2016 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2016

rmnetwork.org

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

In the face of challenges, it was an extraordinary year of Biblical Obedience.

In many ways, 2016 was the culmination of consistent and faithful work for LGBTQ equality in The United Methodist Church. TS Eliot once said that “no one is an island” and the advances made in 2016 toward full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the church did not happen in a vacuum. For years now, the Reconciling movement has been surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, both living and dead, whose courage and commitment to the gospel of Jesus brought us to where we are now: at the precipice of change.

In 2015, and with its largest staff configuration in the organization’s history, Reconciling Ministries Network began a long campaign to celebrate the gospel of inclusion in some very important and public ways in order to inspire change at the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon. We called

it the “It’s Time” campaign.

Ironic and poignant, building from the grassroots and strongly coordinated from a national perch, we felt it not only captured the urgency of the need for change but also signaled the powerful sentiment that, in fact, it was way past time for the church to end discrimination against baptized children of God. The work resulted in the General Conference decision to establish The Commission on a Way Forward to bring a viable and practical proposal to a special called General Conference in 2019 that advances LGBTQ inclusion.

Because of you, we worked to help bring the story of Rev. Cynthia Meyer to the attention of the church and the public; we celebrated the wedding of Jim Wilborne and John Romano at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte, NC as well as the wedding of longtime

movement leader Rev. David Meredith and Jim Schlacter.

We witnessed the formation of the “Called Out” queer clergy group and then the election of Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto to the office of bishop. The summer of 2016 included a resolution decrying discrimination against transgender people from the South Carolina Annual Conference as well as many other statements from Annual Conferences declaring their unwillingness to conform to the Book of Discipline’s policies on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. In the face of challenges, it was an extraordinary year of Biblical Obedience for our movement— all because of you.

We are looking forward to the immediate future anticipating real change and real movement to the glory of God and for the well-being of all people.

Matt Berryman, Executive Director 3/2013-5/2017

New Reconciling Communities North Central Jurisdiction

Southeastern Jurisdiction

Illinois - Faith UMC Dalton, Ravenswood Fellowship UMC, Aldersgate UMC Wheaton, Sacred Worth, St. Andrew UMC, Trinity UMC Wilmette, United Naperville, Lincoln UMC, Community UMC, Indiana - St. Mark’s UMC Michigan - Trinity UMC Grand Rapids, Aldersgate UMC Grand Rapids, First UMC Ypsilanti Ohio - Worthington UMC, St. Luke UMC Columbus, Maple Grove UMC Wisconsin - First UMC Kenosha, Reconciling Group at First UMC Waupaca

Alabama - Grace Class at Vestavia Hills UMC Florida - Allendale UMC Georgia - Embry Hills UMC, Adult Sunday School of Oconee Street UMC North Carolina - Carolina Mountain Regional Group, Mars Hill UMC South Carolina - Faith Circle UMW at St. Mark UMC Seneca

Northeastern Jurisdiction Connecticut - Cheshire UMC, First UMC Mansfield Center, North UMC Manchester Massachusetts - Quincy Community UMC, Wilmington UMC, Weston UMC, First Community UMC Medford, Trinity UMC Shelburne Maryland - Hughes UMC, Chevy Chase UMC New Hampshire - Milford UMC New Jersey - UMC of the Rockaways New York - St. Paul’s UMC Northport, Huntington-Cold Spring harbor UMC, First UMC Delmar, Park Avenue UMC NYC, Central UMC Endicott Pennsylvania - St. George’s UMC Philadelphia, Camp Hill Reconciling Community, Sacred Worth Team Lancaster, Hope UMC Havertown Rhode Island - Shepherd of the Valley UMC Vermont - United Church of Thetford, Federated Church of East Arlington

South Central Jurisdiction Kansas - Outreach Team at Valley View UMC Missouri - Webster UMC, Revolution UMC, The Upper Room Sunday School Class at Keystone UMC, The “Other” Sunday School Class at Keystone UMC Oklahoma - The Agape Class at Grace UMC, New Wine Worship Community at Calera UMC, Sunday Morning Bible Study at Calera UMC, Wednesday Evening bible Study and 4th Day Reunion Group at Calera UMC, Youth Ministry at Grace UMC Oklahoma City Texas - UMW at Buda UMC, Wesleydan Campus Ministry at Texas A&M Univ-Commerce, The Quadrilateral Class at First UMC Denton, Oak Lawn UMC, New Pilgrims SS Class at St. mark’s UMC Houston, Open hearts SS Class at Servants of Christ UM Parish, Open Door SS Class at Oak Hill UMC, LGBTQ Advocacy Group at St. mark’s UMC, Open Hearts Women’s Study at First UMC McKinney, Chancel Choir at Westlake UMC, Perspectives SS Class at Westlake UMC, Parents of Young Children Class at Strawbridge UMC

Western Jurisdiction Alaska - Turnagain UMC California -Camarillo UMC, Open Door UMC Richmond, Atascadero UMC, Estero Bay UMC, Sonoma UMC, First UMC Los Angeles, Community UMC Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach UMC, Reconciling Community of First UMC-Santa Barbara, All Love Branch Ministry Reconciling Community of First UMC - Chula Vista, Asbury UMC, Lynnewood UMC Colorado - Open Hearts Reconciling Community at UMC of Estes Park Park Hill UMC, Estes Park UMC, Mancos UMC Nevada - University UMC Oregon - Pioneer UMC, Woodlawn UMC Washington - Riverton Park UMC, Reconciling Ministry Team of Bothell UMC, Vashon UMC, Kent UMC

The Philippines

Kabahaghari United Methodists of the Philippines

Discrimination: Not in Jesus’ name “I am here to ask our elected officials to work for a state where all are welcome and free to live their life without discrimination.” -Rev. Kim Sorrells, Georgia Field Organizer

Photo credit: Project Q Atlanta Reconciling Work in GA Rev. Kim Sorrells (above) has been working with RMN for the past year helping to organize Reconciling United Methodists in Georgia. The depth of their work includes building the Reconciling presence in Georgia, holding trainings with other faith organizations, and engaging in policy work between elected officials and UMC clergy. As religious freedom laws are manipulated to legalize discrimination against LGBTQ persons, Rev. Sorrells has been mobilizing United Methodists to proclaim, “Not in Jesus’ Name!”

Bearing witness in orlando 4

In the early hours on June 12, 2016 at the Pulse nighclub in Orlando, FL we lost 49 queer siblings in the deadliest attack since 9/11. Members of RMN’s executive staff visited the region in solidarity for those that we lost and in partnership with friends at Equality Florida. At First United Methodist, an interfaith service and vigil was held in honor of the Pulse shooting victims where Executive Director, Matt Berryman gave a reflection.

trans community organizing As transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) people are being targeted more than ever by the religious right, RMN recognized the crucial role progressive faith communities can play in offering an alternative Christian approach that reflects God’s expansive love. For this reason, a transgender community organizing position was created. Rev. Liam Hooper has been working with RMN the past year helping to engage the community and advocate for transgender related policies and awareness. Some of his work has involved creating education pieces in videos, blogs, speaking, and hosting workshops.

At the Creating Change conference, Liam represented RMN and networked with other queer and trans leaders of faith. While there he collaborated with Transfaith to hold RMN “office hours” throughout the conference. In Greenville, NC, Liam worked with Reverend Tuck Taylor at the (MFSA) Jack Crum Conference to offer a workshop on welcoming queer and gender-variant persons.

Liam says, “So far, the height of my work was being invited to Glide Memorial Methodist Church to offer a workshop, Trans-Forming Spirituality: a workshop I offer to transgender persons seeking to reconcile their faith and find a path that deepens their connection to the Holy One, themselves, others and the world at large.”

Check out rmnetwork.org/transformation for the “Trans-forming the church” video series.

A historic first in The UMC Episcopacy

In a historic season, Reconciling United Methodists joined in support of and advocated for the church to elect it’s very first openly gay or lesbian bishop. Rev. Frank Wulf, Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, and Rev. David Meredith couragesouly offered themselves in service to the church as episcopal nominees. Recognizing not only their clear gifts for such ministry but also the critical need for increasing LGBTQ leadership and ministry at all levels of the church, their nominations and willingness were a challenge to the ongoing policies and pracitices of discrimination in the church.

On July 15, 2016, Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto was officially elected into the office of Bishop by the Western Jurisdiction, making her the first out lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church. Her election was a manifestation of the Spirit’s work in the church through organizing, opening hearts, and practicing Biblical Obedience at all costs. The election of Bishop Oliveto was a significant shift for the denomination as history was made in the summer of 2016.

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“It’s Time” campaign The time for change in The United Methodist Church began in 1972. There has never been a day where discrimination against LGBTQ persons has been compatible with Christian teaching or the gospel of Jesus Christ. With this knowledge, we know it remains “time” for policy change. Our campaign leading up to General Conference highlighted the urgency of ending the harm targeting LGBTQ people and our allies. Thanks to your faithfulness, the campaign was wide-reaching and created a strong impact on the denomination - most notably, functioning as a strong contributor to the necessary tension within the denomination which led to the creation of the bishops’ commission on A Way Forward. The entirety of the denomination felt that “It’s time” for change - even if we didn’t agree on the why or the how - it was very clear to all involved, we need a new way of being The United Methodist Church.

While we continue to put our energy towards building the movement and modeling the church as it should be, we recognize the Commission will have the opportunity to make a major change in the denomination.

We will be actively preparing for the special called General Conference in 2019 knowing it will provide the most likely route for policy change in decades.

Other significant highlights of the It’s Time campaign: zz zz zz zz zz zz zz zz zz

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Rev. Cynthia Meyer came out at Edgerton UMC Reconciling communities celebrated “It’s Time” Sunday John Romano and Jim Wilborne were married in Charlotte, NC by Bishop Talbert and Rev. Val Rosenquist Rev. David Meredith and Jim Schlachter were married at Broad Street UMC in Columbus, OH RMN hosted “It’s Time” press conference with individuals who have faced discrimination in the church RMN was a proud parter in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition and all its witnesses at General Conference Partnered with 111 LGBTQI clergy and candidates who came out the evening before General

Conference - now formally known as the United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus Kabahaghari Reconciling Community became the first RC in a Central Conference Indigo Girls, J Mase III, & MOMMA’S BOYZ performed at a RMN benefit concert in Portland

Letters to delegates

Stories shared

Documentary screenings

5400+

100+

100+

Letters of encouragement, education, and persuasion were sent to delegates to influence votes on over 90 pieces of legislation related to sexuality.

Most United Methodists know someone who is queer or trans and how the policies affect lives directly. Through your stories, we helped illuminate the urgency of policy change in the church.

United Methodist communities across the country screened “An Act of Love” and hosted conversations about the impact of Rev. Frank Schaefer’ being put on trial for officiating a same-sex marriage.

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financials Featured in:

2016 Statement of Activities (Unaudited)

REVENUE AND OTHER SUPPORT

Grants $498,940.00

Individual Gifts

$596,481.00

Convocation - Special Events $40,594.00

In-kind donations $29,394.00 Sales $1,780.00

Interest and Dividends $1,988.00 Other income $3,022.00 Total Revenue and other support $1,172,199.00

EXPENSES

Program and Outreach $1,088,325.00

Management and general $182,579.00

Fundraising $183,441.00 Total Expenses $1,454,345.00

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $(282,146.00)

1st Kabahaghari United Methodists of the Philippines became our first RC in Central Conferences

541 541 media hits sharing news of the work of Reconciling United Methodists far and wide

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97 97 new Reconciling Communities proclaimed their welcome to all in The UMC

1st United Methodists Alliance for Trans Inclusion sent its first letter to the Council of Bishops regarding the urgent need for leadership in the face of violence against trans people

Huffington Post Mother Jones Buzzfeed Washington Post Associated Press CNN Rolling Stone Atlanta Journal Constitution The Advocate Towleroad Religious News Service

2,119

200+

2,119 new Reconciling United Methodists joined the movement for LGBTQ justice in The UMC

Over 200 regional gatherings of Reconciling United Methodsits took place - training, reuninons, conferences, and more

2

1st

Two ground-breaking trainings on LGBTQ inclusion were held in Liberia, birthing the begining of mutual relationship and ongoing programming

Lincoln United Methodist Church in Chicago, IL became the first Spanishspeaking congregation to affiliate with RMN

MAJOR GIFTS AND SUPPORT The names of individuals and organizations on this page represent those who gave $500 or more to the movement in 2016. Among all the many other generous donors, these givers do so much for the movement for LGBTQ justice and inclusion. Most work on many levels; locally in their church, at state, regional, or national UMC meetings, and their commitment is witnessed through their daily life. In addition to all of those gifts to this movement, they support our work through their financial donations. Without them, this work would not be possible.

We are eternally grateful.

5,000+

Ann Saterbak & David A. Ward, Bishop Melvin G. & Marilyn Magee Talbert, Deborah Maria, Dr. Carol L. & Jeffrey W. Waymack, Giselle Lawn, Joseph Hurt, Martha L. Vaughan, Shirley W. Cooper, Terri Stewart

2,500+

B.J. and Jerry Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Faith Holdredge, Gheeta Smith, Jan Lawrence and Lindi Lewis, Kristian and Donell Clauser, Lynn Iredell, Shirley Taylor

1,000+

Ann & Dr. David Smith, Barbara E. & Douglas R. Goodman, Beverly Judge, Bill & Joy Watts, Bishop Sally J. Dyck & Rev. Kenneth P. Ehrman, Bruce & Lillian Venner, Carol & Rev. James Waugh, Carol West and Sharon L. Vermilyea, Carolyn Bibb and Susan Yandel, Danielle and Jared Gadomski Littleton, Doris A. & Thomas E. Everhart, Dr. Joretta Marshall, Faith Geer, Faith M. Buss, George McCune, Helen Ryde and Kate Schiappa, Hilda Atkins Moore, Jayson Kerr Dobney, Jeffrey E. Friant & John Nelson, Jim Barthmaier, Jim Pritchett, Joan G. & Paul C. Hudson, Joe Errington and Bill Pullen, Kay Ensfield, Kay Gabbert, Leonard Andrew, Leslie Fotre-Leach, and Robert Leach Margaret Harris, Mark Elder, Markita Cooper-Blackwood, Mary and James Brown, Marylou Faris, Matthew M. Berryman, Mellany L. McDonald Williams, Michael Ward, Noriko Lao, Rev. Alka Lyall, Rev. Chip Aldridge, Rev. David W. Meredith, Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, Rev. Earl M. Smith, Rev. Leonard F. Sjogren, Rev. Pamela Serdar, Rev. Robert L. Gamble, Rev. Theon Johnson III, Rev. Valerie Rosenquist, Rev. Walter & Dr. Roxanne Lockhart, Revs. David & Marilyn Meeker-Williams, Robert Dorr, Robert Page, Robert W. Eastlake, Steven Garner, Susie Canafax, Timothy E. Tyler, William Ewing

500+

Andy & Candy Hubbard, Barb Willobee, Barbara Lou Snell, Barbara Ricks Thompson, Benjamin & Margaret Roe, Bert Morris, Beth H. & Rev. John O. Gooch, Bishop Sharon Z. & Rev. Blaine B. Rader, Bishop Susan M. Morrison, Catherine Brown, Claire Vande Polder, David Aslesen, David B. Mauzy, David Klaus, Don Elliott, Dorothy Gatch, Dr. Bradley Bennett, Dr. James and Connie Terry, Dr. Wesley J. & Pamela L. Lewis, Eddie Gouge, Edwin A. Linn, Elouise Billions, Emily J. & Gordon Denton, Eric Swanson, Evan B. Hazard, Evelyn L. Knight, Garrett C. Peck, H. Neal Lenhoff, Inelle Cox Bagwell, James Collins and Brad Neilson, Jane Malone & Rev. Dean Snyder, Jean M. Price, Jerry & Judy Pinkerton, Joyce & Dr. Ronald Hoellein, Kathy and John Cheney-Egan, Kay Knowlton and Barbara Lee, Kelly & Whitney Dahlman-Oeth, Ken and Wanda Eidson, Larry L. Fox, Laurie Rose, Loretta & Kelly Dunn, Mark Johnson, Michelle Drachler, Mx. M Barclay, Patricia A Ronten, Patricia Robertson, Paula Sauder, Ralph A. Williams Ralph Earl Watkins, Rev. Bill and Norah Pattison, Rev. Bonnie and Jim Philipson, Rev. Bruce A. & Laurie A. Gascoine, Rev. Carole Vincent, Rev. Deborah K. & Gary D. Stevens, Rev. Dr. Hugh W. Burtner, Rev. Emery Percell, Rev. Frank Gaylord, Rev. Jane D. Daniels, Rev. Ken & Kathryn Bedell, Rev. Kevin, Laura, Claire & Caroline Young, Rev. Youtha C. Hardman-Cromwell, Robbie & Tom Ausley, Ruth Ann Powers, Steve Hanebutt, Steve Hilbun & Rev. Kelly Turney, Teresa & Thomas Haven, Van Dyke Dixon, W. Graeme & Jane Donovan, William Haire

ORGANIZATIONS

Abbvie Employment Engagement Fund, AHS Foundation, AmazonSmile Foundation, Arcus Foundation, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, GE Foundation, MFSA - Central Texas Chapter, MFSA - IGR Chapter, National LGBTQ Task Force, Salesforce Foundation, The Joe B. & Louise P. Cook Foundation, The K Foundation, United Way of the National Capital Area

RECONCILING COMMUNITY GIVING Alaska • Aldersgate UMC - Juneau

• Morgan Hill UMC -

Arkansas • First UMC -

Mill Valley

Eureka Springs

• Mount Pleasant UMC Little Rock

• Reconciling Ministries of Eureka Springs Arizona • Faith UMC - Phoenix • First UMC - Tucson • Federated Community Church - Flagstaff • Desert Mission UMC Scottsdale

California • All Love Branch Ministry Reconciling Community of First UMC - Chula Vista • Bloom in the Desert Ministries - Palm Springs • Brentwood UMC Brentwood

• California-Pacific Reconciling Ministries Los Angeles

• Camarillo UMC - Camarillo • Central UMC - Stockton • Christ Church UM Santa Rosa

• Church in Ocean Park Santa Monica

• Davis UMC - Davis • El Dorado County Federated UMC - Placerville • Estero Bay UMC Morro Bay

• First UMC - Loomis • First UMC - Napa • First UMC - San Rafael • First UMC - Santa Rosa • First UMC - Tracy • First UMC - Watsonville • Good Samaritan UMC Cupertino

• La Tijera UMC Los Angeles

• Laguna Beach UMC Laguna Beach

• Los Gatos UMC Los Gatos

• Mesa Verde UMC -

Costa Mesa • MFSA - Cal-Pac Chapter

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Morgan Hill

• Mt. Tamalpais UMC • Orange County Community of RUMS (OCCORUM) - Garden Grove • Pacific Beach UMC - San Diego

• Palm Springs UMC - Palm Springs

• Reconciling Community of First UMC- Santa Barbara • St. James UMC - Pasadena St. Paul’s UMC - Vacaville • Trinity UMC - Chico • Ukiah UMC - Ukiah • UMC of Merced - Merced • United University Church Los Angeles

• Wesley UMC - Fresno • Wesley UMC - San Jose • Westchester UMC Los Angeles

Colorado • Arvada UMC - Arvada • Estes Park UMC Estes Park

• First UMC - Fort Collins • Green Mountain UMC Lakewood

• Open Hearts Reconciling Community at UMC of Estes Park • The Heart of Longmont at First UMC - Longmont • Wesley Foundation University of Colorado at Boulder

Connecticut • Cheshire UMC - Cheshire • Mary Taylor Memorial UMC - Milford • Niantic Community Church - Niantic

• Mount Vernon Place UMC - Washington • Converge: DC Delaware • Newark UMC - Newark Florida • Coronado Community UMC - New Smyrna Bch Georgia • Asbury Memorial UMC Savannah

• First UMC - Hapeville • Koinonia Class Sharp Memorial UMC

Hawaii • Harris UMC - Honolulu Iowa • Clinton-Camanche Subgroup • Collegiate UMC and Wesley Foundation - Ames • St. Mark’s UMC - Iowa City • St. Timothy’s UMC Cedar Falls

• Walnut Hills UMC Urbandale

Idaho • Hillview UMC - Boise Illinois • Aldersgate UMC - Wheaton • Bethany of Fox Valley UMC - Aurora • Berry Memorial UMC Chicago

• Broadway UMC - Chicago • Christ UMC - Deerfield • Church of the Three Crosses - Chicago • Community UMC -

District of Columbia • Capitol Hill UMC Washington • Dumbarton UMC -

Naperville

• Metropolitan Memorial UMC - Washington • MFSA - Methodist Federation for Social Action

Chicago Temple

Washington

• Earlville UMC - Earlville • First UMC - Arlington Heights • First UMC - La Grange • First UMC • First UMC - Des Plaines • First UMC Downers Grove

• First UMC - Elgin • First UMC - McHenry

• First UMC - Park Ridge • Grace UMC - Lake Bluff • Ingleside UMC - Ingleside • Northbrook UMC Northbrook

• North Shore UMC - Glencoe • Prince of Peace UMC Elk Grove Village

• Ravenswood Fellowship Chicago

• Sacred Worth • St. Andrew UMC Carol Stream

• St. Andrew UMC Homewood

• Trinity UMC - Wilmette • Wesley UMC - Aurora • Wesley UMC - Charleston • Wesley UMC - Naperville • Wesley UMC - Urbana Indiana • Seekers Class - Epworth UMC, Indianapolis

Kansas • Church and Society Committee -

Asbury UMC, Prairie Villiage

• First UMC - Lawrence • Love at the Center Sunday School Class - Andover UMC,

Andover

• St. Paul’s UMC - Lenexa • Trinity Community UMC -

Kansas City

• Wide Is God’s Welcome -

Kansas City

Massachusetts • Ballard Vale United Church- Andover • East Longmeadow UMC -

East Longmeadow

• First United Parish UMC Everett

• First Community UMC Medford

• School of Theology Doctoral Student Assoc Boston University

• Sudbury UMC - Sudbury Maryland • B-WARM • Chevy Chase UMC Chevy Chase

• Grace UMC - Baltimore • St. John’s UMC - Baltimore City

• St. John United Church • UM/Presbyterian Silver Spring UM Cooperative Parish Michigan • Aldersgate UMC -

Grand Rapids

• Chapel Hill UMC - Portage • First UMC - Kalamazoo • Reconciling Ministries Community at Central UMC - Traverse City

• Trinity UMC - Grand Rapids • Wesley Foundation -

University of Michigan

Minnesota • Centennial UMC - Roseville • Excelsior UMC - Excelsior • Faith UMC - St. Anthony • Good Samaritan UMC Edina Hamline • UMC - Saint Paul • Hennepin Avenue UMC Minneapolis

• Minnetonka UMC -

Minnetonka

• First UMC - Portsmouth New Jersey • Cooperative School of Christian Mission Sparta UMC - Sparta • UMC at Mount Tabor -

Mt. Tabor

• UMC of Red Bank - Red Bank • UMC of the Rockaways • Waterloo UMC - Stanhope Nevada • Boulder City UM Fellowship - Boulder City New York • Central UMC - Endicott • Christ Church United Methodist - Troy • Covenant UMC - Rochester • First UMC - Oneonta • Forest Home Chapel UMC

- Ithaca

• Plattsburgh UMC -

Plattsburgh

• St. Paul’s UMC - Ithaca • St. Paul’s UMC - Northport • United Ministry of DelhiWest Hills UMC -

• Park UMC - Brainerd • Prospect Park UMC -

Huntington Station

• Richfield UMC - Minneapolis • St. Anthony Park UMC -

Ohio • Broad Street UMC -

Minneapolis

Saint Paul

• The Table UMC - Minneapolis Missouri • Lafayette Park UMC -

St. Louis

• Revolution UMC -

Kansas City

Montana • First UMC - Missoula North Carolina • Aldersgate UMC - Chapel Hill • Calvary UMC - Durham • Haywood Street Congregation - Asheville • Mars Hill UMC - Mars Hill Nebraska • First UMC - Omaha New Hampshire • Federated Church of Marlborough

Columbus

• Central UMC - Toledo • Church of the Redeemer -

Cleveland Heights • Fourth UMC - Columbus • Gates-Clifton UMC Cincinnati • King Avenue UMC Columbus

• North Broadway UMC Columbus

UMC, Oklahoma City

Buda UMC, Buda

Oregon • Inclusiveness Committee of Lake Oswego UMC Lebanon-Sweet Home Reconciling Group • Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists (OI RUMs) • Lake Oswego UMC -

Lake Oswego

• Montavilla UMC - Portland • Vermont Hills UMC Portland

Pennsylvania • First UMC - Pittsburgh Puerto Rico • Catedral de Adoracion y Restauracion South Carolina • Dawsey SS Class -

Washington Street UMC

• Washington Street UMC Columbia

South Dakota • First UMC - Vermillion Tennessee • Binghampton UMC: A Shalom Community -

Memphis

• East End UMC - Nashville • Edgehill UMC - Nashville St. • Mark’s UMC - Chattanooga • St. Elmo UMC - Chattanooga Texas • Bering Memorial UMC Houston

• West Ohio Conference

• Breaking the Silence (Texas AC) • LGBTQ Advocacy Group -

Oklahoma • Open Minds Class - First

• Christians Without Borders SS Class - Manchaca

• North Olmsted UMC - North

Olmsted

UMC, Tahlequah

• St. Paul’s UMC - Tulsa • St. Stephen’s UMC - Norman • The Crystal River Reconciling Group - Tulsa • The Inquirers Class -

St. Stephen’s UMC, Broken Arrow

• The Journey Class - Grace

• Living Questions Class -

St.Mark’s UMC, Houston

UMC

• Downtowners SS Class First UMC Austin

• Genesis Class at First UMC - Austin

• Koinonia Sunday School Class - First UMC Austin

• Northaven UMC - Dallas • North Texas Reconciling Communities Council Crestview UMC - Austin • Open Hearts Women’s Study - First UMC, McKinney, • Open Hearts - St. Peter’s

UMC, Katy

• Ordinary Life Class - St.

Paul’s UMC, Houston

• Parents of Young Children Class - Strawbridge UMC, Kingwood

• Reconciling Ministries Team - Wimberley UMC, Wimberley

• St. John’s UMC - Austin • St. John’s UMC - Lubbock • Trinity UMC and UCC Austin

• UMW Unit - Saint John UMC,

Austin

Utah • Christ UMC - Salt Lake City Virginia • Beverley Hills Community UMC - Alexandria • Fairlington UMC - Alexandria Vermont • Federated Church of East Arlington • United Church of Thetford - North Thetford

Washington • Cedar Cross UMC - Mill Creek

• Central UMC - Sedro Woolley • First UMC - Ellensburg • Langley UMC - Langley • Reconciling Ministry Team of Bothell UMC Redmond UMC - Redmond • Vancouver Heights UMC -

Vancouver

• Vashon UMC - Vashon • Wallingford UMC - Seattle • Woodland Park UMC - Seattle Wisconsin • First UMC - Kenosha • The LGBT Advocacy Team • The Springs UMC - Plover

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK DEPENDS ON THE GIVING OF COMMUNITIES IN OUR NETWORK. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTE TO FULL INCLUSION IN THE UMC! 11

Reconciling Ministries Network 123 W. Madison St. Ste 2150 Chicago, IL 60613

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new communities publicly proclaimed their full embrace of LGBTQ persons in The United Methodist Church by becoming Reconciling in 2016. Help us maintain the momentum towards embodying God’s expansive embrace by beginning the Reconciling process in your community!