Flashnet

Flashnet 11/11/2012

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Is The UMC a big tent or a circus?

by Partrick Scriven

During its 2012 session, the Pacific Northwest Conference voted overwhelmingly to support the marriage equality bill that was before voters in Washington state on election day. Bishop Grant J. Hagiya embodied the will of the conference by offering his voice to the Washington United for Marriage campaign; speaking with clarity about the importance of religious freedom. With the approval of Referendum 74, United Methodist clergy and congregations have two distinct questions to wrestle with… Read more>>

Job opening to lead RMN

The RMN Board of Directors seeks a leader to pursue RMN’s goal of creating a fully inclusive United Methodist Church for all God’s children, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer United Methodists. The successful candidate will expand upon 28 years of successful grassroots organizing in the United States, five years of national campaigns, and a recent launch of international work with United Methodists in Africa, the Philippines, and Europe. The candidate will be familiar with the United Methodist faith experience and skilled at articulating a vision that continues to draw resources to advance RMN’s mission and implement the organization’s strategic plan. Tim Wolfred Consulting, a San Francisco Based executive search firm, will conduct the candidate search. To view the job description, visit www.rmnetwork.org/EDsearch. Send resume and cover letter to rmn@wolfredconsulting.com. Application deadline is January 11, 2013. Read more>>

Help send Troy off with a memory book

Help say goodbye to Troy and Walter… Share your memories, stories, notes, pictures, and scanned handwritten notes for a special goodbye book project RMN’s Board is preparing for Troy. Email 3 words that describe Troy along with pictures and memories to: goodbyeTroy@rmnetwork.org. Send pictures in a high resolution .jpg format. Deadline is November 19! Contact David Meredith or Giselle Lawn with questions.

4 new Reconciling Congregations

Church of the Reconciler (Birmingham, Alabama)

From the beginning, we were clear that practicing radical hospitality meant welcoming the LGBTQ community, that speaking truth to power would mean being open and honest about our position, and that we would be called upon to help lead our community as we confronted the fears, questions, and prejudices that the Church has traditionally exhibited toward the LGBTQ community.

Our life together affirms that “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). Our congregation is diverse, and we celebrate that diversity. We challenge members to follow Jesus in multicultural, interracial community; maintain a committment to be inclusive, welcoming all people regardless of age, gender, race, economic status, ethnic background, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. God’s work is the work of removing the injustices of the past that divide and limit all of us. Church of the Reconciler’s special task is equipping layity for the ministry of reconciliation so that we may be “sent into the world as Jesus was sent” (John 20:21).

Parker Memorial United Methodist Church (New Orleans, Louisiana)

We have been openly welcoming LGBTQ friends for a while, but have just had the awakening this year that it is time to make a formal, public proclamation of our welcoming stance. One of our members who leads our spiritual formation classes helped us see that “some of us are supporters from the sideline during civil rights transformations and some of us get on the bus!” Our people decided they are ready to “get on the bus.”

Parker Memorial United Methodist Church is a faith collective that welcomes all persons to celebrate in the love of God and their birthright as children of god. The Parker Reconciling Ministries believe in full inclusion and states that “all means all”, including people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, race, ethnicity, age, faith history, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability, and education. The Parker community works for equal rights for all humans and the natural world. We believe that the diversity of our community makes our faith stronger, our spirituality deeper, and our service more helpful.

Glenview United Methodist Church (Glenview, Illinois)

Our decision to become a Reconciling Congregation was the culmination of a two and a half year process of education, discernment, and discussion which included holy conversation, Bible study, films, guest speakers, and Q&A opportunities with the pastors and lay leaders. We are proud to be a Reconciling Congregation!

Following the loving example of Jesus Christ, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person as a beloved child of God. We welcome into the life and ministry of Glenview United Methodist Church all persons of every age, ability, race, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation, family configuration, or socioeconomic or employment status.

Hapeville First United Methodist Church (Hapeville, Georgia)

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (CEB) So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Hapeville First United Methodist Church is a welcoming, inclusive congregation called to the ministry of reconciliation – that is bringing others into the church and into a saving relationship with God. We embrace as a gift the richness found in the diversity of our church, our community and the world. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of the Family of God in age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith history, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability and education. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and as beloved children of God, are all worthy of God’s love and grace. Hapeville First UMC welcomes the full inclusion of all people into the life and ministries of our church and invites all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater love, understanding and mutual respect.

Transgender Day of Remembrance online vigil

by Rev. Sean Parker Dennison, Unitarian Universalist in McHenry, IL

Every year at the end of November, communities across the globe come together to commemorate the International Transgender Day of Remembrance—a day dedicated to honoring trans* people who have lost their lives to acts of violence over the past year. This year, Standing on the Side of Love and the Church of the Larger Fellowship will host an online vigil that can be attended by anyone with a computer and internet access. Together, we will mourn those are no longer with us, while also offering hope, beauty, and a celebration of the living.

Please join us for the online Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil on Monday, November 19 at 8:00pm ET. Click here to RSVP and spread the word.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day of mixed feelings for me: deep grief at the loss of so many beautiful trans* people and the sadness of knowing that the vast majority of those injured and killed for being themselves are poor trans* women of color. It is such a stark reminder of the ways that race, class, transphobia, and other oppressions multiply the danger exponentially.At the same time, each Day of Remembrance I feel sad that the day set aside as a “transgender holiday” is a day of counting and naming our dead. I long for a day of Transgender Pride—a celebration of the lives of trans* people and their lives. At this year’s vigil, we will try to do both: to solemnly honor our dead while also recognizing the gifts that trans* people bring to our communities and the world. We hope you will join us.

No matter who you are or where you live, you can honor the Transgender Day of Remembrance by joining our online vigil.

Already planning a Day of Remembrance vigil in your community? You can find our TDOR resource page here.

*Trans is an all-inclusive, umbrella term that refers to all of the non-normative identities within the gender identity spectrum. Check out this article to learn more.

Don’t miss out…

2013 Reconciling Convocation: Labor Day weekend, 8/30-9/2
Free resources available online: ”Shaping Sanctuary” and “Claiming the Promise“
Become a Reconciling Process Coach: trainings coming to Ohio, San Antonio, Mississippi, Charlotte, North Alabama, Dallas, Minneapolis, and New Jersey.

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Flashnet: Coming Out and Wearing Purple

Friday, October 5th, 2012

Why Come Out?

- by Rev. Andy Oliver, RMN Communications -

In a recent RMN Blog post, Michael Overman shared his heart breaking story of being told in his ordination process that he would have to hide who God created him to be if he were to proceed with his journey in The United Methodist Church. Here is an excerpt: My identity [as a gay man] and relationship [with my partner] are something God loves and finds joy in and takes pleasure in. I am God’s beloved in the entirety of who I am, and God has not asked or called me to change. I am worthy because my Creator has called me worthy…

October is LGBT Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the diversity of our sexual orientations and gender identities and who God has really created us to be. We participate together in these secular practices because, as people of faith, we believe God occupies the ordinary and makes it sacred.

Linda Apple: Energy of One (2010) http://lindaapple.blogspot.com/

Coming out and being who God created us to be takes a community. As the Eucharist reminds us, and as Michael tell us again in his story, ” Though we may feel divided, we are one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.”

May it be so, as we come out together.

National Coming Out Day

The following are recommended resources for your congregation from GLAAD.org and HRC.org.

History of National Coming Out Day: On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The momentum continued four months after this extraordinary march as more than 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, VA. They came up with the idea of a national day to celebrate coming out and chose the anniversary of that second march on Washington to mark it. National Coming Out Day continues to promote a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly.

A Resource Guide to Coming Out: This resource from the Human Rights Campaign was designed to help LGBTQ people through the process of coming out in realistic and practical terms. It acknowledges that the experience of coming out and living openly covers the full spectrum of human emotion: from fear to euphoria.

Spirit Day

Spirit Day was founded in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan. This October 19^th, millions of Americans will wear purple to speak out against bullying and as a sign of support for LGBT youth. We need your help to help spread the word! GLAAD has put together a resource kit so that you can ask your local news, schools or elected officials to participate: http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/organizations.

Twitter: Tweet using hashtag #SpiritDay and link http://glaad.org/spiritday. Examples:

Join me & @glaad on 10/19 and wear purple to stand against bullying on #SpiritDay. Pledge now: http://glaad.org/spiritday
I’m going purple with @glaad on #SpiritDay to stand against bullying. Join us on 10/19! http://glaad.org/spiritday
I’m proud to join @glaad for #SpiritDay on 10/19 to stand against bullying! Take one action every day: http://glaad.org/spiritday/19days

Facebook and Email: Include this suggested text and/or graphics in a status update or email. (Download graphics for email at http://glaad.org/spiritday/spreadtheword)

Subject line: Will you go purple on 10/19 to stand against bullying?
On October 19, we are standing up against bullying by going purple for Spirit Day. Spirit Day is an annual day in October when millions of Americans wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. You can join us by pledging to go purple on the Spirit Day website: http://glaad.org/spiritday, and download the Go Purple for #SpiritDay App for iPhone and Android.

Thank you for helping share this important message!

New Reconciling Communities

Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church (Alexandria, Virginia)

Rev. Sara Manner and Lay Leader Karen Beasley are proud to announce the joining of BHCUMC with other churches across the country to “live out the teachings of Jesus Christ, who welcomed all people to his love, care, and grace.” On July 1st they voted to become a Reconciling Congregation!

We welcome all people. By this we mean that people of any race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religious background, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental ability, economic status, or educational background are welcome. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and all are worthy of God’s love and grace. We fully include all people in the life and ministry of Beverley Hills Church. We recognize that there are differences among us, but believe we can love each other and work together even though we may not think alike. To all who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in the church or in society we proclaim this statement of welcome. We invite all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater love, understanding and mutual respect as we seek to follow in the way of Jesus Christ.

Broadway United Methodist Church (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Many inclusive churches wonder why it is important to join an organization and become a Reconciling Congregation. After witnessing continued discrimination against the LGBT community, BUMC voted to become reconciling after 20 years of discussion. “We have come to realize that our voice against these injustices must be heard across the country,” said Board Chair Marc McAleavey. In addition to their statement of welcome, the church marches in the Pride Parade and hosts different LGBT arts and support groups.

We believe that the Spirit of God is alive in all people. We welcome persons of all age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We seek to acknowledge and honor this Spirit in all people by having conversations and listening for opportunities to connect and invest in the passions, interests, and gifts they have to share with the world.

Dunean United Methodist Church (Greenville, South Carolina)

When DUMC was continually experiencing difficulties with visitors who said they struggled with the church’s inclusive spirit (over one-third of the congregation identifies as LGBT), the congregation decided to adopt a new mission statement and become a Reconciling Congregation. “We wanted the community to know that we are inclusive, loving and accepting of all persons,” said Rev. Andria Cantrell, “so that visitors will know immediately who we are as a church.”

We are called by God to embrace all people, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, or faith history. All persons are of sacred worth and dignity. Together, we are guided by our Lord’s grace to worship, study, pray, and fellowship in servant ministry to the world by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

First United Methodist Church (Watsonville, California)

160 years after her birth, FUMC of Watsonville voted as a church to be recognized as a Reconciling Congregation. Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson shared their welcome statement which was based on a statement written by Capitol Hill UMC:

We are called to the ministry of reconciliation. We embrace as a gift the diversity of our neighborhood and the world. We celebrate our human family’s diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, faith history, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability, and education. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love and grace. We welcome the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries as we journey toward reconciliation through Christ. We recognize that there are differences among us, but believe that we can love alike even though we may not think alike. We proclaim this statement of welcome to all who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in the church and society. We invite all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater love, understanding, and mutual respect.

Penns Park United Methodist Church (Penns Park, Pennsylvania)

In 2004, when PPUMC found themselves in need of a fresh vision after 200 years of ministry, they decided to be intentional about becoming an inclusive and affirming church. As for many churches, that journey has not been an easy one. After some very difficult years, the church has begun to grow again. Worshippers are an equal split of LGBT and allies, and they are very present outside the walls of the church, making their presence known in the local pride parade.

As an open and affirming congregation since 2005, the members and friends of Penns Park United Methodist Church would like to be affiliated with Reconciling Ministries Network. We have, and continue to be, intentional about inviting and welcoming all—gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender folks—into the life and leadership of our congregation. In addition, we continue to seek ways that we can work to bring about equality and justice for all our brothers and sisters.

Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church (New Orleans, Louisiana)

For Rev. Carol Winn Crawford and her church, the process of becoming a Reconciling Congregation was a natural culmination. “After years of practicing radical hospitality without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation, a growing sensitivity to the plight of persons who have been scorned and isolated by the faith community, an ever-increasing love for LGBT individuals, couples, and families who are a precious part of our community, and the desire to make our solidarity with them public” becoming Reconciling was the next step. While their vote was unanimous, not everyone in the congregation is on board yet, but together they are committed to a ministry of patience, kindness, and understanding.

We are a community of faith and love representing, celebrating, and embracing all God’s children as persons of sacred worth, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, culture, tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, personal and family history, or station in life. In the full expression of the radically transforming and all-inclusive love of God as revealed through Jesus Christ, all are welcome!

Social Concerns Committee of Nashville United Methodist Church (Nashville, Indiana)

Many find themselves in a church that is not ready to become a Reconciling Congregation. That was the case at NUMC, so Gloria Berryman and a committee in her church have taken leadership, writing their own statement and facilitating inclusivity seminars and movie nights.

We are called to share God’s love as we minister with and to all persons in the community and beyond. Our welcome knows no boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic condition, or physical or mental ability. We seek to bridge the division in the church on this matter by fostering opportunities for dialogue through education, ministry, advocacy, and witness.

The Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church

The WJ Conference adopted a resolution in 2008 and just recently affirmed their identity as a Reconciling Jurisdiction as an act of biblical obedience. Here is an excerpt from the resolution:

We stand with our LGBT brothers and sisters, both lay and clergy, who have been shunned by the UMC in polity and in deed. We stand with our leaders who must hide an essential part of who they are in order to serve the church. We stand with hope, not for the future, but for our ministry in this time, in our places where people long to be welcomed and included in our communities of faith, long to be recognized in their relationships, and long to be a part of the church at large. We name and claim our ministries as welcoming and reconciling throughout the jurisdiction. We open our doors to all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, we open our hearts to those who have been shunned, we open our minds to radical obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even when at odds with The Book of Discipline, in order to further the work of God’s justice and the creation of the beloved community. As a Welcoming and Reconciling Jurisdiction we will take steps of inclusion in the sacred trust of marriage, ordination, and leadership roles for all. Knowing that we are not all alike, but that we do intend to love alike, we recognize that this statement is made of courage, not agreement; this statement is made on faith, not law; and this action is taken to further the witness of The UMC, not to disregard its importance.

Meet the New Regional Organizers!

RMN’s Regional Organizers are facilitating trainings in your area. If you want to help coach congregations and communities through the process of becoming a Reconciling Community, please contact you regional organizer.

Brittany Burrows, Southeast Regional Organizer

Brittany joined RMN in 2012 as a Regional Organizer. A lifelong United Methodist, Brittany has served local congregations as a youth minister and musician, and has worked alongside United Methodists in central Africa as an orphanage volunteer and schoolteacher. She is a graduate of the social work program at The University of North Texas and went to seminary at Perkins School of Theology, where she focused her studies on church and urban ministries. In addition to working with congregations through RMN, Brittany currently serves as a campus minister in Texas.

Krista Paradiso, North Central and Western Regional Organizer

Krista is the student intern at RMN for 2012-2013. She has been passionate about the reconciling movement since joining the United Methodist Church in 2006. She is in her third (and final!) year at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and hopes to be ordained as an elder in the near future. She and her partner Michael are kept busy by their two year old daughter, a smallish brown mutt, and all the fun of living in Chicago.

Helen Ryde, Northeast Regional Organizer

Helen joined RMN in 2012 as Regional Organizer for the Northeast Jurisdiction. She was born and brought up in the UK and moved to the United States in 1998 to teach at a residential treatment center for children and adolescents with psychiatric and behavioral issues. In addition to her work as a regional organizer, Helen works part-time for a financial services company developing on-line learning courses. She graduated in post-graduate secondary education from Canterbury Christ Church University. She lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts with her partner Kate, and naughty but cute dog Bella. Helen has been a member of Provincetown UMC (a reconciling congregation) since 2006.

Laura Young, South Central Regional Organizer

Laura Young is a partner, mother, outspoken advocate for social justice, and has been volunteering with RMN since 2007. She is a member of the Texas Annual Conference, but is currently living in the North West Texas Annual Conference, where her partner serves as the senior pastor of St. John’s UMC in Lubbock. Laura chairs the board for Perkins Lay School of Theology, and co-chairs Breaking the Silence – a voice for full inclusion in the Texas Annual Conference. She was the Legislative Coordinator for Church & Society B at the 2012 General Conference, and served as a lay delegate to Jurisdictional Conference. She enjoys live music, Houston Astros baseball, and collects giraffes.

Save the Date!

The 2013 Reconciling Convocation has been scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Tell your friends, and plan to bring a group!

Reconciling Convocation Labor Day Weekend 2013 August 30 – September 2

4-H Youth Conference Center Chevy Chase, Maryland (Washington, DC Area)

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Flashnet Transitions and Opportunities

Friday, July 6th, 2012

RMN Announces Transitions and Opportunities

The largest group of United Methodists in support of full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians, Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), celebrated the service of two prominent staff leaders as each one announced their departure.

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Rev. Troy Plummer, Executive Director

After nine years of service and three campaigns to impact policies at the denomination’s global General Conferences, RMN executive director, the Rev. Troy Plummer, announced that he will be departing on January 1, 2013. Rev. Plummer came from a highly successful local church ministry at Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, in Houston, Texas, to serve Reconciling Ministries Network. At RMN, Troy led the group through a series of actions to stabilize, restore and mobilize RMN. Through campaigns and collaborations, the network has doubled the number of reconciling congregations, found financial stability, and launched international work.

Board President, Rev. Bonnie Beckonchrist said, “Rev. Troy Plummer is a consummate minister of the Gospel and an organizer in the venerable tradition of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. Troy helps people live into their own ministry of love and justice. Through good planning, he made sure that everyone had a role in making RMN a success. Even when we did not change policies, Troy helped us know that our love and labor changed the church. He will be missed, but his work will have a lasting impact.”

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Audrey Krumbach, National Organizer

For the past four years Audrey Krumbach has offered her passion, wisdom and undeniable excitement for full inclusion through the Reconciling Ministries Network. As planned, Audrey’s departure from RMN coincides with the successful completion of the Called to Witness campaign. Audrey began working for RMN as an intern from Garrett Evangelical Seminary on September 23, 2008 and was later hired as a full time national organizer with primary responsibilities with MOSAIC and the Called to Witness Campaign. During her time on staff the movement grew by leaps and bounds connecting in formerly unimagined places, reaching out to new people and developing leaders who are moving RMN and the church forward.

As Audrey departs from RMN at the end of July, she shared that she leaves with much gratitude and hope for our movement for change, “As I depart from Reconciling Ministries Network, I do so with a sense of overwhelming gratitude. I am thankful for the friendships we have forged, the songs we have sung, the hours of conference calls, the stories we have shared, and the prayers we have prayed together. I will miss talking with many of you on a regular basis, but I am not going far. I will remain active in the church and movement, and although I initiated this transition, I do so because it is the right time for the organization, and the right time for my vocation. I leave with a tremendous amount of hope and joy to know that you are all over the world building a more inclusive church and world.”

Audrey’s achievements at RMN are many and we are very thankful for the time and energy she has devoted to the movement. We wish Audrey the best on her new chapter knowing that she will continue to transform the church and world by her passion, wisdom and joy!

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New Organizing Plan!

As RMN celebrates the successful end of the Called to Witness campaign we also celebrate the on-going witness of 511 Reconciling communities and 52 Annual Conference Teams – our movement is strong! This fall RMN will launch a new organizing plan that will train local volunteers to shepherd a prospective Reconciling community through the Reconciling process. These volunteer Process Coaches will be linked with a congregation, class or campus ministry engaged in or exploring the Reconciling process offering support, encouragement and wisdom born of their experience organizing with RMN.

In the first year of this new organizing plan, RMN will hold 10 trainings between October 2012 and April 2013 to train process coaches with a hope for expansion into a second year of new training locations. Each Process Coach training will be led by one of RMN’s new Regional Organizers and a trainer from our partner organization the Institute for Welcoming Resources. Training locations and dates will be announced in Flashnet in August. RMN is very excited about this new intentional outreach and commitment to supporting new communities engaging in the Reconciling process; together we are changing the church and world!

RMN is seeking up to three part time Regional Organizers to take our organizing plan to a new level. Through recruitment, trainings and coaching Regional Organizers will equip the movement to develop new leaders and adopt deeper postures of welcome. The focus of the Regional Organizer position is to increase and equip the number of Reconciling United Methodists confident in the Reconciling process by reducing isolation and developing local leaders at process coach trainings and empowering Annual Conference Teams.

If you are passionate about the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Methodist Church and world and have had experience organizing within the United Methodist church or related organization please explore the Regional Organizer job description.

Applicants please send a cover letter, resume and list of references to careers@rmnetwork.org by July 23, 2012. Phone calls will not be accepted. Interviews will be conducted as potential candidates surface.

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Strategic Planning

As described in the previous Flashnet, RMN is entering into a strategic planning process over the course of the summer. We need your feedback!

Be sure to check your email for brief surveys from RMN on our strategic directives. There will be one survey per month in July, August and September, each focusing on two directives. Your feedback will help guide the work of RMN in the years to come. Thank you for your support!

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Job Openings

RMN is now accepting applications for the following positions:

Regional Reconciling Process Coaches
Communications and Technology Coordinator

Please visit www.rmnetwork.org/jobs for job descriptions and instructions on how to apply.

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Flashnet – 6/22/2012

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

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Flashnet – 6/6/2012

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

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Flashnet – 5/23/2012

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

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Flashnet – 5/6/2012

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

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Flashnet – 4/18/2012

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

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Flashnet – 4/4/2012

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

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Flashnet – 3/23/2012

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Love Your Neighbor (34 Days and Counting)

It’s been four years since the worldwide United Methodist Church gathered for General Conference.

Some of us have been preparing for this General Conference since the closing day in Fort Worth almost four years ago. With Tampa site visits, grassroots campaigns, fundraising, building relationships, expanding coalition, adopting inclusive legislation, creating websites, finding translators, resourcing delegates, and engaging denominational leadership, we have been preparing. [For more on legislation: MFSA Plumblines; Daily Christian Advocate (DCA)]

The structure of this General Conference is different because of annual meetings throughout this quadrennium between RMN, MFSA, and Affirmation leaders with the Bishop’s Unity Team. One outcome of these annual meetings is the creation of three nonvoting sessions for delegates. The first two sessions occur on Day One of General Conference. The second of these, as recommended by our team, will be on human sexuality and clearly addresses homosexuality. Some of us remember the three-day silence finally broken by the young adults in their address to the plenary in Fort Worth.

In 2008, we proclaimed our faith, our hope, and our challenge to our denomination from the plenary floor urging United Methodists to take action for justice ahead of policy change. Our United Methodist Christian teaching includes 36 bishops calling for ending discrimination in ordination, 13 annual conferences and 1200 clergy acting to end discrimination in marriage, and a trial court ending a history of “defrocking” those who act.

Now, preparation for those headed to Tampa includes travel plans, raising a tabernacle, and coordinating volunteers of an expanding coalition with growing work teams for Witness, Legislation, Central Conferences, and Media. Preparation for the multitudes staying at home includes planning to gather together locally, to use the devotion guide, to watch the daily Love Your Neighbor news reports, to experience the Sunday worship streamed and posted via the web, to send your love offerings, and to pray, pray for our coalition, for our church and for our world.

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