The Reconciling Ministries Digest

(Note: Because of the nature of many websites, some of the links to external news sources in this digest may have expired.)

1. New Reconciling Communities in Whitefish Bay, WI
2. Annual Conference Reports - Cal-Pac Surges Forward for Equality!
3. Reconciling Movement in the News
4. Love Celebration: Cal-Pac UMC Pastor Marries Same-Sex Couples
5. We're Listening: Survey Results and Communication Changes
6. On The Blog
7. Miracle Moments
8. Let Us Pray For You

 New Reconciling Communities in Whitefish Bay, WI

Reconciling Ministries Network is happy to welcome the following communities at The United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay to the family.

• The Kairos Class Meeting
• The Sunday Morning Dialogue Class
• The Church and Society Team
• The Library Guild

Four Communities at The United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay
"It is with great pride that only one year after our church held its first Kairos group meeting for LGBT persons, family members and friends/allies, we are ready to now unite as 4 small communities within our church that declare themselves reconciling, and join your Network."

Richard Whitaker, Director of Christian Education, writes:

Much has been accomplished here within the past year and we have dreams of where God is yet leading us into the future. More and more join us each week with over 55 persons now a part of this connection. Our groups represent lesbian and gay members who are 'out', along with family members, and many straight allies. This has not been easy as we have met with some harsh resistance within the church as a whole, but we do persevere towards our dream of one day becoming a reconciling congregation.

The communities prepared the following statement:

"God's grace is available to all, and all persons are individuals of sacred worth. The following groups of the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming all Christian seekers and believers regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, social or economic status, and physical and mental abilities."

 Annual Conference Reports - Cal-Pac Surges Forward for Equality!

The United Methodist News Service has been issuing 2008 Annual Conference Reports. We would like to ask you to submit reports on anything that happened at your Annual Conference that impacts LGBT people. Please include any vote counts if you have them available. Our Annual Conference Reporting system will remain open until Wednesday, July 9 with Annual Conference Reports in the July 2 and 9 Flashnets.

Submit Your Annual Conference Report

July 2: Browse Annual Conference Reports

Special Focus: California-Pacific (Cal-Pac) Annual Conference

While it is not a secret that the California-Pacific Annual Conference tends to be more "liberal" on social issues, even I was surprised at the overwhelming support for these legislative actions.  I believe this comes from the hundreds of GLBT parishoners in our congregations and the personal relationships the members of the Annual Conference have with GLBT persons.  Praise God for God's transforming work!

-- Rev. Sheena Trotter-Dennis

We received many Annual Conference Reports from the California-Pacific Annual Conference. The following is excerpted from an article by Larry Hygh, the Cal-Pac Conference Communications Director:

In legislative action, the Conference responded in several ways to recent actions of the California Supreme Court.  In early May, the Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage in a broadly worded decision that would invalidate virtually any law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. The 4-3 ruling declared that the state Constitution protects a fundamental "right to marry" that extends equally to same-sex couples.

The conference passed three resolutions surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage in California. 

One of the resolutions focused on a pastoral response to the legality of same gender marriage in California.  It read in part, “while we recognize that we are governed by the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, we support those pastors who conscientiously respond to the needs of their parishes by celebrating same gender marriages, and we envision compassion and understanding in any resulting disciplinary actions.” (See “Pastoral Response” below for full text of resolution)

The second resolution entitled “Affirmation of Marriage Equality in California” calls on the California-Pacific Annual Conference to celebrate the Supreme Court decision regarding marriage equality.  It reads in part, “Be it further resolved that the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church support same-gender couples who enter into the marriage covenant and encourage both congregations and pastors to welcome, embrace, and provide spiritual nurture and pastoral care for these families.” (See “Affirmation of Marriage” below for full text of resolution)

A third resolution was in response to an initiative on the California state ballot this coming November.  The “California Marriage Protection Act” would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as a union "between a man and a woman" and undo the ruling which found that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was unconstitutional.

The Conference resolution entitled “Protecting Marriage Equality In California,” was passed in opposition to the state initiative.  It read in part, “we call upon the laity and clergy of our churches in the California-Pacific Annual Conference to answer the call of General Conference by providing a witness against heterosexism and any discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in so doing, to be actively involved in protecting the civil rights of all Californians as they pertain to the right to civil marriage, working through correspondence with elected officials, through public venues such as newspapers, periodicals, radio and television, and the venues offered by the internet, and through other opportunities as they arise.” (See “Marriage Equality” below for full text of resolution)

Prior to closing worship, the Rev. Mark Ulrickson, Santa Ana District Superintendent and Dean of the Cabinet, read a statement from the Cabinet in response to inquiries regarding same gender marriages.  Ulrickson said, “Neither our actions nor the actions of the State of California change the present Discipline of the United Methodist Church.” He further stated, “Despite our diverse individual perspectives, we are obligated to process complaints arising from breaches of these provisions in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.” He further stated, “As we seek to remain in compassionate solidarity with our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, this may be a time to promote ecumenical partnerships and a variety of engaging ministries.” (See “Cabinet Response” below for full text of statement)

Full story (including full text of statements):
2008 Annual Conference Summary
Click here

 Reconciling Movement in the News

The work of the California-Nevada Annual (correction 7/2/2008) Conference was featured on the front page of the Sacramento Bee. According to the Sacramento Bee:

More than 80 retired Northern California clergy from the United Methodist Church are offering to perform same-sex marriages, saying they want to help out active ministers who would risk more severe consequences for presiding over these ceremonies.

Church law forbids clergy – both active and retired – from performing gay marriages.

"We're willing to challenge the injustice and contradictions of this," said the Rev. Don Fado, retired pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Sacramento.

As California enters its second week of legalized gay marriage, faith leaders are mobilizing to either fight the unions or support them.

During the annual meeting last weekend for the California-Nevada conference of United Methodists, 82 ministers – including 20 from the Sacramento area – agreed to perform same-sex marriages.

If disciplined, the clergy could be defrocked, said Fado. He believes that is unlikely.

When same-sex marriages were legalized in Massachusetts in 2004, retired Methodist clergy there began performing weddings, Fado said.

Full story:
Retired clergy offer to perform same-sex marriages
Click here

 Love Celebration: Cal-Pac UMC Pastor Marries Same-Sex Couples

Love Celebration
at the Church in Ocean Park
Sunday, July 6th
10:15 am

On Sunday, July 6th, the Church in Ocean Park will be celebrating God’s sacred gift of love. We will celebrate all couples – gay and straight – and their commitments to each other. Those who are already married, may renew their vows.

All who want to be married
will have that opportunity as well!

This will be a sacred ceremony!

We invite you to come and experience the mystical within community. Too often, congregations have treated gay and lesbian and transgender people as unworthy.  This is a sin and NOT what God’s love is about!

You are invited to join this community
Whatever your sexual orientation
Whether you are in a committed relationship or not.
Your presence will enhance our community!
Come and experience the
blessings of your own sacred worth!

The Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill Street, Santa Monica, California 90405 
To receive more info and to reserve your spot, contact:
churchop@aol.com 310-399-1631 (#2)  (RSVP Required by July 3rd !)
Minister:  Rev Janet Gollery McKeithen (UMC)

 We're Listening: Survey Results and Communication Changes

On June 18, 2008, Reconciling Ministries Network conducted a survey about Flashnet. One of the questions was, "How often would you like to receive Flashnet?" Out of the 175 people responding, 47.4% said they like Flashnet once a week (current) and 52.6% said that they would like Flashnet twice a month or once a month. This means that we're "over-communicating" to about 52.6% of our subscribers.

As a result of these numbers, we are going to send Flashnet twice a month for a total of 24 issues per year. We will supplement Flashnet with occasional news alerts or celebrations that are of interest to the Reconciling Movement.

Between Flashnets, you can visit our blog at RMNblog.org where the lights (and enlightenment) are always on!

 On The Blog

David Braden: "I think we are missing an opportunity to experience or re-experience our own conversion and conviction for the love of Christ by not getting to know, entering into relationship with and standing side by side our brothers and sisters in Africa. If my oppression truly is bound up with all others experiencing and living oppression – in whatever form it rears its ugly head, then I am called to stand and be with my oppressed brothers and sisters."

Antony Hebblethwaite: "The white boy hidden behind walls, guns, and States of Emergency lacked freedom. The white boy living fearfully among his neighbors lacked wholeness. The white boy separated from Africa's knowledge lacked wisdom. Without the rich participation of people of color in the Reconciling Movement, we too are deprived of complete freedom, wholeness and wisdom."

Ann Thompson Cook: "When Jerry, our Lay Leader, and I asked to meet with him about our congregation’s commitment, Man King seriously explained that his theological study made clear to him that our Reconciling stance was wrong, but that he would remain open. Jerry and I left the meeting disheartened, as we didn’t sense openness."

Rev. Peter L DeGroote: "How do we maintain awareness of God’s Presence when others are condemning us? That conundrum is unraveled by discovering the mystery of what happens to us when we follow Jesus’ teachings—and sometimes what happens to others when we do so. Leland and I both decided to enjoy, contribute to, and draw strength from the celebration of the community—the community those others were condemning. It seemed the right thing to do."

Heather Murphy: "The Presbyterian Church (USA)'s General Assembly has, not surprisingly, been as hotly discussing the question of GLBT inclusion as we have in our happy little Methodist corner of Christendom.  Where our issues of the year were church membership and "compatibility with Christian teaching" (will any of us ever be able to hear that phrase without flinching again?), the Presbyterians were talking about marriage and ordination. "

Kelli Busey: "And lets face it, I'm not the most pious of people. I'm more akin to the 250lb hot dog with mustard and relish eating 9th inning self appointed 3rd base coach! Antony wrote back to me and said "easy girl". This is what reconciling means. Inclusion. So we are all here. And this is the scoop of my life! This world is after all a place for me.

 Miracle Moments

We include these Moments of significant cultural shifts in the hope these societal events may positively impact life in our Church. The implication is not that these events happen spontaneously or miraculously. These highlights occur after years, even decades of struggle and hard work by many people. We offer them as blessings for our journey. Please send us your Miracle Moments to be included when space allows. Send to Moments@RMNetwork.org.

Gay Pride is a miracle (or flaming?) moment every year. Several folks sent in pictures from pride and we wanted to share them with you. Thank you to Ben Roe and Jayson Dobney. Just so you don't feel left out, if you want to send us your reconciling pride pictures, send your best one or two pictures to antony@rmnetwork.org and we'll feature you in Flashnet next week.

From Denver Pride:

From New York City Pride:

--------------------

We rejoice with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the vote to end discrimination against LGBT members of the denomination and to provide the first step to spiritual and ordination equality for LGBT Presbyterians. According to a letter from Michael J. Adee, Executive Director for More Light Presbyterians:

More Light Presbyterians & friends ---
 
San Jose:  This is an amazing moment in history.  I give thanks to God for all of you who have been praying, believing and working for the Presbyterian Church (USA) to end discrimination against its own lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender daughters and sons, sisters and brothers in Christ.
 
Today, the 218th General Assembly of the PCUSA voted 54% to 46% to end discrimination against LGBT members of our Church; and to provide spiritual and ordination equality for LGBT Presbyterians.
 
The Assembly approved the Boston Ordination Equality Overture which called for a deletion of the "fidelity in marriage, chastity in singleness" requirement and lifted up our historic Constitutional questions for ordination and installation.  This part of the overture requires ratification by the presbyteries in the next year.
 
The second part of the overture provides a new Authoritative Interpretation struck down the anti-gay policy statements beginning with the 1978 Definitive Guidance and the subsequent 1979 ruling that homosexuality is not compatible with service in the Church, sinful and not part of God's design.  These profoundly informed and homophobic statements from the past of our Church have no further force or effect with the approval of this Boston Ordination Overture.
 
More Light Presbyterians gives thanks to God for all of the Commissioners, Youth Advisory Delegates and other delegates who are serving faithfully this week.  There is clearly a sea-change in our Church, society and world as more people are letting go of the old beliefs and prejudice about homosexuality, same-gender loving persons and embracing what it means to recognize Christ and the divine image within all of God children, no exceptions.
 
Our work of witness, education, truth-telling, sharing our stories within our local churches, on our college and seminary campuses has just begun!  We have one year to pray and work so that this Boston Ordination Equality Overture will be thoughtfully and prayerfully considered, heard and ratified by our presbyteries.  You can count on More Light Presbyterians having "every hand on deck" working 24/7 by providing educational resources and empowering local leaders so that we can honor the good work of faith, justice and love done today.
 
The joyous work of being the Church and sharing our faith to achieve the ratification of the Boston Ordination Equality Overture will begin on June 28 at the close of this Assembly.  For this moment, on this day, we rejoice in the fact that this Assembly has provided a way forward for our beloved Church.
 
Together we are building a Church for all God's people!
 
with hope and grace,
Michael
 
Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., Executive Director & Field Organizer
More Light Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue # 447, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 (505) 577-0086 mobile, (505) 820-7082 office, michaeladee@aol.com, www.mlp.org

Additional Coverage:

Presbyterian leaders OK gay clergy
Click here

Don't miss Heather Murphy's take on the Presbyterians at our blog.

--------------------

The Advocate reports on the first-ever congressional hearings on transgender issues:

The first-ever congressional hearing on transgender issues was held Thursday in Washington, D.C. The hearing on discrimination against trans people in the workplace was held by the House education and labor subcommittee on health, employment, labor, and pensions, chaired by Democratic congressman Robert Andrews of New Jersey.

This historic hearing was a long time coming, said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. "For far too long, transgender people have lived with the fear of losing their job simply because of who they are," she said. "Today’s hearing marks a critical step in addressing this travesty once and for all."

Full story:
Congress Holds Groundbreaking Hearing on Transgender Issues
Click here

 Let Us Pray For You

Please let us be part of your support and let us know how we might help. One way is to let us pray for you. We invite you to send your prayer requests to us and be counted in the weekly offering of joys and concerns. You may call (773-736-5526), write (RMN 3801 N. Keeler Ave. Chicago, IL 60641) or email these requests to prayer@rmnetwork.org.

Please pray for Other Sheep and Rev. John Makokha as they conduct a seminar in Kenya titled, "Christianity and Homosexuality:  From a different point of view" on July 7-9.

Because of his support of LGBT people in Africa, the United Methodist Church has cut off Rev. Makokha's housing allowance. If you feel called to move from prayer to action, Other Sheep is covering his monthly rent of $340 through donors, but more donors are needed. Please contact Rev. Steve Parelli, the Executive Director of Other Sheep directly. His email address is sparelli2002@yahoo.com.

Prior Coverage:
Kenyan Reconciling Pastor Needs Assistance
Click here