Lilacs and General Conference

The lilacs are in bloom in central Nebraska early this year! They are almost finished with their great spring fresh and earthy smell. It is not even close to Mother's Day their usual time of blooming!

I enjoyed taking some photos of lilacs in our yard this spring -- as it is one of my favorite sights and smells in spring. The color of lilac is a favorite too! Here is one of my photos to share with you!

We can hope and pray that General Conference of the United Methodist Church has such a sweet smell as the lilacs in the next two weeks in Tampa, Florida.

Many of us are hoping and dreaming for signs of HOPE for fully inclusive changes that welcome all of God's Children into our faith communities!

Looking for signs of the RAINBOW after rain and that sweet smell of LILACS in spring as a symbol of HOPE, resurrection and reconciling the next two weeks after forty years in the wilderness!

Happy Easter!

Nebraska  RUMs and friends :  Have a meaningful Holy week and Easter : 

YOU ARE LOVED!

 

SEE Faith stories below on GLAAD email  :  a group of OK persons in the OK UM conference signing a statement supporting marriage equality : one of 13 conferences with General Conference coming in two weeks in Tampa Florida for the UMC :  April 24 - May 4 :  Lighten the Burden IV conference is April 23, Tampa

 

SEE below :  the Video by Matthew Vines :   Evangelical : the Bible and homosexuality : why i left college and spent 2 years try to find out .... 

 

Send prayers for General Conference in your daily meditations, create Fabric prayer strips and send to RMN offices or Howard Johnson in Tampa (see flashnet) or contact Betty Dorr in NE to send them to her to take : contact :  bobcdorr@cox.net

 

CORRECTION ON NEBRASKA STATEWIDE  RECONCILING NETWORK BLOG :  we posted it wrong this past week:  it is:   www.nebraskarum.blogspot.com

 

RMN blog :  http://www.rmnblog.org/

 

Facebook : search Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network

 

RMN Website :  www.RMNetwork.org  for information on General Conference and UM websites

 

Church Within a Church :  www.cwac.us  

 

Also see MFSA, Affirmation, PFLAG NE websites in Omaha, Lincoln and Hastings :  Soulforce, HRC and other websites

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: GLAAD

To: mvetter@charter.net

Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 2:25 PM

Subject: LGBT Religion News Summary for April 5, 2012

If you cannot see the images in this message, please view this message in your browser GLAAD Religion, Faith & Values News Summary GLAAD’s Religion, Faith & Values program works to elevate LGBT-affirming voices of faith in mainstream, regional, and community media. To find out more, visit www.glaad.org/faith. For additional religion and faith updates, be sure to check out our blog. Thank you for forwarding. You may subscribe via our online registration form. We welcome suggestions atfaith@glaad.org. Last fall, Muslims for Progressive Values, an American reformist organization, gathered from around the country to celebrate the growth of membership.  In less than five years, the group had grown from a few friends to a thousand members and spawned a string of small mosques and spiritual groups that stretched from Atlanta to Los Angeles.  While far from accepted by mainstream clerics, these worshippers feel that the future of the religion lies not solely with tradition but with them. Women are leading congregations in prayer, gay imams are performing Islamic marriages, and men and women are praying side by side.  This week, Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed (right) has made headlines by becoming the first French man to be married to another man in a Muslim religious ceremony. In his new book, he tells the tale of his unique journey of faith and love. Mark Paredes offers a conservative Mormon argument for NOT joining the "Dump Starbucks Campaign," organized by the National Organization for Marriage in attempts to detract customers from Starbucks because of Starbuck’s endorsement of marriage equality.  Paredes writes, "You don’t have to support gay marriage to believe that people with different theologies who act on their beliefs shouldn’t be punished for doing so."  As of last week, the "Dump Starbucks" petition had gotten only 19,000 signatures, compared to the nearly 250,000 individuals who have signed SumOfUs’s retaliatory "Thank You, Starbucks" card. In Oklahoma, a group of United Methodists are signing a statement in support of marriage equality ahead of an April global policy conference of the church, which prohibits gay marriage in official documents. Assemblies of God Church leader known for anti-gay remarks to expand ministry to Rogers Park Chicago-Phoenix, March 30, 2012 Baptist Southeastern Seminary rallies support for gay-marriage ban Associated Baptist Press, March 30, 2012 Buddhist Why Buddhists Should Support Marriage Equality Sujato’s Blog, March 21, 2012 Catholic Too Gay for Catholic School? Huffington Post, March 27, 2012 Vanderbilt Catholic leaving campus over policy The Tennessean, March 27, 2012 The Case for Gay Acceptance in the Catholic Church The Atlantic, March 28, 2012 Because Most Catholics Aren't a Bunch of Frothing, Anti-Gay, Misogynistic Pez Dispensers of Rigid Idiological Bigotry Slog, March 27, 2012 Archbishop Chaput Will Have None of Your Lukewarm Catholicism The Philly Post, March 30, 2012 Pro-LGBT Catholics Call on Church, KOC, to Sever Ties with NOM Religion Dispatches, March 30, 2012 As Culture War Rages, What's the Status of LGBT Rights on Catholic Campuses? Religion Dispatches, March 30, 2012 Mass. Catholic college rescinds graduation invitation to Victoria Kennedy after bishop objects Washington Post, March 30, 2012 Commencement wars heat up over Ted Kennedy’s widow Washington Post, April 2, 2012 Christian A Clear Vision: Developing a Religious Strategy for Equality Huffington Post, March 23, 2012 One Psalm, two causes, two meanings USA Today, March 28, 2012 Anti-marriage Christian theologian says a wise thing Box Turtle Bulletin (blog), March 28, 2012 The Book of Matthew The Harvard Crimson, March 29, 2012 'Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner' Not Enough Huffington Post, March 29, 2012 The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality Slog, March 29, 2012 Christian Company Refuses to Make Gay Pride T-Shirts Opposing Views, March 30, 2012 Christians, gay marriage and the Starbucks boycott The GOD Blog, March 30, 2012 MURRIETA: Gay group to host Christian group founder The Press Enterprise, March 30, 2012 Talk Covers Gay Rights, Bible The Harvard Crimson, March 30, 2012 Duo talk about Biblical views of gays, others Kearney Hub, March 30, 2012 A Biblical Response to Homophobic Christians in Arizona Blog for Arizona, March 31, 2012 Vines Offers Alternate Biblical Interpretation of Same-Sex Relationships The Harvard Crimson, April 1, 2012 The Best Case For the Bible NOT Condemning Homosexuality John Shore (blog), April 2, 2012 Edmond church welcomes GLBT community Edmond Sun, April 2, 2012 Episcopalian Katharine Jefferts Schori, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop, Speaks About Gay Clergy And Birth Control Huffington Post, March 27, 2012 Evangelical The Bible and Homosexuality: Why I Left College and Spent Two Years Finding Out What the Scriptures Really Say (VIDEO) Huffington Post, March 26, 2012 James Alexander Langteaux: Christian and Gay Publishers Weekly, March 28, 2012 Transgender Writer Challenges Pat Robertson on Gays Opposing Views, April 2, 2012 Interfaith Introducing The Faith Shift Series Huffington Post, March 29, 2012 Letters | Church leaders, it’s time to speak up on same-sex marriage Valley Record, March 29, 2012 International Christian Churches Support Gay Marriage ! The Movement Is Growing Stronger Here in the UK Premier Community, March 28, 2012 Christian group pledge support for gay couples marrying Pink News, March 28, 2012 Quakers To Queen Elizabeth: Let England’s Gays Get Married! Queerty, March 29, 2012 Cardinal's remarks anger worshippers This Is Bath, March 29, 2012 Gay Catholics reject church's campaign ABC News, March 30, 2012 Welsh Vicar quits Church over homophobia ATV Today, March 30, 2012 From Prejudice to Persecution: Some on the Religious Right Have Crossed the Line in the Anti-gay Crusade Huffington Post, March 30, 2012 Chilean bishops condemn brutal murder of gay man Catholic News Agency, March 30, 2012 Clash Over Gay Rights. Legal, Religious, Moral Reasons Daily guide, March 31, 2012 Territory priest speaks out for gay rights NT News, April 1, 2012 Bob Carr's 'overlap of cultures' and the Victorian bishops on gay marriage Eureka Street, April 1, 2012 Same-sex marriage bill reveals differences Canberra Times, April 2, 2012 Irish Catholic Church looks into claims that priest showed gay porn to parents CNN, April 2, 2012 Austrian cardinal overrules priest, allows gay Catholic to serve on parish council Washington post, April 2, 2012 Jewish Amsterdam Jews want out of long-distance relationship with U.S. rabbi Aryeh Ralbag JTA, March 28, 2012 Wearing My Rainbow Yarmulka With Pride Huffington Post, March 30, 2012 Pinkwashing? Pink-eye! The Times of Israel (blog), April 1, 2012 LDS Dump Starbucks over gay marriage? Not this Mormon Jewish Journal, April 1, 2012 Lutheran Pastor Bradley Schmeling Called as Senior Pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul Lutherans Concerned, March 27, 2012 ELCA church in St. Paul picks openly gay pastor Star Tribune, March 27, 2012 Marriage Faiths argue over marriage in uptown WCNC, March 26, 2012 Baptist leader says NC crucial in marriage debate NECN, March 28, 2012 Gay Marriage Amendment Focus Of Forum WFAE, March 29, 2012 Countering some previous statements about Amendment One Gaston Gazette, March 30, 2012 Oppose gay marriage? Let's party. Back it? Ditto. Pioneer Press, March 30, 2012 Methodist United Methodists in Okla. sign statement supporting gay marriage ahead of global conference The Republic, March 22, 2012 Tulsa pastor among Okla. Methodists to support gay marriage KRMG, March 23, 2012 LGBT youth form ‘JustUsATL’ as option to crumbling YouthPride GA Voice, March 30, 2012 Metropolitan Community Church GLBT focused church moves to Rogers Park Windy City Times, March 28, 2012 150 march, rally in northeast Gainesville in support of Trayvon Gainesville Sun, March 31, 2012 Miscellaneous Starbucks Boycott Over Marriage Equality Spurs Tenfold Backlash Think Progress, March 26, 2012 Anti-Gay Marriage NOM Documents Reveal Racial Wedge Strategy and More Religion Dispatches, March 27, 2012 Soulforce national tour raises awareness for gay rights in Shawnee News Star, March 28, 2012 Theater instructor alleges Lamar discriminated against her religious beliefs Southeast Texas Record, March 29, 2012 Chris Matthews Grilled About Hosting Anti-Gay Tony Perkins: VIDEO Towleroad, March 29, 2012 Openly gay member of Lincoln School Board calls on university to fire assistant football coach Associated Press, March 31, 2012 How to respond when a damaging person comes out Box Turtle Bulletin, April 1, 2012 Muslim Progressive Muslims Launch Gay-Friendly, Women-Led Mosques In Attempt To Reform American Islam Huffington Post, March 29, 2012 Forbidden Amour: Imam Marries Muslim Homosexual Couple Albawaba, April 2, 2012 One Muslim's fight to marry Islam with homosexuality France 24, April 3, 2012 Politics Boehner Names NOM Co-Founder Robert George to Religious Freedom Commission Box Turtle Bulletin (blog), March 28, 2012 GOP Leaders Make Mockery Of ‘Religious Freedom’ By Appointing Commissioners Who Advocate Fear Of Others Think Progress, March 28, 2012 Kansas House Advances ‘Religious License To Discriminate’ Legislation Think Progress, March 29, 2012 Anchorage voters set to choose mayor, decide on Prop. 5 The News Tribune, April 3, 2012 Equal rights measure fuels passionate debate Anchorage Daily News, April 1, 2012  Unitarian Universalist Transgender Parent: Child's Journey When Mom Becomes Dad ABC News, March 27, 2012 Thanks for your suggestions, and please continue to forward and subscribe to faith@glaad.org. Contact: Ross Murray Director of Religion, Faith & Values (646) 871-8040 murray@glaad.org

Open Hearts news

OPEN HEARTS folks :  you are welcome to all services at UM4GI this Holy Weekend or your local faith community :  U2charist service of music, prayers, offerings and commuion is Sat night at Faith UMC, G island on Eddy street, 7 PM ;  Worhips at Trinity UMC Saturday night at 6 PM in Gollaher chapel and Easter Sunday services :  9:30 and 11 PM Trinity UMC, 9:30 am at Faith UMC and First umc in G island :  see area services!

Within the past week, Robert Wheeler's BLOG :  THE BIBLE THROUGH ARTIST'S EYES has had some increasing interest :  Robert is our Main Email contact in the N platte area for :  Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network  --- THANKS ROBERT and all Main Email contacts in NE!

See the “The Crucifixion” on his blog, The Bible through Artists’ Eyes:  You might also find it a good part of meditation and preparation for Easter. It may be found at: http://bibleartists.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/the-crucifixion/
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BIG NEWS:   NE PREMIER----   LOVE FREE OR DIE :  Documentary on Gene Robinson APRIL 19 :  breaking News from Hasting College BELOW, also news from Hastings PFLAG and Omaha PLAG :  and OPEN HEARTS Reconciling Commuity upcoming events this week :

Don't forget our two BIG SPRING OPEN HEARTS events coming with : 4th Annual HIV AID benefit concert friday night April 13 at Trinity UMC, Grand Island : to raise funds for TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS Fund.    Come and help us reach out to others through this fundraiser in Central NE!  Jewels of love, intermission and bring cookies to share at intermission : four area musicians, suggested donation of $5 or more, bring household cleaning supplies to give out to clients at NAP kearney : www.nap.org

This fund YEARLY gives direct assistance through NAP kearney and needs to be replenished!

April 16 : Potluck with Clergy panel at Hastings college, student union : bring food for students in Alliance GSA  :  meet April 16:  5 PM in church parking lots (west entrance) to leave at 5:15 for HASTINGS :  for PFLAG POTLUCK for ALLIANCE GSA students with our group helping PFLAG Hastings  : bring your car April 16 : to carpool or drive!

Fred Lowery is checking with GISH GSA to see if any of them can come :  we might need to transport more folks and students!!!  :  RSVP if you are going : mvetter@charter.net

Option : come early April 16 : 4 - 5 PM in the Gathering place at TRINITY UMC G island :
to write up prayers on fabric strips (colored ) for the PRAYER WALL in TAMPA at General Conference in the RMN tabernacle : or create some and give them to maureen to send off April 17!
Events in May and June coming and Living Better Conference at the UNITARIAN church in Lincoln!
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SEE LASTED OMAHA NEWS ...in this Omaha PFLAG newsletter:

<http://www.pflag-omaha.org/newsletter.pdf>
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APRIL 19 documentary PREMIER : Hastings College Chapel
----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Sandeen" <jsandeen@hastings.edu>
To: "undisclosed-recipients:"
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 8:37 PM
Subject: excellent opportunity

The Nebraska premier of the documentary about Gene Robinson, the first
openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church, will be hosted at the
Hastings College Chapel, April 19. Spread the word!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/282471435164660/

Thursday, April 19, 2012
7:30pm until 9:30pm
LOVE FREE OR DIE is about a man whose two defining passions are in direct conflict: his love for God and for his partner Mark. Gene Robinson is the first openly gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of Christendom. His consecration in 2003, to which he wore a bullet-proof vest, caused an international stir, and he has lived with death threats every day since.

LOVE FREE OR DIE follows Robinson from small-town churches in the New Hampshire North Country to Washington’s Lincoln Memorial to London’s Lambeth Palace, as he calls for all to stand for equality – inspiring bishops, priests and ordinary folk to come out from the shadows and change history.

Diversity Day of Baseball

Reconciling United Methodist in NE and friends :  Summer Event :  Diversity Day of Baseball! Rainbow flag at Werner field, River city chorus singing and more!  SEE ATTACH See our Facebook :  Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network, JOIN us and LIKE us! Our blog :  www.Reconcilingrum.blogspot.com Become a Reconciling United Methodist today : www.RMNetwork.org Give to Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network this spring and summer : Email offering time for your yearly commitment to RMN :  we have raised $125 so far of our $250 minimum for RMN We will list our donors so contribute today :  Make your gift / check to RMN, mail to : Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake lane, Grand Island, NE 68801 June 8 :  LINCOLN :  84th Street south of A Street :  Reconciling Lunch birthday fundraiser :  NOON at Dino's Grill : Party Room RESERVED :  that holds 20 people or eat in the main room for overflow:  order from menu : Give donations to RMN to celebrate Birthdays of groups and RUMs : bring your calendars!    RSVP to Liz :  lizabethjoan@aol.com Thanks Judy for sending this to us!   maureen vetter and wendy smith, social media contacts

Take me OUT to the Ballgame! Diversity Day 2012 Werner Park Where: Werner Park 12356 Ballpark Way (HWY. 370 & 126th St.) Papillion, NE 68046 Driving Directions When: Tuesday May 29, 2012 from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM CDT Add to my calendar   Greetings! Join us for Diversity Day 2012 at Werner Park! May 29th, 2012.   A great day to be OUT at the ballpark! Special Giveaways Performance by River City Mixed Chorus  Flag Raising of Historic Large Rainbow Flag Heartland LGBT Pride Month Proclamation  One lucky person will throw out the first pitch Groups name will be announced over the PA System Information Tables to promote community events including 2012 Pride Cultural Festival and Parade Volunteer sign up and recognition  Opportunity to  win great prizes and meet new friends Get more information Register Now! I can't make it Register for this special event and share with your friends and family!  Purchase your tickets before May 1st, 2012.   A special thank you to Kevin Marik, for organizing this wonderful opportunity.  To Andrea and the Storm Chaser for their support and to River City Mix Chorus and Metropolitan Community Church for there participation..  Still time to get your Nonprofit, Church, GSA, Group or Organization involved!   Time to stand up and be counted!   Sincerely,   Steven Sorensen, Heartland Pride United In Pride Heartland Pride info@heartlandpride.org 402-965-1536

Huffington Post article by Mike Lux

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lux/jesus-vs-the-christians_b_1342613.html

Open Hearts news for April

OPEN HEARTS folks, G I area  :  HAPPY SPRING !!  It has sprung early!

Here's whats happening!!

The 4th Annual HIV AIDS Benefit concert is April 13, 7 - 9 pm in Gollaher chapel, Trinity UMC, G island  : 4 area musicians raising the roof in song, free will offerings for TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund, Jewels of love for the UM Global AIDS Fund, bring cookies to share at intermission, INFO on HIV AIDS, meet new friends and more!

Upcoming events :  General Conference for the UMC is April 24 - May 5 in Tampa, Fl
Send prayers and make Fabric prayer strips at home : send them or bring them April 16!

Lighten the Burden IV Conference on HIV AIDS will be in Tampa at Hyde UMC April 23!
Five of us are registered for LTB conference from NE so far!  IT is $10 to register online!
Just go to www.umglobalaidsfund.com to get more info or google Lighten the Burden IV, Tampa

Send prayers and make a fabric prayer strip (s) for the Common Witness Prayer Wall in Tampa :  bring your offerings April 16 and get RMN RAINBOW lapel pins for $5 to wear!

Giving : We hope to send in our $250 early this year to support COMMON Witness :  we are close at about $230 from our Calendar sales and offerings! Make checks to TUMC and in the memo put OPEN HEARTS!     Bring your offerings April 16 from 4 - 5 PM, Gathering place and fabric prayer strips before we leave!

Give to NE Statewide Reconciling Network :  write checks to RMN and send to Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake Lane, G island, NE 68801   We have raised $125 so far for NE Statewide to send in our yearly commitment as well this spring and summer : Email offerings!

Open hearts folks :  FABRIC PRAYER STRIPS:  Use brightly colored cloth strips and permanent markers to write up a prayer or several on the cloth strip to send to General Conference 2012 in hopes of a more fully inclusive UMC!

Get prayer strips to Maureen by April 16, send in prayer strips yourself (see directions in last Flashnet) or Bring prayers strips to TRINITY UMC, G Island on April 16 from 4 - 5 PM and we will send them off the next day to Betty Dorr in Omaha!   Gather a few friends to do Fabric prayer strips!

If you want to come and write your prayer strip for the PRAYER WALL in Tampa at the Tabernacle for Common Witness from 4 - 5, bring supplies or just come to the Gathering place before we go to the POTLUCK with PFLAG Hastings and Alliance at Hastings College student union.

You can send FABRIC prayer strips yourself  :  to RMN offices ahead in Chicago, Howard Johnsons in Tampa with info : or contact BETTY DORR in omaha to get them to her before April 24!  bobcdorr@cox.net

OPEN HEARTS folks :

We hope to leave at 5:15 PM (west parking lot) April 16 and carpool to Hastings College for the Annual Spring Potluck and this time a Clergy Panel for the program.

Jay Vetter will be sharing in the clergy panel that night :  the potluck is at 6 PM, Student Union at Hastings college if you have to drive on your own from work.    Bring foods to share with the Alliance group at Hastings college!  Come join together to create change in our world for a more inclusive world!

April 16 :  is our April event with the AIDS concert  :  The Potluck is a PFLAG hastings event and in the fall we do a similar event with them : WELCOMING STUDENTS BACK in Alliance :  with PFLAG and Open hearts on Sept 17 this fall!

I need folks to help with the carpooling and promoting for this event sept 17 and AIDS Walk Sept 23 at Hastings college!  Thanks to Mena for doing emailing when i am gone!   VERY APPRECIATED!

May : Cather Conference in Red Cloud : see online
June 8 :  NOON =  Lincoln at Annual Conference :
Reconciling Birthday fundraiser lunch at Dinos on 84th Street out east by St marks UMC, south of A Street  :   RSVP to Liz bady to go and get directions :  lizabethjoan@aol.com
June 6 - 8 Volunteer for HIV AIDS table and Reconciling table at St marks lincoln @ NE UMC Annual conference   -  HIV AIDS table contact sashley@nebrwesleyan.edu and Reconciling table :  betty :  bobcdorr@cox.net

Some folks have been doing the Reconciling table 20 years! Thank you Bob and Betty, Ruth Kruse and other RUM's in NE    --  we are about 400 strong in NE now so become an RUM today :  www.RMNetwork.org

June 9 : Queen's Birthday fundraiser :  Art silent auction at MONA kearney for NAP kearney
Starts at 3 PM at MONA downtown kearney!
Pride events this summer in Lincoln and omaha!

Summer book reads / organize a summer coffee for Open hearts, go to PFLAG coffees this summer!
HAVE A GREAT EASTER and SPRING      Maureen and Mena

ps way to go brian in your WALK from GI to hastings to raise money for the DREAMACT!

WEEK OF SILENCE at Hastings college Alliance below :

----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Sandeen" <jsandeen@hastings.edu>
To: "undisclosed-recipients:"
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 10:15 PM
Subject: upcoming events

Hi, everyone...

Please remember our upcoming PFLAG potluck...note the time and location change.  6 PM, Hazelrigg Student Center, Hastings College.  We invite the local GSAs and Hastings College Alliance as our guests...they love our food!  The program is a panel of supportive clergy..an important message for all to hear.

HC Alliance has a roster of events for Day/Week of Silence, as follows: (PFLAG members are invited/encourage to attend all of the following)

Wed, April 18...10 AM, chapel service, Aaron Lauer, message (some of you will remember hearing Aaron speak about his experiences as a Soulforce rider)

Wed, April 18, 7 PM, in the HC chapel....Day of Silence/breaking the silence vigil

Thursday, April 19, 7:30 PM....movie, "Love Free or Die", about Gene
Robinson, in the chapel. <http://www.lovefreeordiemovie.com/screenings.html> We’re the only venue between St. Louis and Denver to screen the film.

Friday, April 20, midnight, at the PFF...Rocky Horror Picture Show

Flashnet: GC news

Dear RECONCILING FRIENDS IN NEBRASKA and beyond :   

 

We don't send out Flashnets very often as you can subscribe to it on your own :  www.RMNetwork.org

 

This FLASHNET is IMPORTANT as it gives info on General Conference coming : sending prayers on your own or through Fabric Prayer strips for the Prayer wall there :   In NE you can do this as a group or individually and send your fabric prayer strip to the addresses in the article or send to Betty Dorr in Omaha.  Contact her soon so she can take them or see the addresses in the article below for sending to RMN offices or Tampa!  

 

Be watching for NEWS coming from GC 2012 :  April 24 - may 4 in Tampa FL : LIghten the Burden IV Conference on HIV AIDS april 23  at HYDE UMC in Tampa too :  we have about five people registered for LIghten the Burden IV from NE and some for the Common Witness!  One person is going to Africa for ZOE MINISTRY in June! Send prayers for all of these persons and all voting delegates at General Conference!

 

See the photos of the RECONCILING  TABERNACLE below, the Prayer Wall and more! 

 

Peace maureen and wendy, NE contacts for media, local contacts, Main email contacts, PRN contacts and thanks everyone :  become a Reconciling UM today :  we have about 400 in NE and four official reconciling communities, one congregation!

To sign on today :  www.RMNetwork.org   

 

There are Lots of ways to give to RMN through our NE statewide Reconciling network in the last few emails -give to local groups or start one yourself:  GIVE to support change and fully inclusive ministries in the UMC!

March news

Reconciling Friends in NE and beyond :

News from LGBTQA Center at UNL Lincoln attached!

Action:  Nominate students in higher ed for the NE MFSA Jimmy Creech Profile of Justice Scholarship :  nominations due April 13 to Zach Anderson :  info on this scholarship was sent out today by our statewide network of friends and Main Email contacts in NE!


Actions: Ways to give to Reconciling Ministries Network in NE and UM Global AIDS fund :

1)  Give to NE Statewide Reconciling Network Spring Offering with General conference coming this spring in Tampa, Florida for the UMC  :   write checks to RMN and send checks / gifts to :
Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake Lane, Grand Island, NE 68801

So far TWO gifts have been given  for the Spring Email offering for our NE Statewide Reconciling Network of friends and our yearly commitment to RMN as an "OFFICIAL RECONCILING COMMUNITY" with Reconciling Ministries Network:  We want to send in our commitment earlier this year with General Conference coming and the COMMON Witness at General Conference of RMN, MFSA and Affirmation!  They will have many expenses this spring!

DONORS 2012 for NE Statewide Reconciling Network:

----- Linda Kastning, Ponca NE
-----Maureen and Jay Vetter, Grand Island NE in memory of Rev Nye Bond : Nye's memorial will be
April 17 at Christ UMC : we honor his life of activism and justice for marginalized persons!


2) Do a Knit In, Crochet In:  Give the gift of multicolor rainbow yarns or individual rainbow colors of 4 ply cotton yarns to a person who will knit rainbow washcloths to sell at the HIV AIDS table at Annual Conference in Lincoln, St Marks, June 6 - 9!  Knit or crochet items yourself and let us know -  All proceeds will go to the UM Global aids fund : www.umglobalaidsfund.com   Send 4 ply cotton yarns to : Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake lane, Grand Island, NE 68801 OR send to:
Mary Ellen Kilmer, PO Box 386 Harrison, NE, 69346

3)  Do a fundraising or awareness project on UM Global AIDS fund / HIV AIDS : or take an offering for UM Global AIDS fund and send to :  Conference offices, Lincoln and designate what church you are from / give offerings near World AIDS day Dec 1.

See the new URL :  www.umcneb.org/AIDS for info and new HIV AIDS statistics!
New Facebook:  Nebraska UM Global AIDS fund  :  NEW goal to eliminate HIV AIDS by 2020 :www.2020AIDSfreeworld.org

CELEBRATE:  We have FIVE people attending LIGHTEN THE BURDEN IV Conference on HIV AIDS April 23 in Tampa, Florida the day before General Conference at Hyde UMC :  Cindy karges, Katie karges, Sarah Ashley, Linda Kastning, and Maureen Vetter for sure!  Send prayers :  others might be attending too! Let us know if you are registering and attending!

IF you can VOLUNTEER at the HIV AIDS table during Annual Conference June 6 - 9 Lincoln at St marks UMC :  contact Sarah Ashley : sashley@nebrwesleyan.edu

4)  See the website for RMN and Flashnets about General Conference this spring :  www.RMNetwork.org

Organize a Birthday Fundraiser lunch this spring :  Give gifts to NE Statewide Reconciling Network (yearly gift to RMN from NE)  instead of giving birthday gifts and cards to friends: celebrate birthdays of persons and groups!

Join us June 8 at noon in Lincoln at Dino's Grill :  we will have a Birthday Fundraiser Lunch at Dino's Party room on 84th :  RSVP to Lizabethjoan@aol.com  if you are coming!

Let Betty Dorr now if you can volunteer at the Reconciling Table at Annual Conference :bobcdorr@cox.net

5)  June 9:  Queen's Birthday Fundraiser :  NAP Kearney MONA, Silent Auction of ART for NAP kearney! Festivities begin at 3 PM June 9 :  come join in the fun and celebration!

6)  April 13 :  4th Annual HIV AIDS Benefit Concert, Trinity UMC, GI : Support clients at NAP kearney through area musicians sharing and giving : freewill donations to TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund --  direct assistance to clients at NAP kearney through Trinity UMC :  Each year we need to replenish this fund to work to eliminate HIV AIDS by 2020!    Concert 7 - 9 PM, doors open at  6:30 PM,  HIV AIDS info and Jewels of love for sale for UM Global AIDS fund  :   See you there :  flyers on UM Connects in the last few weeks! Bring cookies to share during intermission!

7)  April 16 :  6 PM Potluck and Clergy Panel :  Hastings College --  Bring potluck foods for dinner to thank Alliance students at Hastings College Student Union  :  PFLAG Hastings as host and Open Hearts folks is supporting! Meet at 5:15 PM at Trinity UMC, G island, West parking lot and Gathering Place to carpool over!