Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sixteen people came together for the OPEN Hearts Reconciling Community in Grand Island Feb 20 at Trinity UMC Gathering Place --

We thank Becca for Telling her Story / journey about starting the first GSA in Grand island at the HIGH SCHOOL -- GISH! We are so proud of her persistency and her mom's too -- cindi! (and her family too I am guessing!)

The GSA started in December. Now they have officers and they viewed the documentary called Bullying based on a true story.

Send love and prayers their way or gifts for their group after we get more info on how to give!

Becca graduates in May so we hope that new persons will step forward to continue the leadership along with sponsors / faculty with the message of : SAFE SCHOOLS for Allies, GLBT persons and all persons!

We hope to nominate Becca for a Schlarship as a group.

We had a visitor from Kearney First umc and U of NE at Kearney too!

We meet again after Horizons of Faith March 25 - 27 at Omaha first umc www.horizonsoffaith.com with Bishop Spong and a new cantata March 27 by Mark Kurtz!

On April 10 we will come together to share Spiritual Awakenings with fellowship time at 2:45 PM that day in the Gathering Place, TUMC, GI.

We hope that Becca, Cindi and others will write one page stories for an OPEN HEARTS booklet of SACRED Stories, Coming out Stories, Spiritual Awakening stories -- more info coming in April!

We hope to gather Rainbows of HOPE this spring for the Rainbow Suitcase -- Rainbows people can wear for this summer at Annual conference and in the fall!

Sept 19 is the combined POTLUCK meeting with the GSA at Hastings College, PFLAG Hastings and Open Hearts Reconciling Community: Ryan Sallens, Lincoln sharing! Ryan shared three years ago and we look forward to hearing his journey!

We now have new DVD's for the Rainbow Crate -- thanks to an anonymous friend and generosity!

God's love is very generous -- let's be generous loving others!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

MFSA Newsletter 2/16/11

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=dinh7qdab&v=001uhMSa17EQAe6ZQSjup6OP1cM81acnyg9zy1IERBE4KTYMJBkXdX24iKMg9nylv6k5Mn0cdWTeEDmAekyCaTBli5T_zE5F7ASQ-LEH3mgyMOv8c73w0x9QogaLTGmKT5Q

Open Hearts news: February 2011

Open hearts reconciling community and friends:

Open hearts is an official Reconciling communty of RMN (Reconciling ministry network) and a faith support group of GLBT persons and allies in the grand island area, come join us Sunday Feb 20 --

HERE is the lastest news for feb, march :

1) New ACTION that just came in for KC Sunday Feb 20 --  with SOULFORCE --  if anyone can go or if you have friends in the KC area forward it to them! I hope some folks from NE and KS can go to lend support to this Action by Soulforce Sunday Feb 20!

2) Upcoming Events / Dates and Diversity news from Peggy and Gale our friends in Dannebrog!!

3) Let's Celebrate and come support Becca's story sunday, Feb 20, spong books in the am see below after the ACTION!    maureen and mena, Email contacts for Open hearts Reconciling community  (and mena is ELCA doing ecumenical work to help us!)

4) Upcoming GI HIV AIDS Benefit concert April 8 evening .. let us know how you can help by coming, bringing cookies, cupcakes, donations, friends and more!

For info on this April 8 HIV AIDS Benefit Concert in G Island in GOLLAHER CHAPEL a new VENUE for this event ---  Contact Rev Scott Taylor at First Christian, G Island or TUMC church offices!

Four musicians will be providing music and we will take a break for freewill offerings and intermission we hope..
we need help with cupcakes, cookies at the intermission or if you can help brew coffee, tea or get out ice water, wash mugs, cups --  and your support with AIDS ribbons, donations and friends to come join in the BENEFIT for TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund ..

this fund that is four years old gives direct Assistance to NAP kearney for medical emergencies with Waiting lists in NE for these emergencies and in 20 other states!!

If you can help with cookies, cupcakes, goodies during INTERMISSION Scott take flyers and table tents to places in G Island and the area, contact Scott at First Christian G Island church or on Facebook!   Or maureen in Feb and April!

5) Celebrate the New HIV AIDS testing site at TUMC two times a month! First Thurs in the morning, Third Thurs
3 - 5 PM, Parish nurse office at Old Walnut apartments, donations!  KNOW YOUR STATUS .. call for an appt or just come! Call TUMC for info weekdays: 308-382-1952

6) GI TUMC is the new Recipient of the Working for an AIDS FREE world Grant for 2011 as it gives $650 to the TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund and project!

ACTION IN KC FEB 20 with Soulforce, see below and dates after that! Maureen and Mena, Email contacts

----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Sandeen" <jsandeen@hastings.edu>
To: "undisclosed-recipients:"
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 1:59 PM
Subject: action item

This tells about an event in KC, but there's also a petition you can sign.

Soulforce - Relentless Non-Violent Resistance


Greetings Justice Seekers!

On February 20, 2011, Sunday, Soulforce will join with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to engage in a non-violent act of resistance to the exportation of homophobia and religious bigotry to Uganda by Lou Engle, evangelist and founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) and The Call. We will be joined by volunteers from the organization EQUAL of Kansas City, Missouri, volunteers who conducted a highly visible public protest of Mr. Engle's activities on last December, 2010.

We will deliver a petition with 36,000 signatures calling for the end of USA supported ministries in Uganda that catalyze harm and death to LGBTQ people. We will join in a vigil outside the church during worship services at IHOP, awaiting Mr. Engle's response to our letter request (below, also available online) to dialogue about the horrific treatment of LGBTQ Ugandans arising out of USA broadcasts and on-site religious propaganda.

We want to thank the United Nations Faith Coalition for LGBT Human Rights for its groundbreaking work in Uganda in defending the worth and dignity of all people, particularly members of the LGBTQ community. Friends and allies of LGBTQ peole are invited to join together on the sidewalk in front of the International House of Prayer (3535 Red Ride Road) at 7:45am on Sunday morning.

SCHEDULE

7:45 am - Vigil begins on sidewalk in front of the International House of Prayer
10:15 am - Sunday Worship
12:30 pm - Press Conference

The International House of Prayer is located at 3535 E Red Ridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64137.

Limited parking is available across from IHOP and in the surrounding residential areas east and west of IHOP

Please check out our Facebook event, and rsvp to attend this action.

For those interested in attending the action, we will be having an important call - in training and briefing about our schedule for this action and the non-violent principles by which we operate. This call will take place at 7:30pm EST on Thursday, February 17th. We ask that when you join the call, you not announce yourself and place your devices on mute. There may be a large number of participants, and this will make the call more functional. The call will last about an hour, and will be informational. A period for questions and feedback will take place after the briefing and training. A copy of our source material for the presentation can be downloaded here.  Participants are encouraged to read over this presentation and follow along throughout the call.



Conference Call details

  1. Call (712) 451-6050 prior to 7:30pm EST.
  2. Dial our conference code: 1007067# to connect.
  3. Place phone on mute to eliminate background noise.



We are dedicated to ending the exportation of bigotry and spiritual violence. We also want to honor and keep in remembrance those whose lives have been taken in Uganda, including most recently David Kato.

Please make plans to join us in Kansas City. Even if you can't be with us in person, you can still aid this and other important programs by donating today!

Please pass this information along to all of your friends and folks who live in the Kansas City area!

Sincerely,
The Soulforce Team

The letter:

February 11, 2011

Pastor Lou Engle
International House of Prayer/The Call
3535 East Red Bridge Road
Kansas City, MO 64137


Dear Mr. Engle,

We at Soulforce and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) are saddened and distraught at the plight of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Ugandans. The social climate in Uganda has become so toxic that LGBT people are not safe in their homes or on the street. And, we believe that the untruths and misrepresentations that you and
other U.S. based Christian evangelical leaders continue to proclaim regarding the goodness and wholeness of LGBT people is at the root of this climate of fear and violence. These misrepresentations and untruths must stop now.

The safety of LGBT people, as well as their friends and their families, has been put at risk because of the proposed “anti-homosexual bill.” You have claimed to oppose this bill, but you have not taken a clear and public position in Uganda where your opposition could make a difference. Instead, after fueling the flames of anti-LGBT sentiments in
Uganda, you have stood beside the bill’s supporters and referred totheir work as righteous. You cannot preach that  “homosexuals have demons” or say to LGBT people, “let the Bible kill you?” and then ignore the results of speaking such words. Words have power.  And, your words create fear and hatred toward LGBT people.  This fear and hatred puts the lives of LGBT people at risk and perpetuates a climate of terror and
violence.

The purpose of this letter is to introduce ourselves and let you know that it is our intention to continue to pursue dialog with you until you stop your vitriolic rhetoric against LGBT people.  We ask you to formally renounce the “anti-homosexuality bill” in Uganda. We ask you to call on MP David Bahati, MP James Nsaba Buturo and Pastor
Julius Oyet to cease and desist their persecution of LGBT people. And, we ask you to call for a fair and impartial investigation into the murder of David Kato.   Informed by the principles of nonviolence as demonstrated by Mohandas Gandhi and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we at Soulforce and HRC will not give up on our call to end this outrage.

As a beginning point in this dialog, members of a Soulforce and HRC delegation will be traveling to Kansas City on Sunday, February 20th to meet with you and to deliver a petition signed by over 36,000 Americans who are deeply saddened by the murder of human rights defender, David Kato, and horrified by the role U.S. religious leaders have
played in perpetuating a climate of misunderstanding and violence against LGBT people.  Our intent is to work with you in an honest effort to find what Gandhi called “the third way,” a way that recognizes the dangers of continuing on the current path. As people of faith, we respect your profound commitment to prayer and to making the world a better place, yet we cannot stand by while your rhetoric wreaks havoc on an entire community of people.

Member of our delegation would welcome the opportunity to worship in your congregation on Sunday and we will be in respectful vigil outside the IHOP facilities on East Red Bridge Road on Sunday morning throughout services – ready, willing, and able to join you in this dialog toward truth. Please advise us whether you will welcome us into this dialog and where and when you would like to meet on Feb. 20th. You may direct your response to Rev. Dr. Cindi Love’s email (cindi@soulforce.org) or  by phone at 972 358 5907. We look forward to our time together.

Sincerely,


Rev. Dr. Cindi Love
Soulforce, Inc.
Executive Director
Human Rights Campaign Religion Council Member
P.O. Box 249
Abilene, Texas 79604
cindi@soulforce.org
Phone:  972 358 5907


Dr. Sharon Groves
Acting  Director,
Religion and Faith Program
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
Sharon.Groves@hrc.org
Phone:  202-772-3898

***********************************
UPCOMING EVENTS and DATES in the G Island area:

Feb 20, Gathering Place, TUMC, 511 N Elm, Grand Island, NE --- 2:45 PM, Open Hearts Gathering with Becca sharing her journey starting a GSA at GISH last year!   Come lend support to this new GSA in G Island!   Becca is a senior and we want to thank her for her amazing ability to hang in there!   Bring a snack to share at 2:45 and bring your friends who are allies or GLBT persons of faith.  Come early at 2:45 if you are new to the group so you can read the Support group Guidelines!

FEB AND APRIL:  NEW DVD's for our RAINBOW CRATE WILL BE SHARED IN FEB AND APRIL GIVEN BY AN ANONYMOUS DONOR..  THANKS OR IF YOU HAVE DVD'S TO ORDER OR SHARE, BOOKS, MOVIES!

( April 10 we meet at the same time to share Awakenings and Happenings for spring and summer! )

Feb 20 sunday -- Book Share with Bishop Spong books you have read: 10:45 --  11:30 in Miller Hall, Trinity UMC

Feb 24 Suicide prevention workshops .. come and tell us Shelley if you can sunday!

March 15 : action in Lincoln, see NE Statewide Reconciling Network group email earlier today!

march 25 - 27, Horizons of Faith weekend, Omaha First umc, Bishop Spong as guest Theologian for the Tenth Ann!
www.horizonsoffaith.org

April 10, Open Hearts Reconciling Community Gathering, Awakenings and Happenings for spring and summer!  come join us at the same time as Feb 20 at 2:45 PM, Gathering Place, TUMC, 511 N Elm Street, G Island, NE

June 1 - 4, St marks UMC, NE UMC annual conference  : events and help with items for the rainbow suitcase, HIV AIDS table and more!

PRIDE EVENTS THIS SUMMER!

Sept 19, Fall gathering :  Ryan Sallens coming to share his story :  POTLUCK and Meeting with Hastings PFLAG and Hastings GSA at Hastings college, monday night, new time for open hearts, Potluck meal for GSA and new students at Hastings college!   More info coming!

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Diversity News106 South Mill Street – Dannebrog, Nebraska 68831

For Immediate Release……… Contact Gale Pemberton 308-226-8286
Gale1938@live.com

Pawnee Speakers Series in April
The Pawnee Arts Center
106 South Mill Street
Dannebrog, NE 68831


This April, The Pawnee Arts Center in Dannebrog will celebrate its first
year of operation. In celebration, we are pleased to announce our next
Speaker Series.

Sunday April 3, David Wishart will present a program on “Ethnic
Cleansing, Cultural Genocide, and Pawnee Removal. “ Dr. Wishart is a
Professor of Geography at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His
publications include An Unspeakable Sadness: The Dispossession of the
Nebraska Indians (Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press,
1994) which won the J.B. Jackson Prize for Best Book in North American
Human Geography with appeal to a popular audience (also nominated for a
Pulitzer Prize).

Sunday April 10, Rob Bozell will present “Pawnee Origins on the Great
Plains: Archeological, Historic, and Oral Traditions.” Mr. Bozell
received his degrees in anthropology from the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln. He is with the Nebraska State Historical Society, and
his professional interests include working with Native American tribes,
and archeological research involving changes in cultural traditions,
climate, and subsistence.

Each program will start at 1:30 pm and will be presented in the meeting
Room of the Fire Hall located at 114 East Oak Street. Admission is a
free will donation. Parking is free and plentiful. Park on Mill Sreet or
Oak Street. Enter the building on Mill Street. The programs will be
followed by a Speaker’s Reception in the Arts Center. Light refreshments
will be served.

We are open every Thursday and by appointment.

WINTER HOURS: 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursdays - weather permitting
SPRING HOURS: 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursdays
SUMMER HOURS: 4 pm to 9 pm on Thursdays

See our Facebook page.
Our website www.thepawneeartscenter.org
is under construction. Watch for it!!.
308-226-8286
from Dannebrog and the Pawnee ARTS CENTER :  Peggy and Gale

***************************

Join Reconciling ministry network today :  www.RMNetwork.org   no membership cost per se other than a commitment to a more fully inclusive UMC and faith groups!

Maureen and Mena, Email contacts for Open hearts Reconciling community, G island, NE
maureen :  mvetter@charter.net  or mena:  ottomine1971@gmail.com

Social Creed u-tube video

u-tube of the Social Creed of the UMC.
 

Action Alert: email your Bishop!

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=qbixxacab&v=001XqiOmN3J1DA3H2-vnzGcVtnU3SpnNhdRXlPs9h_ghUtdpub_wnCBm9-fBwlDv9mGm3GDNY2iOc1oe0pOlIOLoJal0B00QxhJTsxzgvzpL6cfG56BnMTR2jkf2n8rLdydacPOXwpf9BnvXzJJU7r252TPbR9Eh6-uycuCX48xDPWWb4MmAMu16G6DGr2bog6dPgWO8JACMfEwZQ3g2yUZsRT6_d0tJ6yjDiYujpiVZ6tm3bV3LUFi2P4n_CTPdvC3GZ6GhNzPBGsyjaVpv-2IFt26yec74syUSY_ses2e3hwh8obz9vKqeg%3D%3D


Join your voice with retired bishops and other faithful United Methodists in support of removing anti-gay discrimination in our ordination policies!

When the full Bishop's Council cannot clearly name the concern in its response to these retired bishops, we must take action to help them believe out loud.  Unclear silence cannot be the voice of our spiritual leaders.
  1. Encourage Your Active Bishop to sign on to the Retired Bishop's Statement
  2. Encourage Your Pastor to sign on support for the Retired Bishop's Statement
  3. Encourage Laity to sign on support for the Retired Bishop's Statement
  4. Sign on support for the Retired Bishop's Statement yourself
We are the church together-laity, pastors, and bishops!

The Statement of Counsel to the Church-2011 by 33 retired bishops encouraged many of us.  The now 36 signers welcome others to join them who share their concern.  Bishops, active and retired, can add their name to the list by contacting Bishop Don Ott.

As we celebrate the clarity with which the Statement demands removal of anti-gay ordination policy, we also know that many active bishops also share in this commitment due to direct experience with qualified, gifted, called lesbian and gay clergy.

Please take action! Visit our eAction page to send a message to your active bishop now!  If you are clergy or lay and want to add your support to the Retired Bishops Statement you can do so by checking the box on the form that says, "I want to publicly declare my support." Once you are finished you will have the opportunity to send a message to your local Pastor and to invite a friend to take action.


Click to Email Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson (Nebraska): http://www.rmnetwork.org/act-now/take-action-form/

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

NE Statewide Reconciling Network Feb/Mar: Action Mar 15 Lincoln, Spring Dates/book, Awakening Story, Rainbows of HOPE!

Dear Reconciling UM's of NE and friends:    SPRING is coming and HOPE is in our hearts --  through rainbows, telling our stories, gathering for support, new Cantatas, taking to the road with friends, Convos like SING A NEW SONG, new books like ADAM's GIFT, other books like : The Loyal Opposition, Voices of the Kingdom, Coming Out as Sacrament -----  and Another Great year of Spiritual Awakenings!

Get involved as an RUM or Reconciling United Methodist, sign up today online (www.RMNetwork.org ) , invite others to events, start a support group, coffee group, book group, meetup, Mission and Outreach team, HIV AIDS, UM Global AIDS fund AIDS Ambassador ( www.umglobalaidsfund.org ) or write Mvetter@charter.net , participate in events below and take Reconciling on the Road!

1)  Dates and books to remember statewide :

Feb 20  Open Hearts Reconciling Community, Grand Island with Becca sharing about her journey starting the first GSA or Gay Straight Alliance at Grand Island, Sr high, 3 PM, Gathering Place, Trinity UMC, 2:45 Fellowship time ahead - bring a snack, come give support to Becca, her friends and family! Becca is a senior now at GISH and member at TUMC.

Feb 20  Friends for the Journey :  Book Share with Books of Bishop Spong, 10:45 - 11:30 am, Miller Hall, Trinity UMC, 511 N Elm, Grand Island, NE Contact the church offices for info :  308-382-1952

March 15 Action in Lincoln see below  -------- 
March 25 - 27, Horizons of Faith, Omaha First UMC  www.horizonsoffaith.com
April 1, 2011 Jimmy Creech's book Adam's Gift is published  :

Here is the Link to Duke U Press - if you want Jimmy to come and speak at your  conference, retreat, college, university, seminary, church, or event to share about his new book coming out April 1, 20 contact Duke U Press or Chris Weedy:  chrisweedy@gmail.com
http://www.dukeupress.edu/Catalog/ViewProduct.php?productid=16388

Facebook link......
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jimmy-Creech/149222551797725
Start a book group using this new book / memoir, use it for classes, studies, colleges, retreats, seminaries --  or start a support group:  hear our stories, tell our stories to include All God's children!

APRIL 8,  GI HIV AIDS Benefit Concert, Gollaher Chapel, Trinity UMC, 511 N Elm, G Island, evening!
Four Musicians will be sharing and all proceeds go to the TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund which gives yearly assistance to medical emergencies at NAP kearney!   Remember the AIDS walks coming again in Sept too!

April 10, Open Hearts Reconciling Community, Spiritual Awakenings and Happenings!  3 PM, Gathering place, come at 2:45 for fellowship time before! 511 N Elm, Trinity UMC, Grand Island, NE

June 1 - 4, NE Annual Conference UMC, St Marks UMC on 84th, Lincoln, NE, Think of ways you want to be involved :  if you want to help at the HIV AIDS table, plan a Reconciling meetup lunch, plan a movie night, etc.

Pride Events this summer:
Collaborate with PFLAGS in your area, other faith groups, diversity groups, Pride events coming this summer!

2)  ACTION below for Lincoln March 15 from Dr Pat Tetreault at UNL.... thanks Pat!

3)  Spiritual Awakening  Short Story about Mark Kurz to encourage folks to go to HORIZONS OF FAITH March 25 - 27  See the full Awakening Story on RESURRECTION, A Cantata by Mark Kurz, on the brochure for Horizons of Faith weekend online :  www.horizonsoffaith.com !

Don't miss Bishop John Shelby Spong at the TENTH Anniversary of Horizons of Faith, worship at Temple Israel, conversations, worship, music, books, lectures, inspiration, meeting new friends in the faith! www.horizonsoffaith.com

4)  Rainbows of HOPE  :  do Rainbows of HOPE locally in May / June: Rainbow Choir and songs, Rainbow Talent Show, a Rainbows of Hope Art show, create a Rainbow Suitcase, trunk, basket, tote or bag with Rainbow items to wear /donations :  RMN lapel pins, Rainbow ribbons, pins, stoles, scarves, bags, socks, jewelry, prayer beads, leis!

Have a Rainbow Sunday, Cupcake Party, movie night, concert, walk a thon, birthday lunch, trike a thon, Bake sale, create Rainbow banners for worship or stoles for pastors, have a children's Rainbow Art Show!!   Give money to RMN directly, to local RMN groups or to our NE Statewide Summer Email offering starting mid May!

5)  BELIEVE OUT LOUD:  Get together  in coffee shops, churches, Sunday school classes, UMW and tell our stories, give to RMN, sign people up at RUM's online :  www.RMNetwork.org

Have a Birthday Party Lunch Fundraiser and give gifts to RMN and NE Statewide Reconciling Network rather than giving STUFF to each other;  give to the Summer Email offering coming in may!  All of our donations go directly to RMN in our local and statewide groups!    We have no membership fees but all goes to the ministires of RMN!
Go to SING A NEW SONG CONVO coming this August!   www.RMNetwork.org   Sign up as an RUM online!
*************************************************************************************

Another Year of Spiritual AWAKENINGS SHORT STORY:

Reading Bishop John Shelby Spong's book :  "Resurrection :  Myth or Reality?" was a LIFE - CHANGING experience for Mark Kurtz, composer and musician at Omaha First UMC.   In response to this experience, Mark has composed a new Cantata that expresses that transformation!   Hear this Cantata March 27 at 9:35 AM at Horizons of Faith weekend!

Read more about this Cantata in the brochure for the Horizons of Faith weekend, March 25 - 27 2011 www.horizonsoffaith.com!

You can hear this Cantata March 27 at 9:35 am at Omaha First UMC with mixed chorus, brass, handbells, percussion, piano and organ!   The Cantata takes the Listener on a Journey of DISCOVERY and SPIRITUAL AWAKENING that culminates in a vivid new understanding of the resurrection of Jesus!

************************************************************************************
ACTION ITEM:

An opportunity for people who have worked on LGBTQ rights & issues in
Nebraska who can help explain why we need to pursue LGBTQ rights as part
of Nebraska's civil rights history is needed.
This is also history in the making.  We need the LGBTQA community,
allies and advocates to be present.

There are likely to be individuals and organizations who are opposed to
LGBTQ rights and inclusion in Nebraska history at this event.
Please mark your calendars and be there!!!

Community Conversations
March 15, 5:30 pm, LINCOLN, NE
State Historical Museum Auditorium on the 1st floor
http://www.nebraskahistory.org/

http://www.nebraskahistory.org/oversite/whatsnew/news/press57.htm

There is a display in the hallway.
pat

Pat Tetreault, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Student Involvement
Director, LGBTQA Resource Center
345 Nebraska Union
402.472.1752 (office)
402.472.1652 (center)

http://involved.unl.edu/lgbtqa/
http://involved.unl.edu/lgbtqa/safe_spaces/

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

February RUM news

Reconciling United Methodists in NE and friends:   Another year of Spiritual Awakenings!

Here is some inspiration for us today from Matthew 5 that was part of the lectionary lesson last Sunday!   I hope you appreciate the part about being at the "end of your rope" as much as I do!    I am thinking that sometimes when we are at the END OF OUR ROPE is when we meet God and see God!    

I guess I have been meeting God a lot lately!  And just when we are at the "end of our rope" sometimes is when we discover new miracles I am finding too!   

We also have some good news below:   Jimmy Creech's long awaited Memoir / book and story is being published after eleven years and will be out in April with Duke U Press!   See the links, the Good News and Invitations for February!

Matthew 5

You're Blessed
 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
 4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.            
(see the rest of the Beatitudes from THE MESSAGE at the end of this email)
*********************************************
We are blessed now to celebrate the publishing of Jimmy Creech's new book/ memoir telling his story entitled :    
Adam’s Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbians and Gays
His memoir is eleven years in the writing and below are links:
Here is the Link to Duke U Press - if you want Jimmy to come and speak at your  conference, retreat, college, university, seminary, church, or event to share about his new book coming out April 1, 20 contact Duke U Press or Chris Weedy:  chrisweedy@gmail.com  
http://www.dukeupress.edu/Catalog/ViewProduct.php?productid=16388
 
Facebook link......
 
Start a book group using this new book / memoir, use it for classes, studies, colleges, retreats, seminaries --  or start a support group:  hear our stories, tell our stories to include All God's children! 
 
If you want Jimmy to come and speak / share on his new book: be sure to contact Duke U press or Chris Weedy:  chrisweedy@gmail.com
 
****************************************************************************************************
 
More good news that Horizons of Faith has Bishop John S Spong coming --
March 25 - 27, 2011 to Omaha First UMC for their TENTH Anniversary WEEKEND!    Read some Spong books, check out Bishop Spongs Website and register today for the service Friday night, events Saturday and preaching, new music composed and musicial experiences Sunday! www.horizonsoffaith.com   An overview brochure is on this website too!  Print it to share with friends!
 
***************************************************************************************************
Good news that there at TEN new Reconciling Communities in the last two months with RMN!
***********************************************************************
 
INVITATIONS for local churches and local Reconciling UM's in NE and beyond:
 
We invite you to seek out Spiritual Awakenings this winter!   Seek out spiritual partners!
Read some Bishop Spong books with friends, meet in a coffee shop or at coffeetime on Sunday morning -- start a reconciling group of friends or a Sunday School class. 
 
Order Jimmy's new book and have a discussion group around it!   Read books and share this summer, have a BBQ or go to a Pride event! 
 
We invite your local church and friends to celebrate RAINBOWS OF HOPE in May, June and July, 2011 (or anytime) :   Plan an ART SHOW with Art work of all ages with RAINBOWS of HOPE as the theme --  gather or create Rainbow Art, create Rainbow banners at your church, have children do an art show of Rainbows, do a RAINBOW Photography Exhibit, fibers, paintings, drawings, origami, clothing, bags or Quilts!  Have an opening for your art show!
 
Celebrate Rainbows of HOPE in your faith group by collecting Rainbows of HOPE:  for a Rainbow Suitcase, a Rainbow Basket, a Rainbow Table, a Rainbow party, a Rainbow movie night, a Rainbow trunk or have a Rainbow bake sale to share Rainbows of HOPE and collect funds for RMN.   Find and create Rainbows that people can wear like:  Rainbow pins, hawaiian leis, RMN Rainbow Logo lapel pins ($2 each by calling RMN offices), Rainbow ribbons, Rainbow crosses, create Rainbow bags -- stoles, jewelry, bags, shoelaces, prayer beads or scarves!   
 
You don't have to have an organized reconciling group to have a coffee meetup or lunch meetup and start collecting rainbows or sharing stories, struggles and hope. 
 
We invite you to do a Reconciling Birthday Fundraiser : have coffee with friends and give money to RMN / Summer email offering for RMN instead of giving gifts to each other.. write down your birthdays and send cards!
 
Our local OPEN HEARTS group is hoping to start a Rainbow Suitcase in February to take RAINBOWS of HOPE to Annual Conference, MFSA dinner, meetups, gatherings, art shows, benefit concerts, dinners, movie nights with Rainbows that people can wear to symbolize HOPE as we Believe Out Loud and take Reconciling on the Road this year to Awaken our SPIRITS.     
 
We invite you to collect one page STORIES from Reconciling friends -- and create a booklet of stories from your local church or group of friends to share with others locally:   Rainbows of HOPE stories, Sacred stories, Awakening stories, Coming out stories, HIV AIDS stories or name it yourself! Bring your stories to events.
 
Carpool with friends to Rainbow events like Horizons of Faith, have a Movie night, Art Show, Pride events this summer, collaborate with other faiths, do coffee meetups, collaborate with a PFLAG gatherings or other faith group, let people know about SING A NEW SONG CONVO coming, and AIDS walks in Sept.  www.nap.org  www.RMNetwork.org  
 
If you want to contribute Rainbow items to the OPEN HEARTS Rainbow Suitcase let us know --  or start your own Rainbow suitcase or basket to share Rainbows with others!   ( mvetter@charter.net )  RMN lapel pins can be purchased for $2 each through RMN offices.. or find other Rainbow pins, cut up Rainbow ribbon to wear or create a t shirt.  
 
Start a Rainbow Resource Crate .. we started one locally with DVD's, books and other resources!  Some were given by an anonymous donor!    Send us your GLBT DVDS if you have one to share or start one or show it to friends!   Check with the Resource Center in Lincoln to see if they need DVD's about equal rights for All God's children!  They do have the DVD " CALL ME MALCOLM " that is an outstanding DVD --  a personal faith transgender story.
 
You are invited as local reconciling groups to write a PETITION to General Conference 2012:  for changes to the Discipline -  to be more inclusive of all persons.  UM indiviuals, churches, groups, congregations can write Petitions to General Conference.  The deadline is March 15, 2011 to Conference Offices to submit them for Annual Conference 2011.  If approved they go to General Conference in the Spring of 2012 --  There is a later deadline this spring for Petitions that do not go through Annual Conference June 2011... check online.
 
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There is a GREAT DIVERSITY ART EXHIBIT at MONA in Kearney through April 3.  
"A Greater SPECTRUM ART Exhibit"  at the Museum of Modern Art downtown Kearney will awaken your spirit as you view the art of 22 ARTISTS from the last 100 YEARS in NE.  Many of the artists had to be researched and FOUND first!  
 
This has been a FIVE YEAR PROJECT for the Curator at MONA and what a journey.   For info go to the website for MONA in kearney!    Take to the road when the storms clear.. .. nine of us went over on a cold winter Saturday from Grand Island! This show is in FIVE rooms at MONA and if you need a day trip this is the ONE for this spring!  IT ends April 3!  Ernie Chambers has three pieces of art in the show and SaraAnn McWilliams Levell who grew up in Lincoln had Methodist / AME grands who started Christ Temple in Lincoln at the turn of the Century .. this church is still going in Lincoln!
 
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If your group or a group of NE RUM Friends want to plan a Reconciling Meetup at Annual conference June 1 - 4, Lincoln St marks UMC :  a Lunch, Coffee shop, Dinner, Info table, Movie night, Benefit Concert, Rainbow Suitcase, Rainbow Party, Dance, Art show Opening --  or visit to an Art Gallery / book shop, Story time, Labyrinth, visit to an ice Cream shop, Roca and Rocaberries  -- Silent Auction, Walk a thon or Fundraiser for NE Statewide Reconciling Network or UM Global AIDS fund --  contact Wendy Smith or Maureen Vetter --  or promote it yourself with your local church or group:  wsmith28@gmail.com  or mvetter@charter.net
 
Here are the rest of the Beatitudes from "The Message" by Eugene Peterson: 
 
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
 6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
 7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
 8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
 9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
 10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
 11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
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www.RMNetwork.org  for more info --  we invite you to sign up as an RUM, to give offerings and gifts, to hear stories and take actions!  Get Flashnet  on email by requesting it and resources for local churches and persons!   Join the 300 plus RUM's in NE today!  (reconciling united methodists)    SING A NEW SONG Convo is coming in August!