2010 summer katalyst

Summer 2010 • Katalyst | 1

WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG

KATALYSTNEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

VOL. 27 NO. 3 SUMMER, 2010

Inclusive Teaching is Necessary for Progress

I am a member of Hennepin Avenue UMC, Minneapolis, MN, a congregation that became

reconciling in 1993. Hennepin has always been very progressive; in 1956 it was one of the first churches in the country to merge its journey with a black congregation. Prior to the 1993 reconciling date, the congregation studied and explored what Homosexuality and Reconciling were all about, paving the way for others and myself to be free and safe in Church. One of the saints, the Rev. Howard B. Johnson, who led the way at Hennepin, has gone on to join the Church Triumphant. It is because of people like Howard that I am engaged in reconciliation work, indebted to the strong conviction of doing what is right and just. We have only to look to Jesus to see the examples of how Jesus treated his fellow human beings with dignity and see that we are expected to do the same.

Jesus’ journey, like ours, began at the grassroots level. As the chair of the Grassroots Committee I know we’re gaining ground in The United Methodist Church. Look how far the movement has come in the past 25 years through your faith, prayer and donations. We have come this far by faith, motivated by love, but our journey is not over. We have many bridges to cross, countries and continents to talk to, stories to tell

Gaining Ground

Continued on Page 2

Imagine stand-ing on a college campus and sud-denly you see stu-dents setting up an event table, not an uncommon

sight. What seems unique is that they are “performing weddings” to cele-brate National Freedom to Marry Day. Now clearly this is a stunt. These are not real, but the smiles, giggles and joy are real. These young people are cre-atively demonstrating that they support all people’s right to marry.

Events similar to this happened all the time at my college, and young people are working for LGBTQ jus-tice all over the world. They are lead-ing Bible Studies on the intersection of faith and sexuality, and attending or planning rallies for equality. There are youth refusing to attend proms at their high schools or to recite the Pledge of Allegiance until all people have equal rights.

At events like United Methodist Student Forum and Global Young People Convocation these grassroots leaders engage in thoughtful dialogue and powerful individual conversations. In support of a resolution calling for affirmation of same-sex marriage, one young clergyman from Germany

spoke of feeling actively constrained by church policies which deny mar-riage equality although it is a civil re-ality for his congregation. However, young adults do not automatically sup-port equality; like General Conference, the Global Convocation failed to call the church to a bold vision of inclusion.

The Southeastern Jurisdiction hosts Youth in Mission, an event which at-tempts to give young people the op-portunity to learn about systemic jus-tice and advocacy. But young people at this event have not yet worked on questions of sexual orientation or gen-der identity. No one will learn to advo-cate for LGBTQ people until they both hear inclusion preached from the pulpit and learn the skills to believe out loud.

That is where our grassroots efforts come in. As a denomination, the UMC still takes stances that deny full equal-ity for all people by denying weddings, ordination and, in some cases, mem-bership. We are all needed in local set-tings to tell our stories and work with young people. We can be youth group leaders or volunteers, mentors, or in-vite them into our conversations. We can follow the example of young peo-ple who seek opportunities, share sto-ries and dialogue on LGBTQ inclusion, because relationships share infinitely more than any two minute speech.

By Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, RMN Board Memberby Larry Duncan, RMN Board Member

2 | Katalyst • Summer 2010

R E C O N C I L I N G M I N I S T R I E S N E T W O R K 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.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSHelen AndrewRachel Birkhahn-RommelfangerVincent CervantesRev. Daniel DissLawrence T. DuncanRev. Duane A. EwersElizabeth A. FimbresWill J. GreenEsther Villarreal HouserMadelyn MarshRev. David MeredithDr. Randall MillerRev. Holland MorganRev. Joshua M. NoblittRev. John OdaElizabeth OkayamaRev. Dr. Karen OlivetoRosario QuiñonesRev. Dr. Bruce RobbinsSally SparksRev. Dr. Derrick SpivaMonica L. SwinkJoy T. WattsRalph A. Williams

LEGAL COUNSELJennifer Soule

RMN STAFFMeg Carey Business Manager

James DaltonCommunication/Technology Coord.

Rev. Carl DavisDirector of Development

Stephanie Harris Admin & Donor Relations Associate

Rachel Harvey, Deaconess Associate Executive Director

Audrey Krumbach, M.Div. Field Organizer

Rev. Troy Plummer Executive Director

The Reconciling Group at Central United Methodist Church, Ashville, NC, is alive and well. Several years ago we discerned a need within our con-gregation for more education around the intersections of homosexuality, the Bible and United Methodist policy. Our first step, a four-session Sunday school class on homosexuality in 2007, didn’t seem to ruffle many feathers, so in 2008 we held a church wide screen-ing of For the Bible Tells Me So. We had people present with views across the spectrum and followed the screen-ing with a four-week dialogue program on homosexuality we developed using Wesley’s quadrilateral. Each week our community’s excitement grew as more people joined the dialogue. From our dialogue, a chorus emerged who sought to speak and sing our welcome in more direct ways.

In September 2009, we were invited to participate in RMN’s four week pilot program “Toward Inclusiveness”, now known as Rethink Inclusion. Rethink Inclusion naturally crescendoed our group toward bold actions by encour-aging us to develop active steps both as individuals and a group at the end of each session. One step developed a statement of belief for our group. That statement evolved into our Reconciling Statement adopted January 6, 2010. We have received pushback from members of our church who do not agree with our belief statement; however we con-

tinue the dialogue whenever the oppor-tunity is open.

We expanded our connection to oth-er local congregations and Reconciling United Methodists by participating in a Believe Out Loud training. The workshop helped each of us develop and practice telling our stories, stories we shared at the 2010 Western North Carolina annual conference where we hosted a booth and open worship ser-vice for over 100 people.

We were honored to have Bishop Richard B. Wilke speak at Central in August encouraging us in our welcome to everyone who comes through our doors. As we continue our journey to-ward living out loud as a welcoming, open and inclusive community, new voices continue to join our chorus as we seek new songs of welcome along our journey for the full inclusion of all God’s children. We are grateful for all the resources and support RMN has provided us on this journey.

Reconciling Group at Central United Methodist Church By Karen Ballard

GAINING GROUND, CONT. FROM PAGE 1and listen to dialogue to begin. It can be done with your help.

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, Jesus still reaches out to us. We must learn how to read the sacred story along with our stories. Seeds are being planted all the time into the soil. I invite you to help. Partner with RMN to sow new seeds by working with churches in your community that take on a Reconciling identity. Nurture the soil our movement is planted in by getting involved in your Annual Conference Team and become a RMN donor. Join us as we work toward and celebrate the year round harvest of God’s justice.

RMN Board Member Rev. Josh Noblitt with the Wilkes at Central UMC


Getting conversation started about full inclusion beyond preaching to the choir is one of our movements greatest challenges. We know from research and personal experience that there is a large section of persons who need support to help them be fully inclusive. Either they have a lingering bible question, have yet to experience the harm exclusion causes, or perhaps are concerned about what being publicly supportive will mean to them personally in their home, in their Sunday School Class, in their pew.

Rethink Inclusion, www.rethinkinclusion.org, is designed specifically with the concerns and questions of the “moveable middle” or “compassionately conflicted” in mind. From a beginning one-session tutorial and quizzes to measure familiarity with inclusion and the United Methodist’s exclusive policies to a free downloadable four-week curriculum with video, leader’s guide, and lesson plans, Rethink Inclusion helps our compassionately conflicted Sisters and Brothers begin those new discussions in new places.

Rethink Inclusion: Starter Kit for the Moveable MiddleBy Rev Troy Plummer

P o s t , S e n d L i n k , O f f e r S u p p o r t , M a k e i t v i r a l ! Use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, listservs, personal e-mail

list, and other avenues you have access to for distribution. Invite others to share further!

Think regionally too: Your annual conference might announce it in the newsletter or post it on their website. If you are part of an annual conference clergy group or committee, make sure they get the chance to use the materials too! Send it to your bishop with a personal note.

Always be sure to offer your support as well and be ready to share why this is important to you and connect them further with RMN resources including our blog (www.rmnblog.org), website (www.rmnetwork.org), and staff (773.736.5526)!

Churches:Sweet Home UMC of Sweet Home, ORLakewood UMC of St. Petersburg, FL

East Longmeadow UMC of East Longmeadow, MAThe United Church and Die Vereinigte

Kirche of Washington, DCDorsey Emmanuel UMC of Elkridge, MD

Crawford Memorial UMC of Winchester MASunnyside Centenary UMC of Portland, OR

The United Church of Hinesburg of Hinesburg, VTChurch of the Saviour of Indianapolis, IN

New Reconciling CommunitiesCommunities:

Orange County Community Of Reconciling United Methodists, Orange County, CA

The LGBT Outreach Team of South Anchorage of Anchorage, AKAges and Stages Reconciling

Community of Salina, KSSeekers Sunday School Class of Union

Avenue UMC of Alliance, OH


RC

s: 2

RC

s: 1

Paci

ficN

ort

hw

est

Ore

go

n -

Idah

o

Cal

iforn

ia -

Nev

ada

Cal

iforn

ia-

Paci

fic

Yello

wst

on

e

Ro

cky

Mo

un

tain

Des

ert

Sou

thw

est

New

Mex

ico

Sou

thw

est

Texa

sCen

tral

Texa

s

No

rth

Texa

s

Texa

s

Lou

isia

na

Kan

sas

Wes

t

Neb

rask

a

Kan

sas

East

Mis

sou

ri

Ark

ansa

s

Iow

a

Dak

ota

sM

inn

eso

ta

Wis

con

sin

Det

roit

No

rth

ern

Illin

ois

Illin

ois

Gre

atR

iver

s

Ind

ian

a

Wes

tM

ich

igan

East

Oh

io

Wes

tO

hio

Cen

tral

PA

Ala

ska

Mis

sio

nar

y

Cal

iforn

ia-P

acifi

cH

awai

i Dis

tric

t

Ken

tuck

y

Mem

ph

isTe

nn

esse

e

Mis

siss

ipp

i

No

rth

Ala

bam

aN

ort

hG

eorg

ia

Ala

bam

a-W

est

Flo

rid

a

Sou

thG

eorg

ia Flo

rid

a

Sou

thC

aro

lina

No

rth

Car

olin

a

Vir

gin

ia

Wes

tV

irg

inia

Troy

New

Eng

lan

d New

York

Ad

voca

cy (e

.g. L

egis

lati

on)

Sup

po

rt (e

.g. F

ello

wsh

ip G

athe

ring

)

Aw

arn

ess

(e.g

. Dis

play

Tab

le)

No

Wit

nes

s R

epo

rted

RC

s: 2

RC

s: 1

Bal

tim

ore

-W

ash

ing

ton

RC

s: 17

RC

s: 1

RC

s: 1

RC

s: 51

RC

s: 17

RC

s: 2

RC

s: 4

RC

s: 8

East

ern

PA

RC

s: 8

RC

s: 2

Gre

ater

New

Jer

sey

RC

s: 1

Ho

lsto

nR

Cs:

1

RC

s: 10

RC

s: 2

RC

s: 7

RC

s: 3

RC

s: 5

RC

s: 2

RC

s: 1

RC

s: 17

RC

s: 4

RC

s: 1

RC

s: 41

RC

s: 3

RC

s: 23

RC

s: 3

No

rth

Cen

tral

NY

RC

s: 2

RC

s: 5

RC

s: 16

Okl

aho

ma

RC

s: 3

RC

s: 15

Pen

insu

la-D

elaw

are

RC

s: 3

RC

s: 24

RC

s: 13

RC

s: 1

RC

s: 22

RC

s: 3

RC

s: 0

RC

s: 0

RC

s: 0

RC

s: 13

RC

s: 8

No

rth

wes

tTe

xas

RC

s: 0

RC

s: 6R

Cs:

16

RC

s: 2

RC

s: 1

Wes

tern

PAR

Cs:

1

RC

s: 9

Wes

tern

NY

RC

s: 1

RC

s: 5

RC

s: 0

Wes

tern

No

rth

Car

olin

aR

Cs:

3

Red

Bir

dM

issi

on

ary

RC

s: 0

Wyo

min

gR

Cs:

3

Rio

Gra

nd

e A

nn

ual

Co

nfe

ren

ce

Okl

aho

ma

Ind

ian

Mis

sio

nar

y A

nn

ual

Co

nfe

ren

ce B

ou

nd

ry

Juri

sdic

tio

n B

ou

nd

ry

RC

s: #

of R

eco

nci

ling

Co

mm

un

itie

s

Pro

LG

BT re

solu

tio

n p

asse

d

RC

s: 0

2010

Ann

ual C

onfe

renc

eA

mov

emen

t for

full

incl

usio

n is

gro

win

g ac

ross

the

Uni

ted

Stat

es.

This

map

is a

n ill

ustr

atio

n of

Rec

onci

ling

Ann

ual C

onfe

renc

e w

itne

ss in

201

0.

Cont

act t

he R

MN

offi

ce to

con

nect

to y

our A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

Team

’s w

itne

ss in

201

1!M

ap b

y Ja

mes

Dal

ton

and

Rach

el H

arve

y, D

eaco

ness


Calif

orni

a-Pa

cific A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

The 2

010

Bre

akin

g th

e Sile

nce l

unch

eon

cele

brat

-ed

the

grou

p’s

hist

ory

and

enco

urag

ed n

ew w

ays

to

spea

k ou

t abo

ut fu

ll in

clus

ion.

Ove

r 300

peo

ple

gath

-er

ed to

key

note

spea

ker K

y D

icke

ns ,

dire

ctor

of F

ish

Out

of

Wat

er, a

new

doc

umen

tary

abo

ut t

he B

ible

an

d ho

mos

exua

lity

http

://w

ww

.fish

outo

fwat

erfil

m.

com

/. D

icke

ns en

cour

aged

lunc

heon

atte

ndee

s to

use

the

criti

cal

time

betw

een

now

and

Gen

eral

con

fer-

ence

to b

elie

ve o

ut lo

ud!

The g

roup

took

this

chal

leng

e ser

ious

ly b

y re

plac

-in

g th

e re

d co

nfer

ence

nam

e ta

g la

nyar

ds w

ith b

eau-

tiful

blu

e B

reak

ing

the

Sile

nce

ones

. M

any

wea

r-er

s fo

und

the

lany

ards

wer

e ex

celle

nt c

onve

rsat

ion

star

ters

, cre

atin

g an

opp

ortu

nity

to s

hare

thei

r st

ory

with

new

old

frie

nds.

In th

ese l

anya

rds,

Bre

akin

g th

e Si

lenc

e ex

pand

ed t

heir

tradi

tiona

l ev

ent

base

d w

it-ne

ss a

nd la

unch

ed a

new

way

to ta

lk a

bout

incl

usio

n.

Texa

s Ann

ual C

onfe

renc

eNe

w Yo

rk A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

This

yea

r, th

e M

inne

sota

Ann

ual C

onfe

renc

e be

lieve

d ou

t lo

ud f

or f

ull

incl

usio

n by

pas

sing

ei

ght

reso

lutio

ns w

hich

ask

the

201

2 G

ener

al

Con

fere

nce

to e

nd c

hurc

h di

scrim

inat

ion

base

d up

on se

xual

orie

ntat

ion

or g

ende

r ide

ntity

. The

se

petit

ions

requ

est t

he re

mov

al o

f hur

tful l

angu

age

in e

ight

diff

eren

t par

agra

phs

of th

e bo

ok o

f dis

-ci

plin

e re

late

d to

: the

inco

mpa

tibili

ty c

laus

e, o

r-di

natio

n, li

cens

ing

loca

l pas

tors

, sam

e-se

x m

ar-

riage

, and

fund

ing.

In a

dditi

on to

thes

e pe

titio

ns, t

he M

inne

sota

A

nnua

l C

onfe

renc

e jo

ins

a nu

mbe

r of

ann

ual

conf

eren

ces

in r

eque

stin

g th

e Ju

dici

al C

ounc

il re

visi

t Dec

isio

n 10

32.

The

sum

tota

l of t

hese

pe-

titio

ns m

ake

it cl

ear t

hat t

his

is o

ne a

nnua

l con

-fe

renc

e w

here

all

mea

ns a

ll.

Min

neso

ta A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

This

ye

ar

the

Cal

iforn

ia

Paci

fic

Ann

ual

Con

fere

nce

bore

witn

ess

to

stor

ies

of l

esbi

an,

gay,

bis

exua

l an

d tra

nsge

nder

U

nite

d M

etho

dist

s an

d th

eir

fam

ilies

. T

hese

sac

red

stor

ies

built

br

idge

s an

d in

vite

d so

lidar

ity

acro

ss l

ines

of

excl

usio

n an

d si

lenc

e.

Cle

rgy

spok

e of

livi

ng in

dai

ly te

nsio

n be

caus

e th

e ch

urch

they

serv

e do

es n

ot

resp

ect t

hem

for

the

pers

on th

ey lo

ve.

One

cou

ple

desc

ribed

thei

r ang

er w

hen

the

chur

ch w

ho h

ad b

aptiz

ed th

eir c

hil-

dren

excl

uded

thei

r chi

ldre

n be

caus

e of

thei

r se

xual

orie

ntat

ion.

O

ther

sto

ries

clai

med

the

une

ndin

g gr

ace

of G

od,

nam

ed th

e ho

pe fo

und

whe

n th

ey w

ere

expl

icitl

y w

elco

med

to th

e co

mm

unio

n ta

ble,

and

des

crib

ed t

he j

oy o

f ce

le-

brat

ing

an a

nniv

ersa

ry w

ith a

par

tner

in

chu

rch.

Th

is p

ower

ful

proj

ect

was

spo

ken

into

exi

sten

ce w

hen

the

2009

Ann

ual

Con

fere

nce

appr

oved

“si

gnifi

cant

tim

e on

the

age

nda

for

Uni

ted

Met

hodi

st

gay

and

lesb

ian

fam

ilies

to s

hare

thei

r st

orie

s w

ith t

he A

nnua

l C

onfe

renc

e.”

In ad

ditio

n to

the t

wel

ve st

orie

s sha

red,

a

min

istry

en

richm

ent

sess

ion

fo-

cuse

d on

cre

atin

g a

cultu

re o

f ra

dica

l w

elco

me

and

twen

ty-s

ix s

torie

s w

ere

publ

ishe

d in

a r

esou

rce

book

for

con

-gr

egat

iona

l us

e.

This

boo

k ca

n be

do

wnl

oade

d fr

om h

ttp://

ww

w.c

al-p

ac.

org/

page

s/de

tail/

1925

Met

hodi

sts

In N

ew D

irect

ions

(M

IND

), or

gani

zed

witn

esse

s of

mer

cy a

nd j

ustic

e on

the

gro

und

and

on-

line

this

yea

r. I

n ad

ditio

n to

thei

r an

nual

arm

band

wit-

ness

at t

he o

rdin

atio

n se

rvic

e, M

IND

off

ered

ann

ual c

on-

fere

nce

mem

bers

res

t an

d re

fres

hmen

ts a

t a

hosp

italit

y te

nt. M

IND

als

o in

trodu

ced

four

pro

LG

BT

reso

lutio

ns.

Res

olut

ions

rela

ted

to h

ate

crim

es, s

ame-

sex

wed

ding

s or

holy

uni

ons

and

LGB

T m

ilita

ry s

ervi

ce a

ll pa

ssed

. O

ne

reso

lutio

n ca

lling

for t

he a

nnua

l con

fere

nce

to p

ublic

ally

ac

know

ledg

e th

e un

just

pol

icie

s of t

he U

nite

d M

etho

dist

C

hurc

h, th

ough

hea

vily

supp

orte

d, w

as ru

led

out o

f ord

er

and

will

be

revi

ewed

by

the

Judi

cial

Cou

ncil

in O

ctob

er.

All

witn

esse

s co

ordi

nate

d on

the

gro

und

wer

e m

agni

-fie

d on

-line

thro

ugh

MIN

D’s

fac

eboo

k, tw

itter

and

new

w

ebsi

te h

ttp://

ww

w.m

indn

y.or

g/ .

Bey

ond

annu

al c

onfe

r-en

ce, M

IND

’s w

ebsi

te c

ontin

ues t

o co

nnec

t MIN

D m

em-

bers

and

bey

ond

thro

ugh

a w

eekl

y en

ewsl

ette

r hig

hlig

ht-

ing

natio

nal a

nd lo

cal e

vent

s.

The M

issi

ssip

pi A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

disc

usse

d tw

o re

solu

tions

on

hum

an

sexu

ality

whi

ch d

espi

te th

eir p

olar

po-

sitio

ns,

both

pas

sed.

W

hile

the

con

-fe

renc

e su

ppor

t of

a r

esol

utio

n se

ek-

ing

“clo

sure

re

gard

ing

the

(200

9)

lesb

ian

test

imon

y”

proh

ibits

LG

BT

test

imon

ies

durin

g fu

ture

ann

ual c

on-

fere

nce

wor

ship

ser

vice

s, th

eir

posi

-tiv

e vo

tes

for

“The

Nee

d fo

r Sa

cred

C

onve

rsat

ions

” re

solu

tion

also

ope

ned

the

door

for d

ialo

gues

and

foru

ms c

on-

cern

ing

full

incl

usio

n.“T

he

Nee

d fo

r Sa

cred

C

onve

rsat

ions

”, s

pons

ored

by

eigh

ty

Mis

siss

ippi

Uni

ted

Met

hodi

sts,

calle

d fo

r mem

bers

of t

he a

nnua

l con

fere

nce

to: d

emon

stra

te G

od’s

love

and

gra

ce

for

all,

reco

gniz

e G

od’s

mov

emen

t am

ong

all

peop

le a

nd p

rovi

de s

afe

plac

es fo

r sac

red

conv

ersa

tions

rega

rd-

ing

cont

rove

rsia

l is

sues

. M

issi

ssip

pi

reco

ncili

ng le

ader

s cel

ebra

ted

this

mo-

men

tous

dec

isio

n by

beg

inni

ng co

nver

-sa

tions

abo

ut a

sta

tew

ide

Rec

onci

ling

com

mun

ity a

nd o

rgan

izin

g to

war

d a

2011

Cal

led

to W

itnes

s tra

inin

g an

d an

nual

con

fere

nce

witn

ess.

Miss

issip

pi A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

For a

full

list o

f A

nnua

l Con

fere

nce

repo

rts

visi

t:w

ww

.rm

nblo

g.or

g

Ann

ual C

onfe

renc

e su

mm

arie

s by

Audr

ey K

rum

bach

and

Sco

tt S

umm

ervi

lle


When faced with a difficult decision my grandfather would often pause, look at the rest of us gathered around the supper table and quote from President Roosevelt’s 1933 in-augural address, “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

I was recently reminded of that concept while on a road trip through the Mid-West to visit RMN donors when I met a transgender United Methodist called to pastoral ministry. She completed Local Pastor’s Licensing School and was ex-cited to take the next step in answering God’s call in her life. However, unlike every other person in her class, she was not appointed to serve a church at the end of her training.

The Book of Discipline does not prohibit transgender pastors from serving congregations as it does “self avowed practicing homosexuals.” So why wouldn’t a Bishop or District Superintendant appoint her to pastor a parish?

A year after she concluded her training my new friend learned the answer to this question, and it was exactly what Roosevelt warned us against many years ago. Fear - what FDR called the “unreasoning, unjustified terror which para-lyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” The District Superintendant had been slow to appoint this person because he feared how she would be treated and received by a parish; he feared the political fallout of such an appoint-ment in a conservative Annual Conference. He feared the unknown.

But the Holy Spirit continued to sanctify his heart and the truth of I John 4:8 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear.” won out. So emboldened was he by the liberating love of Christ, that he personally reached out to this transgender local pastor candidate, apologized to her and asked her to help “teach the teacher” as he continues to

grow with her in Christ’s inclusive and transforming love.Today they are working in a new ministry to LGBT peo-

ple in their community. Together, they boldly proclaim that they are liberated from subjection to fear by the love of God through Jesus Christ.

RMN’s mission is not accomplished merely by fixing The Book of Discipline’s anti-gay policies. As this case shows, prejudice and fear will continue to negatively impact LGBT United Methodists even when such hatred is no longer codi-fied in denominational rules.

Only by sharing Christ’s inclusive love with individuals and living out the Gospel’s teachings of justice and inclu-sion, will RMN’s mission be accomplished.

Accomplishing our mission requires long term strategic planning. That is why I invite you to join me in making a planned gift to RMN at this time. Together, let us assert our firm belief that not only is the only thing to fear, fear itself, but also that perfect love casts out all fear.

RMN is a beneficiary in my will because I know of no better way to help change the hearts of people like the District Superintendent mentioned above from hearts of fear, to hearts of love. I know that only by changing those hearts will God’s realm come to earth as it is in heaven.

Please contact Carl Davis at (773) 736-5526 or e-mail [email protected] to request information about how to leave RMN in your will, or make RMN the beneficiary of an insurance policy.

By Rev. Carl Davis

Tributes and MemorialIn Honor of...

Rev. John Oda was honored by:Judy Dowell and Rev. David Weekley

Julie Arms was honored by: Leigh Dry and Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto Bishop Mel & Marilyn Talbert were

honored by Edgehill UMCBill Brownson was honored by Rev. Jim & Carol Waugh

Bob & Joyce Swing were honored by Reconciling Uniting Ministries of IL

Dr. Brian Watson was honored by Chuck ChipmanBishop Jack & Margie Tuell were honored by

Bishop Sharon & Rev. Blaine RaderJames Dalton was honored by Will J. Green

Rev. Josh Noblitt was honored by Kathryn McElveenThe Watts Family was honored by Mindy Carter

Mindy Carter was honored by The Watts FamilyPat & Chuck Simons were honored by The Watts FamilyRev. Bob Epps was honored by Jo Ellen & Stephen Ham

Rev. Tom Douce was honored by The Watts FamilySamuel Clark was honored by Mark

Gruber & Sheldon LebowitzVicki Flippin & Diamond Hill UMC were

honored by Rev. John Alden & Maggie Carr

In Memory of...Mr. & Mrs. Charles Boyer remember Billie StierleBonnie & James Rock remember George EverettCarlton Bauer remembers Rev. Howard Johnson

Don & Rev. Donna Morrow De Camp and Kathy Reynolds remember Lee Williamson

Love Casts Out Fear “

“When you name RMN as a beneficiary in your will you

invest in a future where love wins out.


SAVE THE DATE

SING A NEW SONG

Join hundreds o f Un i t ed Me thod is t s s ing ing o f and o rgan i z ing fo r j us t i ce and inc lus ion fo r a l l God ’s ch i ld ren as we ce leb ra te i n j oy fu l wo rsh ip des igned by Mark M i l l e r and Tanya Benne t t .

A u g u s t 2 4 - 2 8 , 2 0 1 1S a w m i l l C r e e k R e s o r t

H u r o n , O h i oSing A New Song is brought to you through the partnership of:Methodist Federation for Social Action & Reconciling Ministries Network

FOR MORE INFO: RMNETWORK.ORG / [email protected] / 773-736-5526


rmnetwork.org has a new lookNonprofit Org.

U.S. PostagePAID

Chicago, ILPermit #3870

Reconciling Ministries Network3801 North Keeler Avenue, Third FloorChicago, IL 60641-3007Address Service Requested

As the movement for full inclusion grows,so does Reconciling Ministries Network’s online presence.

Visit www.rmnetwork.org today!

• Convo Bible Studies• Sermons

• Plenary Sessions• Actions Kits

With new:

2010 summer katalyst

Documents