Katalyst - Summer 2016

Katalyst RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

SUMMER 2016

Way Forward

CalledOUT

South Carolina

Read about what the legislation passed at General Conference means for the future of The United Methodist Church.

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In a historic action, over 140 LGBTQI clergy and candidates have come out in The UMC since May 9, 2016.

United Methodists in the South Carolina Annual Conference are voicing their support of trans people and calling for an end to violence.

MATT BERRYMAN Executive Director of RMN reporting on the General Conference

THE TIPPING POINT It’s a joy to bring you news from General Conference, news of Annual Conference meetings, and a quick overview of the Methodist political landscape as it is related to the inclusion of LGBTQ persons. As we joined together in Portland this past May, a majority of delegates to the General Conference agreed on one thing: the church cannot continue to actively discriminate against LGBTQ people and avoid a major denominational split. By voting as they did, a majority agreed that the only way to remain “united” and avoid a chaotic schism was to accept the bishops’ proposal to justly revise all policy in question and end any and all punishments aimed at LGBTQ people and their allies in the meantime.

The New England, Desert Southwest, California-Pacific, Oregon-Idaho, and numerous other ACs took steps to further the work of inclusion. Among the actions taken were resolutions of “non- conformity” with anti-LGBTQ policy.

Others reaffirmed their stance to ordain qualified queer and trans candidates for ministry and to practice marriage equality as a function of the gospel.

The South Carolina AC passed a resolution decrying any and all forms of discrimination against our transgender siblings—bearing witness that the narrative which pronounces the U.S. South as entrenched against LGBTQ persons is inaccurate at best! In this case, the South is leading.

As social movements reach a tipping point for change, there is often a vocal and obvious reaction by those who feel threatened by such change. In the civil arena, many of us see the 200+ “religious freedom” bills in state houses around the country as the sad but predictable reaction of a few outliers that cannot abide the achievements of LGBTQ people over the last few years— especially at the Supreme Court. The unfortunate refusal of TC Morrow’s candidacy in Baltimore-Washington, the appearance of a complaint against Rev. Anna Blaedel in Iowa, and the ongoing harm committed against Rev. Cynthia Meyer in Kansas is a witness to similar reactionary bluster in The UMC. It should not surprise us that a few ACs and/or their dissenting bishops took steps to blow-back against the strong gains made for inclusion.

Want to receive your own copy of Katalyst at home? Make sure to become a Reconciling United Methodist at rmnetwork.org/join. All RUMs who have made a donation in the last two years receive every issue of Katalyst!

“As social movements reach a tipping point for change, there is often a vocal and obvious reaction by those who feel threatened by such change.”

On the heels of all of this came the appearance of three openly gay candidates for bishop in the Western Jurisdiction and the North Central Jurisdiction. Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, Rev. Frank Wulf, and Rev. David Meredith are yet further indication that the Spirit of God is at work in the Church steadily and with some haste, creating a new house of justice and joy in The UMC. 2

#CalledOUT

LGBTQ clergy called to serve OUT “You cannot legislate against God’s call.”

On Monday, May 9, 2016 - just one day before the start of General Conference - Reconciling Ministries Network released a “Love Letter to the Church” signed and organized by 111 LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex) clergy and candidates for ordination in The United Methodist Church.

Long hidden behind locked closet doors, threats of career loss, and other hazards of faithfully serving a discriminatory denomination, LGBTQI people have always been present among the leaders of the church. The UMC has relied on the gifts and graces of queer and trans people in ministry while simultaneously discriminating against them for over forty years.

Inspired by the 15 LGBTQ clergy

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and candidates who came out together just a week earlier in the New York Annual Conference, the “CalledOUT” clery group decided it was time to join together and come out publicly en masse.

Despite the risks, there is hope in revealing the names and faces of those whom the church baptizes, confirms, ordains and then all too often, rejects based on their Godgiven identity.

The letter emphasized the importance of showing youth that there are proud, faithful, and present leaders in the church who share their sexual orientations and gender identities - especially in light of the ongoing epidemic of suicide among queer and even more so, trans youth.

For the signers, it would have

been unfathomable to imagine a day when (now) over 140 LGBTQI people were public about their sexual orientations and gender idenities as faith leaders in any denomination, much less The UMC. The release of this historic letter issued in a new day - more so than the signers could have possibly imagined.

Through public letters of support and solidarity, over 500 LGBTQI clergy of other denominations, United Methodist clergy, lay people, 29 bishops, numerous heads of other denominations and well-known faith leaders all voiced affirmation of these queer and trans leaders in The United Methodist Church.

Read all of the letters at rmnetwork.org/calledoutletters.

It’s Still Time

Biblical Obedience in Portland The influence and presence of Reconciling individuals and all our partners in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition were palpable throughout the entire General Conference. In hospitality, education, community, acts of witness, prayer, disruption, and advocating for just legislation, the Spirit was leading us all in Biblical Obedience. As we press on together for a more just church, we take heart in all there is to be proud of - below is just a glimpse!

OVER 100 SCREENINGS ACROSS THE UMC CONNECTION

Rev. Frank Schaefer responds to United Methodists who helped us double our goal of 50 screenings before General Conference by saying, “I am deeply humbled and grateful that An Act of Love has been received so well and widely especially in Reconciling United Methodist churches. Having been invited to several screenings, I was amazed to see the film’s impact on the audiences, often causing meaningful dialogue and motivation toward taking action. Filmmaker Scott Sheppard has succeeded in not only creating an educational record about the LGBTQ rights struggle in The UMC, but has also been able to capture the emotions of the stories the film recounts.”

YOUR VOICE YOUR STORIES

Thanks to your submissions, we were able to share over 100 stories about why the church needs to end its discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people before General Conference.

We heard from parents of LGBTQ children, clergy, couples, lay members and former United Methodists who courageously shared their experiences of harm in the church. The stories were powerful examples of the ways in which our policies are playing out in real lives and communities. Thank you for helping us share your stories so that all may know the real cost of discrimination in God’s church!

POWERFUL WITNESSES ON THE PLENARY FLOOR

Over the course of the two weeks at General Conference, Love Your Neighbor Coalition volunteers participated in various forms of witness to draw attention to the church’s need to address police brutality, end the ongoing spiritual harm towards LGBTQ members, and support our queer and trans clergy.

Each witness was a moving example of what it means to be a faithful voice of resistance in the face of an institution that would silence the cries of the oppressed.

We are called to hold the church accountable for its complacency in all matters of injustice.

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Betty Dorr General Conference Fund In March of 2015, the Reconciling movement lost one of its most persistent and loving advocates, Betty Dorr. A chosen mother to many, Betty was known for her warm embrace of those who were turned away from their own families and for her tenacious advocacy for full inclusion in The United Methodist Church. In gratitude for her faithful presence at General Conference, RMN named our General Conference Fund in her honor.

Over the course of a few months, the generous giving of Reconciling United Methodists like you helped us to surpass our goal for the Betty Dorr campaign. Your gracious gifts were the foundation for all of the work leading up to, at, and following through with General Conference related organizing. We could really never say ‘thank you’ enough, but we hope knowing what a difference you made is a good start!

LYN COALITION SUPPORTING OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

CELEBRATING THE ORDINATION OF REV. SUE LAURIE

Reproductive, racial, climate, and LGBTQ justice were just some of the important areas of focus covered by all our partners in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition.

We are so grateful to be a part of such a diverse partnership that recognizes our interconnectedness and mutual dependence on each other’s work.

The actions of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition that took place throughout the General Conference through rallies, marches, worship, and legislative advocacy brought awareness and education to all who had ears to hear and eyes to see that God’s work of love and justice is expansive, intersectional, and urgent.

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Reconciling Ministries Network celebrates the ordination of Rev. Sue Laurie that took place on May 10, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.

Sue has been a minister to many over the years in The United Methodist Church, especially to those in the Reconciling Movement.

In a moving “grassroots ordination” led

by Love Prevails, Sue was surrounded by supporters in the General Conference convention center as her ordination was “affirmed, claimed, and celebrated” by those who recognized her long-time role as pastor despite the institution’s refusal to recognize the call God so clearly placed on her life.

ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE IN POLICIES AND PRACTICES

From morning until late at night, advocates for change were working hard every single day to support policy changes within The United Methodist Church regarding all matters of justice related to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. Thanks to their tireless work, important legislation was passed such as, “Opposition to White Privilege in the U.S.,” Repentence for the Sand Creek Massacre, “Caring for Creation,” National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Pacific Islander Ministry Plan, Inclusiveness of Gender and Age via COSROW, Environmental Health via UMW, Welcoming the Migrant, and others advocated for by the Coalition. We celebrate this great work and especially our LYNC delegates for their efforts!

RMN Press Conference MONDAY, MAY 16, 2016

Half-way through General Conference convenings, RMN gathered with Reconciling individuals and media for a press conference to discuss the “It’s Time” campaign and hear from speakers who have been directly impacted by the anti-LGBTQ policies and practices of The United Methodist Church including Rev. Benjamin Hutchison, Rev. Cynthia Meyer, Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey, Kelly Bardier, and Jaclyn Pfieffer. Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli of Foundry UMC also made a historic announcment on behalf of over 5,000 ally clergy in The UMC. Under the leadership of Rev. Gaines-Cirelli, Rev. Gil Caldwell, and Rev. Frank Schaefer, these clergy released a letter of support for the CalledOUT clergy in which they committed to not filling any positions of LGBTQ clergy who were removed from their ministries based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

A Musical Interlude

After one of the more challenging days at General Conference, it was especially meaningful to rally together in a sold-out sanctuary for a concert benefiting the work of RMN. The evening featured powerful performances by Mamma’s Boyz, poet J Mase III, and the Indigo Girls. To use the words of the Indigo Girls themselves, it was “one big love-fest” amongst people longing for a more just and inclusive church and world.

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Be Counted

ALMOST 3,000 NEW INDIVIDUALS JOINED THE MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE

Back in August of 2015, we asked for your help in growing our movement. We know that lots of United Methodists - those within communities who are Reconciling and those attending churches that are not yet publicly welcoming - don’t realize they can be counted as Reconciling individuals who believe God’s love is unconditional. In order to spread the news, we asked you to help us get 2,016 new Reconciling United Methodists by General Conference 2016.

Over the next nine months, you hosted Reconciling United Methodist drives, shared our social media, talked with friends and family, and supported our campaign with hospitality and enthusiasm. Thanks to your dedication, we were able to exceed our goal and welcome almost 3,000 new Reconciling individuals into the movement before General Conference! Thank you for everything you did to make the campaign an overwhelming success and remember to spread the word that it’s never too late to Be Counted at rmnewtork.org/join!

Nelson Mendoza

RMN recently welcomed Nelson Mendoza to the staff as our new Communications Associate. Nelson will be managing social media, taking leadership of our fantastic blog, and helping out with other communications needs so we can better resource all our Reconciling Communities.

Nelson comes to RMN with a wealth of experience managing communications ranging from local policy initiatives to statewide messaging campaigns around LGBTQ inclusive policies in Arizona. In his activism, he has worked for ONE Community, an LGBTQ and allied organization in Arizona where he assisted in shaping policy and programs around inclusion and non-discrimination policies.

Nelson is currently in the discernment process for the call of priesthood in The Episcopal Church and also serves as the Program Director for Church Growth Ministries at a UCC church. He’s very ecumenical!

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A Way Forward An interview with Randall Miller regarding the legislation passed at General Conference known as a “Way Forward” through which the Council of Bishops will appoint a commision to study the discriminatory language in the Book of Discipline and provide an alternative sometime before General Conference 2020.

1. Is there any reason to believe that this commission has set a different political tone for LGBTQ justice than past commissions on the subject, particularly in light of wider societal context?

I believe that the reasons that led to the creation of this commission as well as its role and function are substantively different than the last commission on human sexuality that completed its work more than a decade ago. One of the reasons that I’m certain of this is because I served as Affirmation’s official observer to the last commission and in this capacity attended every meeting during its four-year life.

Even though the earlier Commission conducted its work during a period when the number of people and congregations committed to the Reconciling Movement were much smaller than now, there were at the same time a much larger group of moderates or centrists, who were genuinely torn about developing a more humane response to the “problem of homosexuality.”

Further, the alliance between

southern conservatives and African conservatives had not yet obtained the level of influence that they wield today.

To tell the truth, my younger, more radical self was always skeptical about what that earlier commission might achieve and whether a commission primarily directed by United Methodist theologians and ethicists would get a fair hearing. Sure enough, the really excellent theological and ethical work done by that Commission was “received” and promptly ignored by the next General Conference.

In comparison to the hopeful reasons that led to the creation of the previous commission, I think we all know that the one authorized by the 2016 General Conference was created against the backdrop of the real possibility of church schism -- or at least, a widening divide over issues of full inclusion that makes our claims of continued unity somewhat fanciful.

2. What do you think motivated African delegates to vote for the

proposal?

I think, first, culturally and theologically speaking, the idea that The United Methodist Church would divide or splinter is deeply disturbing to many African delegates. They, like some delegates from the U.S. and around the world believe that being church means staying together no matter what. If you read the Book of Acts carefully, you’ll find that this message of staying together is deeply embedded in that author’s perspective, despite the major fights and battles that he records taking place within early Christian communities.

Second, I’m hoping but don’t know for sure that some African delegates understood that a schism is also the logical consequence of the “scorched-earth” approach that many (but not all) African delegates adopted towards any issue of LGBT inclusion at General Conference. One can understand that culturally and theologically speaking, the blessing of same-sex unions might be a step too far for many African United Methodists, but voting in lock-step against 8

petitions dealing with bullying and violence is deeply troubling, particularly given the level of violence directed towards LGBT people in many African countries.

make me proud of the Reconciling Movement. As one of the national cospokespeople for Affirmation, I was there when we set free what would later become RMN to develop on its own.

Were progressives and moderates to decide that we could not live within the context of a church dominated by the conservative perspectives put forward by conservatives from the U.S. as well as Africa, it may have occurred to some of that leadership that financially speaking, the African Central Conferences have a lot to lose. Again, this would be the logical consequence of a scorched-earth approach that insists on uniformity to antigay theological perspectives and doesn’t allow for those who disagree to live within the big tent of United Methodism.

From those small seeds has come a huge movement that provides shelter and advocacy for thousands upon thousands of people, both LGBT folks and straight allies. I think that RMN is at its best when it remembers its gospel calling and teaches that “perfect love” or love that is on its way to being perfected, “casts out all fear.”

Conversely, we are at our least, when we think of ourselves as just one more political pressure group. Then, the tactics that we use, the words that we say, and our relationship with those who disagree with us cease to matter. And we become something less than the children of God working towards our own liberation and the liberation of others.

3. As a founding member of Affirmation, and someone who has been working for change in The United Methodist Church for decades, what makes you proud to be a Reconciling United Methodist?

4. What role do you see RMN playing in the wider movement of LGBTQ

There are a lot of things that

RANDALL MILLER Randall Miller is an openly gay man and a longtime activist on issues of LGBT inclusion within The United Methodist Church and the larger society. A selfavowed, practicing United Methodist for almost forty years, Randall has attended every General Conference since 1988 and spoken as invited guest from the podium and as a notso-invited speaker as a part of floor protests. In the early 90’s, he served as the national co-spokesperson for Affirmation and in the mid-2000’s, completed a six-year stint on the RMN Board of Directors. Randall’s current day-job is the Director of the Global Religions Program at the Arcus Foundation in NYC. 9

justice in society and/or across the globe?

I think many of us probably wonder about the amount of time and energy we spend on this particular issue of liberation, particularly when there are so many justice issues begging for similar attention. To paraphrase my friend and mentor, Lynice Pinkard, we have to constantly ask ourselves what our liberation as LGBT people has to do with the struggles of migrant workers a world away, who are unable to find work or feed their starving children.

At its best, RMN’s role is a training ground for engaging and connecting queer folk and our allies to the larger struggle for liberation. We aren’t born automatically committed to the struggle nor does being oppressed ourselves ensure that we will put ourselves on the line on behalf of others. RMN can teach us and connect us to the struggles of LGBT and other people both here (Black and Brown Lives Matter!) and around the globe. “Justice is not just us.”

Y’ALL MEANS ALL

NO LONGER SILENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA ON JUNE 8, 2016 THE SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE PASSED A RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANS PEOPLE Proposed and signed by a cadre of both lay leaders and clergy, the resolution passed by the South Carolina Annual Conference is an incredibly hopeful model of forwardthinking leadership for the church at large.

Dr. James Lane of the Reconciling United Methodists in South Carolina answered a few questions about this important resoultion.

the one passed in North Carolina.

We felt it important to counter the discrimination he was proposing in the form of a resolution to the SC Annual Conference.

Why do you think more congregations should become Reconciling and intentionally transinclusive?

We see a world filled with hate and politicians who promote fear and hate for political gain. We also see many churches who add to the rhetoric of hate from the pulpit each Sunday. Someone has to stand for justice and decency It began at one of the monthly for all people, including our meetings of our group, Reconciling transgender friends.

Ministries of SC. We had a hateful state Senator that introduced a It’s important to have loving, “bathroom bill” here in SC similar to inclusive churches challenge

Can you tell us how the conversation around being trans-inclusive began in South Carolina Annual Conference?

those who openly use scripture and doctrine to discriminate against others.

When one church or one group speaks out, it gives others the courage to do so.

In our church, our Sunday school class became the first Reconciling Community in SC in 2007; eventually another Sunday school class became Reconciling and a Circle is having serious discussions. Churches have to do what they know is right by God, and that is to include all God’s children in the life of the church.

Once someone leads, others follow.

Read the full resolution and more LGBTQ related annual conference news at rmnetwork.org/ac2016.

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THANK YOU We are so grateful for the many ways you support the work of the Reconciling Movement. Together we are moving the church forward without fear for the sake of all God’s people.

Gifts made in honor of: Aaron Dawson: Rev. Daniel Dawson Andrew Conger: Susan Conger Ann Fields: Amelia & Bao Coffman Anne & Bill Ewing: Chris Constant Betty & Paul Beeman: Bishop Calvin D. & Velma M. Duell McConnell Betty Dorr, Bob Hoy, Doug Krikke, Patrick Yount: David Aslesen Bishop Talbert: Glen Hunt, Lisa Coles Bob Dorr: Rev. Donald D. & Barbara L. Bredthauer Bunnie & Mary’s 25th Anniversary: Mary Hankins & Bunnie Bryant Catherine Cameron: Paul Cameron Christ & Culture Class, Wells Church, Jackson, MS: Janet A. Watson & J. Daniel Doty Christopher Keivit & Wes Huff: Diane Keivit Cole & Reed Hildebrand: Lisa Hildebrabd Congregation Or Chadash: Rich Roecker Daryl Brown: Dave & Jinny Mitchell Daughter of Carolyn Watson: Carolyn Watson Dave Nuckols: Ann Richmond David Mauzy: Joan G. & Paul C. Hudson David Meredith & Jim Schlachter: Carolyn Johnson Deaconesses Laura, Helen, & Robin: Deborah Maria Deborah Maria: Norm King, Rev. Hazel Anne Burnett Doug & Linda Ensminger: Mary Ellen & Glenn Atwood Dr. Mary Ann Gantt Ed.D, M.Div: Jeremy Rasler Evangeline Green: Donna Green Frank Schaefer: David Klaus, Timothy Hudson & Charlotte Taylor, Gail Sinclair: Carolyn Redmore Gene Winkler: Karen Desko Giselle Lawn: Rev. Gary W. Arnold Glen Hoffs & Tom McCauley: Darlene Allen Helen Ryde: Nina Nicolosi Henry Chiu & Randy Scott: Angela Smith & Kevin Geurts Inelle Bagwell: Downtowners SS Class Janene Kuan: Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan Jeanne Audrey Powers: Rev. Dr. Maurine C. Waun, Pamela Serdar John Hildreth: David C. Smith John, Linda, & Dan Lewis: Dr. Wesley J. & Pamela L. Lewis Joy & Bill Watts: Andrea Watts Julian Rush: Martha Swanson Kenneth K. Grenz: Christopher Grenz Kwang Sung Lim: Anna Shin Lauren Austin & Shannon Klutz: Nancy Austin Linda Hollowell & Deborah Morgan: Jane Millen Logan Morrow: Laura Markle Downton Mary Jo Kinheart Osterman: B.J. & Jerry Birkhahn-Rommelfanger Matt Berryman: Chris Hong & Wil Rumble, Glen Hunt, Rev. John Oda

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Michael Dorr: Tom Scruggs Mike Crosswell & Jill Barker: Martha Brooke Mike Dean: Cheryl Moorhead Miro Trunec & Sasha Kim: Rev. Richard & Mary Breuninger Moe Parisien & Digital Intersection: Trish Gunby Nephesh Class- St. John’s UMC: Jane & Dave Thomas Pat, Tina, Dan, Pat, Eric & Dot: Phyllis G. Grimm Rev. Anita Dinwiddie: Jeremy Rasler Rev. Annette & Dr Jesse J Sowell: Jesse J Sowell Rev. Benjamin Hutchison: Jeremy Rasler Rev. Bill & Roxanne Taylor: Martha L. Vaughan Rev. Bill Cherry: Mark Stoner Rev. Christopher Terrell M.Div: Jeremy Rasler Rev. Cynthia Meyer: Sue Luttrell, Aileen Ball, Rev. Stephen Griffith, Rev. Dr. Julie Carmean, Patty & Kevin LaGree Rev. David Meredith & Jim Schlacter: Rev. Colleen Ogle, Douglas Damron, Rev. Mary Holm, James Waugh, Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Cullens, Robert Robinette, Kathryn McElhaney, Terri Dell, Kevin G. Schill, Rachel Coughlin, Lorraine Phile, Tom & Carolyn Slack, Sean Arata, Rev. Lisa Kerwin, Mark Hiser, Rev. Suzanne Fountaine, Rev. Dr. Julie Carmean, Nancy Lee, Jamie Schlachter, Bill & Joy Watts, Rev. Diane M. DeLap, Scott Whitehurst, Rev. Laura Young, Alvin Stutz, Kimberly Armentrout, Laura Benson, Wendy Putka, Rev. John R. Wallace, Glenn Schwerdtfeger, Angie Cox, Perry Wiggins, Susan Allen, Rev. Bonnie Beckonchrist, James & Jami Nathan, Russell White & Mimi Richmond, Bonnie Stowell, Karen Haylor, Deborah & Rev. Thomas Mellott Rev. Dick Clark: Jean A. & Paul A. Swenson Rev. Mark Doty: Laura Sherman Rev. Nancy Grissom Self: Kiyoko Kasai Fujiu Rev. Pam Hawkins: Brooxie Carlton, William Haire Rev. Rick Branch: Jeremy Rasler Rev. Robert M. Kopp: Marilyn Weir Rev. Sara Baron: Rev. Megan Stowe RMN Staff: Noriko Lao Rob Vaughn: John D. Copenhaver, Jr. Ruthanne & Arne Hassing: Glenda Hill Saint John’s Reconciling Team: Hilary Marchbanks Sara Smolenski & Linda Burpee: Jason & Sarah Kneen Sarah Amyotte & Laurie Neff: Sue B. Davis Stephen Funk: Lori Funk T.C. Morrow: Laura Markle Downton, Emily Sama-Miller Terri McNamara: Nancy Tkacs Trust & Graham Hilton: Amanda Strauss, Natalie Mullins Union United Methodist Church, Boston & Rev. Jay Williams: Laura Everett Velma & Cal McConnell: Bart Duell

GIFTS MADE IN MEMORY OF:

All God’s children taken by gun violence: Joe Murray Anne Ewing: Adair M. & Kristen Ruff, Sonja Kerr, Mary Catherine Miller, Jack Malinowski, Bonnie Zetick, Mary Hankins & Bunnie Bryant, Margaret Harris Marion & David Brown, Clarita & Stanley Krall, Dolores Broberg, Janet Rosenberger, Linda Good, Karen Clark, Daniel Ross, F. Laurence Pethick, Rev. Robert Coombe Avery: Carter Ellis Betty Dorr: Pat Pryor, Ann Hunt, Debra Romberger, Clayton Gibson, Rev. Chip Aldridge, Faith M. Buss, Kathy Smuk, Rev. Charles J. Chipman, Judy Torrens, Cris Elkins, Deborah Maria, Marvin M. & Suzanne E. Morgan, Joe Errington & Bill Pullen, Jeanette & Rev. Kenneth Grenz, Paul Keefer, Patrick Corey, Larry L. Fox Danny Ward: James Wallasky Douglass Vandegrift: HiRho Y. Park, D.Min. Hazel & Harold Sanner: Larry L. Sanner Helen F. Andrew: Orlando & Phyllis Rodriguez, Deborah Chapman, Linda Brebner, Nancie & Thomas Hughes, Bill & Joy Watts, Marie & Ralph Akhavi, Ruth & Robert Singleton, Joseph & Mary Jane Kratovil, Elizabeth Jarrett &rew, Beth & Ernest Cutting, Rev. Elton & Emily Brown, Kathleen Cullen Jack Clay Inman: Pat Ambrose Jack Hodges: Jean Hodges Jack Tuell: Rev. James H. & Nancy V. Knowles-Tuell James Marshall Echols: Marjie Echols Jean Howie Johnson: Mary H. Johnson & Charles G. Beltz Jeff Khant: Linda Graham Jim Kohrt: Melinda Kohrt Lois DeSantis: Good Samaritan UMC Lyle Loder & Bert All: Anne Broyles Margaret Owsley: Ken & Wanda Eidson Martha S. Farley: Kiyoko Kasai Fujiu Mother of Margie Yansura: Margie Yansura Nila & Alby Cockrell: Gene Pickens Paul Shultz: Cecilia Tomlonovic Peter Braswell: Rev. Carol Winn Crawford Peter Wilde: Michael Warner Randy Bull: Ruth & Walter Bowen Rev. Bill Barney: Brenda J. Arley Rev. Robert & Mrs. Becky Crocker: Debra & Ken Davenport Rev. Robert Edgar: Kathryn Shupp Richard Nagle: Tracey Leslie Sharon Sechrist: David & Judy Jerde, Beth Bentley Sherry Dymock: Gary Gaulin Tg Belcheir: Marcia Belcheir Timothy Henderson: Martha Hayes Tom Coff: The Heart of Longmont at First UMC William E. Nunn: Allison Jay Bookhout & Bruce Von Holtz Wilson Canafax: Susie Canafax

123 W. Madison St. Ste 2150 Chicago, IL 60602 www.rmnetwork.org

THE PULSE TRAGEDY

Now more than ever, the spiritual leadership of the church absolutely must, without hesitation, declare in the name of God and our church that the lives of LGBTQ people are indispensable and that all spiritual and physical violence against us is incompatible with our faith and must be brought to an end.

On June 11, 2016, 49 individuals were killed and another 53 were injured by a gunman at an LGBTQ club on Latinx night in Orlando, Florida. This tragic massacre of LGBTQ persons illuminated what many already know to be true: There is much work to be done until LGBTQ people are safe from targeted violence. The UMC and other Christian traditions that actively discriminate against

LGBTQ people have done great harm and there is no room now for argument or dawdling around matters that affect the livelihood of LGBTQ children of God. There is no room for theological swan dives into conversations that excuse homophobia and transphobia by bishops, clergy, or laypeople calling it “theological diversity.� The anti-LGBTQ policies that The UMC maintains must

be removed immediately so that the Church can actually cease its participation in the creation of causes and conditions that give rise to such violence against transgender and queer people. It is the duty, obligation, and joy of the church to begin the process of healing and reconciling that is the clear mandate of Jesus Christ.

- Matt Berryman 12