KATALYST NEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
VOL. 28 NO. 3
WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG
FALL 2012
Biblical Obedience: Seasons of Transition
by Giselle Lawn, RMN Board Member I marvel at the details God planned into the transition from one season to the next. Here in North Georgia as we transition into fall, the diversity and beauty of the changing leaf colors from green to red, orange, and gold gives evidence of the transition. I find myself looking forward each day to brighter and richer colors. In our United Methodist Church, I find myself looking forward to the liturgical season transition from Pentecost to Advent and the beginning of the new church year. This is a season for me to examine where I have been, where I am, and where I am going.
In my own life, God has blessed me in experiencing the first part of my life as a man and now I am blessed to be six years into my transition experiencing life as a woman. There are significant changes in my life over these six years. I am no longer Southern Baptist, but a Reconciling United Methodist working for inclusion and social justice in the Church and the world. Ending the hurt experienced by my transgender and gender queer community that is caused by the lack of welcome and justice in our Church and society has become a priority for me since my transition. My sexual orientation, my attraction to women, remains unchanged post transition; however, it is now a samegender attraction. The discriminatory perception, position, and reaction the Church and society have to my attraction to women are profound and sad for me as I experience life as a woman. For me it is now important to advocate the
blessing of same-gender unions by our clergy and in our congregations. Throughout my transition, one constant source of strength and direction has been God and the welcome and love for all people modeled by Jesus that is my hope for our Church and world. Reconciling Ministries Network is in its own season of transition. Since General Conference, we have experienced a growing movement for Biblical obedience and faithfulness to the inclusive Gospel, inspiring hope in many United Methodists to “do the right thing” in the words of Bishop Talbert. We will soon bid farewell to Troy Plummer as our executive director, but look forward to the person God will provide to fill this leadership role in early 2013. This summer we completed surveys to assist RMN’s board of directors in examining its Strategic Plan to carry RMN through 2016. RMN has relocated to accessible office space in downtown Chicago. The five-year Called to Witness campaign has ended and birthed a new season of training events led by three new regional organizers who will empower Reconciling Process Coaches to nurture new communities. During this season of transition, I am drawn to a portion of the RMN Vision statement: RMN is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by living out the Gospel’s teaching of justice and inclusion. As we live out our lives, may God be our foundation and inspiration as we seek justice and mercy in our Church and world.
Executive Director Search
by Rev. John Oda, Transition and Search Team Chair and RMN Board Member As many of you know, our beloved Troy Plummer will be stepping down as the Executive Director of Reconciling Ministries Network after nine years at the helm. Troy’s leadership successfully and effectively built up the reconciling movement in the UMC. He has been incredibly
hardworking, dedicated to innovation, and creative in his vision. RMN's Transition and Search Team is working hard to assure a healthy closure, smooth search process, and a healthy beginning for the new executive director. The job will be posted by the begining of November and be closed on January 14. continued on page 3 Fall 2012 • Katalyst | 1