This Month's RMN Flashnet

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001yP95GP3a5whq-uGSNrLgbx7vBQm20LlSsSn41cCKl1rbU1a4v1JvgAdofaHT_A_5rcwKZuy_PK7-xIGiF2hmeyzmS1qSnwnuoeQVD-BrxDjVfYhIet_rAD46GMv81hZPtLhZyelVh8t4vsqs_rY7fpBlw6Cb1LgfNyGWT68EETcCxxjtoPRlcCT84Y6MO553bJKfTuxi49zCgsFudCwuq0nNUgHZ4HVEACNfM8lx40TIhLQZ89PUvZWxvYUvfdByVD9ioyk07dfSn4qfmEBUeKaYHYyP564rV-6GSR4PLToWPvSE_zzY6g%3D%3D

Ruling intensifies debate on homosexuality

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=8571753&sms_ss=facebook

Annual Conference Report from Betty

Report on Nebraska United Methodist Church Annual Conference 2010

Fortunately, Reconciling Ministries Network had a good location this year for its information table in a hallway just outside the Nebraska Annual Conference meeting room on the Nebraska Wesleyan University campus in Lincoln. As a result, we had a lot of traffic. What thrilled those staffing the table was that many of the people we talked to were rural Nebraskans, both lay people and pastors. We used the two posters in the RMN packet, and they attracted a lot of comments.

We were so busy at the table we didn’t move around much to see other table displays.  The only quiet time came when conference delegates left the building to go to 40 sites in Lincoln for a mission work experience.  This was for a half day and it was called “the church has left the building.”

We also used as talking points five pages consisting of four General Conference Resolutions and one page from the Social Principles: Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation.  This material was prepared by Rev. Stephen Griffith of Lincoln.  We handed out more than 75 copies.  Most of the people we talked to were not aware of the Book of Resolutions.  We listened to many stories and will be working with at least three pastors in rural areas to help with families of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders.

Also this year, we had 100 youths in attendance, the largest number in recent years, and they visited our table a lot.  Most were wearing stoles and pins by the end of the conference. We all felt excitement and joy for all the conversations we had this year and hope to continue that Reconciling journey.

The ordination and commissioning service at Annual Conference was special this year for First United Methodist Church-Omaha. Rev. Debra McKnight, FUMC associate pastor, became an ordained United Methodist minister along with five others. Family members and friends, including some from FUMC-Omaha, stood in support during the traditional “laying on of hands.” 

Submitted by Betty Dorr,

For the Nebraska State Reconciling Email Group

More rainbow giveaway

Know of someone who may appreciate a rainbow/heart blanket? Contact Wendy to get one of these 2 blankets. The first one has squares that are approx 1 foot on each side, and have hearts on them (hard to see in the picture); the other is about 2 1/2 feet by 5 1/2 feet and has rows of hearts. Wendy still has a few rainbow stoles/scarves left from last year as well. If you have a request for something else (rainbow bag, hat, etc.) just ask!

Read the latest Flashnet from RMN

http://www.rmnetwork.org/flashnet_show.asp?flashnetID=218

Nebraska AIDS walk for 2010: 6-1-1

6-1-1 Nebraska AIDS walk for 2010.. six cities, one walk, one purpose, Thousands helped!

NE AIDS Walks this year.. for more info www.nap.org

It is six cities all the SAME DAY this year.. omaha, lincoln, hastings, kearney, scottsbluff, norfolk!

Registration at noon in all cities, 1 pm for all Rallies, 3 PM closing ceremonies in all six cities!

Kearney, NE Rally at 1 PM with Don Messer as speaker! Don Messer the Chair of UM Global AIDS fund will be the speaker at the Kearney event! Come and welcome Don and send this to your friends! Meet at 1 PM for the Rally at the Fine ARTS building at U of NE at kearney. See brochure attached for more info!  
Sept 12, Faith UMC Kearney Worship with Don Messer preaching, 10 am Harmon Park, 5th AVE and 29th Street, kearney

Sunday Morning, Sept 12, at Faith UMC: Don Messer will preach at the 10 am OUTDOOR service at Harmony Park, Kearney. Don has travelled the world advocating for those struggling with HIV AIDS and he has written several books on HIV AIDS ---his latest is "52 Ways for an AIDS- FREE World". Let's welcome Don to NE! Don is the former President of Iliff UMC Seminary in Denver, CO

Get a team together from your church or group, family or friends and drive to kearney after getting pledges! See brochure for more info orwww.nap.org

Summer update: Statewide Reconciling Network

SHINE THE LIGHT ON EACH OTHER THIS SUMMER as you renew yourselves spiritually many ways -- and as you reach out to each other with God's unconditional love for all persons far and wide! 

 

We celebrate Ten Years of being a Reconciling Congregation at Omaha First UMC!   We hope to hear about your weekend in July!

 

 

Dear NE Reconciling United Methodists ( RUM's ) and friends, neighbors:

 

We hope you are having a good summer!   Find ways to make faith responses!

 

See and celebrate our new blog for sharing info and stories -http://nebraskarum.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook Group: Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network  Thanks wendy!

We could use you on our group Facebook and visit our new blog!
RMN Facebook Group : Reconciling Ministries Network

 

The new Inclusive Group in North Platte is having a month of gatherings in August and then going to once a month meetups!   Congrats to this new reconciling group in Western NE!  We are glad to have new local reconciling contacts this year around NE!

 

Summer reads:  Voices of the Kingdom, Would Jesus Discriminate?  The Eye of the Storm Marcus Borg has a new novel out in hardback, Bishop Spong is coming to NE so find some of his great books too!   I have been reading Michael Pollan for our Going Green group!  We are watching the movie SAVED tonight at our Methodist Movie night with popcorn! Eat Pray Love is coming out in August --  a new movie on the RMN website  www.RMNetwork.org

 

Here is the latest news on the Summer Email offering :  We have $400 now to send in to RMN offices in Chicago from our NE Statewide Reconciling network!   Our minimum commitment is $250 yearly as an official reconciling community of RMN.  Thanks everyone!

 

Last year we sent in $355 total so thanks for helping us go beyond this summer!

Donors will be listed later this summer.   Write checks to RMN and send to: Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake Lane, Grand Island, NE 68801.   Gifts to RMN keep Reconciling work alive!  We are grateful for your support for our statewide group, our local groups, contacts.

 

Inspiring Communities Conference is coming to central NE Oct 22, 23 at Hastings college!  Get it on your calendars as they are bringing this to Central NE!

 

Bishop Spong is the theologian for Horizons of Faith at Omaha First the end of March

Go to www.horizonsoffaith.com

 

Lighten the Burden III Conference is in Oct in Texas -  www.umglobalaidsfund.org for info Contact Maureen Vetter if you can attend.   See the toolkit of info on this website too!

 

All AIDS walks in NE are Sunday Sept 12 this year in six cities!  Go to www.nap.orgGet a team from your church to go or ask some friends to walk with you.  Make a faith response!

 

Don Messer Chair of UM Global AIDS Fund will speak at the AIDS Walk Rally Sept, Fine Arts Bldg UNK, kearney @ 1 PM - He preaches at Harmon Park, Kearney,10 am, Faith UMC

 

We have 30 AIDS Ambassadors in NE UM churches now.  We could use 300 more or one in each local church.  If you can promote the UM Global AIDS fund Special offering Dec 5 contact Mvetter@charter.net or send your info to Andrew Brackett on our NE UMC HIV AIDs Task force:  caseworker-2nap@charterinternet.net   Offering envelopes are available FREE through Cokesbury.

 

Attached is the list of RMN contacts in NE for 2010 - 2011.  Print it out and have an info table at gatherings or in your local church. Help start a local reconciling support group in your church or your part of Nebraska -  help us grow the circle of friends!

Find a friend who can be a SPIRITUAL PARTNER -  renew yourself and advocate for others

 

Our reconciling groups will be having gatherings and actions as fall comes with AIDS walks, meetups!

Be watching for local reconciling news from your area Reconciling Main contact.

 

 

BE BOLD: Believe out loud! 

Become an RUM, give offerings to RMN,Tell your stories!

 

For more info on RMN or Reconciling Ministries Network go to www.RMNetwork.org

 

NE Statewide Reconciling Network, Main contacts Maureen Vetter mvetter@charter.net  and Wendy Smith wsmith28@gmail.com - Email Main Contacts, PRN contacts, Local Reconciling Contacts and Reconciling groups across NE

 

If you do not wish to receive NE statewide reconciling network emails, let the main email contact know in your area know!  If you want to add a name let us know too! Become an RUM today online :  www.RMNetwork.org and go to JOIN US!