Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network : Actions!! Request a Google Logo for World AIDS Day! AIDS Walks! Carpooling!

Dear RUM's in NE and friends :  Reconciing United Methodists! www.RMNetwork.org main website!  Sign on there as an RUM!
See us on Facebook :  Nebraska Statewide Reconclling Network    Blog : Nebraskarum.blogspot.com
Church Within a Church :  www.cwac.us

Another year of Spiritual Awakenings!

ACTIONS for Sept :

Help us get World AIDS day on Google : YOU CAN HELP!   see how do do this below :  for info contact Andrew: andrewb@nap.org
Thanks for this info Andrew!

NIBBLE FOR NAP (NE AIDS project www.nap.org :  Sept 18 --
Go to www.nap for the cool poster and share it on Facebook!

See the great LOGO too for AIDS walk in Hastings Sept 23 and 5 K run too!  See about other AIDS walks in NE : www.nap.org

Sept 17 : Hastings PFLAG Potluck to welcome back students in Alliance GSA!   CARPOOLING from Trinity UMC, meet at 5:15 PM, some students from GSA at GISH want to go!   Dinner at 6 PM in the Hazelrigg Student Union with Tyler Richard as speaker from ACLU after dinner!   Bring lots of food to share with students!
You will be blessed!
Contact for carpooling to Hastings :  Mena Sprague, St paul NE   email: ottomoine1971@gmail.com
Mena and Dave are ELCA lutheran and we appreciate their support : glad to have help from the Lutherans!

Sept 23 : 1 PM, hastings college student union :   AIDS walk in Hastings with 5k run :  see dates for other walks to eliminate HIV AIDS in NE : www.nap.org or on Facebook :  Kearney NAP or see Hastings PFLAG website!

Oct 6 :  Harvest of Harmony Parade G island :   Gay pride entry : contact Brian Whitecalf to participate!

Oct 14, Nov 11 :  Open Hearts Gatherings for fall :  Coming out as allies!   Maureen Vetter will share in Oct and Rev Bob Rhodes in Nov!

Dec 1 :  WORLD AIDS DAY :  we hope a cool logo is on GOOGLE by then! You can be part of this ADVOCACY :  SEE THE INFO BELOW!
send your request today :   don't wait for someone else :   feel empowered and send the request yourself!  I am going it now myself!

Maureen Vetter and Wendy Smith :   Social media contacts for RMN in NE with almost 400 RUM's!
We are hoping to get to 400 RUM's this year!    We are at 389 Reconciling UM's in NE last we knew!  Go towww.RMNetwork.org to sign up!

-------- Begin forwarded message --------
Subject: FW: Request a Google Logo for World AIDS Day!
Date: 9/6/12 12:40:22 PM
From: "Andrew Brackett" <casemanager2@kearneynap.org>
To: mvetter@charter.net


Hi Maureen,

Please share the information below with others.

Thank you,



Andrew Brackett

Education & Event Coordinator -

NAP logo 4-1-10

11 West Railroad Street

P.O. Box 2378

Kearney, NE. 68848

PH: (308) 338-0527

FAX: (308) 338-0601

Web: www.nap.org <http://www.nap.org/>



AIDS Walk Event Card 2012





From: prevention_networking_group-bounces@lists.critpath.org [mailto:prevention_networking_group-bounces@lists.critpath.org] On Behalf Of Jillian Casey
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 11:01 AM
To: prevention_networking_group@lists.critpath.org
Subject: [PNG] FYI: Request a Google Logo for World AIDS Day!



Google has a team that creates new logos for special occasions. The company refers to these logos as "doodles <http://www.google.com/doodles/finder/2012/All%20doodles> ." Decisions to tailor the company's logo are influenced by public input (that's you!). As Google remains the most visited website in the U.S., these eye-catching doodles can be incredibly far-reaching and impactful.

With World AIDS Day approaching December 1, we encourage you to send an e-mail now and ask others to help, as well!  Email proposals@google.com and copy daniel.w.beck@state.or.us. You can use or adapt the email below.

Email to Google:

To:  proposals@google.com, daniel.w.beck@state.or.us

Subject:  Doodle Request for World AIDS Day (12/1)

Dear Google:

I'm writing to request that Google create a doodle for World AIDS Day (December 1).  It is estimated that approximately 34 million people are living with HIV worldwide, and more than one million are in the United States.  Given the devastating impact of the epidemic, it is disheartening to know that the American public's sense of urgency about HIV has diminished.  A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the proportion of people in the U.S. who report having seen, heard, or read about HIV in the past year declined from seven in ten in 2004 to only four in ten in 2011.  With your help, we can change that!

Thank you for your consideration and for your prior contributions to HIV prevention and treatment.

Sincerely,

(your name)

Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network : Fall Events, Read the Omaha PFLAG: September Newsletter, tons of stuff!

Reconciling UM's in NE and beyond :   ANOTHER YEAR OF GREAT SPIRITUAL AWAKENINGS!  LOTS OF NEWS!

Read about the new YOUTH NETWORK in NE, article by Bob Dorr on the reported crime, Conference in SD, and more for PFLAG!

Visit Urban Abbey in Sout Desire's Bookstore in Omaha as proceeds this month go to PFLAG

See OMAHA PFLAG events and Newsletter Link after Reconciling News!


Thanks to all who went to OUR FAMILY GATHERING in KS City in August : someone send a report or reflection!


Reconciling and PFLAG NEWS for Central NE:

Correction of speaker to PFLAG Potluck Sept 17 to welcome back Allinace students!   Tyler Richard will be the speaker, from
Lincoln ACLU, speaking about legal issues for GLBT persons.   Tyler has been active in OUTLINC and lots of GLBT justice!

Sept 8 :  PFLAG coffee and conversation at Blue moon Hastings, 11 am

Sept 17 : 6 PM :  POTLUCK with PFLAG and other GLBTQAA groups in Central NE :  bring one or two food dishes to share with students returning in the GSA at Hastings College, at Hazelrigg Student unioin, Hastings College!    Contact Mena to carpool with Open hearts folks : ottomine1971@gmail.com

Sept 23 : AIDS walk and 5K run< hastings college,  1 PM :   more info on PFLAG Hastings website,www.nap.org and Kearney NAP Facebook :   other AIDS walks in NE in sept too!   Scottsbluff and Lincoln!   Get a team together and go!

Oct is COMING OUT MONTH and DAY!

Oct 6 Harvest of harmony parade, contact Brian Whitecalf about helping with a gay pride entry in the parade!

Oct 14 :  3 PM, Open Hearts meeting at Trinity UMC, 511 N Elm, G IsLand. We meet in the Gathering place : south entrance of TUMC with ramps: Telling our stories this fall :  Coming out as Allies with Maureen Vetter sharing

Come 2:30 to 3 PM for Fellowship time <   bring a snack to share and come at 2:30 if you are new to the group to read our support group guidelines and sign on!   Contact :  maureen Vetter : mvetter@charter.net, cathy denman :  ken will have the Rainbow crate of movies and books!  Thanks to an anonymous donor for some new MOVIES  for fall!   Offerings for RMN  too!

Oct 15 :  11:30 am, UM4GI HIV AIDS Task force meeting, Gathering place TRINITY UMC, G Island, bring your own lunch!  Come if you are an AIDS Ambassador or want to be one!   Special offerings coming inthe UMC for World AIDS Day!

Oct 17 :  CASA Chocolate party : 6:16 to 7:15, Gathering Place TUMC, Grand island : Friends for the Joumey and Missions at TUMC :   Bring a chocolate Dessert to share at 6 PM and learn more about CASA helping children in Central NE!  Freewill offering too!

Guests from Heartland CASA will be there to share for 15 - 20 Minutes! Afterwards is the Friends for the Journey Bookshare, 7:30 PM, conference room, share about two books or come learn about them if you have not read them yet!   Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jesus for President!

Nov 11 : Sixth anniversay for Open Hearts Reconciling Community and Support Group!   Rev Bob Rhodes will share his faith story :  COMING OUT AS ALLIES!    Same time and place as Oct 14!  Fundraiser and thanksgiving meeting too!

TWO COFFEE times coming in NOV for Prairie Rivers HIV AIDS district to learn more about UM Global AIDS Fund offerings Dec 2! Become an AIDS Ambassador in your local church and join our eight other AA's  : Contact maureen :  mvetter@charter.net

Dec 1 : World AIDS Day : projects and offerings in Dec :  bring baking items in oct and nov : for Basket of LOVE from Open hearts! You can donate and crate a BASKET OF LOVE for ADVENT silent auction two or three sundays  : for two HIV AIDS funds at TUMC!


EE EVENTS BELOW and OMAHA PFLAG NEWSLETTER LINK!!  Tons of good stuff coming!


Maureen and Wendy, Social media contacts for NE with almost 400 RUM's in NE, Main Email contacts, PRN contacts, local contacts!
We are almost 400 strong in NE :

ONLINE :   go to www.RMNetwork.org to sign up as a Reconciling UM today!

See our Facebook :  Nebraska Statwide Reconciling Network
Blog :  www.nebraskarum.blogspot.com

HIV AIDS :  www.umcneb.org/AIDS for stories and being AIDS ambassadors in your local church!
Take offerings for the Dec 2 Special Offerings in NE UMC :  UM Global AIDS fund
www.umglobalaidsfund.com    www.2020Aidsfreeworld.org

Our goal is elminating HIV AIDS by 2020!  See website for Center for the Church and global AIDS for the CBS program in June!




-------- Begin forwarded message --------
Subject: Omaha PFLAG: September Newsletter & Upcoming Events
Date: 9/5/12 8:09:16 AM
From: "Judy Sandeen" <jsandeen@windstream.net>


Please check out the amazing things happening in Omaha, especially the Youth Network!




*Hello PFLAGers!  Click here http://www.pflag-omaha.org/newsletter.pdf
 to view this month's newsletter.*

Thursday, September 6th - *GOglbt Monthly Meeting*

5:30p - 7p Non Profit Association of the Midlands (NAM), 11205 Wright
Circle, Omaha

NAM is a member services organization for non profits in Nebraska and
western Iowa and seeks to strengthen the collective voice, leadership
and capacity of its non profit organizations to enrich the quality of
community life throughout the area.

Tuesday, September 11th - *The Social Impact of Youth Bullying*

**

7:30a sessions begin at Jewish Community Center, 333 S 132nd Street in
Omaha.

Professor Blumenfeld from Iowa State University will speak on bullying
and harassment.  The day will start at 7:30a at the Jewish Community
Center, but will travel to several different locations for different
discussions, please visit www.adledbreakfast092012.eventbrite.com for
more details and registration.

Thursday, September 13th - *PFLAG Omaha Monthly Meeting*

6:30p - 8:30p    Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street in Omaha.

We'll start socializing at 6:30p in Memorial Hall, and begin with
support at 6:45p.  September is our annual business meeting so there
will not be a program this month, we review the state of the chapter and
elect board members.  All dues paying members can vote during the meeting.

Sunday, September 16th - *Rev. Mark Kiyimba of Kampala, Uganda*

**7p    First Congregational Church, 421 S 36th Street in Omaha

LGBT activist and founder of the Unitarian Univesalist Church of Uganda,
Rev. Mark Kiyimba will be speaking to get the word out.

Friday, October 5th - *GOglbt Potluck Appetizer Social*

​5:30p - 9p

The historic home of Jim Kieffer & Gary Lopez

125 S 3rd St, Council Bluffs

Join us at this beautiful home built at the turn of the 20th century.
  We'll mingle, tour the home and discuss its history.

We'll supply wine and drinks, please feel welcome to bring your special
appetizer to share (please RSVP your appetizer to info@goglbt.org to
help us plan)

Saturday, October 13th -*Art & Equity 2012*

5p - 6:30p     Pre-Party (incl general admission, RSVP) $30

6:30p - 9p     General Admission $20

Gallery at Prouty Place, 4825 S. 25th St, Omaha

Hors d'ouevres, wine and refreshments provided.  21 and older event.

RSVP for pre-party to Diane Perry, dianepperry@gmail.com, 402.980.6228

*www.pflag-omaha.org          402.291.6789 info@pflag-omaha.org*


sent by Nebraska statewide Reconciling network an official reconciling network community :   to subscribe or unsubscribe, write the email contact volunteering in your area!    Maureen and Mena Central NE, Rob in the West, Betty in Omaha, Liz in Lincoln and Carolyn in Way WEST

AIDS Walks scheduled across the state in September

AIDS Walk — Lincoln

The AIDS Walk will be held Sunday, Sept. 9, outside of the Panic Bar located at 200 South 18th St. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m.; the walk will start at 2 p.m. and will be followed by prize drawings. Together everyone will march for two miles in front of the State Capitol, in downtown Lincoln and up O St. Individuals can walk independently or with a team.

For more information or to register, contact Tami Washam at 402-476-7000 or via email attamiw@nap.org.

12th Annual Panhandle AIDS Walk — Scottsbluff

The 12th annual Panhandle AIDS Walk will be held Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Trails West Camp in Riverside Park. Registration and check-in will begin at noon, the walk starts at 1 p.m., followed by prize drawings.

For more information or to register, contact Jill Young at 308-635-3807 or via email atjilly@nap.org.

AIDS Walk and 5K Run — Hastings

The AIDS Walk and 5K Run will be held Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Hazelrigg Student Union located on the Hastings College Campus. Registration will begin at 1 p.m.; the walk will start at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by prize drawings and awards.

For more information or to register, contact Andrew Brackett at 308-338-0527 or via email atandrewb@nap.org. 

OPEN HEARTS Reconciling Community Fall 2012

OPEN HEARTS folks and RUM's Reconciling United Methodists of NE and friends:  

Thanks to all who went to Our Family Gathering in KS!

Thanks for Pics of Kool AIDS days Brian and others with the group that held positive signs affirming GLBTQA persons and families, friends!

Thanks for the vigils and prayers all over NE for the hate crime survivor in Lincoln this summer!

See PFLAG ( Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) notices in Lincoln, Omaha on websites!   See NAP online too :  NE AIDS PROJECT 

PFLAG has coffee meetings one of the first saturdays of the month at 11 am at Blue moon Coffee shop in hastings, NE downtown :  see their website for info!

We hope YOU can help with food for the POTLUCK DINNER to welcome back Alliance GSA students :  Sept 17 at Student Union Hastings College!  See PFLAG hastings website for info:   if you can take others let Mena know!  Contact :  Mena and dave sprague, St Paul, NE      

Eliminate HIV AIDS by 2020:  Participate with others in the AIDS walk at Hastings College Sept 23, 1 PM , student union, get pledges & bring a friend!  Contact Judy Sandeen or Andrew Brackett at NAP Kearney :  www.nap.org  or Kearney NAP Facebook!   AIDS walks in Lincoln and Panhandle in Scottsbluff Sept 9!   

Oct 15: UM4GI HIV AIDS Task force :  11:30 am bring your own lunch! Gathering place, TUMC, GI   Grant due Nov 1 and projects for UM Global AIDS Fund!  www.umglobalaidsfund.com    www2020AIDSFreeworld.org     www.umcneb.org/AIDS   Become an AIDS Ambassador today in your local church or community :   contact Andrew atandrewb@nap.org   We have 84 AA's now in NE!   YEAH!

Coming out day and month :  OCTOBER  ----  Oct 14 : Coming out as Allies at Open hearts gathering!  Come Together this FALL at Trinity UMC G island, 511 N Elm in the Gathering Place, Maureen Vetter sharing and NOV 11 Rev Bob Rhodes sharing :  come at 2:30 PM and bring a snack to share.  (come early to read Guidelines for support group and sign ahead) :   Meeting starts at 3 PM with Telling Our Stories Oct and Nov, World AIDS day events in Dec (Dec 1 is World AIDS Day each year), Advent Mission Projects for HIV AIDS and January is our Ugly Sweater Party and Gathering : TBA    Feb MOVIE MeetiNG TBA

Oct 17 :  Friends for the Journey : Choc Partyfor CASA at TUMC : Bring a CHOCOLATE Dessert to share and offerings for CASA :  learn about CASA and their work with children of abuse!   6:15 at Gathering Place, Trinity UMC, Grand Island :  

Oct 17, Conference Room at TUMC Friend for the JOURNEY:  Bookshare at 7:30 for Friends for the Journey :  read "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet"  for Fall and "Jesus for President" by Shane Claiborne for summer/ Fall to share or just come if you want to hear about these books! 

Oct and Nov Open Hearts meetings : Bring baking supplies, hot pads, kitchen towels, choc chips, cinnamon, baking spices, cookie cutters for BASKET OF LOVE project for HIV AIDS to be donated by OPEN HEARTS in ADVENT!  Maureen will donate the basket and a dry food item like flour or oats!  You can bring the rest!  THANKS

SIX YEARS OF BEING AN OFFICIAL RECONCILING COMMUNITY IN NOVEMBER at our Thanksgiving Gathering NOV 11!   CELEBRATE!

NOTE : Bring back your movies and books in oct for the RAINBOW BOOK CRATE and get new ones!   Thanks to all of you for movies and an anonymous donor : bring movies or books you want to donate!

Peace maureen and mena, email contact for Central NE RMN  www.RMNetwork.org

See facebook :  Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network    and Blog : www.Nebraskarum.blogspot.com

State Fair 9/1/12 Wear Rainbows

If you can attend the State Fair in Grand Island on Saturday, 9/1, wear rainbow!

Subject: Gay Day at State Fair

I have proposed "Gay Day at the State Fair" for Saturday 9/1/12.   Please help spread the word.  This is for Allies and supporters.  

Fred G Lowery

"Equality before Law"

Thanks for Supporting RMN!

Reconciling Spring Email Offering donors  : 

I will be sending this news out to everyone soon!

 

We did it :  we reached our goal of $250 plus for our NE statewide reconciling network to send on to RMN this year for ministry and inclusive churches and communities :  along with gifts from individuals and groups!

 

THANKS Everyone for coming last Friday noon to Dino's to gather for support and info :  lunch and more!

 

We raised about $171 more and $240 has been sent in already this spring from our group for our yearly commitment! 

 

This makes a total of $421 from NE friends to RMN offices for ministires and GC 2012 expenses : and some in kind gifts as well totalling closer to $500 for work of Reconciling Network in NE and UM Global AIDS Fund (offering was $2690 june 7) : thanks for help at the tables and more!   August event in KS coming! 

I will be sending off all the checks and gifts this week to RMN offices in Chicago!

 

We now have 389 RUM's in NE and 79 AIDS Ambassadors with hopes of a table at School of Christian Missions in Kearney in July :   Andrew and Evie are working on this project :  write them if you will be there and you can help!   andrewb@nap.org

 

I will be sending out a list of donors for the spring email offering in NE :  heading west for summer and into fall to work :  Mena sprague will do the email sending from central NE this summer again and into fall : maureen

Responding to Reflections about GC 2012

Thanks to the Rev Gil Caldwell of Asbury Park, NJ for your words of wisdom and challenge below to share with everyone : to wash over us like the waters of justice!  

 

Let us seek and find ways to go forward from GC 2012 and start to heal the many spiritual wounds inflicted by the church through the years!   Let us hear the personal stories of struggles, deep pain, brokenness and healing.

 

We seek to rebuild trust for oppressed and marginalized persons as we create safe places for all persons of sacred worth as we sing together : YOU GOIN TO REAP JUST WHAT YOU SOW, KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PLOW and WE SHALL OVERCOME!   Maureen Vetter

 

 

                          Reflections on "Reflections From General Conference"

 

HIs commitment and service to the Methodist now United Methodist Church is known

throughout the world. He has authored over 40 books, and his honors go on and on.

Some of us know his, "The Workbook of Living Prayer" that has sold more than a

million copies. We are aware of his role in establishing the "Walk to Emmaus."

He, for 12 years was Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis. He

served as President of Asbury Theological Seminary, He is in the Foundation of

Evangelism's Hall of Fame. There is so much more that could be written about

the significant ministry of Maxie Dunnam. Even by those who are in disagreement

with him on one issue or more.

 

I am in disagreement with him on the role he has played in the insertion and maintaining

of language and legislation in our Book of Discipline that I believe contradicts other

words that affirm, "the sacredness of persons". This contradiction is much like the

contradiction that those of us who were African American * members of the racially

segregated Methodist Church experienced. We too, were persons of "sacred worth",

but most of us were "unworthy" of being full participants in the Jurisdictional structure of

the former Methodist Church. The reasons for the "why" blacks were segregated in

the Methodist Church have some similarities to the "why" Lesbians and Gay men

and same sex couples since 1972, have been the subjects of condemnatory Book

of Discipline language and legtslation in The United Methodist Church.

 

But disagreements must never keep us from paying attention and "listening" to,

Maxie Dunnam, or any other person with whom we disagree.

 

Dr. Dunnam in his posted "Reflections From General Conference" has written this; "In

all my years attending General Conference, I have never experienced such a level of

distrust among us. A large portion of this distrust seems to be focused on leadership,

our bishops and our program bodies."

 

41 years ago, Abingdon Press published a book written by J. Garfield Owens a friend

of my preacher father, also of Ira B. ("I B") Loud who followed my father at St. Paul Church 

in Dallas, and known by many other clergy and lay people of the Central Jurisdiction.

The book: "ALL GOD'S CHILLUN, Meditations on Negro Spirituals". Among the Spirituals

that Owens writes about is one that is a bit unfamiliar to me; "You Goin' to Reap Just What

You Sow". The text Owens used to "ground" this Spiritual is; "Be not deceived; God is

not mocked: for whatsoever a (man) soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

 

J. Garfield Owens in his chapter on this Spiritual, includes what he calls; "...the following

little verse, whose author is unknown..." that was given to him by his friend, Dr. I.B.Loud;

"He who does God's work will draw God's pay, However long may seem the day;

However weary is the way, Though captains and kings thunder nay! God does not pay

as others pay, in silver, gold and raiments gay, but God's high wisdom knows the way.

And this is sure - let come what may, If you do God's work, you will draw God's pay." 

 

Dr. Maxie Dunnam of course, has not known first hand, the history of slavery, segregation

and separation that blacks have known in church and society. However, I wonder if he has

been able  to comprehend and understand how the race-based attitudes and actions that

African Americans who left the Methodist Church to form their own denominations, and

those who remained within the Methodist Church faced, that could have fostered "distrust"

not only of Methodism, but of Christianity as well?

 

I was asked in 1971 by Graded Press to write a study book for black young people that

was titled; "Can Blacks Be Christian?" The title was inspired by a black young person

who in a discussion group raised this question as a response to the Church-based

racial insensitivity, discrimination and racism that he saw and experienced.  I sought

in the Study Book to give witness to my Christian faith that was sustained as much by my

involvement in the Civil Rights Movement as by my involvement in The United Methodist

Church.

 

My response to Dr. Dunnam's "distrust" comment comes in the form of what is almost

a mantra for me. Each time, and there have been and are many times, I repeat these

words for my own hearing and internalization: "Each time I point one finger of blame at

others, I am pointing three at myself."

 

Would it be helpful and healing if all of us who from the inside and the outside seek to

shape The United Methodist Church, uttered collectively, the words of Pogo; "We have

met the enemy and (it) is us"?

 

J. Garfield Owens has written these words for me, for Maxie Dunnam and for all of us who

were deeply disappointed by the plenary sessions and the actions of the 2012 General

Conference. Our disappointments may not have been shaped by the the same General

Conference attitudes and actions, but these disappointments may enable and empower

us to transform The United Methodist Church, if we are serious about the "transformation

of the world".

 

"Though the light of slavery was so dark and long and the day of freedom so

hesitant in coming, the slaves could endure, for they believed that they were sowing

under the guidance of God. Someday they would reap a blessed harvest."

 

We must ask have I, have we, been "sowing under the guidance of God"? If so the harvest

will come.

 

Gil Caldwell

Asbury Park, NJ

 

* Iliff School of Theology/Denver, has developed a Diversities Strategic Plan. The third

component of that Plan is; "We are building community by ensuring we are living into

our diversity commitment, diversifying our curriculum and co-curriculum, inviting 'the

other', the stranger, and our neighbor, to the table."

 

I seek in my writing and my living to "universalize" the African American experience in

church and society. This is my way of responding to those who ask the question, "Can

anything good, (universal) come out of the African American experience?" I do this to

encourage The United Methodist Church to "live into our diversity commitment".

 

There is much that we have not yet internalized as a denomination that can be "learned"

from the African American journey, regardless of where we fit from left to right/right to left

on any continuum. The General Conference of 2012 that prompted disappointment in

many  and "distrust" in some, might encourage and energize us to hear, heed and be

helped by the African American journey of trials, tribulations and triumphs, as never before.