katalyst - summer 2009

8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009

1/8Summer 2009 Katalyst |

Conference. Knowing the policies o

exclusion in The United Methodist

Church, she pursued her Masters

of Divinity and along the way suc-

cessfully challenged discrimination

in housing at Garrett Evangelical.

While policies prevented Sue from

being set aside for local ministry,

they paved the way for a national

pulpit at RMN.

WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG

KATALYSTNEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

VOL. 26 NO. 3 SUMMER, 200

Praise God or Sue LaurieTransitionsBy Audrey Krumbach

Summertime in a United Method-

ist church vacation bible school,

old ladies with paper fans, camp-

meetings, and everyones favorite

new pastors! I sat in church this

morning and where just two weeks

ago stood a tall, brunette, mid-30s

male pastor was a thin, blonde,young woman pastor. Across our

connection, younger souls are fill-

ing pulpits recently vacated by the

now-retired; families move out of

a parsonage, and a single person

moves in. Favorite sermon illus-

trations will never be heard again,

and tired old jokes will be (hap-

pily) forgotten.

Less than three weeks after I

graduated from high school, my

clergy mom was appointed to anew church. We moved from a sub-

urb of 80,000 to an unincorporated

town of about 2,000. We moved

from a neighborhood full of houses,

people, and my friends to a street

with a taxidermists shop, orchard,

corn field, an egg farm, and cows!

My life was over, or so I thought.

It took me about three weeks to

discover the surprising blessings

of tiniest-town-ever living: fresh

peaches at the end of a run, Miss

Francis homemade fig cook-

ies, scrambled eggs from todays

laying, and singing from the old

Cokesbury hymnal.

Here at the Reconciling office,

we are experiencing a few transi-

tions this summer. In the midst

of hiring, retiring, transitions and

changes, we are experiencing new

realities in the general church and

world! We celebrate with Iowa and

Continued on Page 6

Susan Laurie (left) and Randy Miller at United Methodist Churchs

2000 General Conference in Cleveland. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

After sixteen years of ministry

affirming that Reconciling is the

radical notion that gay people want

to go to church, Sue Laurie officially

retires from her staff role with RMN

on September 7 at the Justice and

Joy convocation. In her past eight

years as outreach staff, she has

faithfully spread the Good News that

all are welcome at Gods table.

As a circuit rider, Sue has traveled

thousands of miles by air, land, and

sea (ferry boats) to reach the most

challenging regions of our church.

The journey to challenge church

injustice began with believing what

she was taught as a child in Sunday

School that Jesus Loves Me This

I Know. Each year, after receiv-

ing the call to ministry, she went

forward during the ordination

service invitation to ministry ofthe Western Pennsylvania Annual

See Page 3 or Refections on Sues Minist

Iamtremendouslyproudofmy

tenureatRMNandhaveseenthe

ministrygrowanddevelopinmany

positivewaysinmyeightyearshere.

Ihavelovedmyworkwithpeople

seekingatrulyinclusivesanctuary

intheUnitedMethodistChurch.I

amdeeplygratefulfortherelation-

shipsandopportunitiesIhavehad

inthisministryanditismyhopeto

continuetocontributeinthefuture.SueLaurie


2/82 | Katalyst Summer 2009

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWOR

mobilizes United Methodists of all

sexual orientations and gender

identities to transform our Church

and world into the full expression of

Christs inclusive love.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSHelen Andrew

Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger

Vincent Cervantes

Rev. Daniel Diss

Lawrence T. Duncan

Rev. Duane A. Ewers

Elizabeth A. Fimbres

Will E. Green

Will J. Green

Esther Villarreal Houser

David Mauzy

Rev. David Meredith

Dr. Randall Miller

Rev. Holland Morgan

Rev. Joshua M. Noblitt

Rev. John Oda

Elizabeth Okayama

Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto

Rosario Quiones

Rev. Dr. Bruce Robbins

Rev. Dr. Martha Scott

Sally Sparks

Rev. Dr. Derrick Spiva

Monica L. Swink

Joy T. Watts

Ralph A. Williams

Christina Wright

LEGAL COUNSELJennifer Soule

RMN STAFFMeg Carey

Business Manager

Rev. Carl Davis

Director of Development

Antony Hebblethwaite

Communication/Technology Manager

Stephanie Johnson

Admin & Donor Relations Associate

Audrey Krumbach, M.Div.

Field Organizer

Susan Laurie, M.Div.

Outreach Coordinator

Rev. Troy Plummer

Executive Director

Spotlight: Faith UMC, Cedar Rapids, IAWe are a small congregation dedi-

cated to the mission and ministry

of Jesus and John Wesley to preach

Good News to the poor. This comes

from Luke 4, where Jesus describes

the mission of his own life as he

understood it.

From church website

The Iowa Annual Conference meet-

ing included joyful, hardworking lay

members from a church in Cedar

Rapids. Officially reconciling since

1993, Faith UMC identify them-

selves as a group of friends, called

Christians, where everyone

can belong.

Working in several ministry

teams, Faith UMC seeks to be

and learn together in social

action, worship, education and

spiritual growth. Learning

together how to love God and

neighbor, Faith UMC helps

many individuals realize how

much God loves them. Rev.

Kathleen Moore, pastor, says

of the church I am touched

by the number of people

who express relief and joy at find-

ing a church that accepts them or

their family members and friends. I

long for the day when all of Christschurch is so accepting.

Not just a social justice church,

Faith is actively involved in outreach

and education. Defining evangelism

as care for not only those beyond the

church family, but also visitors, con-

stituents, and even current members

at whatever point they are in the

spiritual journey. Classes, worship

and fellowship opportunities abound,

with progressive dinners, movie

nights, open door coffee houses,

sports events and concerts.

On their website, Faith UMC lists

historical and present social con-

cerns which keep them busy with

Gods work:

Bible study in its historical, po-litical, socio-economic context.

Preaching the Gospel as Libera-

tion Theology.

Broad world view and awareness

of diversity in Cedar Rapids.

Sanctuary church in response to

war in El Salvador and the needs

of undocumented workers and

Hispanic immigrants.

Supported and testified on behalf

of adding gender identity to the

Civil Rights Code.

Provided sanctuary for the Cedar

Rapids Womens Clinic while

it was under fire for issues of

reproductive choice.

Check out Faith UMC Cedar Rapids

website at www.crfaithumc.org!!!

New Reconciling CommunitiesCongregations

Hope UMCof Iowa City, IA

College Hill UMCof Wichita, KS

First UMCof North Andover, MA

Garden Street UMCof Bellingham,

WA

Trinity UMCof Toledo, OR

Kenwood UMCof Milwaukee, WI

Centenary UMCof Richmond, VA

Highlands UMCof Denver, CO

Grant Avenue UMCof Denver, CO

Eastern Parkway UMCof Schenect-

ady, NY

Campus Ministry

The Student Community of the Wes-

ley Foundation of the University of

Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

Community

The Journey, a group at Forest Cha-

pel UMC of Cincinnati, OH



Sue came with us to clean his apart-

ment where she went right to work

scrubbing the toilets and mopping

the floor. God bless you, Sue Laurie.Bob and Betty Dorr, Betty is a ormer Board

Member

Sues gift of hearing the stories,

letting them have an impact on

her theology, mobilizing ordinary

churches and folks at a grassroots

level, alongside her ability to reach

out in reconciling -- yet clear -- ways

to those around her are things that

encourage me to keep on believing.Joretta Marshall, ormer Board Member

Courage, gentleness, simplicity,

relentlessness, glorious.Jorge Lockward, Convo Music Director

I will never forget the joy on Sues

face as she served communion dur-

ing Sunday worship for General

Conference 2008. Knowing that she

is prevented by the church from

fulfilling her passion to minister and

that the church loses the great gifts

that she could give as a pastor, fuels

my desire to work for change.Elizabeth Fimbres, Board Member

Tiffany Stenwert and Sue Laurie hand out newsletters

at 2004 Pittsburgh General Conference.

Sue gets arrested in front of hun-

dreds, comes to stay at your house in

New Jersey, tells Bible stories better

than your childhood Sunday school

teacher, enjoys excessively long

meetings, makes Bishops stop in

their tracks, finds her way into front

page color photo ops, gets hitchedwhile others are preparing legisla-

tion, likes board members, celebrates

volunteers and enacts social justice

before most people have had their

morning cup of coffee.

Je Spelman, ormer Board Chair

Year after year at the Western PA

Annual Conference (her

home Conference), Sue

would go forward at the

ordination service at that

point in the liturgy whenthe Bishop issued an

invitation for people feel-

ing called to ministry to

come forward. Sue did not

hesitate to walk forward

as a kind of protest

because it was a tremen-

dous opportunity to show

everyone the effects of our

discriminatory ordination

policy. Every year, more

and more people would walk forward

with Sue, sometimes wearing rain-bow stoles or holding other symbols

of the struggle. It made a difference

for many people in WPA. Sue is a

woman of conviction and courage!

Renee Waun, Western Pennsylvania

When Beth Strouds first trial

ended, many of us had been standing

in support. When the key players,

other observers, and press left, Sue

encouraged us to form a large circle,

and we were together in singing/

worship/prayer. I admired howshe could speak on the spur of the

moment as Spirit led, and not for the

first time did I mourn the systematic

loss of people like Sue, and Beth,

from our UMC.

Peggy R. Gaylord, New York

When we were devastated by our

youngest son Mikes struggles, Sue

was a true friend who talked and

prayed with us. When Mike died,

Refections on Sues Ministry

Suesministryhasstrengthened

us;challengedus;andsupported

usaswejourneytogetherinthis

work.Joinwithmetocelebrate

SuescontributionstoRMN,and

towishherwellinthefuture,as

Godcallshertonewministries.MonicaSwink,BoardChair

Welcome New Sta

Stephanie Johnson, tnew Admin and Don

Relations Associate,is a native of Chicago

IL. She worked at

the General Board

of Pension and Health Benefits for

the United Methoodist Church for

almost two years in data and healt

before moving to Breast Cancer

Network of Strength as a Develop-

ment Associate. I am excited to joi

the staff of RMN and look forward

getting to be able to put faces with

names at Justice & Joy.

Carl Davis, the new Drector of Developmen

joins Reconciling Min

istries Network after

having spent the last

seven years pastor-

ing United Methodis

congregations in the North Indiana

Conference. Prior to that Carl was

a Captain in The Salvation Army,

where he served as the Executive

Director for The Salvation Army in

Miami County, Indiana.

Im thrilled to be your new Devel-

opment Director and am eager to

meet everyone at Convo! My work

motivated by the reality that we ar

all Gods children and I love connec

ing resources to needs so that all

may have enough, and live in justic

and peace. I cant wait to get to the

Rockies and be with you.

Rachel Harvey, the neAssociate Executive

Director, comes to us

from The Advance at

the General Board

of Global Ministries

where she spear-

headed the national launch of the Bcampaign.

Throughout my journey from far o

places like Vermillion, SD to chaot

New York City, my spirit has been

sustained and challenged to grow

through the work of Reconciling

United Methodists. Im really excit

to be a part of the life sharing work

of the RMN family. I look forward

meeting you at Convo!



RMN Welcomes the General Commissionon Religion and Race toJustice & Joy!

Join staff members of the General Commission on Religion and Race for an

interactive approach to looking at our own experiences, and connecting tho

to the world around us. This context will include individual, small group,and plenary interaction for a hands-on experience. We will discuss the in-

tersections of Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Classism, that together create

positions of privilege and oppression in our society and church. This plena

will start the discussion of how to address all these issues with our move-

ment and church to bring lasting change.

Erin Hawkins has been the General Secretary of the Gen-eral Commission on Religion and Race (United Methodist

Church) since September, 2007. She joined the staff as

an Associate General Secretary in 2001, serving as a staff

representative and resource consultant to the Southeast-

ern Jurisdiction, Black Methodists for Church Renewal

(BMCR), the Strengthening the Black Church for the21st Century Initiative and other ministries serving the

denominations black constituency. She is a Harry Hosier Life Member of

BMCR.

Erin was previously a legislative assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Juanita

Millender-McDonald from California. She has a Bachelors degree in busi-

ness administration from the University of California at Riverside and two

Masters degrees, one in public affairs from Indiana University and one in

organizational development from United Methodist-related American Uni-

versity in Washington.

The Rev. Barbara Isaacs is the Associate General Secretaryof the General Commission on Religion and Race (United

Methodist Church) with primary responsibility for Educa-tion, Institutional Development, White Constituency Anti-

Racism Concerns and GCORRs work and relationships in

the Northeastern Jurisdiction.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Barbara was ordained an Elder

in 1977 and is a member of the Northern Illinois Conference. She received

her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theological Studies and the Graduate

Certificate in Gender Studies from Northwestern University, in Evanston,

Illinois, in 2002. In her thirty-plus years of pastoral experience, Barbara h

been a pastor of rural, urban and suburban local churches; a chaplain; and

staff person at educational institutions and general agencies.

For more information, visit http://www.rmnetwork.org/convo2009.asp

Are You Registered?We are very exited to report that

over 450 people have registered

for Justice & Joy!at the YMCA of

the Rockies. Here are some impor-

tant details about joining us in the

mountains. Registration is still

open. The key deadline to keep in

mind is August 2. The YMCA of

the Rockies opens up our housing

block to others on that date. You

can still obtain housing, but it is

not guaranteed.

To register, visit http://www.rm-

network.org/convo2009.asp . Click

Register at the top of the page.



Justice and Joy!WorkshopsA. Transorming Our Congregations

A.1. Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New

Methodists

A.2. Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influ-

ence

A.3. The Church and Global AIDS

A.4. Evangelism for Reconciling United MethodistsA.5. Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

A.6. JUST Worship

B. Equipping or Social Change

B.1. Building An Inclusive Church Community

B.2. Bringing People Together to Make Change Happen

B.3. Ordination and Social Change

B.4. Organizing for Change in Your Annual Conference

B.5. Media Savvy in a Soundbite World

B.6. Overcoming Discrimination Through the Lens of Paolo Freire

C. Engaging Intersections: Toward Wholeness

C.1. Transcending Gender (Introduction)C.2. Toward a Gender-Positive World (Advanced)

C.3. Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the

World

C.4. Black Queer Theology

C.5. Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic? Moving from Apology to Ac-

tion

C.6. Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Sexuality and Faith

D. Arts & Storytelling

D.1. Getting Our History Out of Our Closets

D.2. Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the Senses to Strengthen your

Worship

D.3. Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop

D.4. Thats So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal

D.5. Incompatible With Christian Teaching Film Screening and Dis-

cussion

If youve already registered, send us your two workshop choices at convo@

rmnetwork.org or login and add them to your registration account.

1. Visit http://www.rmnetwork.org/convo2009.asp and click Register.

2. Above the email box, click link Already Registered?

3. Enter the email address and password you used to register for Convo

and click the Continue button.

[If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address and click

the link Forgot your password. Follow the instructions and obtain your

password from your email account. Return to Step 1.]

4. Find your name and click on the Personal Information link under

Edit.

5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and under the title Workshop

Preregistration, select your two workshops.

6. Click the Continue button.

7. At the bottom of the page, click the Finalize button.

8. At the bottom of the page, click the Update My Registration button.

When you see the words, Your registration is complete, you are done!

Workshop Registration

A Special FocusBy Sue Laurie: Thats So Gay! The Biband United Methodist Hymnal

Gods call for inclusion of all people

comes in the words of the Gospel.

Of course the Bible and the UM

Hymnal are sources of inspiration

many people in following this call.However, their message is muted

when forced through a heterosexua

privileged lens. This workshop will

explore some favorite texts and

hymnsones that give me renewed

spirit as a lesbian Christian on the

journey toward a Reconciling UMC

Sometimes it is a word such as rai

bow or home, other times it may

be the theology of Advent or Shalom

that causes me to say, This hymn

was written for gay people! Come

sing and to enjoy!

Camp song:We are one in the Spirit, we are on

in the Lord (x2)

and we pray that all unity may one

day be restored. R

We will work with each other, we

will work side by side (x2)

And well guard human dignity and

save human pride.R

Refrain: And theyll know we arChristians by our love, by our

love; Yes, theyll know we are

Christians by our love.

Can you listen again with LGBT ears?

What Bible story holds you to

the Christian faith?


6/8



Gits In Honor o...Gits In Memory o...In Honor o Honored by

Julie Arms Joshua Arrowood & Tiffany

Steinwert, J. Randy Beggs, Laur

Butler, Sarah Megan Howery,

Lynn Shirley, James Smith,

David Story

John & Jack Elsa & John Bengel

B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger

David and Alex Braden Candie ODell

Julie Bruno & Sue Laurie John & Maggie Carr

Bob Cary Robin Ridenour

Ann & David Thompson Cook Samuel Paul Stapleton

Sandy Cox Mauvette Hurst

Rev. Gay King Crede Kevin Fanning & Rosalie Rippey

Alice Cromwell Ed Hoar

Aida Fernandez Will J. Green

Joanne & Phil Gillis Richard Lee Burns

Gods Blessing Rosalie KentLori Graham Donald Hurst

Walter L. Helms, Jr. J. Timothy Reynolds

Lizz Herron-Sweet Anne Broyles & Larry Peacock

Keith Kimberlain Cynthia Round

Mary Kraus Jen Ihlo

Virginia Lapham Samuel Paul Stapleton

Sue Lauries Retirement Beatrix Jones

Randall Miller, Jr. Gill Foundation

Martin Morley Nancy Kollhoff

Loren Mullins Betty & Bob Dorr

Old West Church Caridad Silva

Karen Oliveto Michael Alexander, Joshua

Arrowood & Tiffany Steinwert,

Richard Bentley, Laurie Hays

Coffman, Jayson Kerr Dob-

ney, Betty & Bob Dorr, Darren

Hochstedler, Luna Han, Shireen

McSpadden, Wade Meyer, Robyn

Morrison, Will Rogers, Jane

Schlager, Michael Schlager, Amy

Stapleton, Vicki Woods

Drew Phoenix Ella Pritchard Curry

Troy Plummer & Walter Treash Samuel Paul Stapleton

Judy Prenzler Betty & Bob Dorr

Chett Pritchett Samuel Paul Stapleton

Tony L. Reynolds J. Timothy Reynolds

Tiffany Steinwert Mary Todd, Jim Robey

Julie Todd Jim Todd

Ann & Ernie Turney David Johnson

Brian Watson Charles Chipman

Bill & Joy Watts Richard Lee Burns

Henry Lee Heather Waymack Jeff Waymack

Lucile Wheatley Nancy Grissom Self

Gits In Memory o Remembered By

Weslie Buss Faith Buss, Marilyne Dahl, PRN

Steering Committee, Carolyn Pen-

nington,

Glenn Alan Campbell Doris & William Campbell

John Carty Larry Fox

Christian Roxanne DanekSteve Jackson Gary Jackson

Tom Marston Dale McAllister

Chuck Myer Karen Oliveto

Gary Pennington Helen Andrew, Anonymous,

Mary Ann Appel, Andy & Mari-

lyn Belcher, Kevin & Lawanda

Potter, Faith Buss, Cathy Che-

leen-Mosqueda, Kathryn & Robert

Clark, Daniel & Valerie Taylor

Close, Vera Lea Follmer, Larry

Fox, Joe & Kimberly Giansante,

Rosalie Hulbert, Kevin Keeley &

Eileen McNutt, Phyllis Dee Lewis,

Bishop Calvin & Velma McConnell,Judith Newman, Kelly Oatman,

PRN Steering Committee, Carolyn

Pennington, Carol Waymack

Mary Jo Ruggles Marilyn Nicely

Bishop Melvin Wheatley Betty & Paul Beeman, Donald

& Gay Bossart, Mary Damonte,

Lonnie Johnsont, Chrystal & Ken-

neth Neal, Olive & Roger Robison,

Nancy Grissom Self, Linda Strem

Kathy York Dawn Gotoh

SueandJuliearecollectingkeepsakesofSuestime

intheReconcilingMovement.Pleasesendphotos

andstoriestoNewHopeUMC(7115W.HoodAve.,

Chicago,IL60631)oremailtoAudrey@rmnetwork.

orgwithSueMemoryinthesubjectline.

between 62% and 93% support protections and inclu-

siveness, but only 7% have expressed their convictions

publically, it is time we help each otherBelieve Out

Loud. When a similar survey shows that both persons inthe pews and persons in the pulpits are ready to move

forward but that each is waiting on the other to say

something, it is time toBelieve Out Loud.

One of these 50 trainings may be very near to you! We

hope you will plan to attend and even help organize

these events building grassroots growth and helping

each other to be BOLD (Believe Out Loud Disciples)

deepening our faith in Christ who calls us into this great

adventure. Dont miss the launch at Justice and Joy

RMNs 25th anniversary celebration this Labor Day

Weekend in the Rocky Mountains!

When All Really Means All continued rom Page 6



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katalyst - summer 2009

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