VOL. 29 NO.

WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG

KATALYST
NEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

SPRING 2012

Grace or No Grace: Between Two Worlds

by Rev. Troy Plummer, Executive Director of Reconciling Ministries Network

As we left the tabernacle from the Altar for All celebration, I joined a protection line between hostile Westboro anti-gay extremists and our tabernacle participants. It did not feel all that different from what was going on inside the General Conference. One delegate emotionally sought to distance themselves from the Westboro extremists. The delegate approached us at the plenary entrance saying,Im conservative and I support the current Book of Discipline but Im not like that. Im so sorry. Yet, both were just as uglywhether cloaked in legislation, Roberts Rules of Order, holy conversations

or just outright foul language and name calling the results are the same, harm to the body of Christ, harm to the world. And that is ugly. The extremists left after 30 minutes of violence. The delegates left four more years of daily violence against gay persons. Antigay policies remain. We were short 38 votes for a crumb that recognized disagreement over the compatibility of the practice of homosexuality. The Love Your Neighbor legislative team adapted to strategically use the 40% minority to slow the system, to resource teams for Judicial Council briefs, and to reach out to newly alienated moderate conservatives. But there is more to the story; some core shared values were attacked. As I wrestle for understanding, these stand out: (Continued on Page 7)

A Call to Biblical Obedience

by Rev. Lois McCullen Parr

When Moses confronted Pharaoh, sharing Gods word, saying let my people go, Pharaoh hardened his heart, said Bishop Melvin Talbert at the LYN Tabernacle. In the case of this general church it has hardened its heart to GLBT people. I stand before you here this afternoon and I declare that God has already settled this matter: all human beings are created in the image of God. There are no exceptions, no exclusions. We belong to the family of God.

couples. Talbert said that the time has come for those of us who are faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to do what is required of us. The Retired Bishop went on to remind the LYN crowd of the old story of Jesus teaching to love God and neighbor, according to the Gospel of Luke. As Jesus said to the young lawyer, You have answered rightly: do this and live, Talbert said to the gathered Coalition: My brothers and sisters I declare to you that same Gospel imperative: do this and live. In light of the actions taken by the General Conference, the time has come to act and to invite others to join what Im calling an act of Biblical obedience.

At the same time, I declare to you that the derogatory language and restrictive laws in the Book of Discipline are immoral, and unjust and no longer deserve our loyalty and obedience. I call on the clergy who have signed the pledge to stand firm in their resolve to perform marriages among sameThe LYN Tabernacle crowd rose to its feet, applauding and sex couples, he said. shouting Amen! and Yes! on this last day of General Conference, as the planned noontime event featured (To read the entire article, visit http://www.rmnblog.org/ Talbert in an event to support United Methodist clergy 2012/05/a-call-to-biblical-obedience.html.) who have signed a pledge to marriage equality for all Spring - - Katalyst- - Page 1

Reconciling Communities Top 500 on 40th Anniversary of Incompatibility Policy

On the 40th anniversary of the policy that states that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, the number of United Methodist communities to publically state their welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities passed an important milestone. Reconciling communities, those who have made an explicit welcome of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, now number over 500. Both Madras United Methodist Church of Madras, Oregon, and Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Chapel Hill, NC approved statements that specifically name a welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and with the approval of their statements the milestone was officially reached. Reaching 500 Reconciling Communities during both General Conference and the 40th anniversary of the incompatible language is a significant sign, said Rachel Harvey, Associate Executive Director of Reconciling Ministries Network. Clearly, there is growing desire among United Methodists to provide ministry to all of Gods children. We continue to pray that The United Methodist Church will recognize that the harmful policies of exclusion that have burdened the church for 40 years need to be eliminated. As soon as the 500 milestone was reached, it was exceeded. Even while General Conference continued, more reconciling statements came in. To date, 509 groups have strengthened the Reconciling Ministries Network through their witness for a fully inclusive church.

To learn more about the Reconciling process and how to engage your congregation, contact RMNs Associate Executive Director Rachel Harvey, Deaconess, at rachel@rmnetwork.org.

New Reconciling Congregations, Communities, and Campus Ministries

Pasadena First UMC in Pasadena, CA El Dorado Country Federated Church in Placerville, CA Bethany of Fox Valley UMC in Aurora, IL Grace UMC in Lake Bluff, IL Genesis UMC in Grand Rapids, MI Christ UMC in Rochester, MN Wesley Foundation of The University of MN Aldersgate UMC in Chapel Hill, NC Branches Adult SS Class at Biltmore UMC in Asheville, NC Reconciling Ministry Group at Central UMC in Asheville, NC

St. Johns UMC in Dover, NH Reconciling Community of the Greater NJ Conference Reconciling Community of Sparta UMC in Sparta, NJ New Day UMC in Bronx, NY Stone Village Church in Columbus, OH Open Minds SS Class at First UMC in Tahlequah, OK Madras UMC in Madras, OR The Way SS Class at Martin UMC in Bedford, TX Refuge Bible Study at Denton Wesley Foundation in Denton, TX Wesley UMC in Washington, DC

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Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, joined by active and retired Bishops Roy Sano, Sally Dyck, Mary Ann Swenson, Judy Craig, Sharon Rader, Susan Hassinger, Violet Fisher, John Schol, Grant Hagiya, Warner Brown, Don Ott, Elias Galvan, Jack Tuell, and Robert Hoshibata, addresses the crowd at Altar For All, a celebration of clergy who vow to minister to all couples, regardless of gender.

I refuse as an out lesbian clergyperson in The United Methodist Church to walk the path of discrimination without saying, This is unjust. - Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey. A UMNS photo by Paul jeffrey.

Rev. Amy DeLong speaks at the Love Your Neighbor Tabernacle.

Tyler Sit and and fellow members of MOSAIC, RMNs group of young adults, take the Convention Center by surprise with a flash mob performance of You Cant Stop the Beat. A UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry.

RMN Executive Director Troy Plummer and fellow supporters of LGBT inclusion form a human shield to block demonstrators from Westboro Baptist Church. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.

Love the sinner, hate the sin . . . Jesus didnt say that!. - Dr. James Cone. A UMNS photo by John C. Goodwin

Bob Swing, Chair of the Parents Reconciling Network Steering Committee, presents Barb and Reg Olson with the prestigious PRN Hilton Award.

Mark Miller confronts church bullying, surrounded by supportive delegates, including Jorge Lockward, Jen Ihlo, Amory Peck, Sean Delmore, Joey Lopez, David Meredith, Ralph Williams, Frank Wulf, and Tanya Linn Bennett.

I declare to you that the derogatory language and restrictive laws in the Book of Discipline are immoral and unjust and no longer deserve our loyalty and obedience. - Bishop Melvin G. Talbert. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.

If its to be, its up to me. - Amory Peck, Plenary Laity Address. A UMNS Photo by Paul Jeffrey.

A UMNS Photo by Kathleen Barry

Interrupting Harm: Will Green leads a group of protestors in support of LGBT inclusion onto the plenary floor of General Conference. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

A UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose

Delegates stand in solidarity with supporters of LGBT inclusion. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.

Come to the feast! Put another leaf in the table because this is Gods table and everyone is invited. - Bishop Violet Fisher. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

A UMNS Photo by Paul Jeffrey

Grace or No Grace (Continued from Page 1) Only 56% of our delegates supported Gods grace as available to all, while a vote on tilting the Wesleyan quadrilateral to primacy of scripture was scheduled but avoided. The Social Principles were classied as part of a global Book of Discipline eliminating one option for regional adaptation for successful ministry. The Judicial Council overturned Plan UMC restructuring as unconstitutional and unsalvageable but that did not stop a 60% voting block from trying to make it happen regardless.

Gifts In Honor Of. . .

In response to the hateful comments by Rev. Charles Worley, the following individuals supported RMN: Timothy & Ruth Kruger, Bobbi Marshall & John E. Sundeen, Alan Perry, Audrey Atkinson, Rev. Scott Spence, Richard & Sharon DeLuc, Adam Ward, Amberly Foulkrod, Amy Buchanan, Bill & Ann Schweers, James Parkhurst, Jennifer Stapleton, John Harr, Joshua Houston, Judith Briggs, Judy Hoffman, Kelly Lamon, M.J. Gallop, Monica Yungeberg, Robert Lyons, Roger Killian, Sandra Sellers, Steven Adair, Cynthia Bloise, Cynthia Ohlin, Georgina Giovannone, Heather E.L. & Rev. Steven M. Smith, Kristy Burnette, Linda Summers, Matt Seargeant, N. Travis, Peggy Roberts, Timothy Drum, and by anonymous donations. Emily Regas was honored by Imogene Berry. All of Gods children were honored by Patrick Darst. Bishop Timothy Whitaker was honored by B. John Masters. The GLTB people of North Carolina were honored by William Houk II. Phil Braden was honored by Alice S. & Marc J. Lonoff. Walter Plummer Treash & Troy Plummer Treash were honored by Jean P. & Robert W. Eastlake. Bruce Robbins was honored by the WMN Foundation. Robbie Ausley was honored by Greg Ausley. Karen Damen was honored by Susan Moore. Mark Bowman was honored by Fulford UMC. Deen Thompson was honored by Julie Ivie. Sue Laurie was honored by Diana Marie Berger. Mark Miller was honored by Rev. John Alden & Maggie Carr. The Wesley Foundation at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado was honored by Cynthia Beard. Rev. David Meredith was honored by Rev. Cheri Holdridge & Kurt Young. Jessica Campbell was honored by Rev. Patricia Bruger. Alice Crowell was honored by Bishop Judith Craig. Zayne Matthias was honored by Michelle Brown. Rev. Dr. Harvey C. Martz was honored by Matthew Winkel. Myron Talcott was honored by Bob Caviness. Karen Oliveto was honored by Joseph & Deborah Mannino. April Perryman-French was honored by Mark Richardson. Lou Marinucci & Debra Calle were honored by Rev. Barbara Hoffman. Ryan Georgi was honored by Ellen Elise & Karl V. Georgi. Wesley UMC of Fresno made a donation in honor of their 28th anniversary of becoming a Reconciling Congregation. Rev. Jeff Clinger made a donation in honor of Barb & Nancy. Carol L. Berman honored her LGBT friends. Sandy Shawhan honored her friends. Deborah Maria honored all parents who love their LGBTQI children.

If all these had been approved without resistance, I would not be able to recognize the UMC. Our reconciling movement should be deeply proud of faithfully living out our values to transform our church and world through legislative organizing actions, plenary oor witness, and graceful engagement at The Love Your Neighbor Tabernacle. In the tabernacle, remarkable experiences included: worshiping with central conference delegates, hearing bishops and Black Scholars call for the removal of discrimination in ordination policies, rallying with MOSAIC ashmobs who reminded General Conference You cant stop the beat!, celebrating parents with Barb and Reg Olson, rallying with Amy DeLong, urging clergy to disregard unjust policy and to move forward creating an Altar for All, and enjoying multiple languages as translators kept all delegates included. These two church worlds of a vibrant tabernacle similar to many reconciling churches and the chaotic political global church represented in Tampa are seemingly irreconcilable. One challenges me with Gods love and bolsters me with hope and strength. The other is hard to recognize, and I need time to recuperate and make sense of it all. These worlds seem irreconcilable, and yet, Im devoted to reconciliation. So I continue to live in these two worlds making disciples and creating change amid chaos and ugliness. I look for the ways creativity can emerge from chaos, and for how God brings reconciliation--new life from death--and along the way, I organize.

Gifts In Memory Of. . .

Rev. Cauley Stine was remembered by Jessica Hanff. Bishop Melvin Wheatley was remembered by Mary W. Damonte. Ed Erickson was remembered by Bett Jo and Gerald Birkhahn-Rommelfanger. Rev. T. Tray & Phillis Crews were remembered by Bill Crews. Julie Auer was remembered by James L. Case. Rev. Nye Bond was remembered by Jay & Mureen Vetter. Carolyn LaCombe was remembered by Roseanne Driscoll. All those who have gone before were remembered by Peggy Gaylord. Edwin E. Reeves was rememebered by Judith K. Reeves. Mary Gaddis was remembered by Judith Cayot.

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Looking for a fuller account of General Conference?

Check out the Love Your Neighbor News, the daily newspaper of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition during General Conference, at http://www.generalconference2012.org/neighbornews.html Watch dozens of short videos from General Conference on the Coalition Web site at http://www.generalconference.org/videos.html View RMNs photo stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmnetwork Follow @DreamUMC on Twitter and join the open conversation for all who want to create a new day for the UMC.

SAVE THE DATE!

Reconciling Convocation Labor Day Weekend 2013 August 30 - September 2 4-H Youth Conference Center Chevy Chase, Maryland (Washington, DC Area) Tell your friends! Plan to bring a group!

SAVE THE DATE!