KATALYST NEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
VOL. 27 NO. 3
WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG
Gaining Ground
by Larry Duncan, RMN Board Member I am a member of Hennepin Avenue UMC, Minneapolis, MN, a congregation that became reconciling in 1993. Hennepin has always been very progressive; in 1956 it was one of the first churches in the country to merge its journey with a black congregation. Prior to the 1993 reconciling date, the congregation studied and explored what Homosexuality and Reconciling were all about, paving the way for others and myself to be free and safe in Church. One of the saints, the Rev. Howard B. Johnson, who led the way at Hennepin, has gone on to join the Church Triumphant. It is because of people like Howard that I am engaged in reconciliation work, indebted to the strong conviction of doing what is right and just. We have only to look to Jesus to see the examples of how Jesus treated his fellow human beings with dignity and see that we are expected to do the same. Jesus’ journey, like ours, began at the grassroots level. As the chair of the Grassroots Committee I know we’re gaining ground in The United Methodist Church. Look how far the movement has come in the past 25 years through your faith, prayer and donations. We have come this far by faith, motivated by love, but our journey is not over. We have many bridges to cross, countries and continents to talk to, stories to tell
SUMMER, 2010
Inclusive Teaching is Necessary for Progress
By Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, RMN Board Member Imagine stand- spoke of feeling actively constrained ing on a college by church policies which deny marcampus and sud- riage equality although it is a civil redenly you see stu- ality for his congregation. However, dents setting up young adults do not automatically supan event table, port equality; like General Conference, not an uncommon the Global Convocation failed to call sight. What seems unique is that they the church to a bold vision of inclusion. are “performing weddings” to celeThe Southeastern Jurisdiction hosts brate National Freedom to Marry Day. Youth in Mission, an event which atNow clearly this is a stunt. These are tempts to give young people the opnot real, but the smiles, giggles and joy portunity to learn about systemic jusare real. These young people are cre- tice and advocacy. But young people atively demonstrating that they support at this event have not yet worked on all people’s right to marry. questions of sexual orientation or genEvents similar to this happened der identity. No one will learn to advoall the time at my college, and young cate for LGBTQ people until they both people are working for LGBTQ jus- hear inclusion preached from the pulpit tice all over the world. They are lead- and learn the skills to believe out loud. ing Bible Studies on the intersection That is where our grassroots efforts of faith and sexuality, and attending or come in. As a denomination, the UMC planning rallies for equality. There are still takes stances that deny full equalyouth refusing to attend proms at their ity for all people by denying weddings, high schools or to recite the Pledge of ordination and, in some cases, memAllegiance until all people have equal bership. We are all needed in local setrights. tings to tell our stories and work with At events like United Methodist young people. We can be youth group Student Forum and Global Young leaders or volunteers, mentors, or inPeople Convocation these grassroots vite them into our conversations. We leaders engage in thoughtful dialogue can follow the example of young peoand powerful individual conversations. ple who seek opportunities, share stoIn support of a resolution calling for ries and dialogue on LGBTQ inclusion, affirmation of same-sex marriage, because relationships share infinitely one young clergyman from Germany more than any two minute speech.
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Summer 2010 • Katalyst | 1