K ATA LY S T

Blessings upon the ministries of

Rev. Annie Britton and Rev. Jenna Zirbel,

ordained at the Church Within A Church: Extraordinary Ordination on October 19, 2008, in Baltimore, MD,
as they make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We celebrate God who continues to call into ministry persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
We celebrate the gifts and graces of those who bravely answer this call to ministry.
We celebrate those who witness the Holy Spirit at work, affirm the calling,
and ordain lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight persons, NOW.

The 2008 General Conference Today we boldly declare by standing here

Proclamation
We have heard Jesus say – to all persons without exception –
“follow me.”
We are part of God’s living body in today’s world, but our
United Methodist Church
refuses to accept what God has done,
refuses to keep covenant with its own words in the baptismal promise,
refuses to honor God’s call to professional ministry,
refuses to do no harm,
refuses to open its hearts, minds, and doors.
The unchurched notice. They notice the church
cruelly scapegoating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
on the altar of so-called unity
The young notice. They notice the church
denying, refusing, threatening, removing, closeting
the lgbtq people who faithfully serve the church.
The world notices.
We notice.
God notices.
The United Methodist baptismal liturgy calls all of us to
accept the freedom and power God gives us
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves.
It is our duty – our baptismal covenant – to stand against the sin of the
church,
to stand for God’s freedom and power,
to affirm God’s entire body of Christ that is the church.
We are God's children, here … now.
Katalyst • Summer 2008
that our church’s doors and our ministries will radically obey the
Gospel
that we defy bigotry and ignorance,
that the anti-gay policies and practices of The United Methodist
Church are wrong.
By human means we cannot stand but by the grace of God we can.
By standing we reject the idea that homosexuality is a sin
By standing we affirm that sexuality is a good gift of God
By standing we affirm our intent to spread God’s love and grace
By standing we bless and celebrate families, all families.
We do not stand alone.
We stand in solidarity with all those
who are not here,
who are not in our congregations.
We stand with those who’ve been forced out and who’ve never come
in,
who already affirm one another as beloved children of God,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
We stand with holy boldness
to welcome LGBT laity and clergy into our churches and pulpits,
NOW;
to keep baptismal promises for all, NOW;
to affirm calls to ministries for all people, NOW;
to bless covenant relationships in our churches by our clergy,
NOW;
to assure membership for all, NOW;
to provide hospitality for all, NOW.
Join us. Stand now.
Build our future
with hope and trust in God.
www.RMNetwork.org Page 1
 Q is for Quadrennium!
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation;
everything old has passed away; see, everything
has become new! All this is from God, who
reconciled us to Godself through Christ, and has
given us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
As a former student and teacher, my sense of new
year comes when schools open in the fall. As
Christians we will soon begin a new liturgical year
with Advent observations. As United Methodists
our "new year" is actually our rhythm of four year
cycles defined by the General Conference (GC),
the election and appointments of Bishops, and
the publishing of a new Book of Discipline. It is a
new quadrennium, the Q.
GC is behind us for now. We have a new day. In
Christ there is a new creation. Our hope emerges.
It overflows because our Source, God, and the
love that touches us through Jesus Christ are
infinite. Reconciling United Methodists drink
from a deep well of living water.
We were disappointed in some results of GC. But
the ministry of reconciliation continues.
We came home to Annual Conference season
when RUMs in over 40 conferences shared our
visions. From Michigan to North Carolina to
Indiana to California ~ stoles were worn,
communion was offered and the conversation
continued.
With July came the five Jurisdictional Conferences
(US). I am still excited that every JC delegate
received a letter with reconciling perspective.
Some of these will be the new GC delegates. They
GC delegates, Bishops and RUMs pledge to find ways of being together
even as we "Do no harm, Do good, Stay in love with God."
Page 2
were invited to gather with Reconcilers and to
meet either Troy, Tiffany, or myself while there.
We have learned much from our first experience
at JC.
RMN initiatives since General
Conference include:
* Continuing relationships with delegates of
GC and AC
* Annual Conference witnesses that displayed
welcome and resilience
* Negotiation continues between Bishops and
Reconciling activists to determine ways to
lessen the harm and live into that
"Future with Hope"
* New RMNblog and RMN Facebook page and
group
* Hired a second full-time Field Organizer Monica Swink, RMN Board Chair
* Increased our outreach to Young Adults: Still smiling, still leading
students, early career and young families through strategic planning
* Welcomed a seminary intern also focusing on I said the GC is only two weeks long ~ it is
outreach hurtful… a headache, a heartache…
* Launching Called to Witness 2: All Means All but nothing next to the deeper problem and pain
campaign in 35 ACs of the years of Sundays without a welcoming
church. That is why we bring it up. And we do it
* Strategic planning by the RMN board
for others. We bring it up so that our children will
* Convo 2009 in Colorado as spiritual never doubt God's unconditional love for all
nourishment and preparation for our ministry
people.
of reconciliation
We know Christ, we seek Christian communion
Our adversaries, who are also our church family through the days of every week. The exclusion is
members, have noticed our commitment. At the hurting far more people than just those who are
Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference this lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. We bring it
summer I was asked a sincere question. Why do
up for the many people seeking inclusive, loving
we RUMs come to GC, push for things that we church.
know will not win majority approval and then
blame our opponents for Now we are in the new quadrennium. The
the obvious pain during ministry is growing even as the spotlights are
the debates and votes? turned off. Reconciling lay people and clergy are
"You bring it up then you opening doors, inviting people into God's grace,
blame others when you and loving the people.
don't like the results."
We can be generous in offering our hope, the
living water to our imperfect UMC.
Happy New Q!
www.RMNetwork.org Katalyst • Summer 2008

Called to Witness 2
By Rev. Tiffany Steinwert
Last year Reconciling Ministries Network
launched Called to Witness, a new initiative
designed to create change in our denomination
by building relationships across theological and
ideological divides. By telling our personal stories
and listening to the stories of others, we sought
to foster relationships rooted in our common
Methodist values of inclusion, hospitality, love
and grace. Working in 22 different Annual
Conferences, the Called to Witness project trained
over 500 Reconciling volunteers, facilitated 435
meetings with individual General Conference
CALLED TO WITNESS
delegates and coordinated 20 listening posts
where faithful United Methodists shared their
lives and their stories. Through storytelling, these
Reconciling volunteers were able to break down
the polarizing divides in our denomination and
connect honestly and openly with their sisters
and brothers in the faith.
Given the success of last year's campaign,
Reconciling Ministries Network is expanding the
Called to Witness program in the coming year to
35 Annual Conferences. (SEE PAGE 5.) This next
campaign entitled, All Means All, will kickoff in
October at a leadership retreat in Nashville.
Building on our strategic storytelling skills, this
campaign seeks to train volunteers in public
narrative, develop our relational organizing
capacity, expand the movement, organize
Reconcilers into regional action teams and
advocate for the passage of the Constitutional
amendment to Article IV guaranteeing open
membership for all. By banding together and
reaching out to others, we will spread the good
news of Christ's love to all. Surely, all means all!
To connect with the Called to Witness campaign in
your area check out the campaign website at
http://www.rmnwitness.org. Here you can
find the dates of regional trainings, download
resources, and view videos of stories from across
our beloved connection.

Jim Lane, Washington Street UMC, Columbia SC

I was nervous about meeting with my delegate, but as soon as I began to tell my story my fears subsided. I found great strength in telling my story, and
the delegate I met with was very receptive. He listed carefully, shared his viewpoints based on his training and understanding of scripture respectfully, and
pledged to work for an inclusive UMC where no one would feel inhospitality. He stated, "I think God wants us all at the table." Obviously, that was a point
I whole-heartedly agreed with as a CTW volunteer. I would encourage anyone who seeks an inclusive UMC to get involved in this effort.
As a leader of the CTW effort in SC, our volunteers reported a range of experiences when meeting with delegates. We experienced everything from the
delegate never responding, to any communication from a CTW volunteer, to wonderful, uplifting conversations. My opinion is that if anyone going to
General Conference was made to question their position on unfair policies toward the GLBT community, or if we got only one person to affirm our positions
on the policies of the UMC, then all our collective efforts were worthwhile.

Katalyst • Summer 2008 www.RMNetwork.org Page 3

 CALLED TO WITNESS
Sean’s Story believe that anyone from a homophobic church could ever lovingly and
supportively reach out to a transgender man.
By Sean Delmore
Our housing situation was worrisome enough that I eventually did allow
A few years ago, I was trapped on a plane filled with hundreds of cranky, Marla to call her pastor for assistance. Hours after finding a new hotel, Marla
overheated and underfed travelers. The summer thunderstorm season was received a phone call. From the local UMC Bishop's office. How could they
wreaking havoc on flight schedules throughout the U.S. I was meeting a help? Were we certain our present lodging situation was safe? Was there any
friend, Marla Marcum, other assistance they could provide?
but could not warn her I
"I did not have the had missed one flight The shock I experienced was tremendous. Seminary taught me that United
faith to believe that and was arriving on Methodism is characterized by an inclusive theology, insisting that God's
another. The sense of grace is available to all, but I was still stunned by the immediate and
anyone from a unconditional offer of aid. I only knew the church as homophobic,
relief was palpable when
homophobic church a taxicab finally dropped hypocritical, and eager to demonize people like me. The very first time I
could ever ... reach us off in front of our needed the church, I was in the middle of gender transition, incapacitated
out to a transgender hotel. from surgery, unable to bathe or clothe myself without assistance, barely
able to walk a few feet. And the church responded with an unimaginable
man.” However, when we tried expression of unquestioning hospitality and Christian kindness.
to enter the lobby, we
discovered that our journey After I returned home and recovered sufficiently, I visited Marla's local
had just begun. It wasn't a simple matter of there being no room at the inn; church to thank everyone for their support and prayers. It was my first visit,
there was no longer an inn at all. The hotel had gone out of business. We but they had a nametag waiting for me. These people literally helped to love
trudged down the street and stopped at the first hotel we saw. We booked a me into being. Over the next several months, as I suffered social
room for the next ten days. We spent that night hearing prostitutes provide discrimination, job loss, and violence, this local congregation supported and
good customer service to their clients, then get beaten and threatened with cared for me. As I grew into stability and maturity as a man, they helped me
murder by their pimps on a sidewalk in front of our plate-glass window. We discern my emerging gifts, and offered opportunities to develop them. The
didn't sleep much that night. When Marla went out for breakfast, several Spirit moved through the loving witness of this church long enough for me
people warned her that it was not safe for her to be in the neighborhood. to finally feel it. I joined the United Methodist Church by profession of faith,
proudly becoming part of a church that knows that holiness is both social
Marla tried to talk me into allowing her to call her pastor for assistance. I and personal. We all know that there are some current UMC policies that
resisted. I was nervous. I may have been "unchurched," but two years was inflict trauma upon the very body of Christ. But my story is just one reminder
enough time in a United Methodist seminary to know that the church's that there are faithful United Methodists who are loving and living us all into
"Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors" did not extend to LBGT folk. We had being the kin-dom of God on earth right now. Truly, this is what it means to
traveled to a city far from home so that I could undergo surgery to enable my be making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
female body to better match my male identity. I did not have the faith to

Sean’s Story And Public Narrative

Sean’s story is an example of a Story of Self. It demonstrates a scene of choice points that have structured the “plot”of his life—the challenges he faced,
the choices he made, and the outcomes he experienced.
Our Story of Self allows others to experience the values that move us to lead. It is the story of why we are called to do what we are called to do. In
conversations with people, we want to frame the story around why we decided to be United Methodist or Christian.
Challenge: Why did you feel it was a challenge? What was so challenging about it? Why was it your challenge?
Choice: Why did you make the choice you did? Where did you get the courage—or not? Where did you get the hope—or not? How did it feel?
Outcome: How did the outcome feel? Why did it feel that way? What did it teach you? What do you want to teach us? How do you want us to feel?

Page 4 www.RMNetwork.org Katalyst • Summer 2008

 CALLED TO WITNESS
Organizing through You can:
Annual Conferences
* Travel to Reconciling programs already planned. Support the effort.
RMN is striving to cultivate relationships in each of the 63 Annual
Conferences (AC) of the US. We hope and plan for the creation of teams
* Ask the RMN office to help you get connected to others in your area.
that will offer not only presence, but also resources and energy in growing
the number of Reconciling Congregations, Communities and Campus
* Stay informed through Flashnet, our website and the RMN blog.
Ministries.
If your conference is listed for the All Means All campaign, plan to attend * Call a local gathering of interested people for support and for action.
your local training session offered this winter. Make it a priority. Commit.
Allow your hope to join with a growing momentum for inclusion. Prepare * Offer a Reconciling program of an evening, a day-long conference or an
for action. Open Table worship service.

Whether or not your conference is listed this year, there is still much to be
done! Your AC may already have a team that has been active for years
offering creative programs, nurturing congregations in the reconciling
process, and offering a witness at Annual Conference. If not, let this
describe your future.
* Become an RMN Angel by donating $100.00.
* Attend a Welcoming Church Leadership Training (See below.)
* Check out the study resources on our website and use them in your
own congregation.

"Action is the Oxygen of * Create a reconciling newsletter or website for your AC. See examples on
our movement." our website under "Find a Church".
Adapted from Doing Justice, Jacobsen
* Visit Reconciling Congregations when you travel.

The 2009 All Means All campaign will offer

training in these 35 Annual Conferences:
2008-2009 Trainings
North Central South Central Western October 24-26, 2008 Goshen, IN
East Ohio Arkansas Cal - Nevada Organized by the National Field Organizer Project
Illinois Great Central Texas Cal - Pacific http://www.welcomingresources.org/goshenbrochure.pdf
Rivers KS West Oregon - Idaho November 7-9, 2008 Independence, MO
Iowa Missouri Organized by the National Field Organizer Project
Minnesota Nebraska http://www.welcomingresources.org/indepbrochure.pdf
North Indiana North Texas November 14-16, 2008 Washington, DC
South Indiana Oklahoma Organized by Lutherans Concerned/North America
West Michigan Southwest Texas http://www.lcna.org/rictraining_2008-11-14.shtm
West Ohio Texas January 8-11, 2009 Anaheim, CA
In conjunction with the Gay Christian Network Conference
Northeastern Southeastern
Organized by Lutherans Concerned/North America
Baltimore- Florida
February 5-8,. 2009 San Antonio
Washington Holston
Organized by Lutherans Concerned/North America
New England Kentucky
February 18-21, 2009 Great Falls, MT
Greater New North Carolina
Organized by Lutherans Concerned/North America
Jersey North Georgia
March 13-15, 2009 Detroit or Ann Arbor, MI
New York South Carolina
Organized by the UCC Coalition and More Light Presbyterians
Peninsula- Tennessee
March 19-21, 2009 Tallahassee, FL
Delaware Virginia
Organized by Lutherans Concerned/North America
Western PA Western NC
Katalyst • Summer 2008 www.RMNetwork.org Page 5
 COMMUNICATION
Between the Edges RMN Goes Web 2.0 Church. The blog continues to attract 2,000
visitors per month and witness to our work at
By Antony Hebblethwaite The big change in RMN's communication General Conference. The highest traffic day on
strategy is that we're opening up the General Conference blog was the day of the
Rev. John Makokha entered an Internet Café in
communication between the edges. Just like Plenary Witness, May 1, 2008. The United
Nairobi, Kenya and typed his first entry for the
voter-generated content will help shape the Methodist Church cut the live feed during the
RMN Blog. As he clicked the "enter" key, his
course of the 2008 elections, movement- witness on the Plenary Floor, and people
post disassembled into packets, then bits, then
generated content will help shape the course of flocked to RMN's blog for information. We
electrical waves and found their way on fiber
the Reconciling Movement. Instead of simply posted photographs within the hour and
optic networks to the Layer 42 data center in
receiving communication from centralized reached 10,000 hits.
Santa Clara, CA where Reconciling Ministries
publications like Katalyst or Flashnet, you can
Network (RMN)'s blog is hosted. After Rev. Reconciling Ministries Official Blog
now hear fresh voices from the edges of the
Makokha's entry reassembled on the TCP/IP
movement at RMN's blogs or on Facebook. We launched our blog, RMNblog.org, in June.
Protocol Stack, it became instantly available to
anyone with a computer and Internet RMN's blogs are hosted at Typepad, the same The goal of the blog is to provide a diversity of
connection. The Internet connects the world platform used by the Discovery Channel, people in the Reconciling Movement with the
together and enables conversation in the Entertainment Weekly, Scott Adams (the opportunity to write about The United
Reconciling Movement in real time from creator of the comic strip, Dilbert) and Wired Methodist Church, Christianity, the experience
anywhere at anytime. Magazine. Here are some interesting facts of working for justice, experience in the church
about each of our blogs. and the world, Biblical Studies, Christian
This changes everything. Theology, devotions, news and personal stories.
The General Conference Blog Anyone in the Reconciling Movement or
The Internet moves communication to the
edge. Anyone with access to a computer and Reconciling Ministries Network selected the beyond can post comments and participate in
Internet connection can communicate to domain name GeneralConference2008.org to the conversation. Our blog seeks to balance
billions of Internet users. Not only is secure high search engine positions for our communication from the center provided with
communication affordable, but with the advent General Conference blog. The gamble has paid Katalyst and Flashnet with communication
of Web 2.0 technologies, communication off and our blog is at #3 in Google for the between the edges. The blog provides RMN with
travels between many authors and many search phrase, "General Conference 2008", right an "architecture of participation".
readers and visa versa. Web 2.0 is an under the sites for The United Methodist
"architecture of participation"
where users can
communicate between the
edges using blogs, wikis,
social networks and social
media.
According to the Andrew
Rasiej and Micah Sifry of the
Personal Democracy Forum,
"The 2008 election will be the
first where the Internet will
play a central role, not only in
terms of how the campaigns
use technology, but also in
how voter-generated content
affects its course."

Page 6 www.RMNetwork.org Katalyst • Summer 2008

 COMMUNICATION
Called to Witness Blog
Reconciling Ministries Network has launched a Called to Witness Blog,
RMNwitness.org, to help facilitate the Called to Witness campaign. You
can read more about the 2008-2009 campaign on page 3 in Katalyst.
Facebook
RMN launched a Facebook Group in June and the group has grown rapidly
and now exceeds 600 people. Our Facebook group will facilitate all kinds
of possibilities for communication and connection in the future. If you
have not had the opportunity to join, be sure to click the "Find Us On
Facebook" button next time you receive Flashnet.
Social Media
In addition to our blogs and Facebook Group, RMN has video streaming
accounts at YouTube and Vimeo and photographs at Flickr. These sites are
dubbed social media because you can comment on the videos or
photographs or add them to your own sites or post them to Facebook. Our

Hmm…Print Communication?
With all the new digital technologies available for communication,
we have enclosed a survey and trivia question in this issue of
Katalyst. Print communication is very time consuming and
expensive relative to digital technologies. We need your help to
figure out how best to communicate the news of our movement.
Should Reconciling Ministries Network should continue to invest
time and resources in Katalyst or should Katalyst evolve into
something different.
If you could take a few minutes to complete the inserted
survey and return it to us, we'd be most grateful.
If you'd like to go digital and save a stamp, you can take the
survey at http://tinyurl.com/katalyst
The trivia question with the survey is: "What is folksonomy?"
When you submit the online version of the survey, we will reveal
the answer!
RMN Online
Website:
http://www.RMnetwork.org
RMN Official Blog:
http://www.rmnblog.org
RMN General Conference Blog:
http://www.generalconference2008.org
Called to Witness Campaign:

Flickr account has a group pool for you to share your Reconciling http://www.rmnwitness.org
Movement related photographs.
Facebook:
Stats http://tinyurl.com/rmnfacebook
Measuring activity on all RMN's Internet properties is fairly complicated,
especially when you enter Web 2.0 and users can distribute content
YouTube:
throughout the Internet. RMN measures activity on all our sites using http://www.youtube.com/rmnvideos
Google Analytics. In July, RMN's combined Internet properties drew
around 10,000 unique visitors and generated around 20,000 page views. Vimeo:
Our Flashnet list includes 6,000 subscribers. Since we established our http://www.vimeo.com/user460292/videos
YouTube and Vimeo accounts, over 10,000 videos have been watched. As
mentioned earlier, we have over 600 people in our Facebook Group. Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmnetwork

Katalyst • Summer 2008 www.RMNetwork.org Page 7

 EXPANDED OUTREACH & NEW COMMUNITIES
Reconciling Ministries Network hires
Audrey Krumbach as the Field
Organizer with Young Adult Emphasis
Reconciling Ministries Network is pleased to announce
Audrey Krumbach as the new Field Organizer with Young Audrey Krumbach
Adult Emphasis. Audrey recently earned her M.Div. from
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL and is a candidate for
United Methodist ordination in the Northern Illinois Conference.
A lifelong Methodist, Audrey grew up in Conyers, Georgia and attended
Huntingdon College in Alabama. With ministry experience in St. Louis,
England, Honduras, and Kenya, Audrey brings a commitment to Christ’s
evangelical love which honors diverse cultures, sexual orientations, gender
expressions and other ways of being. In seminary, she served as an intern at
RMN and attended General Conference 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas where she
read the 2008 Proclamation during the Plenary Witness on May 1, 2008. To
view the video of Audrey reading the proclamation:
http://vimeo.com/977226
New Reconciling Communities!
Welcome to our newest communities! Read more about them in the saved Flashnets
(FN) in the News section of the RMN website.
Congregations:
DES MOINES UMC [FN 10-15-08]
22225 Ninth Avenue S, Des Moines, WA 98198
http://www.desmoinesumc.org
FIRST UMC - ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL [FN 10-15-08]
1903 E Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 http://www.ahfumc.org
FIRST UMC - ASHLAND, OR [FN 10-15-08]
175 North Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520 http://www.ashlandmethodist.org
FIRST UMC - LAWRENCE, KS [FN 07-23-08]
946 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044 http://www.fumclawrence.org
FIRST UMC - LOOMIS, CA [FN 06-18-08]
6414 Brace Road, Loomis, CA, 95650-8903 http://www.vfr.net/~fumc/
FIRST UMC - NAPA [FN 06-04-08]
625 Randolph Street, Napa, CA, 94559 http://www.napaumc.org
METROPOLITAN MEMORIAL UMC [FN 06-18-08]
3410 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20016-2759
http://www.metropolitanumc.org
SANCTUARY UMC AT LAKEWOOD [FN 9-3-08]
2317 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707
ST. ANDREW'S UMC [FN 06-11-08]
6201 Spruce Avenue, Sacramento, CA, 95841 http://www.saumc.org
Page 8 www.RMNetwork.org
Candie ODell Joins RMN as
the 2008-2009 Intern
Candie ODell is a 2nd year Masters of Divinity student at
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary where she enjoys
Candie ODell
pursuing her studies to become an ordained Deacon in the
United Methodist Church. She feels called to do social-
justice ministry with an emphasis in LGBTQ issues. This past General
Conference she served as an on-site volunteer coordinator for RMN, Methodist
Federation for Social Action (MFSA), and Affirmation. There, she was thrilled to
meet and empower many folks with tasks that furthered the movement. She
participated in the floor witness where she personally felt the hurt and pain
that has existed within the church since 1972.
Candie is a member of the California-Pacific Annual Conference where she will
someday serve. This summer she enjoyed serving as a faith organizer where
she worked closely with union campaigns in Los Angeles, CA. She is an avid
musician, reader, and political junkie. She will be primarily working with
seminaries, organizing RMN chapters in CA, and working to defeat a marriage
proposition in CA (Prop 8).
ST. STEPHEN'S UMC OF NORMAN [FN 9-3-08]
1801 West Brooks Avenue, Norman, OK 73069
http://www.ststephensnorman.org
SWARTHMORE UMC [FN 06-11-08]
129 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, 19081 http://www.sumcplace.com
TRAVIS PARK UMC [FN 05-29-08]
230 East Travis Street, San Antonio, TX, 78205 http://www.travispark.org/
Communities:
CHURCH & SOCIETY COMMITTEE OF BEAR CREEK UMC [FN 06-11-08]
16530 Avondale Road NE, Woodinville, WA, 98077-9178
http://www.bcumc.org
CHURCH & SOCIETY TEAM [FN 07-02-08]
The UMC of Whitefish Bay, 819 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI, 53217
KAIROS CLASS MEETING [FN 07-02-08]
The UMC of Whitefish Bay, 819 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI, 53217
LIBRARY GUILD [FN 07-02-08]
The UMC of Whitefish Bay, 819 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI, 53217
RUMS OF EASTERN PA [FN 05-29-08]
510 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19119
SOUTH AUSTIN HOME GROUP AT
UNIVERSITY UMC [FN 8-20-08] 2409 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705
SUNDAY MORNING DIALOGUE CLASS [FN 07-02-08] The UMC of Whitefish Bay,
819 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI, 53217
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WESLEY FOUNDATION [FN 06-24-08]
University UMC, 3621 Campus Drive, College Park, MD, 20740
Katalyst • Summer 2008
 EXTENSION MINISTRIES
UNITED = UNITY
Thoughts on being a united church, a united
nation, and living in unity.
By Robert Swing
"Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself."
(Matthew 23:39)
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America, and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation, under God, with liberty and
justice for all." (The United States of America
Pledge of Allegiance)
"The United Methodist Church is part of the church
universal, which is one body in Christ. The United
Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons
are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to
race, color, national origin, status, or economic
condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship
services, participate in its programs, receive the
sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as
baptized members, and upon taking vows
declaring the Christian faith, become professing
members in any local church in the connection. In
the United Methodist Church no conference, or
other organizational unit of the Church shall be
structured so as to exclude any member or any
constituent body of the Church because of race,
color, national origin, status, or economic
condition." (UMC Book of Discipline, 2004, Article
IV, The Constitution.) (See also BOD 2102 for use
of the word status as pertains to men and
women.)
Isn't it amazing how powerful so few words can
be? The author of Matthew transmits such a
strong, direct, and unequivocal commandment
from God.
Our forefathers created a similarly brief and
powerful statement of who we are as Americans,
and how we must behave in relationship with
each other.
And then, we United
Methodists take 122
words to profess how we
behave under God's
commandment to love
one another
(unconditionally) and are
loyal to our diverse nation, but in practice we
deny full liberty and justice within our Church to
persons who have sexuality different from the
majority of members. We are divided on the
issue of homosexual orientation and therefore in
direct opposition to the preamble of our United
Methodist Constitution where it says, "The church
of Jesus Christ exists in and for the world, and its
very dividedness is a hindrance to its mission in
that world." That dividedness was graphic at the
2008 General Conference. We were beyond
disagreement and into dividedness. We can do
better by reducing our policy statements to
simply reflect our unconditional love for all of
God's human creations, our neighbors all.

MoSAIC Notes RMN Staff Travel Calendar

By Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
In a dimly lit sanctuary on American University's
campus, 115 students, campus ministers, and
friends of MoSAIC gather. They come to
celebrate, to worship and partake of rainbow
dyed communion bread. In that chapel at 11pm,
once again young adult reconcilers were able to
connect, form friendships, and have their first
connect with RMN. Our witness at Student Forum was large, visible and
engaging with all participants of the conference.
MoSAIC has been planing for the coming year, as we are always focused
on a future with hope. Another retreat is scheduled for Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday weekend Friday to Monday (January 16-19) outside of
Atlanta, Georgia. This year's retreat "R & R: Rhetoric and Renewal" will
focus on the formation of MoSAIC's identity. Discussing who we are,
reconciling young adults, and what our common values and experiences
are. Development of this public theology and skills to discuss our values
will allow young UM to be able to engage others more effectively about
their reasons for joining RMN, and help work at the grassroots to develop
more young adult reconciling communities.
October 10-12 ..............................Troy, Sue, Tiffany, Audrey
Called to Witness "All Means All" training, Nashville, TN
October 16-17 ....................................................................
Reconciling Clergy meet at Estes Park, CO
October 18-19 ....................................................................
RMN Board meets at Estes Park, CO
October 20 - 22 ..................................................................
Parents Steering Committee, Denver, CO
October 20-21 ..............................................................Troy
Bay Area, California
October 24 -26 ..............................................................Sue
Christian Educator's Fellowship, Albuquerque, NM
November 8 - 9 ............................................................Sue
Twin Cities, MN
November 14 - 16 ....................................................Audrey
Welcoming Church Leadership Training, Washington, DC

Katalyst • Summer 2008 www.RMNetwork.org Page 9


Voices From the Kingdom
A Review By Leland Spencer
Overview: Cole's first book, Cleaning Out Closets, 3. Background. Another question Cole asks each
tells the story of her discovery that her son was
gay. As she worked on that book, she realized that
interviews are a great way to hear people's stories,
so she decided to interview several United
Methodists who were somehow affected by the
church's position on human sexuality. Bishops,
laity, clergy, individuals, and couples are all
included in the book.
Here's what I liked about the book:
1. Stories! If you know me, you know I love
people, and I especially love people's stories. I
consider myself someone who is rooted in
narrative, so I really appreciate the book's focus on
hearing each person or each couple's story. Cole
introduces each interview briefly, and then she
reproduces each interview transcript to allow each
person in the book to tell her or his own story. As I
have said elsewhere, I think the focus our
movement has on storytelling is healthy because
stories create such a profound opportunity for
hearts and minds to change. These stories will
move you, so read the book with a pen in hand and
a box of tissues within reach.
2. Scriptures! As a gay Christian, one of my
favorite things to talk about is the Bible. People are
sometimes surprised to hear me allude to or
reference a Bible passage since the assumption
exists that progressive Christians have a low view
of the Bible. I reject that view and find the Bible
beautifully liberating in many ways. That is why I
am thrilled that Cole asks all of the people she
interviews—whether LGB or ally—if they have
favorite scriptures. It's great to hear LGB Christians
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and allies talking about the Bible, and I think you'll
notice some interesting themes about the kinds of
passages people select.
person is what that person's faith background is
and whether that person can recall hearing anti-
gay messages from the pulpit in her or his home
church. Interestingly, very few people report
hearing explicit anti-gay preaching in their home
churches, yet
almost all of
them say they
just knew it was
wrong to be gay
and impossible
to be both gay
and Christian. As
someone who
s t u d i e s
communication,
I'm fascinated
by the power of
religious
rhetoric. Even when people never heard their
pastors condemning LGB people, they still had a
sense that the church did not approve. Could that
mean the condemnatory voices are few in number
but great in volume and strength? It at least invites
a pause for thought.
4. Issues. If you carefully juxtapose some bits of
the interviews, you'll notice that the book actually
offers a few perspectives on some issues that are
controversial within the reconciling movement.
Cole asks several people about the "Open Hearts,
Open Minds, Open Doors" campaign, and people
react to that very differently (some love it, some
hate it, some are neutral, and all provide great
reasons for their responses). A few of the
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tool! Put the pieces together and use it as a four-
part Sunday School series or take what you need for your ministry.
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interviewees also take on the issue of whether
congregations should or need to adopt reconciling
statements and officially align themselves with the
movement, and the perspectives offered within
the book seem to jibe with the conversations I've
heard about that topic in my personal experience.
Most interesting, I think, is comparing Sue Laurie's
and Greg Dell's positions on whether the church
should consider dividing ("an amicable split"). Cole
does not frame any of these issues as debates, but
for a reader interested in a variety of perspectives
on these issues, the arguments aren't difficult to
find and piece together.
Some Reservations:
1. Patriarchal language. I'm not a fan of the
word "Kingdom," and although Cole defends her
use of the term in the last chapter of the book, I'm
not convinced that a patriarchal word with all
kinds of oppressive entailments is necessary.
[Some have used kin-dom as an alternative.—ed.]
In fact, without a strong recommendation from
such a trusted friend, I probably would not have
read the book, simply based on the title. I was also
distracted in the preface to the book by Cole's use
of gendered pronouns to refer to the divine.
2. Limited scope. You may have noticed that
throughout this review, I have used the acronym
LGB when referring to the people interviewed. I
left out the T and Q intentionally because the book
only includes stories from people who identify as
lesbian, gay, bisexual, or straight allies. Over and
over again, the movement for LGBT rights
(generally, and within the
church) finds itself being less
inclusive than it hopes to be,
and this book is an
unfortunate example of that.
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Katalyst • Summer 2008
ALL SAINTS DAY,
November 1st, became a high holy day for me during in-the-
trenches HIV/AIDS ministry in Houston, Texas. Our congregation
established the Sunday after All Saints Day as All Saints and
Commitment Sunday; we received pledges of prayers, presence, gifts
and service while we also lifted the names of those we grieved
losing in the past year.
The conjunction of these two events inevitably brought me to tears.
Not just the grief of remembering the tangible relationships now
outside of physical connection between parents, children, partners,
and friends in faith, but also witnessing the visibly shaking walk to
the altar rail of a
newly grieving
"It is a blessing to serve mother, signed
pledge card in her
a robust ministry that
hand, committing
deepens our anew to serve Christ
discipleship through through that
working for justice.” particular United
Methodist church
family.
Naming the loss and claiming the hope together still does it to me,
tears flow. After being a part of Bering Memorial for twenty years, I
found my way from pastoral staff there to Executive Director here at
Reconciling Ministries Network with a start date of November 1,
2003-for me, a day of recommitment to justice with peace for all
within this larger United Methodist family.
At my first board meeting, we named aloud hope for advancing this
movement for full inclusion and each year had a place and name:
stabilization (2003), restoration (2004), revitalization (2005),
expansion (2006), explosion (2007), reformation (2008), and
exploration (2009).
Once spoken, we lived them out with Watermarked baptismal
renewal (2004), Hearts on Fire ignition (2005), Faith, Hope, Love
organizing (2007), and One Family Tree activism (2008).
These national events just scratch the surface as RMN engaged
grassroots growth through outreach, circuit rides, leadership
trainings, the first Called to Witness campaign, the Reconciling
Journeys DVD resource, and the RMN Blog.
Katalyst • Summer 2008 www.RMNetwork.org
Building upon the
foundations others have
laid before us for us, it is
amazing what we have
accomplished.
Since November 1, 2003, with your efforts, RMN has grown to
include:
* 3,531 new Reconciling United Methodists
* 132 new Reconciling Communities (congregations, campus
ministries, and communities)
* 2.5 new staff positions (communications, field organizer, and
Called To Witness coordinator)
* $205,000 annual increase in generosity from donors and grants
And still, during these five years, Beth Stroud who was in love with a
woman, went through church trial and had her clergy credentials
removed; Joey Heath was denied transfer of membership from one
United Methodist congregation to another; and the world watched
as our denomination continued anti-gay policies at General
Conference in Fort Worth.
And then there it is, Beth and her partner Chris reaching out in love
to two foster children, Joey actively discerning his call to ministry,
and so many with love-overflowing-broken-hearts making their All
Saints Day commitment to Christ with hurt and hope together, pain
and purpose together, mistreatment and meaning together, trials
and trust together. Reconciling seeks wholeness—wholeness for
individuals, families, our church and our society.
It has been a privilege to serve you this past five years. In this place, I
hear the stories and witness the love-overflowing-broken-hearts in
action. It is a blessing to serve a robust ministry that deepens our
discipleship through working for justice.
Naming the loss and claiming the hope—I send in my pledge card
to work for an inclusive church. It does include prayers, presence,
gifts and service. Perhaps you will add yours too. You may see our
tears but never underestimate what a community of love-
overflowing-broken-hearts can do together!
Page 11
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September 4-7, 2009
10th Convocation

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Labor Day Weekend
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