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WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG
KATALYSTNEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
VOL. 28 NO. 3 SUMMER, 2011
Loving Our Neighbor: Practice, Practice, Practice!by Rev. David Meredith
In 1984, I attended my
rst General Conference
in Baltimore as a seminary
student. I carried a once-upon-
a-time hopefulness born of
romanticized sentiment about
the church of Jesus Christ and
our Wesleyan part of it. That
year, our movement, led byAfrmation, carried a similar
hopefulness. The child-like
exuberance continues today. Some bring hope for acceptance.
Some bring energy for changes. Some bring commitment to
ght for justice regardless the cost. Some bring wide smiles
and big eyes to make a difference. Perhaps you will go to
Tampa, Florida for General Conference in 2012 eager that
this is the time for your once-upon-a-time hopefulness.
Unfortunately, there has been no “And they ALL lived
happily ever after!” At each of the General Conferences I’ve
attended, St. Louis, Louisville, Denver, Cleveland, Pittsburgh
and Ft. Worth, I have had moments when the warmed-heart of my Wesleyan evangelical experience confronted
the renewed exclusions of United Methodist institutional
policies and practices. I haven’t been alone. Many of you
shared them while crying on bleachers, screaming in
balconies, chanting on sidewalks, and singing in jail cells.
When the inner faith of God’s assuring grace meets the outer
reality of denominational barriers, it is difcult to surmount.
That’s when the General Conference is like going to the
dentist. It feels like a root canal. Why do I put myself through
it? I’ve been convinced by the sign I see from my dentist’s
chair, “Only brush the teeth you want to keep.” I want to keep
this United Methodist Church and I want to help it become
fully-inclusive of ALL people in ALL ways especially for
those who haven’t come, have been turned away, or who
have left the UMC, for those in our congregations at home
for the young growing up in our communities, and for thoseof many languages, cultures, colors, and faiths throughout
our changing world. ALL still means ALL.
I go to the dentist and General Conference for other
reasons as well. It’s like teeth cleaning, a prophylactic
treatment, which keeps the church (and me) accountable
cleaned up, and ready for another four years. In each
quadrennial cycle we have had positive results from our
preventive check-ups: 1) the formation of the Reconciling
Congregation Program (now RMN); 2) successful legislative
initiatives; 3) a decreasing size of the majority in opposition
4) vibrant witness events; 5) same-gender weddings; and 6)
powerful non-violent actions.General Conference preparations are also akin to daily
ossing. I hate doing it but my gums are healthier at my nex
visit. The relational organizing of the past six years is our
way of ossing. Listen to stories. Tell stories. Keep it up
Twice a day! We, and the UMC, are healthier because of it.
The nal outcome has often been disappointing, hurtful
and painful each time additional layers of prohibition and
Love Your Neighborby Audrey Krumbach
Growing up in small town Georgia, our standard reply to
a dare was I-might-could-if…. This single word expresses
bravado, fear, and a pride-saving request for help. When
my timid best friend asked if I would audition for the drama
club, I replied, I-might-could-if you will try out with me.
When she said yes, we screamed in terror but both ended up
with parts.
When people ask if I expect the 2012 General Conference
to vote for full inclusion, I think, “they-might-could-if you
tell them your story!”
Love Your Neighbor is the fth and nal year of the
Called to Witness campaign where we have been building
relationships, perfecting our public narrative skills and
organizing in strong teams. This year, the Love Your
Neighbor campaign will mobilize United Methodists from
across our connection to engage in holy conferencing with
continued on pg 6
continued on pg 3
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General Conference delegates. Beginning in August of 2011,
we will seek to obey Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor
as yourself” (Mark 12:31) by telling our stories and building
relationships with United Methodists from every walk of life
and theological position.
Together, Methodist Federation for Social Action
(MFSA) Chapters, Afrmation members and ReconcilingMinistries Network (RMN) Annual Conference Teams in
fty four Annual Conference areas will recruit, support and
coach Love Your Neighbor volunteers who will learn to tell
their stories and build relationships with General Conference
delegates.
Campaign Goals and Outcomes:
• 22 Jurisdictional Organizers will train and coach
volunteers
• 54 RMN-ACTs and MFSA Chapters will host Love
Your Neighbor training events
• 1500 Love Your Neighbor Volunteers will gather and
practice Holy Conversations through storytelling,intentional listening, and one-to-one meeting skills
• Each delegate living in the US who will attend the
2012 UMC General Conference will be contacted
and hear the stories of two Love Your Neighbor
volunteers
Get Involved
• Visit http://www.loveyourneighbor2011.org
• Invite United Methodists to attend the Love Your
Neighbor training events
• Publicize Love Your Neighbor training events
• Provide hospitality and logistics for Love Your
Neighbor training events
• Attend and support Love Your Neighbor training
events• Meet with one or two General Conference Delegates
• Support team members who are practicing thei
stories
• Plan local events during General Conference
Love Your Neighbor, Cont’dcontinued from pg 1
The Cup of Justice Award is given for taking bold action
to bring about systemic change where injustice, oppression,
and exclusion exist.The 2011 Cup of Justice Award recognizes the
endurance, the teamwork, the strategy, the implementation,
the impact on our United Methodist way of life, of the trial
team and outcome for Rev. Amy DeLong and, in particular,
her advocate Rev. Scott Campbell who was Amy’s choice
from among all the available clergy of our church. Scott
contributed time, travel, money, heart, passion, clear thinking,
cooperation, exibility, nimbleness, focus, and humor. Amy
says, “Scott was so resilient; as each of our 11 brilliant trial
strategies were knocked down by the presiding bishop, there
was still another. His depth of wisdom and ability to remain
steady and centered in the midst of overwhelming odds was
just amazing.”
The Voice in the Wilderness Award is given for taking
risks, despite isolation in a wilderness to proclaim the
rightness of inclusion for all people in the church and for
standing against injustice despite that lack of support.
The 2011 Voice in the Wilderness Award goes to a
Mississippi lesbian couple, Renee Sappington and Connie
Campbell, who answered the call from their pastor to
share their testimony on the oor of the Mississippi Annual
Conference in 2009. Renee and Connie moved quickly
from shock over hostile responses to their testimony to
direct action. They organized. Through emails, phone
calls, and personal visits, they recruited and empowered
80 Mississippians to the rst Believe Out Loud training
Over one weekend, they mobilized over 80 signers who
successfully passed a Sacred Conversations legislation at
the Mississippi Annual Conference, which Bishop Ward
is implementing. In the midst of this, Connie and Renee
created a team, growing their list of Reconciling United
Methodists in Mississippi from 36 to over 200! Along the
way they have become Mississippi Moms to many in the
wilderness longing for family.
Sing a New Song Award Winners
Renee Sappington, Rachel Harvey, Connie Campbell
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The Methodists have a lot of
gay ministers. The church takes
our money, takes all kinds of gifts
we bring, but we can’t get married
or have other rights. We should.
Being here, I am awestruck. I’m
overjoyed. And I would never
have known about any of this, if Ihadn’t met Julie (Photo left). Julie
was going to the conference, and I
decided two days before to come
with her. I feel like I’m home. I
am excited. I want to know more.
I want to know where I could t in
to possibly even help. Every time I
learn something, I share it. I’m involved with the teenagers. They want to know how they can be
accepted. So I share my story with them. I want to put it out there, that the Methodist Church is
a loving, inclusive place. And for members of Reconciling Congregations like my own, I want
them to know that they can do more than just be a member.
Vanessa Meeks - Atlanta, GA
At Sing a New Song, I had the great privilege of being host to Bishop Yvette
Flunder. Coming from outside the United Methodist denomination, she really
emphasized how important it was that we keep in mind that this was not just an internal
struggle but that it would take all of us working together across denominations,
across traditions, across states and communities to work together as one in unity in
order to accomplish the goals of all inclusive love. Our traditions are important, but
it’s also important for us to make that transition together. As we reect on Sing a
New Song, I can't emphasize it enough, that we keep the message of Jesus in mind,which is, to love our neighbor as our self. If I was to boil it down to one question
that encompassed all that we explored to act upon here, it would be “How do we best
love our neighbor as our self?”
Derrick Spiva - San Francisco, CA
Rev. Amy DeLong - Osceola, WISing a New Song feels a little different from other gatherings. In
that, so often it feels like as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people
we are asking permission to be let into the church. At this conference
we are saying, "We are tired of asking for permission and we are nowgoing to claim our space within the church. We belong here rightfully
and the Church is impoverished without us." And that kind of boldness
is what the movement needs.
What I would say to clergy around the country is to be bold, be
brave, act courageously. I said in my sermon that we will not ge
anywhere in the movement if people of privilege are not willing to risk
some of that privilege —popularity, prestige, pensions, and purses. We
have to take real risk for real change to come. I would encourage my
colleagues to be bold in their witness and to put actions behind their
words.
Compiled by Amy B
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My experience at SANS is indescribable.
Before this event, my participation with RMN
was very limited, but during the week, I came
to understand the full presence RMN has in our
church. The loving individuals I interacted with
embraced me, supported me, and challenged me
to dream without limits. I was pushed beyond
the inadequate worldviews I had constructed,and was forced to see others for the true life-
giving beauty they held inside given by our
Creator. We created friendships and shared
laughter. The Church erupted in the midst of all
of this diversity. In less than a week I realized,
we are ALL family.
Joseph Kyser - Boston, MA
Growing up I was surrounded by musicians and the understanding that
singing a song meant you had prayed twice. When I was told that I wasgoing to get the opportunity to go to Sing a New Song, I was positive
it would be a source of rejuvenation. I was right, but I didn’t realize it
would play the role that it has in my life. This past year has been one of
many rsts for me. I went to my rst pride parade, entered my rst serious
relationship, and upon arriving at Sing a New Song had my rst RMN
event. From learning to tie a bowtie, to worshiping with over 600 people,
to discussing the future of the church, to skype dates with my partner just
to say; “Baby, you wouldn’t believe how at home I feel,” Sing a New Song
was more than praying twice. It awakened the song deep in my soul and for
that I will always be grateful.
Shells Stephens - Evanston, IL
Jane: I’ll take away trying to get away from the
discrimination. I never knew there were avenues to go
about change, but now I can see there’s something I can
do; maybe I’m only one drop in the ocean, but a drop
can make a wave. I’m just very much glad I came; to see
what I didn’t even know was going on. This has been an
amazing eye opener; a window to see what my daughter
is doing [Rachel Harvey]. I can’t imagine being more
proud.
Israel: There are restrictive laws against gays, and
I think it’s wrong. I understand more about the LGBT
community and in a different way now. I just see people
people God loves. The church needs to show God’s love for all people. I just think about LGBT individuals who have
committed suicide or not been loved or touched, and I can’t even understand that people make laws to exclude them. I’m
not leaving the same. It’s been a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed myself.
Jane & Israel Lopez - Lebanon, PA
yler, and James Dalton
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Some of our most self-avowed practicing United
Methodists faithfully gather every four years at our
international legislative convention known as General
Conference (GC). United Methodists from around the
world will be at the next GC from April 24-May 5 in Tampa,
Florida. Every four years, we get the opportunity to alter
our rules of life as United Methodists in a Wesleyan effort to“move on to perfection.”
This past February, RMN, MFSA, and Afrmation
leaders from California, Minnesota, Tennessee, Washington
DC and Illinois began planning for this Tampa mission trip.
Building upon many years of coalition work, we expanded
our coordinated efforts to launch the Love Your Neighbor
campaign. This expansion includes:
• grassroots organizing to build relationships
with General Conference delegates
• multi-lingual website resource for
constituents and delegates
• central conference relationships coordinator staff person
• onsite advance teams in Tampa for early
delegate arrivals
• onsite strategic witness and legislative teams
to resource delegates decision making
• coordinated media plan for domestic and
international United Methodists
Centering on the Great Commandment, which directs us
to love God and love our neighbor through the example of
the Good Samaritan, challenges us and our church at GC to
love your neighbor who isn’t just like you. You are invited
to join us in this journey! To volunteer, visit www.mfsaweb
org.
Mission Trip Tampa: General Conference 2012by Rev. Troy Plummer
Launched at the Minnesota Annual Conference this
year, nearly 1,000 United Methodist clergy have signed on
to conduct marriages for LGBT persons now! Eleven annual
conferences are creating an altar for all where supportingfaithfulness and delity for loving couples is not dependent
upon sexual orientation. To locate a clergy person in these
annual conferences, visit: http://www.rmnetwork.org/act-
now/altar-for-all. Even with one local clergy case pending,
another Minnesota pastor exclaimed, “Publicly signing the
statement brought joy back into ministry. I felt lighter.”
These clergy are calling leaders, laity and the whole UMC
to abide by the highest calling of the Gospel by making the
ministries of the church available to all members. Ordained
and lay leaders know that for them and every person there
comes a moment to decide and these faith leaders are
choosing pastoral ministry rather than legalisms.
Rev. Dr. Phil Wogaman states, “In the aftermath of the
Amy DeLong trial, I'll guess that further trials are much
less likely. The penalty established quite clearly that even
if there is a trial there is much less likely to be loss of
ordination. So one can credibly claim that there are situations
where performing such ceremonies is the higher pastoral
responsibility. In light of that, I believe it is a mistake even
to treat performing such ceremonies as necessarily being
contrary to the Discipline!”
Creating an Altar for Allby Rev. Troy Plummer
exclusion have been enacted. Nevertheless, the sign remains
“Brush the teeth you want to keep.” Each quadrennium we
return to purposefully persevere in our engagement of the
powers.Although I go to GC2012 hopeful and to do what it takes
to restore health to our denomination, neither is my primary
motivation this year. As Wesleyans, you and I practice our
faith using means of grace and other spiritual disciplines
Therefore, I’m going to General Conference to practice!
With God’s help, I pledge to practice discipleship
practice loving my neighbor, practice being the church for
ALL people, practice holy conversations that honor conict
at a table of commitment and inclusion, practice witnessing
to Christ’s redeeming love in everything I say, do and indeed
who I am, practice reforming the church by the power of
the Spirit, practice growing the church one person and faith
community at a time, and practice carrying the gospel of
Jesus Christ around the globe to the ends of the earth.
Friends, I’m going to practice the old, old story in a new
new song. I hope you’ll sing along.
When a New Yorker was asked by a tourist, “How do
you get to Carnegie Hall?” she answered, “Practice, practice
practice.”
How do we get to a fully-inclusive United Methodist
church? How do we get to the embodied reign of God on
earth? Practice, practice, practice.
Practice, Practice, Practice, Cont’d
From Left to Right: Rev. Troy Plummer, Jill Warren, Tim Tennant-Jayne, Ann Craig,
Steve Clunn, Walter Lockhart
continued from pg 1
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Gifts in Memory and Honor of...
In Honor Of...Rev. Amy DeLong was honored by Amanda Stein
Maureen Vetter was honored by Catherine Denman
Dr. Brian Watson was honored by Charles Chipman
RMN Staff were honored by Chip Aldridge
Fairness and Equality were honored by John Dahl and Claire Dahl
Rev. Vern Groves was honored by David Poindexter
Mary Kraus and Drew Phoenix were honored by Ella Curry
Hillview UMC, Boise, ID was honored by Janine Watkins
Amee Miller & Jim Paparello
were honored by Jann Nestell
Bonnie Beckonchrist, April Hall Cutting,
Kathi McShane, and Bruce Robbins
were honored by Jeanne Audrey Powers
Drew Phoenix was honored by Jen Ihlo
Jimmy Creech was honored by Joan Byerhof
Amy DeLong, Sam Byrd, Jared Littleton
were honored by Joy Watts
Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst was honored by Leonard Sjogren
Rev. Bob Epps was honored by Stephen Ham
Ed and Janelle Armstrongwere honored by Therese Armstrong
The Dorr Family was honored by Will Green
Bishop Jack Tuell was honored by Woodland Park UMC
In Memory of...Bishop Mel Wheatley is remembered by Gene Hawthorne
Alice Shelton is remembered by Judy Shelton
Like many young Christians of my generation, I rst
learned about the story of the Good Samaritan on felt board.
On the backdrop of a sky blue bulletin board with a desert
scene strewn with rocks and a worn path, we watched our
Sunday school teacher animate the felt gures. From felt
gures to VeggieTales to classic bible study, Sunday school
classes across the world teach young children the story of the Good Samaritan because it illustrates the depth of care
and love we are to share with others who are different from
us. It personies the Greatest Commandment – to Love God
and Love Your Neighbor.
At RMN, we have spent the past several months
designing our grassroots organizing and media campaign
strategies with our coalition partners for Love Your
Neighbor. More than ever before, RMN is poised to change
the discriminatory policies of The United Methodist Church
to support the full inclusion of all God’s people.
At Sing A New Song, RMN and MFSA raised $52,576
in support of our collaborative efforts to build relationshipswith United Methodists across the world as well as advance
progressive and inclusive policies in our church. We would
not be in the position we are today to change the hearts and
minds of our church without your loyal support.
I invite you to respond to this unique opportunity
and join the hundreds who have already said “Yes” to an
inclusive church by making a gift to further the ministries
of RMN today. Your generosity will help us to reach moredelegates with the message of the Greatest Commandment
and return The United Methodist Church to the heart of the
inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can make a gift online
at www.RMNetwork.org, write a check, or give us a call
(David Braden, 773-736-5526).
My Sunday school teacher spent hours cutting and
gluing each individual felt gure and preparing each story
she would share with us so that we would be captivated by
the Good News. With your gift, you empower RMN to share
the Good News embodied in Love Your Neighbor with the
church and world – felt gures and all. However you choose
to give, thank you for your support!
Felt Figures & The Greatest Commandmentby David Braden