PRN is an organization of United Methodist parents of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered children. It began as an informal group in 1999 when Bruce and Virginia (Ginny) Hilton, both United Methodist pastors and parents of a Gay child, brought parents together. Their purpose was to present a visible witness of parents in support of ending the denomination's anti-homosexual stance and providing their homosexual children the same rights as heterosexual United Methodists at the United Methodist Church's 2000 General Conference.
Sign up as a Reconciling United Methodist (RUM) or visit one of our Communities. Join our Flashnet email list and our Facebook Page. We look forward to getting to know you.
Kindred Connection is the newsletter of the Parents Reconciling Network. Here you will learn more about the vision and leadership of PRN, find family stories, and ways to participate in projects and ministries.
God is calling each of us, especially pastors, to give counsel to parents and other family members of persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (lgbt). For this reason we offer a resource to enable them and you to give pastoral guidance.
Below are several brochures recently published by PRN, the Parents Reconciling Network, of the United Methodist Church. PRN is an extension ministry of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). We are parents and friends of persons who have discovered a personal sexual orientation that is not heterosexual. Our purpose is to minister to the needs of such persons, and to deal with the challenge of homophobia. We define homophobia as discomfort with the issue of persons’ differing sexual orientations. We have each been called by God for this important ministry of reconciliation.
Please read and share these brochures with others. There is also a cover letter that you may download and print to give along with the brochures. If you know of any families in need of this ministry please pass their names on to us for future contact.
Please also assist us in bringing our message to people in the Central Conferences of our great church, by sharing with us names of faithful persons who might become part of our ministry.
Regardless of how each of us interprets the Holy Scriptures on the issue of homosexuality, we all agree that, like heterosexual persons, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons are children of God, and are "persons of sacred worth." We pray that the United Methodist Church can faithfully respond to the challenge of homophobia, even as it has responded to the challenges of slavery, racism and sexism.
We remain in ministry with you and the whole church.
Reginald and Barbara Olson, Coordinators of the Parents Reconciling Network
NOMINATIONS OPEN Marlene Crowder, Steering Committee, PRN
The first CONVO I attended with RMN/PRN was 2005 at Lake Junaluska! Everything was new and exciting. The scenery, the worship, the workshops, the music, the fellowship and sense of community was uplifting and encouraging. One of the Joys was meeting Bruce and Virginia “Ginny” Hilton (see photo). They were so inspiring just being in their presence. I felt like they were long time friends. So it is with great pleasure that I accepted the role to serve on the committee to select a parent to honor with the Hilton Award. Bruce and Virginia were very loving, caring, activists! They have a long history of working to make “justice roll down like a river”. From the civil rights workers in Mississippi in the mid 60’s, to the United Methodist Church since 1980 they diligently worked for justice issues.
The Parent’s Reconciling Network will award the Fourth Hilton Award at CONVO during Labor Day weekend, 2009, at Estes Park, Colorado. We need your help! We know there are many out there that deserve this award, and you can help us identify them. You know those who are making a difference in your church, community and conference. Please help us find, “those parents of LGBTQ children, who through outstanding compassionate witness and work, give significant support to other parents and increased hope for a more inclusive denomination”.
Please use the form below to make your nomination. ALL nominations should be submitted by July 1, 2009. Thanking you in advance for your help on this project.
The 2008 Hilton Award was presented to Betty King for her longtime efforts for the full inclusion of LGBT people. Helen received the award at the Parents Reconciling Luncheon at the 2008 General Conference.
3801 North Keeler Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: 773-736-5526
Fax: 773-736-5475
Please e-mail all questions or website errors to webspinner@rmnetwork.org.
The first CONVO I attended with RMN/PRN was 2005 at Lake Junaluska! Everything was new and exciting. The scenery, the worship, the workshops, the music, the fellowship and sense of community was uplifting and encouraging. One of the Joys was meeting Bruce and Virginia “Ginny” Hilton (see photo). They were so inspiring just being in their presence. I felt like they were long time friends. So it is with great pleasure that I accepted the role to serve on the committee to select a parent to honor with the Hilton Award. Bruce and Virginia were very loving, caring, activists! They have a long history of working to make “justice roll down like a river”. From the civil rights workers in Mississippi in the mid 60’s, to the United Methodist Church since 1980 they diligently worked for justice issues.
