Open Hearts Reconciling community, G Island area: upcoming dates : Sept 18, Sept 19 monday night!

Open hearts folks :   here are a few dates to get on your calendar for fall -  see you then if not before -  support pride events and other GLBT events, diversity events this summer!

 

Sept 18 : AIDS walks in NE (www.nap.org )  Get a team together to walk at Hastings college and U of NE at kearney in the AIDS Walks across NE  - get friends together, colleagues, families, church friends, neighbors etc!

 

Sept 19 :  MONDAY NIGHT -  We are JOINING with Hastings PFLAG for our Sept gathering on a MONDAY NIGHT this year!! -   This will be our Sept get together for Open hearts as we join with the Hastings PFLAG folks and the Hastings College alliance!

 

Get this on your calendar early as we will be providing the POTLUCK food for the Hastings College Alliance returning to Hastings College this fall!   Our two groups are providing the food for that evening -   I think the dinner will start about 5:30 PM but we watching for details -  also a unique program too and often it is at the Student Union on the Hastings college campus -   at the Hazellrigg union -   be watching for details on this EVENT -  this is the first time we are joining with HASTINGS PFLAG for an event other than supporting events together!

 

Coming out week : Oct 11 is Coming out DAY!  Be watching for Special events in Nebraska!   Get this week on your calendar as there are special events being planned at Hastings College chapel and around NE.

 

DIVERSITY SUMMER in Nebraska : Pride events in Omaha and Lincoln pride is in July! 

 

1) Reading Challenge for Hassan this summer at TUMC, support Hassan one orphan at the UMC Orphange in Jalingo, Nigeria :  read and get pledges or pledge yourself -  bring in pledges by Aug 7 to Trinity UMC  :  Read CHANGE THE WORLD by Mike Slaughter (through cokesbury press) for $10 at our special price this summer at TUMC and discussions in July and Oct for Book share -  dates and times TBA   JOIN US in reading this book and any others you choose

 

2) Getting Active 4 AIDS 4 an AIDS Free world :  get pledge forms at TUMC, G Island -  canoe ride for most pledges by Labor day weekend :  do by yourself or as a group

 

3) Ethnic Festival Grand island :  this weekend!   Art in the Park in July in Grand island! Support community!

 

4) FROGS store in Wolbach this summer :  First Rural Organic Grocery store, Wolbach days this weekend!

 

5) GI YWCA Garden Tour day :  july 7  The YWCA's goal is Eliminating Racism!   Get tickets at Ace or call the YWCA in G Island for info

 

6) Grain Place Organic Farm Tour day July 9, Marquette, NE  (see website)   Support Locally grown foods, farmers markets, grocery stories  :  also NE FOOD coop online -   check out events at PPRI or Praire Plains Resource Center, Aurora and their Ed programs :  www.prairieplains.org

 

7) Read GLBT movies, books, have meetups, Rainbow Art shows and more :  "Adam's Gif" by Jimmy creech is published!  Find it online today -  Read it and others renewing, enlightening books this summer - share books, movies for our Open Hearts Rainbow Crate this fall -

 

8) Give to the Summer Email offering for Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network as our yearly commitment as a Statewide EMAIL network of friends -  all gifts go directly to RMN offices in Chicago for their many ministries this summer and with General conference coming next spring.

 

Write checks to RMN and send to Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake lane, Grand island, NE 68801  -  she will send them in for the statewide network of friends -we are to $220 and our goal is $250 or more this summer for GLBT ministries and giving support at the Amy DeLong trial, SING A NEW SONG convo coming and more!   

 

Our Open hearts group is FIVE years old this Nov and our statewide group is SIX years old as an official network this fall -   RUMOLA in Lincoln is 14 years old this summer and Omaha first umc has been a Reconciling congregation for 11 years -   General Conference for the UMC is next April in Tampa, Florida - thanks to all volunteers in all of our groups and those doing emailing to get out info for events, meetups, gatherings!  Give to your local Reconciling support group so that we can all send in our commitments to RMN each year!

 

9) Info on SING A NEW SONG CONVO is on the RMN website:  www.RMNetwork.org  Send prayers to Amy DeLong and all affected by the recent church trial in WI -  for the story :  www.umc.org or go towww.RMNetwork.org and future flashnets - sign up today as a Reconciling United Methodist online and sign onto the petitions, statements we have been sending out!  Take action, tell your stories, take reconciling on the road to events and have a summer of spiritual awakenings!

 

10)  Let's celebrate NY marriage equality about to become law in six states now!  Let's celebrate Becca Preisendorf being the recipient of the Jimmy Creech Profile of Justice Scholarship this year -  she is the 12th recipient so the witness of Jimmy lives on as it encourages students to be active in justice work!   If you have a gift for the new GSA at GISH -  make your check to GSA, GISH and get it to Becca or Cindi McDowell her mom.

 

Have a GREAT summer -   Maureen vetter and Mena Sprague, Open Hearts contacts, email

PS SPECIAL THANKS TO MENA FOR HELPING OUT WITH EMAIL THIS SUMMER and Early fall!

Open Hearts news

Open Hearts Reconciling folks in the G Island, NE area:

CELEBRATE: We are Glad to report that Del and Carolyn have sent in the Nomination of Becca Preisendorf for the MFSA Jimmy Creech Profile of Justice Scholarship on behalf of our Open Hearts group! Thanks Becca, Del and Carolyn for your time on preparing this Nomination and information .. the due date for Nominations was today April 1.

We wish Becca the best as she graduates from GISH now this spring and looks forward to college learning and life. We thank you for sharing your journey of starting the first GSA at GISH at our February meeting! If you ever want to write this up as a one page story for a Booklet of our Awakening stories / Sacred stories in Open hearts -- we would welcome it as our first story!

CELEBRATE the new HIV AIDS testing site through TUMC at Old Walnut two times a month on the First Thurs am and the third Thurs afternoon in the Parish nurse offices there .. this is a collaboration with Central Health Center in GI. Know your status and get tested! Donations are accepted at this testing site or find out other testings sites in the area. TUMC was awarded the 2011 Working for an AIDS - FREE World Grant of $650 this year for the TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS Fund!

We hope you can join us for events in April -- to meet new friends and for the support of allies, friends, family of GLBT persons in our community and the surrounding area.. for persons of all faiths!

Info came to you today via the NE Statewide Reconciling Network Group Email with more details.. here are the basics and info on Sing A New Song Convo coming for Reconciling folks around the globe!

1) April 8 3rd Annual HIV AIDS Benefit Concert, 7 PM, Gollaher Chapel at Trinity UMC, GI with intermission and freewill donations -- four musicians sharing their songs, talents, time : Scott Taylor, Peggy Lang, Emily Dunbar and Paul Siebert!
Come early at 6:30 PM for info in the Gathering Place on HIV AIDS .. bring household items for NAP kearney and new blankets for Blankets of LOVE for clients at NAP kearney!

2) April 10 Sunday : Open Hearts Reconciling Community and Support Group Get-Together in the Gathering place of Trinity UMC, 5th and Elm, G Island, NE @ 3 PM with fellowship time ahead at 2:30 pm.. bring a snack to share! Bring a friend -- Come early at 2:30 PM if you are new to the group to read the Support Group guidelines ahead -- Bring things for the Rainbow Suitcase or hear about it!

We will share Awakening Stories : think of something that has been an Awakening to you (Another year of great spiritual awakenings -- and upcoming events for summer! We will take an offering for RMN and gather for support and renewal!

See info below in SING A NEW SONG with more info on the website: www.RMNetwork.org

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

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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

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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

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)
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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......

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! 

 

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

 

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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!

 

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Good news that there at TEN new Reconciling Communities in the last two months with RMN!

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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!

Open Hearts news

Open Hearts Reconciling Community folks and friends:   support group for persons of faith who are GLBT and allies!  Here is the latest Faith in Action!  Great information!

 

We have changed the date of our April Open Hearts Gathering to April 10 Sunday afternoon - from the old time of April 16 with Palm Sunday the next day and other conflicts that day!

 

We will now have it on SUNDAY, April 10 rather than Saturday April 16... our topic will be AWAKENING OUR SPIRITS!   We will hear about upcoming summer events and projects including Rainbows of HOPE!  Tell you more as April 10 approaches!  

 

We will keep telling out stories, giving our gifts and inviting persons to be Reconciling United methodists!  (Believe out loud) and take reconciling on the road as we carpool to events!

 

The Sunday Morning of April 17 will be a Friends for the Journey BOOK SHARE on Earth Day books..  read one of your choice and bring it to share a short reflection on it at 10:45 - 11:30 in Miller hall at Trinity UMC!    We hope you can come!

 

Our  next gathering is Feb 20 Sunday afternoon --  for our next Support group Gathering that remains the same!  

Come and lend support to Becca and her journey starting the GSA at GISH Grand island!

 

Come at 2:45 PM to the Gathering place at Trinity UMC, Grand Island, 511 N Elm (the south side entrance with lots of parking lots around the building and street parking on 5th street in front)   to give support with Becca telling her story about this journey! 

 

Bring a snack to share at 2:45 and we will hear Becca's story at 3 PM!   come at 2:45 if you are new to the group so read the support group guidelines!    An anonymous donor has given about ten DVD's to our RESOURCE CRATE and one book!   We will have them at the Feb meeting 20!    Don't forget to support Hastings pflag and their meetings monthly and coffeetimes too!

 

Feb 20 at 10:45 to 11 :30 we will share Bishop John Shelby Spong books at the Friends for the Journey BOOKSHARE at 10:45 to 11:30 in Miller hall at Trinity umc, Grand island    (he has a website if you are interested and has written 20 books on faith and theology to stretch your thinking)

 

Bishop Spong is coming as the guest theologian to Horizons of Faith Weekend March 25 - 27 at Omaha first umc.   www.horizonsoffaith.com      Maureen and Mena, Email contacts for Open hearts reconciling community, grand island!

 

PS our Sept 19 Open Hearts Meeting is collaborating with PFLAG hastings for the GSA (gay straight alliance at Hastings college) potluck --  with Ryan Sallens coming as speaker from Lincoln.   This will be a Monday night and we hope lots of our members can go and provide food, hear Ryan's story, get to know new people and lend support etc!  More info coming closer to fall!