everyday Forms of Whiteness (New York: Scenic Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709. Tel: 510-849-8244.
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2004). Perkins, James W. White Theology: Outing Supremacy
Harvey, Jennifer, Karin Cass, and Robin Hawley in Modernity (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004).
Gorsline, Eds., Disrupting White Supremacy From Rothenburg, Paula. White Privilege: Essential Readings
Within: White People on What We Need to Do on the Other Side of Racism (New York: William
(Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2004). Patterson University of New Jersey, 2002).
Helke, Lisa and Peg O’Connor. Oppression, Privilege Stern-LaRosa, Caryl and Ellen Hofheimer Bettman.
and Resistance: Theoretical Perspectives on Rac- Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn
ism, Sexism, and Heterosexism (New York City: Prejudice (New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2000). Anti-
McGraw-Hill, 2004). Defamation League Copyright.
Thomas, Linda, Ed. Living Stones in the Household of God
Jensen, Robert. The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting
(Minnesota: Augsburg Fortress, 2004). Read Jim Per-
Race, Racism and White Privilege (San Francisco:
kinson’s essay “Black Theology and the White Church
City Lights, 2005). In particular, see the following
in the Third Millennium: Like a Thief in the Night.”
sections: “Facing the Truth: Past, Present, and Fu-
ture” and “The Emotions of White Supremacy: Guilt, West, Traci. Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism
Fear, and Anger.” and Women’s Lives Matter (Louisville: Westminster
John Knox Press, 2006).
Kivel, Paul. Uprooting Racism: How White People Can
Work for Justice (Canada: New Society Publishers, Williams, Linda Faye. The Constraint of Race: Legacies
2002). of White Skin Privilege in America (University Park,
PA: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2003).
Kondrath, William. God’s Tapestry: Understanding and
Wise, Tim. White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a
Celebrating Differences (The Alban Institute, 2008).
Privileged Son (Brooklyn, NY: Soft Skull Press, 2005).
Lipsitz, George. The Possessive Investment in White- Wurzel, J. Toward multiculturalism: A reader in multi-
ness: How White People Profit from Identity Poli- cultural education (Intercultural Resource Corpora-
tics (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998). tion, 2004). In particular, see the following essay:
“Becoming Interculturally Competent” by Milton J.
Bennett (pp. 62-77).
20
Plenaries
The Intersections Plenary: Multimedia Resources

DVD RESOURCES
Crossing Arizona. Produced by Joseph Mathew and Skin Deep
Dan Devivo; directed by Joseph Mathew and Dan A multi-racial group of college students in a week-
Devivo. Distributed Rainlake Publications. Website: end racial sensitivity workshop discuss affirmative
www.crossingaz.com. action, self-segregation, internalized racism and
cultural identity.
Crash. Produced by Don Cheadle; directed by Paul Unnatural Causes
Haggis; screenplay by Paul Haggis; 2004; 112 This film sounds the alarm about how our socio-
minutes. Distributed by Lion Gate Films. Website: economic and racial inequities in health and social
www.crashfilm.com. This film won three of its six conditions in which we are born, live and work
academy award nominated categories in 2005, and profoundly affect our well-being and longevity.
received two golden globe nominations.
Media Education Foundation (mef) Selected Resources

Dying to Live. Produced by Rev. Daniel Groody and Contact information: 26 Center Street, Northampton,
Bill Groody; directed by Gerri Groody. Distrib- MA 01060, Tel: 800-897-0089,
uted by the University of Notre Dame. Website: Email: info@mediaed.org,
www.dyingtolive.nd.edu. Website: www.mediaed.org
Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible. Pro- Cultural criticism & transformation (bell hooks
duced by Shakti Butler; directed by Shakti Butler. video presentation)
Distributed by World Trust Educational Services,
Inc. worldtrust@earthlink.net. Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, Childhood &
Corporate Power
Then There Were None. Distributed by Pacific Islanders
in Communications. Website: www.piccom.org/ Racism, White Denial & the Costs of Inequality
shop/then-there-were-none (Tim Wise lecture on White Privilege)
California Newsreel Selected Resources Contact Lists

Contact information: P.O. Box 2284, South Burlington,
Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Re-
VT 05407, Tel: 877-811-7495,
source Center) 3713 info@everyday-democracy.org
Email: contact@newsreel.org,
111 Founders Plaza, Suite 1403 | East Hartford, CT
Website: www.newsreel.org
06108 | 860-928-2616 | Fax 860-928-3713
Race – The Power of an Illusion
Three-part documentary series: “Difference Between Visions Inc. http://www.visions-inc.org/
Us;” “Story We Tell;” and “House We Live In.” “Create an environment where differences are rec-
ognized, understood, appreciated, leveraged, and
Shattering the Silences were all can perform to their full potential.”
Eight professors of color discuss the special pres-
sures minority faculty face in majority white institu-
tions.
21
Plenaries
Plenary on Marriage Equality Evan Wolfson was founder of

Freedom to Marry, the gay and
“As Long as You Both Shall Live: Rings, non-gay partnership working to
Vows, Health Care, Extended Family.” win marriage equality in the U.S.,
and serves as the organization’s
Friday evening 7:00 p.m. Executive Director.
Leaders from both the secular and faith efforts for Born in Brooklyn and raised in
marriage equality for all families will update us on Pittsburgh, Wolfson graduated
the status of efforts, analyze successes and chal- from Yale College in 1978. For two years, he was a
lenges, share future prospects and expand the Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa. After
scope of the conversation to explore what is left graduating from Harvard Law School in 1983, and
out of the current conversations. teaching political philosophy at Harvard College,
Wolfson served as assistant district attorney for
Kings County (Brooklyn), NY.
The Rev. Roland Stringfellow is Co-
ordinator of the Coalition of Wel- Beginning with his 1983 law school thesis on gay
coming Congregations in the Bay people’s freedom to marry, Wolfson has published
Area of California with the Center numerous articles on sexual orientation and civil
for Lesbian and Gay Studies in rights. As a pro bono cooperating attorney for
Religion and Sexuality (CLGS) Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund from
on the campus of Pacific School 1984 to 1989, Wolfson wrote Lambda’s amicus
of Religion. Stringfellow earned a briefs to the Supreme Court in Bowers v. Hardwick
Bachelor of Science degree in edu- and NGTF v. Board of Education of Oklahoma City.
cation and a Master of Science degree in counseling
from Indiana University. He later earned a Master From 1989 to 2001, Wolfson worked full-time at
of Arts degree in ministry from Grace Theological Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund. As
Seminary and in 1990 became a licensed minister Director of Lambda’s Marriage Project, Wolfson
in the Baptist Church. coordinated the National Freedom to Marry Coali-
tion and led the ongoing national movement for
In 2005 Roland was ordained with the Metropoli- equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. He
tan Community Church and in 2006 he earned his was co-counsel in the landmark Hawaii marriage
M. Div. degree from the Pacific School of Religion case, Baehr v. Miike, which launched the current na-
with a certificate in Religion and Sexuality. He has tionwide debate. Wolfson also contributed his ex-
worked as a pastor in Indiana and California. In pertise to the team in Baker v. Vermont, the Vermont
addition to all his work within church contexts, Supreme Court ruling that led to the creation of
Roland also worked in the field of education in a “civil unions,” a new legal marital status for same-
variety of capacities teacher, guidance counselor, sex couples, and to the GLAAD team in Goodridge v.
college advisor, and vice-principal. Department of Public Health, which on May 17, 2004
led to marriage equality in Massachusetts.
In his current position, Rev. Stringfellow is work-
ing to create dialogues on the topic of LGBT In 2004, Evan was named one of the “Time 100,”
equality with church congregations and in re- Time magazine’s list of “the 100 most influential
ligious institutions in northern California. He people in the world.” Evan Wolfson’s first book,
played an active leadership role in the campaign Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay
against the state of California’s Proposition 8 in People’s Right to Marry, was published by Simon &
November 2008, speaking to and organizing sup- Schuster in July 2004 and was re-released in paper-
port within religious communities and communi- back with a new foreword in June 2005.
ties of color.
22
Plenaries
Plenary on Global Connections The Rev. Araceli Ezzatti is founder

and pastor of Diaconia Cristiana
“All the Little Children of the World.” en la Diversidad ICM (Christian
Service in Diversity), the Met-
Saturday afternoon 1:30 p.m.
ropolitan Community Church
Stories from pastors working for full inclusion in (MCC) congregation in Mon-
Africa, South America, and the Philippines. With tevideo, Uruguay, She is duly-
credentialed with the Methodist
a history of colonialism, what does a vibrant and
Church of Uruguay, in which she
vital worldwide church including the US look like? has served as clergy for many years. Until recently
How will we learn from our sisters and brothers she served as interim pastor for Central Methodist
from around the world? Church in Montevideo (which was the first Meth-
odist congregation in the country). That church
Bishop Daniel Arichea earned his asked her to resign because of her advocacy for
bachelor of theology at Union LGBT people.
Theological Seminary in Manila
and then came to the U.S. in After receiving a Master’s degree in education and
1958 for a missionary-sponsored theology from Seminario Menonita of Theology
preaching tour that led to his in Montevideo, she did graduate studies at the
doctoral studies at Duke Uni- ISEDET in Buenos Aires. There she studied peda-
versity. He then returned to the gogy with Professor Paolo Freire. She served as
Philippines and served pastorates a member of the executive & editorial committee
in Bataan and Manila and taught for eight years at that published Freire’s books. She participated in
Union Theological Seminary. In 1969 he joined the workshops on popular education that Freire led
United Bible Societies and worked more than two throughout South America, Africa and with the
decades as a translation consultant in the Philip- World Council of Churches in the 1970s. She then
pines, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong. After taught courses and workshops on the Pedagogy
resisting requests over many years that he become and Methodology of Freire at a number of univer-
an episcopal candidate, he was elected to the epis- sities and seminaries.
copacy in absentia in 1994 and served in the Philip-
More recently, Araceli completed training and
pines until his retirement in 2000. He has written
certification as a psychologist, including work with
and published extensively on Bible translation and
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. She
study. He is currently bishop in residence at Duke
has served as Dean of the Institute of Psychology
Divinity School and Union Theological Seminary
of Uruguay; Director of the National Program of
in the Philippines where he also serves as professor
Training for Methodist educators and leaders in
of New Testament.
Uruguay; Pastoral Coordinator of five low-income
Arichea has been a strong supporter of the church’s Methodist parishes; and Coordinator of Theologi-
embrace of LGBT persons and participates in a cal Training for the Methodist Church in Uruguay.
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!”
23
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
27
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. “Incompatible With Christian Teaching” Film Screening and Discussion.................. LP Diamond West
28
Workshops
A. Transforming Our Congregations The Rev. Roland Stringfellow is
speaking at Justice and Joy in the
A.1. Rethinking Church: New Models of plenary on Marriage Equality.
Missional Church for the New Methodists Stringfellow is the Coordinator
of the Coalition of Welcoming
Saturday & Sunday, WR Bilheimer/Dodge Congregations in the Bay Area
Many United Methodists are longing for a simpler, of California with the Center
more communal experience of church, one that for Lesbian and Gay Studies in
Religion and Sexuality (CLGS) on
is less about programs and buildings and more
the campus of Pacific School of Religion. In 2005
about disciplined spiritual practices and missional
he was ordained in the Metropolitan Community
presence in the world. This workshop will present Church and in 2006 earned an M. Div. degree from
a vision for distinctly Wesleyan community that is the Pacific School of Religion with a certificate in
emerging, missional, monastic and Methodist. Religion and Sexuality.
The Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath is the A.3 The Church and Global AIDS
Bible Study Leader at Justice and
Joy. She is the McCreless Assistant Sunday, LP Chasm Lake
Professor of Evangelism at Per- The Center for Church and Global AIDS provides
kins School of Theology as well as resources for addressing the challenges of the
the director of the Center for the
global HIV and AIDS pandemic and related health
Advanced Study and Practice of
Evangelism at Southern Method- needs in the world through programs of aware-
ist University in Dallas. She is an ness, education, prevention, care, and treatment.
Elder in the East Ohio Conference of the United In particular, the Center challenges attitudes and
Methodist Church. She is co-founder and pastor of actions that contribute to stigmatization and
The People of New Day, a new monastic commu- discrimination of persons infected and affected
nity in the United Methodist tradition in Dallas. by HIV and AIDS. The workshop will also draw on
Donald Messer’s newly-published 52 Ways to Cre-
A.2. Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive ate an AIDS-Free World.
Church Have Political Influence?
Saturday & Sunday, Conference Hall A The Rev. Dr. Don Messer, president
emeritus and emeritus Henry
This workshop will look at the agenda of a more White Warren Professor of Practi-
progressively minded church and ask how it can cal Theology at The Iliff School of
present a compelling case so that the American Theology in Denver, is president
people and their elected leaders will listen. We’ll of the Board of Directors and
address questions such as: What is the progres- Executive Director of the Center
for the Church and Global AIDS. Speaking and
sive Christian Church and is it possible to agree on
leading workshops has taken him to more than
a central message? Can we learn lessons from the 30 countries around the world. He is author of 12
past agenda of conservative Christian movements? books including: Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence:
What happens when a local church puts Gospel Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis.
faith into a political agenda and action plans?
29
Workshops
A.4. Evangelism for Reconciling United Melany Burrill, a lifelong United

Methodists Methodist, has a Master’s de-
gree in Religious Education from
Saturday & Sunday, Conference Hall B Wesley Theological Seminary,
At a time when our denomination proclaims open worked for 16 years as a Direc-
hearts, minds and doors while supporting the tor of Christian Education in a
local UM church, and has been
exclusion of GLBT persons from pews and pulpits,
leading comprehensive sexuality
it becomes imperative that Reconciling United education weekend workshops
Methodist churches proclaim the Good News of in churches for young people and their parents for
God’s wide embrace. We will look at the theologi- over 25 years. Her book, All God’s Children–Teaching
cal basis for our work as Reconciling United Meth- Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diver-
odists, as well as practical strategies to strengthen sity, was published this spring.
your congregation’s evangelism ministry so that
all may encounter God’s saving love and grace A.6. JUST Worship
through Jesus Christ. Sunday, LP Keyhole
This workshop moves beyond simply looking at
The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, is co- “inclusive language,” to taking radical inclusion
pastor of Glide Memorial UMC, in
to another level. JUST Worship is rooted in the
San Francisco and Adjunct Profes-
sor in United Methodist studies at understanding that worship services are a primary
Pacific School of Religion. An elder way that we develop and share the theologies of
in the California-Nevada Confer- our communities. Worship conveys powerful mes-
ence, Karen has served in campus sages about justice: about who we are called to be,
and parish ministries in rural and to welcome, and to love. Rather than fearing that
urban settings on the East and West we will unintentionally exclude someone during
Coasts. She is the co-author of Talking About Homo-
worship, we will adopt a more holistic and cre-
sexuality: A Congregational Resource (Pilgrim Press).
ative frame. Together we will explore (and create)
A.5. Teaching Children About Sexual specific worship practices that free us to answer
Orientation and Gender Diversity joyfully the call to do justice by celebrating God’s
beloved community in worship.
Saturday, WR Hobbs
Children and sexual orientation or gender diver- Marla Marcum is a doctoral stu-
sity—we don’t often think of these at the same dent in ecological ethics at the
Boston University School of Theol-
time. Even though we want the children all around
ogy. She has taught feminist and
us—daughters, sons, nephews, nieces, other family
womanist theologies, Christian
members, pupils, neighbors, parishioners—to de- social and ecological ethics, and
velop affirming attitudes about sexual orientation writing. Marla is a life-long United
and gender difference, we often do not know how Methodist pursuing ordination as
to guide them in this process. This workshop will a Deacon. Marla is co-lay leader
demonstrate the importance of teaching even very of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries where she
also serves as co-chair of the Reconciling Ministries
young children about sexual orientation and gen-
Committee and chair of the Global Warming Task
der diversity. Participants will learn specific ways to
Force. She is a joyful gardener who seeks to create
model affirming attitudes about sexual orientation justice through collective living with her family of
and gender difference with children. choice.
30
Workshops
Sean Delmore is a doctoral stu-

dent 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 B.2. Bringing People Together to Make
a Deacon in the New England Annual Conference.
Sean takes short breaks from justice-seeking to joy-
Change Happen
fully paddle his flame-colored kayak up and down Sunday, LP Granite Pass
the Mystic River. This workshop will teach participants key strate-
gies in building a healthy and energized team to
B. Equipping for Social Change 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
B.1. Building An Inclusive Church Community
help build relationships within communities to
Saturday, LP Granite Pass build a welcoming church movement.
This workshop will teach the skills of one-on-ones
as a primary community building tool to help Vicki Wunsch (See B.1.)
people build relationships with others as they
begin or continue to create a welcoming church B.3. Ordination and Social Change
movement. The workshop will give a brief over- Sunday, LP Diamond East
view of how one on ones work, why they are key
A representative from The General Board of
in building a welcoming church movement and
Higher Education and Ministry will discuss the or-
offer an opportunity for people to practice doing
dination process in The United Methodist Church,
one on ones.
answer questions, and explore with participants
Vicki Wunsch is a trainer with the the variety of opportunities for clergy and profes-
Institute for Welcoming Resources, sional lay ministry within the Church. Participants
a program of the National Gay will also discuss changing systems from the inside
and Lesbian Task Force. In this po- out and the vital nature of clergy participation in
sition, she trains both lay leaders church transformation.
and clergy in developing tools for
congregations to be a welcoming
Rev. Meg Lassiat is Director of
place for all people. Vicki received
Student Ministries, Vocation, and
her Masters Degree in Instruction-
Enlistment at the General Board
al Design from the University of Minnesota and
of Higher Education. She plans
a Masters of Divinity at United Theological Semi-
Student Forum, Exploration and
nary of the Twin Cities. She is currently pursuing
other young adult and student
ordination in the United Church of Christ.
opportunities.
31
Workshops
B.4. Organizing for Change in Your Annual B.5. Media Savvy in a Soundbite World
Conference Saturday, LP Diamond West
Saturday, LP Boulder Field Do you wonder how some groups have all the
This session will examine various models of orga- luck when it comes to media? Do you wonder
nizing for justice and change, highlighting experi- why you can’t get your story in the news? It’s not
ences in the Texas, Tennessee and the Baltimore/ luck, it is media savvy—and it can be learned.
Washington Annual Conferences. We will focus on Whether you are a newbie or are a media maven,
how to create justice through education, advo- ramp up your skills! You and your organization
cacy and relationship building and provide ex- can become the “go to” people for journalists
amples of activities that can be implemented to in your area. Come learn about effective media
work toward full inclusion of LGBT persons in our engagement for LGBT faith groups through clear
beloved church. messages, media interviews, letters to the editor,
relationships with journalists and digital media.
Laura Young brings her experi-
ence from Breaking the Silence, an Ann Craig is Director of Religion,
organization of clergy and laity in Faith & Values at the Gay & Les-
the Texas Conference that aspires bian Alliance Against Defamation
to be a healing voice within the (GLAAD) where she works with
climate of fear and misinformation dozens of groups in diverse faith
surrounding sexual orientation traditions to empower them to
and gender identity and to create engage the media effectively as
a welcoming atmosphere for ALL they work for equality for LGBT
in churches. Laura is a clergy spouse and mother of people. Ann served more than two
two young children in Huntsville, Texas. decades as an executive in the United Methodist
Board of Global Ministries and Women’s Division.
Laura Rossbert brings her experi- Ann was President of New York Methodist Federa-
ence from the Baltimore/Washing- tion for Social Action, was co-convener of Affir-
ton Conference and Nashville Area mation National Council, and co-founder of the
Reconciling United Methodists; Gay-Straight Coalition at Yale Divinity School.
both organizations seeking full
equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual
B.6. Overcoming Discrimination Through
and transgender persons in the the Lens of Paolo Freire
life of the UMC through advocacy Saturday, Mt. Ypsilon Tower 3
and education. Laura worked on
This workshop will explore the concepts of discrimi-
the Marriage Project for the Human Rights Cam-
paign and as the Northern Virginia Field Director nation and exclusion through the methodology of
for Equality Virginia in 2006. She lives in Nashville, renowned Brazilian educator Paolo Freire (author
Tennessee, with her partner Brian. of Pedagogy of the Oppressed). Participants will be
guided in exercises of reflection utilizing cards, pho-
tos, newspapers to reconstruct the ideas of inclu-
sion, 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 diver-
sity as exemplified in the richness of Creation.
32
Workshops
The Rev. Araceli Ezzatti will be C.2. Toward a Gender-Positive World

speaking at Justice and Joy during
(Advanced)
the plenary session on Global Con-
nections. She is a duly credentialed Sunday, Birch Cabin
pastor in the Metropolitan Com- Through scenarios and stories, participants in
munity Church and the Methodist the workshop will come away understanding
Church of Uruguay. After receiv-
obstacles that various transgender people face
ing a Master’s degree in educa-
tion and theology from Seminario in society, in churches, and sometimes among
Menonita of Theology in Montevideo, she did LGB allies. We will discuss tools and resources that
graduate studies at the ISEDET in Buenos Aires. move beyond trans education for our communi-
There she studied pedagogy with Professor Paolo ties, to the transformation of systems in those
Freire and subsequently became a globally-recog- communities. This is a great moment in history for
nized trainer and speaker on Freire’s educational trans leadership, and we need folks working with
methodologies.
us as we face legal, financial, medical, and political
challenges.
C. Engaging Intersections:
Towards Wholeness The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot is an
ordained minister in the United
C.1. Transcending Gender (Introduction) Church of Christ. As a pastor he
has served the Denver Inner City
Saturday, LP Diamond East Parish, Minneapolis’ Plymouth
What is gender? What is sex? Are they the same Congregational Church, and the
thing? Is male the same thing as masculine? Is ev- United Church of Christ Coalition
for LGBT Concerns. As a transgen-
eryone male or female, or are there in-betweens?
der man he has traveled widely to
What does transgender mean? Can people move speak at churches, colleges and seminaries related
between one gender and another? Explore the to the 2005 documentary film Call Me Malcolm.
diversity of sex and gender in this participative Malcolm’s work is focused on the transformation
workshop. Questions and discussion are encour- and wholeness of Christian communities across
aged, and we’ll even play a game. society’s dividing lines.
Sally Sparks is a member of

Dumbarton UMC in Washington,
DC. An engineer by training, Sally
spent her career helping govern-
ment 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 work-
shops on gender diversity and transgender edu-
cation to various groups, including city govern-
ments, mental health workers, employee assistance
programs, schools, and churches.
33
Workshops
C.3. Creating Communities of Listeners in The Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey is a

Different Regions of the World native of West Palm Beach, Florida
and Atlanta, Georgia. She is an
Saturday, LP Keyhole Elder in The United Methodist
It’s been observed that social reality is altered Church currently serving as Dean
when LGBT individuals establish a new gay-aware of Students at Garrett-Evangelical
Theological Seminary. Dr. Light-
culture by creating a “community of listeners” who
sey’s work has been published in
hear their stories. In this workshop a panel of denominational and theological
international Justice and Joy participants will pres- journals and her wisdom shared in panels and
ent what they believe is needed in their region General Board discussions. She is mother of two
of the world in order to “create a community of adult children and a member of Alpha Kappa
listeners” within the church, the family & friends, Alpha Sorority.
and government there.
C.5. Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic?
The Rev. Stephen R. Parelli, former Moving from Apology to Action
Baptist and now Metropolitan
Community Church clergy, has
Sunday, WR Hobbs
served as Executive Director of This workshop will focus on understanding and
Other Sheep since September 2005. identifying areas of privilege in our own lives as
He and his spouse, Jose Ortiz, well as the times when we have felt the pain of ex-
have traveled in Latin America,
clusion. Building on our experiences, we will work
East Africa and Southeast Asia
for Other Sheep. Other Sheep is to create models for action that involve being in
a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry solidarity and partnership. Together we will exam-
working worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT ine how one advocates for justice from a position
people of faith within their respective faith tradi- of privilege and the things that hold us back.
tions by connecting people with people and people
with resources. The Rev. Amy Stapleton has been
the National Field Organizer for
C.4. Black Queer Theology the Methodist Federation for
Social Action since 2001. In that
Sunday, LP Boulder Field capacity, she works with United
This workshop will explore queer theology with Methodists across the country to
particular emphasis on the context of the African put their faith into action to ad-
American queer persons. All LGBTQ persons and dress injustices in our denomina-
tion and world. An ordained elder
allies can journey together toward the objective
in the Rocky Mountain Conference, Amy previ-
of negotiating a space of analysis and under- ously was a hospital chaplain, campus minister
standing which helps cultivate a more inclusive and served on staff of urban churches in Denver,
perspective of sexual identity. Colorado.
34
Workshops
C.6. Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Mark Bowman is coordinator of

Sexuality and Faith the LGBT Religious Archives Net-
work, a program of the Center for
Sunday, Mt. Ypsilon Tower 3 Lesbian & Gay Studies in Religion
Where do conversations about sexuality and faith and Ministry in Berkeley, Califor-
intersect? How can we be comfortable with our nia. He began as a gay religious
own sexuality, in order to help others feel comfort- activist thirty years ago in United
Methodist and ecumenical wel-
able about their own? During our time together,
coming church movements and
we will discuss what it means to overcome the now is committed to the remembering of our rich
body/spirit divide, to be sexually expressive in ways and profound history. He lives in Chicago and also
that foster positive human relationships, and share works as an enlivener of worship and music.
ways in which we can embody an integrated body-
spirit ethic in our relationships, in our prayer and D.2. Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the
worship, and in the ways in which we seek justice. Senses to Strengthen your Worship
Saturday & Sunday, WR Auditorium
Chett Pritchett, as an openly gay
man, seminary graduate, and Too often vital messages are lost in unmemorable
advocate for LGBTQ persons and expressions. This workshop is based on Marcia’s
young adults in the life of the latest research in making worship meaningful
United Methodist Church, has pre-
and memorable. Insights from filmmakers from
sented workshops about human
soundtracks to editing help worship planners
sexuality for campus ministries,
local congregations, and the Gen- and leaders utilize some of the best storytelling
eral Board of Church and Society’s techniques to strengthen progressive messages
Ethnic Young Adult program. He is a member of of justice and joy!
Dumbarton UMC in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Marcia McFee is the Worship
Co-Leader at Justice and Joy. She is
D. Arts & Storytelling an author, worship designer and
leader, professor, preacher and art-
D.1. Getting Our History Out of Our Closets ist. She combines her background
Saturday, LP Chasm Lake and experience in professional
companies of music, theater and
History is written from the perspective of those
dance with a variety of worship
who preserve their records, therefore, LGBT re- and preaching styles in order
ligious groups must ensure that the papers we to bring a fresh experience of the Gospel to each
have stored in our files and boxes get into an worship setting. She travels extensively in order
archive. The LGBT Religious Archives Network to teach regional workshops that are accessible to
(LGBT-RAN) is a unique digitally-based resource congregational leaders and worship teams. Addi-
that assists LGBT religious leaders and groups tionally, Marcia has begun a program of continuing
in preserving their records. This workshop will education events in her home town of Lake Tahoe
present ways you can collaborate with LGBT-RAN and an on-line subscription to seasonal worship
so that our voices and stories are preserved for design help called “The Worship Design Studio.”
future generations.
35
Workshops
D.3. Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop Sue Laurie was a high school math
Saturday, Birch Cabin teacher and basketball coach when
she experienced a call to ordained
Bishop Daniel Arichea will share some experi- ministry. She earned a Master of
ences of his own family and the role of the church Divinity in 1995, but has been
and faith in the development of his perspectives denied ordination because she is
on LGBT persons. These experiences include openly lesbian. She has stood with
being on the Council of Bishops since 1995 and many Reconciling UMs before
the United Methodist Church at
teaching a course on The Bible and Human Sexu-
local church, seminary, Annual Conferences and
ality at Union Theological Seminary in Manila and General Conference seeking authentic welcome for
the responses of students there. Participants are LGBT Christians. She appreciates the people and
encouraged to come with questions and be pre- the many blessings she has enjoyed while serving
pared to engage in the conversation. as an Outreach staff member for RMN since 2001.
She lives with her partner, Julie, who she met at
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Arichea is Bible Study at her local UMC in 1982.
speaking at Justice and Joy in the
plenary on Global Connections. D.5. “Incompatible With Christian Teaching”
He served as the United Meth-
odist bishop in The Philippines
Film Screening and Discussion
from 1994 to 2000. Prior to that, he Sunday, LP Diamond West
worked for the United Bible Soci- Since the adoption of the “incompatibility clause”
eties as a translation consultant in
at the 1972 General Conference, GLBT advocates
the Philippines, Thailand, Indone-
sia and Hong Kong.
and allies have fought for the full participation of
all people in the United Methodist church. This
documentary work-in-progress focuses on the
D.4. That’s So Gay! The Bible and United
personal stories of United Methodists who have
Methodist Hymnal dissented from the church’s policy on homosexu-
Saturday & Sunday, Dick Hall ality, including clergy, parents and LGBT persons.
God’s call for inclusion of all people comes in the
words of the Gospel. Of course the Bible and the Anne P. Brown, a member of
UM Hymnal are sources of inspiration to many Metropolitan Memorial UMC in
Washington, DC, has produced
people in following this call. However, their mes-
eight narrative and three docu-
sage is muted when forced through a heterosex- mentary shorts. She is currently
ual-privileged lens. This workshop will explore working on a documentary short,
some favorite texts and hymns ones that give 5020 Cathedral Avenue, which
me renewed spirit as a lesbian Christian on the focuses on the extraordinary con-
journey toward a Reconciling UMC. Sometimes it tributions of gay rights pioneer,
is a word such as “rainbow” or “home”, other times Frank Kameny. Incompatible With Christian Teaching
is Brown’s first documentary feature.
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!
36
Worship Guide
Friday Opening: “For Everyone Born…”

Saturday Morning: “God Will Delight…”
Sunday Morning: “When We are Creators…”
Monday Closing: “…of Justice and Joy!”
37
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-cre-
ated miracle-bodies, and honor each other as divinely-inspired beings, we build a founda-
tion 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 creat-
ing?” 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. Anoint-
ed 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 mountain-
top 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, Love & Justice,

Marcia McFee, Worship 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 Domini- Dr. Marcia McFee is an author,

can Republic, Jorge Lockward worship designer and leader,
currently lives in New York professor, preacher and artist. She
City. A noted worship leader and combines her background and
lecturer, Jorge has collaborated experience in professional compa-
in the planning and leading of nies of music, theater and dance
worship of numerous conferences, with a variety of worship and
including the 9th Assembly of the World Council preaching styles in order to bring a fresh experi-
of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and the 2006 ence of the Gospel to each worship setting.
United Methodist Women Assembly in Anaheim,
Marcia’s passion for helping the church to worship
California. He was as committee member of the
God fully is especially directed toward the educa-
Spanish Language United Methodist Hymnal, Mil
tion of local congregations. She travels extensively
Voces para Celebrar and has served as consultant
in order to teach regional workshops that are acces-
on other denominational hymnals. He is the editor
sible to congregational leaders and worship teams.
of Regocíjate y Canta (1995), a collection of Latino
Additionally, Marcia has begun a program of
worship choruses, Tenemos Esperanza (2001) a
continuing education events in her home town of
trilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, English) songbook
Lake Tahoe and an on-line subscription to seasonal
and recording, assistant editor of Global Praise 3:
worship design help called “The Worship Design
More Songs for Worship and Witness (2004) and
Studio.”
co-editor of For Everyone Born: Global Songs for
an Emerging Church (2008). As well as her experience with local church wor-
ship, Marcia specializes in designing and leading
He has served as member of the Executive Com- conference worship. Over the last 18 years, she has
mittee of the Hymn Society in the United States coordinated worship for countless regional and
and Canada, the Board of the Reconciling Minis- agency conferences, including past RMN events.
tries Network, the Consulting Board for Reformed Along with frequent collaborator, Mark Miller, she
Worship Magazine & Calvin Institute of Christian designed and led 22 worship services over a 10 day
Worship, and the Board of Directors of Choristers period for the international quadrennial General
Guild. He currently lectures on music and wor- Conference of the United Methodist Church.
ship at Union Theological Seminary in New York
Dr. McFee received a Master’s of Theological Stud-
City, is the Minister of Worship for a new United
ies degree at Saint Paul School of Theology with
Methodist church start in the Northwest Bronx
a concentration in Preaching and Worship, where
and leads the New York based ecumenical chorale
she recently received the Outstanding Graduate
Cántico Nuevo.
Award from the Alumni Association. She earned a
Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies at the Graduate Theo-
logical Union with an allied field of Ethics. She has
been a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty at nine
seminaries.
39
Worship Guide
Preachers
Vincent Cervantes grew up in atrical performance activist, performing plays that
a traditional Catholic family of address a variety of social justice issues. His recent
Spanish-decent that didn’t leave plays include, “Holy Christ University: Coming
room for questioning one’s sexual Out in Christian College” and “Doin’ Time In The
orientation or considering that Homo No Mo Halfway House: How I Survived the
homosexuality wasn’t a worldly Ex-Gay Movement.” He has been featured in The
perversion. After graduating high Washington Post, HDNet World Report, The Morn-
school, Vincent attended Azusa ing Show with Mike and Juliet, The Cristina Show,
Pacific University, the second largest Evangelical Logo TV, and here! TV.
university in the United States, where homosexu-
ality wasn’t only taboo, but also condemned and Vincent currently lives in Riverside, California,
punishable by university policies. with his partner Vince.
After years of hiding his same-sex attractions, The Rev. Drew Phoenix has been
Vincent submitted to reparative therapy through an ordained elder in The United
counseling, ex-gay support groups, and even Methodist Church since 1989.
consented to an exorcism. With over a year being Drew has served several urban
spent in counseling and years trying to pray away churches, both in Bethesda, Mary-
his homosexuality, Vincent came out and fully ac- land and Baltimore City, Mary-
cepted himself as gay man in July 2006. land. He most recently served
St. John’s of Baltimore City UMC,
As an out gay student at an Evangelical university, a Reconciling Congregation. In 2007, while at St.
Vincent faced many obstacles with fellow students John’s, Drew came out publicly as a trans male
and the administration. In October 2006, Vincent to the Baltimore-Washington Conference. As a
was forced to withdraw from the university because result, charges were brought against him and his
his sexual orientation conflicted with their policies case went before the Judicial Council. The charges
that prohibited “homosexual acts or behaviors.” were dismissed and no anti-transgender laws were
Vincent then became an advocate for social justice added to the Book of Discipline.
and equality, leading him to organize the “Right To
Serve Campaign” in Los Angeles through Soulforce. In addition to his Master of Divinity from Wesley
In 2007, Vincent continued his work with Soulforce Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., Drew
as member of the Soulforce Equality Ride. During has a Master of Science in Development Manage-
a two-month journey across the U.S., Vincent along ment from American University in Washington,
with over 50 other young adults visited Christian D.C. and a Master of Acupuncture from the TAI
colleges and universities that have policies that dis- SOPHIA Institute in Laurel, Maryland. In response
criminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, to the Spirit’s calling, Drew is currently serving in
and queer students, to share their stories and create an Extension Ministry position as Managing Direc-
dialogue about faith and sexuality. tor of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT),
a grassroots environmental health and justice orga-
Today Vincent continues his work in activism by nization in Anchorage, Alaska.
sharing his story and the stories of other ex-gay
survivors. In 2008, he launched his career as a the-
40
Worship Guide
The Rev. Dr. Eunice Musa Iliya is The Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya was
the director of the newly-created elected a bishop of the United
Directorate of Evangelism and Methodist Church in July, 2008,
Stewardship of the United Meth- and currently serves as bishop
odist Church in Nigeria. This is a of the Seattle Area. He began his
key position in church manage- ministry career in the California-
ment as part of Nigerian United Pacific Conference in 1978, after
Methodist efforts to build and earning a B.A. degree at San
transform the church there. Jose State University and an M. Div. and D. Min.
from Claremont School of Theology. He served as
Dr. Iliya, a mother of four, is a native of the Zing pastor of Berkeley United Church in the Bay Area
local government area of Taraba in Nigeria. She while pursuing doctoral studies at the Graduate
joined the ministry in 1991. She earned her first Theological Union. He then served North Gardena
degree in theology at Jos ECWA Theological Semi- UMC and Centenary UMC in the Los Angels area
nary (JETS). She has worked in different capaci- before being appointed the Los Angeles District
ties as associate and senior pastor of many United Superintendent in 2000.
Methodist congregations in Nigeria. She was also
principal of the women’s leadership training center He served as Director of Urban Ministries and As-
in Zing, Nigeria from 1997-1999 and was appoint- sistant Professor of Religion & Society at Claremont
ed conference treasurer in 1999. School of Theology from 1990-93. He has been an
adjunct professor there since then teaching United
Dr. Iliya won the American Green Card 2002/2003 Methodist polity and field education. He has served
lottery, which gave her opportunity to become a in a number of leadership positions in the United
permanent resident of the United States. While Methodist Church, including the General Board of
in the U.S. she received a Master’s in Theological Higher Education and Ministry, the General Com-
Studies degree and a Doctorate in pastoral care mission on Religion and Race, and the General
and counseling from Claremont School of Theol- Board of Global Ministries. He was first elected a
ogy. She has been a frequent and popular preacher General Conference delegate in 1996. He has served
in many churches in the U.S. on the board of directors of several social service
agencies and also on several interfaith panels.
Dr. Iliya was elected a delegate from Nigeria to the
United Methodist General Conference in 2008. De- Bishop Hagiya has been studying in the doctoral
spite being admonished by other members of her program at Pepperdine University with a focus on
delegation, she stood in support of the demonstra- leadership and change strategy as it applies to the
tion again the church’s discriminatory policies and church. He became the Executive Director of Lead-
actions against LGBT persons. While noting the ership Development and the Center of Leadership
extreme difficulty of being a solitary support, she Excellence in the California-Pacific Conference
affirms that she stood “to support my fellow broth- shortly before he was elected to the episcopacy.
ers 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.”
41
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 Fair Oaks UMC.......................................... Fairs Oaks, CA.................... Oct-92
Dumbarton UMC...................................... Washington, DC .................Feb-87 First UMC................................................... Corvallis, OR....................... Oct-92
Trinity UMC............................................... Berkeley, CA . .....................Mar-87 Trinity UMC............................................... Austin, TX .......................... Oct-92

Wesley Foundation at
Crescent Heights UMC............................ West Hollywood, CA ........Apr-87
Univ. CA Los Angeles . ............................ Los Angeles, CA ................ Oct-92
Albany UMC.............................................. Albany, CA ........................May-87
Holy Trinity UMC..................................... Danvers, MA .....................Nov-92
St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... Vacaville, CA .......................Jun-87
University Park UMC............................... Portland, OR......................Nov-92
Metropolitan-Duane UMC*..................... New York, NY......................Oct-87
Lake Merritt UMC.................................... Oakland, CA ..................... Mar-93
St. Mark’s UMC......................................... New Orleans, LA . ..............Oct-87
Glide Memorial UMC............................... San Francisco, CA . ............Apr-93
The Church in Ocean Park....................... Santa Monica, CA . .............Oct-87
Claremont UMC........................................ Claremont, CA ..................May-93
University UMC*...................................... DeKalb, IL.............................Oct-87
Grace UMC................................................ Santa Cruz, CA .................May-93
Hamilton UMC*........................................ San Francisco, CA.............. Mar-88
Faith UMC.................................................. Cedar Rapids, IA ................Jun-93
United University Church....................... Los Angeles, CA ............... Mar-88
Hennepin Avenue UMC........................... Minneapolis, MN ...............Jun-93
Calvary UMC............................................. San Francisco, CA . ............Apr-88 Pine UMC................................................... San Francisco, CA . .............Jun-93
Wesley UMC.............................................. Sheboygan, WI...................May-88 Wesley Foundation at
St. Francis in the Foothills UMC............. Tucson, AZ . ........................ Jun-88 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

UM Student Fellowship at Wesley Club at

Illinois Wesleyan....................................... Bloomington, IL . ............... Oct-93 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
UM Student Fellowship at University CA Santa Barbara.................. Goleta, CA .........................May-95
American University................................. Washington, DC.................Nov-93 Wesley Foundation at
First UMC................................................... Williamstown, MA ............Dec-93 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 United Campus Ministry at
WA State University.................................. Pullman, WA ...................... Feb-94 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 St. Johns UM-Presbyterian Church........ Columbia, MD ..................Nov-95
(1999, became UCC) Community UMC..................................... Slingerlands, NY . ...............Jan-96
Ravenna UMC........................................... Seattle, WA ........................Aug-94 Epworth UMC........................................... Oklahoma City, OK . ..........Jan-96
United Campus Ministry at Epworth UMC........................................... Chicago, IL ......................... Feb-96
Northern Illinois Univ.............................. DeKalb, IL . ........................Aug-94
First UMC................................................... Schenectady, NY ................ Feb-96
Broadway UMC......................................... Chicago, IL ......................... Sep-94
Plattsburgh UMC...................................... Plattsburgh, NY ................. Feb-96
Centenary UMC........................................ St. Louis, MO ..................... Oct-94
Trinity UMC............................................... Atlanta, GA ........................ Feb-96
Chenango Street UMC............................. Binghamton, NY . .............Nov-94
UM Campus Ministry at
Church of the Redeemer.......................... Cleveland Hts., OH...........Nov-94 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 Wesley Foundation at
Norwood Park UMC................................ Chicago, IL............................Jan-95 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 Mathewson Street UMC........................... Providence, RI . ..................Apr-96
Student Senate . ........................................ Denver, CO...........................Jan-95 UM Fellowship at
Saratoga Springs UMC............................. Saratoga Springs, NY . .......Jan-95 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 Mary Elizabeth Inn................................... San Francisco, CA............... Sep-96
Univ. Southern CA.................................... Los Angeles, CA ................ Feb-95
Cove UMC................................................. Lakewood, OH .................. Oct-96
Cal-Aggie Christian Association at
First UMC of Gardena*............................ Gardena, CA........................ Oct-96
UC Davis.................................................... Davis, CA . ..........................Apr-95
Fellowship UMC....................................... Vallejo, CA . ........................Apr-95
University of Michigan............................ Ann Arbor, MI ................... Oct-96
First UMC................................................... Los Gatos, CA ....................Apr-95
East Vancouver UMC............................... East Vancouver, WA..........Nov-96
Good Samaritan UMC.............................. Edina, MN ..........................Apr-95
70 *merged with another UMC
San Francisco United Northaven UMC....................................... Dallas, TX ...........................Apr-98

Methodist Mission.................................... San Francisco, CA..............Nov-96 St. Stephen’s UMC.................................... Mesquite, TX ..................... Apr-98
Desert Chapel UMC*................................ Apache Junction, AZ..........Dec-96 Wesley Foundation at
Hobart UMC*............................................ Minneapolis, MN................ Jan-97 Vanderbilt University............................... Nashville, TN . ...................Apr-98
Agape House at Beaver Memorial UMC............................ Lewisburg, PA . .................May-98
University of Illinois Chicago................. Chicago, IL ..........................Feb-97 First UMC - Chicago Temple................... Chicago, IL ........................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 University Christian Ministry at
El Cerrito UMC.......................................... El Cerrito, CA . ...................Mar-97 Northwestern Univ................................... Evanston, IL ......................May-98
First UMC................................................... Boulder, CO.........................Mar-97 Wesley Foundation at
Simpson UMC........................................... Cleveland, OH................... Mar-97 University of Denver................................ Denver, CO.........................May-98
UMC of Holyoke, St. Stephen’s UMC.................................... Marblehead, MA . .............. Jun-98

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 Asbury Protestant Ministry at
Central Michigan University................... Mt. Pleasant, MI.................May-97 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 Hamline UMC........................................... St. Paul, MN ......................May-99
University CA Riverside.......................... Riverside, CA ......................Jun-97 Marshfield UMC....................................... Marshfield, MA ................May-99
University Temple UMC.......................... Seattle, WA ...........................Jul-97 Pacific Northwest Reconciling
Christ UMC................................................ Columbia, MD.................... Sep-97 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 Warren UMC.............................................. Denver, CO.........................Nov-99
University of Wisc. Madison................... Madison, WI . .................... Nov-97 Rutherford UMC....................................... Rutherford, NJ....................Dec-99
Delavan UMC............................................ Delavan, WI .......................Dec-97 Epworth Roanoke UMC........................... Kansas City, MO . ...............Jan-00
Trinity UMC............................................... Seattle, WA ......................... Dec-97 First UMC of Omaha................................ Omaha, NE . ........................Jan-00
Baltimore-Washington Conference Methodist Federation for
AIDS Task Force......................................... Baltimore/Wash., DC.........Jan-98 Social Action.............................................. Washington, DC .................Jan-00
California-Pacific AIDS Task Force......... California/Hawaii...............Jan-98 Union UMC................................................ Boston, MA . ........................Jan-00
People’s UMC............................................ Newburyport, MA .............Jan-98 New Hope.................................................. Chicago, IL......................... Mar-00
Christian Educators Fellowship.............. Nashville, TN...................... Feb-98 (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


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 St. Paul’s UMC.......................................... South Nyack, NY................ Jun-03
Methodist Church..................................... Georgetown, TX ...............Nov-00 Koinonia Sunday School Class,
Gobin Memorial UMC............................. Greencastle, IN...................Dec-00 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
The United Parish in Brookline............... Brookline, MA . .................. Sep-04
APACT A Place At Christ’s Table............ Davidson, NC .....................Jun-01
United Methodist Church of York-
Reconciling United Methodists and
Ogunquit.................................................... York, ME ............................. Sep-04
Friends of NC............................................ North Carolina . ..................Jun-01
Gospel in 21st Century Language
First UMC of Palo Alto............................. Palo Alto, CA ......................Oct-01 Class, University UMC............................ Austin, TX .........................Nov-04
Morgan Hill UMC..................................... Morgan Hill, CA ................ Dec-01 The Community of Reconciliation.......... Pittsburgh, PA ................... Mar-05
Drexel Hill UMC....................................... Drexel Hill, PA ....................Jan-02 First UMC................................................... Vermillion, SD.....................Apr-05
First UMC of Tacoma................................ Tacoma, WA ........................Jan-02 Maynard Avenue UMC............................ Columbus, OH . .................Apr-05
Chestnut Hill UMC................................... Philadelphia, PA ............... Mar-02 University of South Dakota,
Calvary UMC............................................. Durham, NC . .....................Apr-02 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
First UMC Duluth..................................... Duluth, MN . .......................Jun-02 United Methodists.................................... Oregon-Idaho Ann. Conf....May-05
Inquirers Class of Grace UMC................ Sioux City, IA.......................Jun-02 Epiphany Sunday School Class,
First UMC................................................... Austin, TX .........................Aug-05
Memorial UMC......................................... White Plains, NY ................Jun-02
Expand the Circle (ETC)......................... Central Texas Ann. Conf..Aug-05
MFSA – Arkansas Chapter ..................... Little Rock, AK .................Aug-02
Servant Leadership School of
Bloom in the Desert.................................. Palm Springs, CA .............. Oct-02 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, Affirming and Welcoming
First UMC................................................... Austin, TX .........................Nov-02 Everybody, AWE, Christ UMC................ Lincoln, NE......................... Oct-05
Asbury UMC . ........................................... Charleston, WV ................Nov-02 East Ohio Reconciling
Bethany UMC............................................ Madison, WI.......................Nov-02 Ministries Network................................... East Ohio Ann. Conf.......... Oct-05
Reconciling UMs of the Spirit of Hope UMC.................................. Golden Valley, MN............. Oct-05
Lincoln Area (RUMOLA)........................ Lincoln, NE........................Nov-02 Balt-Washington Area Reconciling
Easter Hill UMC........................................ Richmond, CA ...................Dec-02 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 St. John’s UMC.......................................... St. Louis, MO ....................Nov-05

Foundation, U. of Iowa............................ Iowa City, IA ......................Apr-03 Trinity UMC............................................... Chico, CA ..........................Nov-05
72

Edgewater Emmanuel UMC................... Minneapolis, MN...............Dec-05 Gay Straight Alliance,
Magnolia UMC.......................................... Seattle, WA .........................Dec-05 Methodist Theological Sch in OH........... Delaware, OH...................... Jan-07
Sine Nomine Class, Travis Park UMC... San Antonio, TX..................Dec-05 Mittineague United
Methodist Church..................................... West Springfield, MA ........ Jan-07
Centenary UMC........................................ Mankato, MN . ....................Jan-06
Cameron Church- United Methodist..... Denver, CO......................... Feb-07
Church of the Three Crosses................... Chicago, IL ..........................Jan-06
Couples Plus SS Class,
Broad Street UMC..................................... Columbus, OH.................... Feb-06 University UMC........................................ Austin, TX ...........................Feb-07
Williston Federated Church..................... Williston, VT ...................... Feb-06 Gay Straight Alliance,
Grace For All.............................................. Peninsula-Del Ann. Conf.... Mar-06 Methodist Theological School................. Delaware, OH .....................Feb-07
Epworth UMC........................................... Rehoboth Beach, DE .........Apr-06 Reconciling Ministries Community
within S Indiana Conference of the
Christ Church United Methodist............ Denver, CO.........................May-06
United Methodist Church........................ South Indiana AC................Feb-07
Elk Grove UMC......................................... Elk Grove, CA ...................May-06
Women’s Issues SS Class,
First UMC................................................... Dayton, OH . .....................May-06 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,
First UMC................................................... Point Richmond, CA ..........Jun-06 Christ UMC................................................ Salt Lake City, UT...............Mar-07
Grace UMC................................................ Dallas, TX ............................Jun-06 Progressive United Methodists
of Kentucky................................................ Louisville, KY ....................Mar-07
Summit UMC............................................. Columbus, OH . ................. Jun-06
Boise State University
Howard University................................... Washington, DC..................Mar-07
United Methodist Students...................... Boise, ID . ..............................Jul-06
Junction City UMC................................... Junction City, OR................Apr-07
Downtowners Sunday School Class,
First UMC................................................... Austin, TX ............................Jul-06 Greater Rosedale Homeroom Group..... Austin, TX .........................May-07
Companions Sunday School Class, Guilders Circle, UMW,
St John’s UMC........................................... Austin, TX .......................... Oct-06 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 Something More SS Class,
University UMC........................................ Austin, TX .........................May-07
First UMC................................................... Cleveland, OH ..................Nov-06
Advocates for Justice and Peace,
MIND: Methodists in New Directions, Holy Covenant UMC................................ Carrollton, TX .....................Jun-07
New York AC............................................. New York AC.....................Nov-06
Covenant SS Class, First UMC................ Dallas, TX ............................Jun-07
Nebraska Statewide
Reconciling Network................................ Nebraska AC......................Nov-06 Justice and Witness Society,
N Olmsted UMC....................................... North Olmsted, OH............Jun-07
RUMI: Reconciling UMs of Illinois......... Illinois Great Rivers AC....Nov-06
Labyrinth Community,
Vermont Hills UMC................................. Portland, OR.......................Dec-06 Holy Covenant UMC................................ Carrollton, TX .....................Jun-07
First UMC Downers Grove...................... Downers Grove, IL . ..........Dec-06 Soiree Circle of UMW,
Open Hearts Reconciling Group............ Grand Island, NE ..............Dec-06 University UMC........................................ Austin, TX ...........................Jun-07
Joyce UMC................................................ Minneapolis, MN................ Jan-07 Tibbetts UMC............................................. Seattle, WA...........................Jun-07
Challenges and Choices SS Class, West Michigan Reconciling
St. Stephen’s UMC.................................... Norman, OK . ......................Jan-07 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

Grace SS Class, Wesley Foundation,
Washington Street UMC........................... Columbia, SC ..................... Sep-07 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, South Austin Homeroom Group,
Epworth UMC........................................... Indianapolis, IN...................Oct-07 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 Reconciling Journey SS Class,
Ministry at UC Santa Cruz...................... Santa Cruz, CA ................. Mar-08 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 , With Love! Ministry.................................. Phoenix, OR ........................Jan-09
University of Colorado............................. Boulder, CO........................ Mar-08 Holston Reconcilers.................................. Holston AC.......................... Feb-09
Excelsior UMC........................................... Excelsior, MN......................Apr-08 Hope UMC................................................. Iowa City, IA....................... Feb-09
First UMC................................................... Eugene, OR..........................Apr-08 Epworth UMC .......................................... Minneapolis, MN.............. Mar-09
Hoquiam UMC.......................................... Hoquiam, WA ....................Apr-08 Kansas Reconciling United
United Methodist Campus Ministry, Methodists (KRUM)................................. Kansas West AC................. Mar-09
Columbia University................................ New York, NY.....................Apr-08 The College Ministry of
Word, World, and Worship SS Class, Wesley Memorial UMC............................ Huntsville, TX.................... Mar-09
FUMC......................................................... Georgetown, TX ................Apr-08 College Hill UMC..................................... Wichita, KS..........................Apr-09
First UMC................................................... Napa, CA ...........................May-08 First UMC................................................... North Andover, MA...........Apr-09
RUM-EPA................................................... Eastern Pennsylvania AC...May-08 Garden Street UMC.................................. Bellingham, WA..................Apr-09
Swarthmore UMC..................................... Swarthmore, PA ............... May-08 Student Community of Wesley
Travis Park UMC....................................... San Antonio, TX.................May-08 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, Centenary UMC........................................ Richmond, VA....................May-09
Bear Creek UMC....................................... Woodinville, WA ................Jun-08 Highlands UMC........................................ Denver, CO.........................May-09
First UMC................................................... Loomis, CA . ........................Jun-08 Kenwood UMC......................................... Milwaukee, WI..................May-09
Metropolitan Memorial UMC................. Washington, DC ................ Jun-08 St. Paul UMC............................................. Everett, WA.........................May-09
The Church and Society Team................. Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 Eastern Parkway UMC............................. Schenectady, NY..................Jun-09
The Dialogue Sunday School Class........ Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 Grant Avenue UMC.................................. Denver, CO...........................Jun-09
The Kairos Class Meeting........................ Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 The Journey, group at Forest Chapel UMC... Cincinnati, OH......................Jul-09
The Library Guild..................................... Whitefish Bay, WI . .............Jun-08 Lebanon-Sweet Home Reconciling Group... Oregon-Idaho Ann. Conf....Jul-09
74
Comments and corrections to Audrey@rmnetwork.org
History of Movement
A Brief History of the Reconciling Movement
1982-83• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Within one month, two congregations vote to become
RCs—symbolically located on both ends of the conti-
At the September 1982 meeting of Affirmation: United nent—Washington Square UMC in New York City and
Methodists for Lesbian/Gay Concerns in Boston, the Wesley UMC in Fresno, California.
idea of “developing a program in which local churches 9 Reconciling Congregations at year end.
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 Wig-
1985 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
gins agree to develop a plan. The model of the More The idea evolves of publishing a quarterly magazine
Light Program, begun in 1978 by the Presbyterians for which would address a particular theme on lesbian/gay
Lesbians and Gay Concerns, of a local church adopting concerns in the church, which would also contain wor-
a statement affirming lesbians and gay men and inviting ship/devotional aids, a resource listing, and news from
their full participation in the life of the local church is the movement.
adapted for United Methodist congregations. The first issue of Manna for the Journey is published and
Discussion about the need for “reconciliation” between “sketches a conceptual framework and a theological
context for the RCP” and “provides resources for those
The United Methodist Church and lesbians/gay men
who choose to be reconcilers.” One thousand copies
at a November 1982 meeting of Affirmation’s General
are printed as an “act of faith” and are mailed out to
Conference Task Force inspires the name “Reconciling
Affirmation and Methodist Federation for Social Action
Churches.” This is modified to “Reconciling Congrega-
members in May 1985.
tions” in order to clearly emphasize that this will be a lo-
cal church network. The second choice is “Self-Avowed, Thanks to the enthusiastic, generous response of the
Practicing Churches.” initial subscribers, the second issue “Living and Dying
with AIDS” is published in the fall. Being one of the first
At the September 1983 Affirmation meeting in Balti- magazines to devote extensive attention to the growing
more, Mark, D.J., and Perry present a plan which looks AIDS epidemic, this issue sells out quickly.
remarkably similar to the program today.
In its June session, the California-Nevada Annual Con-
1984 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ference adopts a resolution commending the program
and encourages its local churches to become RCs.
Beth Richardson and Mark Bowman serve as volunteer
co-coordinators in the developmental stage of the Rec- Beth and Mark lead the first training session for “RC
onciling Congregation Program (RCP). The Nashville Enablers” in the northeast jurisdiction in May at Wash-
Affirmation chapter agrees to allow their post office ington Square UMC.
box to be used as the official program address. The first
brochure describing the program and the first resource 15 Reconciling Congregations at year end.
paper, “How to Become a Reconciling Congregation”
are written and published. 1986 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The first local workshop on “How to Become a Reconcil-
The May 1984 General Conference in Baltimore amends
ing Congregation” is held in Lincoln, Nebraska.
the Book of Discipline to state that “no self-avowed,
practicing homosexual shall be ordained or appointed Manna for the Journey continues to expand, having 750
in the United Methodist Church.” paid subscribers by midyear. Melany Burrill and Brad-
ley Rymph become the first coeditors.
In the early morning following the vote on the ordina-
tion ban, about a dozen Affirmation members gather The U.M. Renewal Services Fellowship challenges the
outside the Civic Center in Baltimore and pass out use of the name “Manna for the Journey” (their news-
brochures to General Conference delegates and visitors letter was trademarked as “Manna”). It is decided not
inviting their congregations to become Reconciling Con- to risk a lawsuit and change the name of the magazine,
gregations (RCs), in essence to dissent from the unwel- since it was so new and had not yet received wide
coming policies approved by the UMC. recognition. An informal poll of supporters results in
75
History
the name Open Hands, inspired by the II Kings 10:15 text Three more annual conferences—California-Nevada,
used in John Wesley’s sermon The Catholic Spirit. New York, and Troy—vote to become “Reconciling Con-
ferences” in their early summer sessions.
Supporters in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference
make history by proposing a resolution to its June ses- A new RCP brochure, “Is Your Church Open to All Per-
sion to become a “Reconciling Conference.” The resolu- sons?” is produced.
tion is adopted.
Due to the income and expenses of the convocation, the
The Wisconsin Annual Conference adopts a resolution program’s annual financial report doubles.
suggesting that its local churches consider becoming RCs.
30 Reconciling Congregations at year end.
Efforts to promote the RCP to the largest possible UMC
audience were thwarted when The United Methodist 1988 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Reporter refuses to accept an ad for Open Hands, stating
the magazine violated UMC policy by “promoting the Continued program expansion brings the “growing
acceptance of homosexuality.” pains” experienced by many grass roots movements. A
joint meeting of the RCP Advisory Committee and the
19 Reconciling Congregations at year end. Affirmation Coordinating Committee is held in January
to address these program needs. That meeting results in
1987 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • decisions to expand the RCP Advisory Committee to 8
persons and to provide a half-time national staff. Beth
The first national convocation of RCs, “Empowering
Richardson announces her intention to retire as national
Reconciling Ministries” draws 120 persons from the 22
co-coordinator after the General Conference. Mark Bow-
RCs and other friends to the United Church of Rogers
man expresses his willingness to serve as a half-time
Park (Chicago).
national coordinator.
Seeking funds to support the costs of the convocation,
The UMC General Conference in May in St. Louis
a proposal is sent to the General Commission on the
provides the opportunity for a strong RCP witness. The
Status and Role of Women for $1,000 to assist members
video, Casting Out Fear, is shown during a daily lun-
of RCs to get to the convocation. The commission ap-
cheon forum in the RCP/Affirmation hospitality suite.
proves this grant, noting the funds would be provided
from a private fund and not from the operating funds Seeing the need for a concise resource for lay persons
received from the general church. An ensuing public that outlines facts and concerns about homosexuality
outcry leads to the first (and still only) invoking of the and the Church, Ann Thompson Cook, along with other
national UMC “funding ban” (then paragraph 906.12 in Dumbarton UMC members, write and publish such a
The Discipline) by the General Council on Finance and resource: And God Loves Each One: A Resource for Dia-
Administration and the grant is revoked. logue About the Church and Homosexuality. The booklet
Invitations sent to all general church boards and agen- debuts just before Christmas.
cies to send representatives to observe the convoca- The first meeting of the RCP Advisory Committee is
tion produces a controversy in the General Board of held in Washington, D.C.
Discipleship. The invitation is debated extensively and
two votes by the directors ended in a tie before the chair, Open Hands’ application to join the Associated Church
Bishop George Bashore breaks the tie by voting against Press (the national association of mainline religious peri-
sending an observer. Supportive board members make odicals) is accepted.
contributions to send Nancy Starnes as an unofficial
observer from the Board of Discipleship. A fall retreat by the Evangelical Renewal Fellowship
in the California-Nevada conference announces the
The two above incidents receive widespread coverage in formation of “Transforming Congregations,” modeled
the religious and secular media. Reports of the convoca- after the RCP, but seeking to change homosexuals into
tion appear in several gay/lesbian newspapers across heterosexuals.
the country.
The membership of the UMC Study Committee on
RCP friend Wayne Marshall Jones agrees to videotape Homosexuality, authorized by the General Conference
portions of the convocation and interview representa- is announced and includes RC pastor, Dennis Alexander
tives of some churches present. The footage he brings (Wesley UMC, Minneapolis) and a former RC pastor,
home is so inspiring and moving that it is agreed that an Rebecca Parker (Wallingford UMC, Seattle).
RCP video must be produced: Casting Out Fear: Reconcil-
ing Ministries with Gay/Lesbian United Methodists. 37 Reconciling Congregations at year end.
76
History
1989 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The resultant publicity brings a similar action against

University UMC (Madison, Wisc.) which had adopted a
Affirmation’s Long-Range Planning Committee recom- similar policy in 1986.
mends that the RCP become more autonomous.
The witness of local RCs grows and is recognized.
The Reconciling Conference movement grows stronger Dumbarton UMC and St. John’s UMC (Baltimore) receive
as Eastern Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Oregon-Idaho the annual Ball Awards from the Methodist Federation
appoint task forces to study such conference action. The for Social Action for their witness to social justice. St.
Southern New England Conference commends the RCP Francis in the Foothills is showcased in a UMC video as
to its congregations for study and action. one of five “Vital Congregations” by the General Board of
Discipleship. Many RCs testify at listening posts held by
The continued high quality of Open Hands results in being
the UMC Study Committee on Homosexuality.
honored with two prestigious awards from the Associ-
ated Church Press. The “Living and Loving with AIDS” The historic gathering of nine leaders from the More
issue receives the 1988 Award of Merit for “in-depth cov- Light (Presbyterian), Open and Affirming (United
erage of a current issue” and the magazine receives hon- Church of Christ), Reconciled in Christ (Lutheran), Wel-
orable mention in the overall General Excellence category, coming (Unitarian-Universalist), and the RCP in October
both for magazines with less than 10,000 subscribers. in Chicago brings national attention to a growing ecu-
menical movement, more than 200 congregations strong.
The decision to incorporate the RCP as an independent
nonprofit corporation is approved at the September 49 Reconciling Congregations at year end.
Affirmation meeting. Christ UMC (Washington, D.C.)
offers a small storage room to serve as an office for the 1991 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
coordinator.
Production of several new resource papers and a study
Advisory Committee member Reva Anderson, Grant guide for Casting Out Fear is undertaken.
Park-Aldersgate pastor Sally Daniel, and coordinator
Mark Bowman testify before the Study Committee on At the request of Wheadon UMC, which had amended
Homosexuality in November. its reconciling statement to welcome lesbian, gay, and
bisexual persons, the board devotes a part of its August
43 Reconciling Congregations at year end. meeting in Chicago to learning about bisexuality. Recog-
nizing that this is an emerging issue, about which there
1990 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • was not necessarily consensus in all RCs, the board
agrees to be more inclusive of bisexual persons in Open
200 members and friends gather for the second convo- Hands and other resources, but not to change official
cation in San Francisco in February. A first-ever youth RCP policy at this time.
program draws five youth from RCs around the country
and is led by Melany Burrill. The UMC cable TV show, Catch the Spirit, does a seg-
ment on homosexuality in March and included informa-
The RCP is incorporated in the District of Columbia in tion about RCs for the first time.
July and the first official board meeting is in Philadel-
phia in August. Covenant services continues to be an issue as the pastor
of Walker Community UMC (Minneapolis) is told by
The board invites all RCs to celebrate the first national the bishop that she could not do such a service there, in
RC Sunday during Epiphany, invites leaders of the wel- spite of the support of the congregation.
coming programs in other denominations to a weekend
for sharing and support, and launches a “92 in ’92” pro- The second interdenominational meeting of the leaders
gram to double the number of RCs in two years. of the welcoming church programs is boosted by the
participation of two new programs: Supportive Congre-
The General Commission on Christian Unity and Inter- gations in the Brethren-Mennonite tradition and Open
religious Concerns votes unanimously (with 2 absten- and Affirming Congregations in the Disciples of Christ.
tions) in October to become a “Reconciling Commis- The initial terms of ecumenical cooperation in the publi-
sion,” the first such action taken by a national UMC cation of Open Hands are discussed here.
board or agency.
The UMC’s Judicial Council unanimously upholds the
Commmitment services for gay or lesbian couples General Commission on Christian Unity and Inter-
become a hot issue, following a Washington Post story religious Concerns’ decision to become a Reconciling
about Dumbarton UMC adopting a policy affirming Commission.
such services. The local bishop declares that Dumbar-
ton’s policy contravened his interpretation of UMC law. 54 Reconciling Congregations at year end.
77
History
1992 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1993 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The RCP is visible before, during, and after the UMC’s Along with Affirmation and MFSA, RCP testifies before
General Conference which receives the Homosexuality the General Conference concerning moving the 1996
Study Report, but takes no other actions to change the General Conference out of Colorado. (Amendment 2 -
church’s unwelcoming policies towards lesbians and banning laws that would protect gay and lesbian people
gay men. 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” 278 persons attend the Third National Convocation of
services in about 50 cities across the country during Reconciling Congregations held in Washington D.C.
the summer and early fall. These services offer healing
and reconciliation and are attended by several hundred A Youth/Young Adult Task Force is formed to empower
persons. the voices of youth and young adults and address their
needs in the reconciling movement.
Open Hands receives the prestigious Award for Merit for
General Excellence for smaller magazines by the Associ- A Reconciling Pastors’ Action Network (RPAN) is initiated
ated Church Press. to provide a vehicle for UMC church professionals to wit-
ness to full inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action honors the
RCP with one of its Ball Awards for the RCP’s outstand- The first ecumenical issue of Open Hands was published
ing social witness. in the winter with More Light (Presbyterian), Open and
Affirming (UCC) and Reconciled in Christ (Lutheran).
Staff operations of the national office are relocated to
Irving Park UMC in Chicago. Mark Bowman continues The Board begins the Angel Campaign which invites
as program coordinator, now on a full-time basis. supporters to pledge $100 or more for the year. The goal
of $40,000 is surpassed.
Plans for the ecumenical cooperation in the publication
of Open Hands are agreed upon at the fall meeting of 70 Reconciling Congregations and
interdenominational program leaders. (The Association 3 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end
of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is the new pro-
gram present at this meeting.) The publication process 1994 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
for Open Hands is changed to having one editor and an Eight years after initial refusal and under new editorship,
ecumenical advisory committee. the United Methodist Reporter accepts an RCP classified ad.
The Wesley Foundation at UCLA becomes the first RPAN grows to 100 members as efforts toward advo-
Reconciling Campus Ministry. Covenant services, once cacy and outreach expand..
again, catch the national attention as several articles
appear about a covenant service in Indianapolis at A New RCP brochure is produced. To meet the growing
which an uninvited UMC pastor videotaped the service interest in Reconciling Campus Ministries a new re-
as evidence to use against the clergy involved. Several source paper is also produced.
bishops warn pastors against conducting such services
“A Statistical Study of United Methodist Congregation
(none against illicit videotaping).
on the Reconciling Journey” by Chad Heilig and Kristin
The adoption of an antigay local referendum in Colo- Stoneking is published and shows that churches do not
rado results in the formation of United Methodists incur loss when becoming Reconciling Congregations.
Against Discrimination in Colorado, spearheaded by the
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, RCP invites Tim
pastor and members of St. Paul’s UMC in Denver. This
McGinley, minister of music at Broadway UMC in
coalition, with the support of many other RCs, around
Indianapolis, to write an original musical drama. A per-
the country, distribute petitions calling on the UMC to
formance company is recruited from around the coun-
move its 1996 General Conference out of Colorado as a
try. The result is HOME: The Parable of Beatrice and Neal
witness against discrimination.
which goes on a 15-city tour throughout the Midwest
62 Reconciling Congregations and and receives widespread acclamation from the 1,600
1 Reconciling Campus Ministry at year end. 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 pres- 1996 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ent suggestions to General Conference Commission
regarding “witness” at General Conference. The Com- Plans are finalized for Open the Doors witness in Den-
mission agrees to a plenary session which will focus on ver which includes a joint WARM hospitality and work
the church’s witness for civil and human rights for all center with Women’s Caucus, Affirmation, and Method-
persons. ist Federation for Social Action.
Still on the Journey: A Handbook for Reconciling Congrega- Outreach coordinator James Preston and colleague
tion in Ministry with Lesbians, Bisexuals and Gay Men is Marilyn Alexander publish book, We Were Baptized Too:
published in response to requests for resources on what Claiming God’s Grace for Lesbians and Gays.
RCs can be doing after their public declaration. Welcoming & Affirming Baptists join the cooperative
RCP staffs a resource table and hosts a reception at Cel- publication of Open Hands with the Winter 1996 issue.
ebrate, a national student conference of more than 2,000 Over 75 RCP members and friends come to Denver to
Christian students in St. Louis. carry out an Open the Doors witness which permeates
90 Reconciling Congregations and the General Conference. Posters proclaiming Open the
5 Campus Ministries at year end Doors displayed in downtown businesses. Volunteers
literally open doors for delegates and visitors to confer-
ence. Press conference with four testimonies of dis-
1995 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • crimination in church draws several hundred listeners.
Board begins planning for “Open the Doors” campaign Placards with names of over 10,000 Reconciling UMs are
for 1996 General Conference in Denver. RPAN will unveiled. Fifteen bishops upset conference with their
become “Reconciling United Methodists” is an effort to “Open the Doors” declaration. Youth/Student/Semi-
attain 9,600 signatures for the campaign. narian Rally calls on church to “open doors.” Original
musical drama Caught in the Middle, written by RCP
RCP works with local folks to bring to the public eye the
friends Jean Hodges and Julian Rush premieres. Over
sexual orientation discrimination based firing of Diana
400 persons attend Sunday morning worship in Den-
Chalfant, a coach at the United Methodist-affiliated
ver’s RC, St. Paul’s UMC.
Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. RC and
RPAN members protest with letters and phone calls to General Conference maintains unwelcoming policies
the college president and area bishop. and adds ban on same-gender unions to Social Prin-
ciples.
The fourth national convocation draws 325 persons to
Augsburg College in Minneapolis. A highlight is UM Open the Doors stories circulate around the denomi-
leader Jeanne Audrey Powers’ “coming out” sermon. nation after General Conference. Oregon-Idaho and
Open the Doors campaign is officially launched. Wisconsin vote to become the 5th and 6th Reconciling
Conferences.
Summer intern Wil Brant writes and distributes propos-
al for an ecumenical Bible study curriculum. Proposal Group of students at UM Student Forum react to con-
generates immediate positive response from several tinued homophobia in church by forming Methodist
other lesbian/gay-affirming Christian groups. Students for an All-Inclusive Church (MoSAIC), imme-
diately 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 Judicial Council upholds Wisconsin’s Reconciling Con-
at the same location—Irving Park UMC. ference decision upon appeal.
160 activists from 33 annual conferences participate in University UMC in Madison, Wisconsin, takes public
six regional Knock-Ins to train and plan for local Open stand against local antigay group and is subsequently
the Doors efforts. subjected to harassment.
Open the Doors activities spread across the country as New England Conference produces video about its Rec-
local activists write letters and arrange meetings with onciling Congregations, Because God First Loved Us.
General Conference delegates, organize Open the Doors
rallies and signature parties, and enroll Reconciling Threshold Meetings throughout the fall and winter
United Methodists. Coordinators are recruited to facili- bring together over 550 local RCP activists in 25 annual
tate Open the Doors activities in annual conferences. conferences to cross the threshold created by Open the
Doors and build a stronger local RC movement.
104 Reconciling Congregations and
12 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end Open Hands editor Mary Jo Osterman leads year-long
79
History
ecumenical process of creating new Bible study curricu- Program priority for 1997-98 is to train and empower
lum Claiming the Promise. grass roots leadership in the RC movement. Staff plan to
lead eight regional Leadership Training Seminars.
Open Hands breaks new ground with “Transgender Re-
alities” issue. Subscription list surpasses 3,000. 138 Reconciling Congregations and
20 Reconciling Campus Ministries
Angel campaign in which supporters provide annual
gifts of $100 or more surpasses $100,000 for first time.
1998 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
$10,000 grant from Gill Foundation sets precedent as The March trial of the Rev. Jimmy Creech for conducting
first grant from major foundation to support organizing a union service for two women at First UMC (Omaha)
for lesbian/gay concerns in religious communities. receives national media attention. Creech’s argument-
the Social Principles’ ban on “ceremonies celebrating
118 Reconciling Congregations and
homosexual unions” is not binding- produces acquittal
16 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end
in trial. Later appeal to Judicial Council by South Cen-
tral Jurisdiction College of Bishops results in ruling that
1997 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • the ban is legally binding.
Board and staff prepare four-year plan with concrete
goals on building RC movement, increasing diversity, Local RCP activists organize first-ever RCP regional
and undergirding movement growth. conferences that bring together 40 Reconciling UMs in
Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in May and 125 persons
Fifth national convocation, Come to the Table, is from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska in July.
planned for Emory University in Atlanta—first national
RCP gathering in the Southeast. After talks with the General Council on Finance and
Administration regarding the UM Cross & Flame in
Claiming the Promise: An Ecumenical Welcoming Bible the RCP logo, RCP board decides not to engage in legal
Study Resource on Homosexuality is published in January battle and institutes a contest for a new logo. Entry from
to immediate widespread acclaim. the Rev. Doyle Burbank-Williams (Nebraska) is chosen
as the new RCP logo. Logo is an ascending dove on
RCP reaches new audiences with information displays
background triangle framed by a cross.
at annual meeting of Black Methodists for Church Re-
newal and at UMC Global Gathering. The Open & Affirming Ministries (Disciples of Christ)
and Affirming Congregation Programme (United
RCP staff design and lead first Leadership Training
Church of Canada) officially join the ecumenical coop-
Weekend in Chicago with 20 participants from 10
erative publication of Open Hands.
midwestern conferences. Response is overwhelmingly
positive and staff began preparations to hold regional A diverse group of 90 RCP activists from across the U.S.
Leadership Training events in fall. spend Labor Day weekend in a Visioning Retreat at
an upstate New York campgrounds. This spirit-filled
MoSAIC carries out powerful witness at UM Student Fo-
gathering lays the foundation for the RCP’s campaign
rum. MoSAIC-sponsored resolution for United Methodist
for the General Conference 2000: “Wide is God’s Wel-
Student Movement to become “reconciling” gets strong
support, but falls short of 2/3 vote needed for adoption. come—Extend the Table.” Retreat participants pledge
over $100,000 toward the campaign.
Orthodox “Good News” caucus undertakes major
national mail campaign with misinformation about the The Judicial Council, in reviewing a “Confessing Con-
RCP. Resolutions calling on Reconciling Conferences to ference” resolution from the Northwest Texas Annual
rescind their “reconciling” status fail. Conference ruled in October that annual conferences
or general church agencies cannot identify themselves
Five hundred RCP members and friends gather on as Reconciling, Confessing, Transforming or with any
Atlanta for the fifth national convocation, Come to the other unofficial church groups. By this action, the Judi-
Table. This inspiring weekend of worship, study, train- cial Council overturned previous rulings which upheld
ing, and celebration is heralded as the “best convocation the decisions of Wisconsin Conference and the General
ever.” Particularly significant are first-ever Area Strat- Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Con-
egy Sessions in which RCP activists met to coordinate cerns to become Reconciling.
regional movement-building efforts and four precon-
vocation forums for particular constituencies: clergy; 148 Reconciling Congregations
persons of color; parents of l/g/bi persons; and youth, 22 Reconciling Campus Ministries at year end.
students and seminarians.
80
History
1999 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2000 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
California-Nevada Reconciling Congregations were General Conference—RCP “Wide is God’s Welcome:
prominent among the 1200 persons gathered for the Extend the Table” campaign in Cleveland, Ohio; Noon
union service of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton in time communion services, often officiated by bishops,
Sacramento. Ninety-five clergy co-officiated in this grew each day. Over 700 volunteers signed in for por-
blessing as a challenge to the UMC policy banning tions of the conference!
same-sex unions.
The first time presence of Parents’ badges stating “My
Eighty representatives from 33 Reconciling Congre- Child is of Sacred Worth” and of the United Method-
gations and Campus Ministries gather at First UMC ists of Color statement for inclusion added depth to the
Chicago for the first-ever RCP Consultation in order to message. The Shower of Stoles project surrounded the
discuss implications of recent Judicial Council deci- meeting spaces. A Saturday rally of hundreds surround-
sions. The discussion revealed the diversity of situ- ed the conference center with a rainbow ribbon “hug”
ations in which different Reconciling Congregations by singing RUMs.
find themselves. Participants adopted the following
Soulforce witness included Jimmy Creech, Rev. Jim
statement: “Be it resolved, we the assembled Reconcil-
Lawson, and ecumenical partners - over 200 were ar-
ing United Methodists meeting January 29th and 30th rested Wednesday of the second week. Thursday morn-
in Chicago have resolved not to surrender the word ing after impassioned speeches and a negative vote on
‘reconciling’.” the truth of differing views, Reconciling witnesses came
The initial phase of the “Wide is God’s Welcome— onto the floor of the conference to protest the continuing
exclusion of GLBT United Methodists. 29 were arrested
Extend the Table” campaign is launched in March as
from the floor.
sixty RCP activists from twenty-one annual confer-
ences are trained in five jurisdictional Mesa (“Table”) Activists begin both the United Methodists of Color
meetings to implement the campaign in their confer- for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) and the Parent’s
ence. A “Reconciling Cookbook” with campaign ideas Reconciling Network (PRN)
is published. “Wide is God’s Welcome—Extend the
Table” posters and buttons are on display at annual A video of the General Conference actions was pro-
conference sessions. duced and offered as a resource.
The Rev. Gregory Dell, pastor of Broadway UMC (Chi- Reflecting emerging vision and structure, RCP changes
cago) is tried by Northern Illinois Conference for doing name to Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN).
a commitment service for two men in his church last
Nine new Reconciling Congregations.
September. Dell is found guilty of disobeying the Order
and Discipline of the church and is given suspension Totals: 168 Congregations, 24 Campus Ministries, and
from pastoral duties unless he signs statement indicat- 12 Communities.
ing he will abide by church policy.
The United Methodist Student Forum adopts resolution 2001 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

to become a “Reconciling Student Movement” at its Me- Rev. Karen Damman of the Pacific Northwest Annual
morial Day gathering as a result of the educational work Conference sends a letter to Bishop Elias Galvan that
done by MoSAIC leaders in recent years. stated she was living in a “partnered, covenanted, ho-
mosexual relationship.” Bishop Galvan filed an official
Marilyn Alexander is named as Interim Executive Direc- complaint, charging him with “practices declared by
tor of RMN. She will later be named Executive Director. The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with
Christian teaching.” (BOD paragraph 2702.1.b) The Con-
The sixth national RCP convocation, “Proclaiming Jubi- ference Committee on Investigation did not charge her.
lee” is held in Denton, Texas. This is the first convoca-
tion in the South Central Jurisdiction. Rev. Mark E. Williams discloses his sexual orientation
as homosexual to the Pacific Northwest Annual Confer-
Fourteen new Reconciling Congregations. ence in June. Bishop Elias Galvan filed an official com-
plaint (as above). For the time, Rev. Williams maintains
162 Reconciling Congregations, 24 Campus Ministries,
his appointment to Woodland Park UMC as a pastor in
and 9 Communities at year’s end.
good standing.
Open Hands Magazine goes out of publication with the

Summer 2001 issue.
81
History
“Revival!” Reconciling United Methodists and friends Cincinnati. They were joined by John Calhoun of Af-
gather in Tacoma, Washington for the sixth national firmation and Kathryn Johnson of MFSA. RUMs from
convocation. Bible study led by Rev. Irene Monroe and Clifton UMC and Central UMC (Toledo) provide prayer
Dr. Mary Ann Tolbert. Worship design by Marcia McFee. and presence support.
Voice in the Wilderness awarded to Union Memorial UMC, Thirteen new Reconciling Congregations, one Campus
Boston, MA, the first predominately African American Ministry, and four communities.
UMC to declare Reconciling status.
Totals: 184 Congregations, 25 Campus Ministries, and
Cup of Justice awarded to the Rocky Mountain Youth, for 19 Communities.
a statement at Annual Conference and to Pacific North-
west AC RUMs for their statement “To Plead the Cause”. 2003 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Promise of Inclusion awarded to the UM Communica- The case of Rev. Karen Damman continues. The West-
tions folks for the “Igniting Ministries” campaign to ern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals affirms the
lay claim to the “Open Doors” language and reveal our local decision to dismiss charges against Rev. Damman.
presence in that. A letter was sent. (January). It is appealed to the Judicial Council which
remanded it back to Pacific Northwest directing them
Beginning of the Clergy Alliance. (This later becomes to send it to a church trial. (October) The Committee on
Reconciling Ministries Clergy (RMC).) A special award Investigations delays it.
from “Clergy Alliance” went to Mark Williams and
Karen Damman. Participation at Witness Our Welcome (WOW 2003) an
ecumenical welcoming gathering in Philadelphia, PA.
I Just Want to Keep Telling My Story video project is One hundred thirty-one persons gather for a United
completed and offered as a resource for congregations Methodist Pre-WOW Reconciling Day. Highlights
in the Reconciling process. It features people who have include the Dumbarton UMC players, Rev. Janet Wolf,
experienced both the needs and the joys of Reconciling and creative worship offered by MOSAIC. “Miracle Mo-
ministry. It debuted at convocation. ments” revealed good action in surprising places and
General Conference planning was undertaken.
Six new Reconciling Congregations.
Voice in the Wilderness awarded to Bishop Richard Wilke
Totals: 174 Congregations, 24 Campus Ministries, and and Rev. Zan Holmes for speaking publicly for the
15 Communities. necessary inclusion of LGBT persons in our communi-
ties of faith. These two are linked in the minds of UMs
2002 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • who have used the Disciple Bible Study. Cup of Justice
Rev. Mark E. Williams retains his credentials to continue awarded to Easter Hill UMC which became a Reconcil-
as an ordained United Methodist minister. The Pacific ing Congregation in 2002.
Northwest Annual Conference Committee on Investiga-
tion found insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint Publication of Made In God’s Image: A Resource For
of homosexual practice filed against Rev. Williams. The Dialogue About the Church and Gender Differences, Ann
vote was unanimous. He continues as pastor at Wood- Thompson Cook
land Park UMC which reports a sense of joy and relief at
Rev. Troy Plummer named as Executive Director in
the news.
October.
Bishop appealed to the Western Jurisdictional Commit-
Seven new Reconciling Congregations, one new Campus
tee on Appeals asking whether there were egregious
Ministry, two communities.
errors made by the PNW Conference Committee on
Investigation when the dismissed his complaint against Totals: 189 Congregations, 26 Campus Ministries, and
Rev. Karen Damman. (July) 21 Communities.
Flashnet! the RMN email digest begins sharing news and
ideas on a weekly basis. This greatly enhances the abil- 2004 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ity to inform and mobilize our constituency. Rev. Karen Oliveto performed the first legal same-sex
marriage in a church at Bethany UMC in San Francisco.
General Commission on Interreligious Concerns and Rev. Oliveto conducted eight same-sex services during
Christian Unity held listening posts on homosexuality this legally open time in February in San Francisco. A
around the country as mandated by the 2000 General complaint was filed and resolved.
Conference. Marilyn Alexander, ED of RMN, Rev. Gil
Caldwell of UMOC, and Sue Laurie of RMN testify in Rev. Karen Damman of Pacific Northwest Annual Con-
82
History
ference was on trial in March. Rev. Damman is acquitted joyed record attendance—over 600 people! It featured
by the PNW clergy jury. The jury found no “declaration” inspired worship, Bible study, workshops and opportu-
that homosexuality is incompatible. She was acquitted nities to meet with extension ministry groups. Reconcil-
and kept her appointment. ing Ministries achieved a higher level of visibility as
part of the United Methodist family as we are hosted
General Conference (Pittsburgh, PA) RMN’s witness by Lake Junaluska, the headquarters of the Southeast
is “Watermarked: A Ministry of Assurance.” The focus Jurisdiction. This brought a protest invited first by Good
is on the radical equality that baptism promises which News, then the IRD, followed by Focus on the Family,
necessitates removal of exclusionary language. Daily and then by the Ku Klux Klan. Security was heightened
“Remember your Baptism” fonts are at the doors. Hun- as the staff of Lake J and RMN prepared our church
dreds of supporters wear the rainbow stoles introduced folks for the outburst of un-welcome. The benefits of
by the Parents Reconciling Network. Water bottles, our time together was heightened by the overt welcome
badges, prayer, Saturday “Family Reunion”, Sunday of 43 United Methodist Bishops, and the participation
worship with preacher Janet Wolf and baptism rituals of seven bishops. The sense of the 2004 Watermarked
inspire and challenge many. Daily “Water Reports” are campaign continued— “We are permanently and pow-
posted on the RMN website to help people at home to erfully part of the family!”
stay informed.
The Parents Reconciling Network creates and gives
The Common Witness strives to pass legislation offer- every convo participant a rainbow stole. The visibility of
ing a truth—that there are differences of belief about Reconciling presence grows by great measure with the
homosexuality. The proposed legislation also asked to wearing of stoles at Annual Conferences, convo, Judicial
delete the current “incompatibility” sentence. After a Council meetings, and other UM gatherings.
negative vote, RMN is joined by Affirmation, MFSA,
and Soulforce for a “River of Life” demonstration on the The RMN board meets alongside the October Judicial
floor of the General Conference. The common witness Council hearings in Houston, Texas. They hear testi-
of hundreds of GLBT people, and allies such as parents, mony for cases concerning the ordination status of Rev.
delegates and Bishops is welcomed in by Bishop Janice Irene Elizabeth Stroud (Beth) and the discretionary au-
Riggle Huie. thority of UM clergy to deny membership to lay people
known to be gay.
“RUM clusters” gather in local settings during the
General Conference to participate in the Watermarked Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (Beth) had her credentials
activities. They provide solidarity and inspiration across reinstated by a North East Jurisdiction appeals commit-
the country. tee. Stroud announced that she would not resume her
clergy roles until the appeal process is completed. In
Publication of And God Loves Each One: A Resource October the Judicial Council ruled against her appeal.
for Dialogue about Sexual Orientation (2nd edition) Ann
Thompson Cook In the Halloween Judicial Council ruling 1032, the coun-
cil affirmed the discrimination of a pastor who refused
Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (Beth) of the Eastern Penn- to allow a gay man to be a member. This action removed
sylvania Annual Conference comes out as lesbian and in accountability of the pastor to the clergy session of their
a covenant partnership. A complaint is filed by Bishop annual conference and to their 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 15 new Reconciling Congregations, 1 new Campus Min-
appeal. istry, and 9 new communities
Totals: 207 Congregations, 27 Campus Ministries and 31

Five new Reconciling Congregations
Communities.
Totals: 194 Congregations, 26 Campus Ministries, and
22 Communities. 2006 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Judicial Council ruling 1032 accelerates the pace of
2005 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • congregations and communities seeking to publicly de-
The national office resources 36 Annual Conferences in clare a Reconciling welcome. More people understand
May and June. Brochures, stoles, story-telling, worship the necessity of true conversation and welcome. Over
services, meals, awards, silhouettes, legislation, rainbow fifty Reconciling UMs travel to Kansas and hold vigil
ribbons, promoting resources and identifying prospec- outside the spring Judicial Council meeting and pres-
tive Reconciling congregations are some of the activities. sure the council to at least practice open communion as
they consider open membership resulting in a joint wor-
“Hearts on Fire!” the eighth national convocation en- ship including the council and the RMN witnesses.
83
History
RMN also filed amicus briefs on behalf annual confer- As Reconciling becomes more visible in various UM set-
ences seeking to live the reality of open membership tings—Judicial Council, UMW Assembly, UM Student
and inclusion in opposition to 1032. Forum, GBHEM listening post, Christian Educators
Forum, Annual Conferences and so forth, we hope for a
“A Pastoral Letter to the United Methodist Church from grace-filled transition into a United Methodist Church
75 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender UM Clergy” is that holds each baptized child as dear.
written and released in April. The signatories observe
that they have seen the church at its best and… “At Rev. Drew Phoenix, an out transgender pastor, is re-
the same time, we have known the church at its worst.
appointed to St. Johns UMC in Baltimore, MD. Dios Nos
Since 1972, the UMC has been on a slow but steady
Ama Por Iqual is first distributed.
course to exclude lgbt people from the life of the church
as a whole. Many in our denomination support this dis-
18 new Reconciling Congregations, 2 new Campus Min-
membering of Christ’s Body. Yet even while our sister
istries, and 23 Communities.
Beth Stroud was stripped of her ordination credentials,
lgbt clergy continue to serve the church faithfully at Totals: 242 Reconciling Congregations, 30 Campus Min-
every level of leadership.” istries, 62 Communities.
Annual Conference volunteers push their areas toward
a more inclusive church. Over forty ACs received kits 2008 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
from the RMN office. Prayer, worship, water, legisla- RMN expands staff from four to six adding a com-
tion, silhouettes and stories show our persistence and munications director and a field organizer with young
urgency. adult emphasis. Technological capacity increases adding
outreach through blogs, YouTube, and Facebook. The
RMN introduces a new logo! The rainbow flames that lit
young adults of MOSAIC launch a YouTube project
up the Hearts on Fire convo now give full color to our
sharing personal testimony for an inclusive church.
inclusive message in new brochures, literature, banners
Good Samaritan UMC of Edina, MN sent General Con-
and more.
ference delegates a copy of the powerful “For The Bible
The Clergy Women’s Consultation in Chicago called Tells Me So” video.
upon women to remember the past years of persistent
“One Family Tree” frames the legislative and witness
knocking until the doors for ordination were opened.
efforts in Fort Worth for the 2008 General Conference
The continuing denial to lesbian women instigated the
positioning LGBT folks and family in the mainstream
“Bloody Knuckles” action of loud knocking to bring at-
tention to this wrong. of our church, a crucial part of the family. The witness
includes worship, daily anointing, “leaves of heal-
19 new Reconciling Congregations, 1 new Campus Min- ing” handouts, a constantly updated blog culminating
istry and 8 Communities. in 10,000 daily hits, a sidewalk “die in”, a “Jesus Re-
member Me” Good Friday plenary protest, a bishops-
Totals: 226 Reconciling Congregations, 28 Campus Min- advocates table, and a last day future with hope lesbian
istries, and 39 Communities. wedding.
2007 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • While not removing the “incompatibility clause”, legis-

lative organizing elected a clean slate of Judicial Council
New web site is launched with more comprehensive
members, passed resolutions against homophobia and
and attractive information. Intensive ecumenical faith
heterosexism, an All Means All constitutional amend-
based organizing trainings are expanded to equip for
ment, and strengthened language to challenged mem-
grassroots growth. RMN adds a part-time contract staff
person to direct a new organizing campaign, “Called To bership discrimination.
Witness.” In October at Scarritt-Bennett, RMN launched the All
Means All campaign training 6 national and 70 regional
“Faith, Hope, Love” is the ninth national Reconciling organizers to prepare 35 annual conferences to engage
convocation. The program has an emphasis on worship,
their annual conference representatives to increase the
on community building and on training for activism
vote for the All Means All constitutional amendment.
within our United Methodist contexts. The Called To
Witness campaign is initiated for 22 annual conferences 22 new Reconciling Congregations, 4 Campus Ministries,
to engage local reconcilers with their delegates to Gen- 12 Communities
eral Conference. New RMN DVD is released including
“Reconciling Voices,” “Reconciling Journeys,” a “Young Totals: 264 Reconciling Congregations, 34 Campus Min-
Adult’s Testimony” and “Bishops Speak Up.” istries, 74 Communities.
84
History
2009 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Annual Conference follows the Western Jurisdiction’s

example and votes to be a welcoming and reconciling
The RMN board adopts three-year strategic plan with annual conference.
an updated mission statement: “RMN mobilizes United
Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender iden- RMN celebrates its 25th anniversary holding its
tities to transform our church and world into the full 10th convocation, Justice and Joy, at the YMCA of the
expression of Christ’s inclusive love.” Rockies. The “Believe Out Loud” grassroots regional
organizing campaign is launched for 50 annual confer-
RMN adds its first full-time Director of Development for ences expanding from 7 to 14 national trainers. This
a 7th staff person. RMN convened the introductory bish- campaign spotlights the vast gap between the large
ops and advocates table fielding 12 reconciling disciples majority that is supportive and those willing to speak
launching this process to affect General Conference 2012. support publically.
RMN’s successful organizing in 35 annual conferences
for “All Means All” creates opposition backlash inspir- As of July 2009: 13 new Reconciling Congregations, 1
ing a YouTube competition. new Campus Ministry, 7 new communities.
With ecumenical collaboration, RMN joins as a sponsor Totals: 277 Reconciling Congregations, 35 Campus Min-
for All God’s Children written and published by Melany istries, 80 Communities.
Burrill and Ann Thompson Cook. The Desert Southwest
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
Steven Lynd....................................................................................................
Anonymous......................................................................... Carolyn Ricks
Deborah Mariah.............Amory Peck, Fred Brewington, Jim Lane,
Anonymous........................................ Dumbarton United Methodist
Dale McAllister.................................................................. Tom Marston
Anonymous...............................................................................Sue Laurie
Irvin Lee McKlenshaw.................................... James W. McKlenshaw
Helen F. Andrew..........................................................Elizabeth & Emily
David W. Meredith................ Susan Vogel, Jerry Hill, & Judy Craig
David Aslesen...........................................................Dirk von der Horst
Christie A Newbill..........................................................Mark E Williams
Diane Berger........................................................................Diane Berger
Marilyn Nicely..............................................................Mary Jo Ruggles
Betty Jo “B.J.” Birkhahn-Rommelfanger...................Mark Bowman
Karen Oliveto........................................................................ Chuck Myer
Rev. Flora Bowers.........................................................................................
Berry Peters
Benita A Cole...................................................................Mark E Williams
Jeanne Audrey Powers....................................................Stephen Fink
Helen Louise Crede..........................................Harry and Edna Crede
Ben & Maggie Roe.......................................................................................
Ella Curry.......................................................... The Rev. Drew Phoenix
Tyler Schwaller.........................................Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre
Roxanne Danek..........................................................................Christian
Rev. Amy Stapleton.................Ann & David Cook, Chett Pritchett,
Betty & Bob Dorr................................................................. Michael Dorr
Troy Plummer & Walter Treash, Virginia Lapham
Ethel M. Doyle......................................................................... Sue & Julie
Jim Todd......................................................................................Julie Todd
Elizabeth Anne Fimbres............ Susan Morgan fka Susan Mullins
Mary Todd.................................................................... Tiffany Steinwert
James Gragg..................................................................................................
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 Coming Out- Coming In: Faith, Identity and Belonging
which explores the historical, theological and DVD, This 30 minute documentary gives voice
community perspectives which affect our to gay and lesbian Christians. Recorded in North
understanding of scripture. This seven week Carolina. (2005) $20.
study reexamines the seven Bible verses which
have been used to demean diverse sexual Loyal Opposition: Struggling with the Church on
orientations and offers graceful Christian Homosexuality Amy Delong, Tex Sample, ed.
readings of these verses. Student books are $5.95, Essays, sermons and United Methodist theology
(10 or more are $4.50 each), leader guide is $9.95. supporting inclusion. $15.
Holy Conversations: Talking about Homosexuality—a Reconciling Voices Reconciling Ministries Network.
congregational resource: Six discussions (2008) This three part DVD introduces the United
about the church, sexuality & the Wesleyan Methodist Reconciling Movement, describes and
Quadrilateral Karen Oliveto, Kelly Turney & encourages the reconciling process. $5.
Traci West, (2005) $13.
Shaping Sanctuary: Proclaiming God’s Grace in an

Reconciling Saddlebag
Inclusive Church is a collection of worship litanies, $40 (plus $7 s&h)
hymns, essays, sermons and a study from the A collection of RMN’s best brochures, books,
welcoming movement $14. & DVD’s for initiating reconciling process.
God Loves Each One Series: Introductions Books:

to sexuality and gender discussions Shaping Sanctuary
Claiming the Promise: Student Book
And God Loves Each One: a resource for dialogue Made in God’s Image
about sexual orientation, Ann Thompson Cook, And God Loves Each One
20 pages (2004) $5.95 or 10+ for $3.50 each.
DVDs:
Dios Nos Ama Por Igual: una invitacion al dialogo Reconciling Voices
sobre la orientacion sexual, Ann Thompson Cook, Coming-Out Coming In
24 paginas (2006) $6.95 or 10+ for $4.50 each. Brochures:
Made In God’s Image: a resource for dialogue
Who is RMN
about the Church and Gender Differences, Ann
Parents Reconciling Network
Thompson Cook, 24 pages (2003) $5.95 or 10+ for
United Methodists of Color
$3.50 each.
MOSAIC
Young Peoples Network
All God’s Children: teaching children about Sexual Reconciling Methodist Clergy
Orientation and Gender Diversity, Melany and other helpful information
Burrill, 20 pages (2009) $7 or 10+ for $4.50 each.
86
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
87
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 discern-
ment process that includes opportunities for people to learn about God’s fully inclusive wel-
come. 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 confer-
ence, 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 state-
ments 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 anni-
versary 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 em-
brace the diversity of God’s good creation, in
their own life, in the life of the United Meth-
odist 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 partici-
pants in the life of the Church, in policy and in
practice, regardless of their sexual orientation
First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti, Michigan
or gender identity.
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
89
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
Administration Building 1
ATM 1
Patti Hyde Barclay and
Alpen Inn 2
30 Aspen Dining Room 3
8-bedroom Retreat Cabins.
Four Winds and Breezeway Conference Hall 4
Annex.
Conference Office 1
Mootz Family Craft & Design Center 5
21
Dakota Meeting Cabin 6
Deer Ridge Lodge 7
Eagle Cliff Lodge 8
Emerald Mountain Lodge 9
Gaylord First Aid Station 10
35
24 General Store 1
18
Ranchhouse and Dude Group Reservations Office 11
9
Rooms. Mountainside Hempel Family Program Building 12
15 Lodge, Beacon Hill,
28 Henry Dorsey Jr. Memorial Pool 13
6 Bison and Bambi Cabins.
Hyde Chapel/Dannen Chapel 14
29
Laundry 15
37 31
7 Legett Christian Center 16
17 Lewis A. Dick Hall 17
22 19 Longhouse Conference Center 18
Longs Peak Lodge 19
4
8 1 Lula W. Dorsey Museum 20
Entrance 36
Dorsey 26 Maintenance 21
Lake 16 14
27 2 25 Maude Jellison Library 22
3 34 Mt. Ypsilon Lodge 23
Pattie Hyde Barclay Retreat Cabin 24
11
Photo Park 25
32 Pine Room Restaurant 26
13 23 Post Office 26
Town of
Estes Park Ptarmigan Meeting Cabin 27
5 Rainbow Lodge 28
12 23
B Ramshorn Lodge 29
Recreation Field 10
Basketball Courts, Horseshoe Pits, Birch Cabin Recreation Center 18
Mini-golf, Sand Volleyball, Skate 20
Elm and Oak Retreat Cabins (8-bedroom) 30
Park, Tennis Courts
Meeting Cabins. Stables, State Meeting Cabins 31
Legett, Jellison and
Sweet Memorial Program Building 32
Upper Cookout Bennett Buildings.
Schlessman Executive Offices 11
Walter G. Reusch Auditorium 34
Willome Conference Center 35
Wind River Lodge 36
Women’s Building 37
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

Justice &amp; Joy Program Book

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Justice &amp; Joy Program Book

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

September 4-7, 2009 $7

Reconciling Ministries Network

Reconciling Ministries Network Information

Welcome! Monica L. Swink, Chair

Transgender Etiquette Fragrance Allergies

7:00–9:00 a.m......................... Breakfast.............................................................. Aspen Dining Hall

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

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

8:15 p.m................................. Welcome and Greetings...................................Ruesch Auditorium

9:00 p.m................................. Ice Cream Social........................................... Conference Hall Lobby

7:00–8:30 a.m......................... Breakfast Table Talks (page 14)..................Conference Hall A & B

8:45 a.m.................................. Gathering Music & Worship (page 51)............Ruesch Auditorium

9:45 a.m.................................. Bible Study (page 16)........................................Ruesch Auditorium

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

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

9:00 p.m................................. Reception hosted by Affirmation ....................................Dick Hall

7:00–8:30 a.m......................... Breakfast Table Talks (page 14)..................Conference Hall A & B

8:45 a.m.................................. Gathering Music & Worship (page 58)............Ruesch Auditorium

9:45 a.m.................................. Bible Study (page 16)........................................Ruesch Auditorium

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

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 &

9:00 p.m................................. Reception hosted by Intersections (Believe Out Loud)....Dick Hall

7:00–8:30 a.m......................... Breakfast Table Talks (page 14)..................Conference Hall A & B

8:00 a.m.................................. Resource Center opens (page 9)........................ Conference Hall C

9:00 a.m.................................. Regional Meetings (page 13)......................Conference Hall A & B

10:15 a.m................................ Bible Study (page 16)........................................Ruesch Auditorium

11:00 a.m................................ Closing Worship (page 62)................................Ruesch Auditorium

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m............... Lunch..................................................................... Aspen Dining Hall

E. Marriage Equality Plenary with Evan

The network is dedicated to active forms of

United Methodists of Color for a Fully

We have witnessed in a variety of ways at our

Believe Out Loud Campaign Recreation–Group Hikes

Choir The locations of these regional gatherings will be:

Day 1: Do No Harm

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 2: Do Good

What would JOHN WESLEY do (WWJWD)?_______________________________________________________

Justice & Joy Program Book

Justice & Joy Program Book

Just one story…