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.

 

Faith in Action May 16

Faith in Action / May 16, 2012 / Wayne Rhodes, Editor Word from Winkler A cantankerous conferenceBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society The recently concluded General Conference had a unique persona: great worship, good fellowship and orneriness. 2012 Peace with Justice grants $60,000 awarded to 22 ministries By Wayne Rhodes, Editor, Faith in ActionRecipients include 3 in Central Conferences overseas and 16 in four of the five U.S. jurisdictions. Women’s advocacy opening General Board of Church & Society seeks director for Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project Work with and on behalf of women around the globe by advocating for passage of just policies by the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. National Addictions Network Pezzolesi to discuss legislative initiatives on May 22 conference callMonthly calls to build dynamic, spiritual movement among United Methodists that cultivates national dialogue to help curb the epidemic of addiction. Peace with Justice Sunday Quickly referenced resources to help with Special Sunday observance Peace with Justice Sunday helps provides a voice to the denomination in advocating for peace around the world and around the neighborhood. ‘Communities of love’ urged Bishops Kiesey, Matthews encourage blessing, rather than cursing each other By the Rev. Maidstone Mulenga Hours after General Conference voted to keep the denomination’s stance on homosexuality, 2 bishops challenged United Methodists to love those who may be outside their boat. Maternal health resolution General Conference responds to global tragedy of maternal mortality By Katie Kraft United Methodist Church called to support direct services and advocacy to improve maternal health and access to family planning. Hope against hope United Methodist Church’s anti-homosexual stance survives ‘common-sense’ proposal to change itBy the Rev. Clayton Childers Local congregations across U.S. are thriving by ignoring denomination’s strictures and embracing radical hospitality, intentionally welcoming everyone regardless of sexual orientation. Shall we do nothing? Christians being driven out of Holy Land By Lonnie Chafin Future dialogue to change the practices of companies profiting from Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is ‘futile.’ Safer side by side  Why Israel needs Palestine By Hussein Ibish ‘Threat posed by potential Palestinian state most common Israeli objection to a 2-state solution, but occupation itself is main source of insecurity and lack of peace. Poverty in the U.S. FaithLink downloadable study resource connects faith with lifeHalf the people in the U.S. may face poverty due to unemployment, war, the Great Recession, corporate greed or income inequality, but what can the faith community do about it? A mother’s love Childbirth requires women to give many sacrifices beyond just physical suffering By Katie Kraft It is ‘truly disheartening’ to learn that many people struggle to see how anything other than physical life should be given consideration when debating maternal issues. ‘Good emergency’ appeal Funds needed to ship sweet potatoes North Carolina grower offers 6.3 million pounds of produce — or 18 million servings — to Society of St. Andrew. Labor in the Pulpit Resources to organize a Labor Day weekend observance honoring workers Join hundreds of congregations and community groups in honoring workers and lifting up the struggle for worker and economic justice. Second annual food day Oct. 24 to galvanize support for better food policies More than 2,300 events occurred last year in nationwide celebration of healthful, affordable, sustainably produced food. On true 'adaptive change' 'Jesus didn’t say, "Feed only my sheep who are theologically correct, able to be counted in our numbers, who agree with me."'—Bishop Deborah Kiesey (Dakotas)   The United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society 100 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20002 — (202) 488-5600 — www.umc-gbcs.org Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. The people of The United Methodist Church.

Remembering Walter Wink

See you this summer :  Cather Conference end of May :  www.willacather.org ,

Queen's birthday june 9 kearney for NAP Kearney (info from Andrew at NAP : andrewb@nap.org :  

NE MFSA dinner May 5 Lincoln; contact Susan Davies, Soul Desires bookstore Omaha

Special Offering for UM Global AIDS fund June 7 at 8:30 am worship, St marks UMC Lincoln;

HIV AIDS Table and Reconciling table at St marks UMC :  june 6 - 9 Lincoln; 

Reconciling Birthday Bash Lunch :  June 8 noon, Dinos Lincoln, RSVP to Liz : lizabethjoan@aol.com

Pride events this summer! 

Special event August in KS for Reconciling : go to Facebook for more info :  search - Nebraska Stateiwide Reconciling Network : 

New Facebook for NE : UM Global AIDS Fund and more!  www.RMNetwork.org

Thanks to Church Within a Church for publishing this!   See news on General Conference on the RMN website Become a Reconciling UM today : www.RMNetwork.org 

 

peace maureen vetter and wendy smith

PS give to summer email offering :  write a check to RMN and send to Maureen Vetter, 4422 drake lane, grand island, NE 6880l  : she will send on to RMN offices as our yearly commitment from NE statewide reconciling network!   WE are at $240 now and hope to get to $500!   Donors will be listed later this summer and into fall!  thanks!

The Church Within A Church Movement is very sad to learn that Walter Wink passed, Thursday May 10, 2012.    Please read this reflection on the blog of the Fellowship of Reconciliation:http://forusa.org/blogs/richard-deats/walter-wink-presente/10545 From Annie Britton: "I will never forget Walter running and dancing playfully through the pews at Chicago Theological Seminary during his nonviolent direct action lecture --- the weekend in Chicago when we presented Greg Dell with the Gil Caldwell Justice Award. He truly "enlivened" scripture for us, as I know he had done so many times in classes and seminars. A man of conviction and grace, truth and justice. Such a one will be deeply missed, especially at a time when his words of love, grace, and inclusion are so needed." From Gil Caldwell: " I have long been a fan of Walter Wink. I will not forget hearing him for the first time at the Chicago CWAC event. His management of his illness, gave me new incentive to manage my own."  June and family; our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so grateful we had our time with you and Walter in 2009. My version of this light (made by June) is burning on my desk in remembrance of a life lived well. Walter made a difference in our world. On behalf of the CWAC Movement's Coordinating Team, members and friends, cathy knight. "A progressive Methodist-related Movement dedicated to BEing the fully inclusive church"    SAVE THE DATE! October 19-21, 2012  Chicago, IL "The Church Within A Church Movement: Celebrating 10 year of Faith, Hope and Justice" Make plans to celebrate with CWAC Movement Members and friends from across the country. Stay tuned for more information! Is the Church Within A Church Movement for you? Visit our website at:www.cwac.us    BECOME A MEMBEROF CWAC! Join with others to make a path to justice and inclusion.    Write your testimony of the CWAC Movement HERE.      Renew your 2012 CWAC Movement Membership HERE.    The CWAC Movement is BEing the fully inclusive and just church.      www.cwac.us What we've been doing lately: "JustChurch" Lawrence March, 2012 "JustChurch" Tampa May 1, 2012  Let's talk about a "JustChurch" event in your community! EmailJustChurch@cwac.us   Community Conference Calls!   The first Monday of the Month. Join with CWAC Movement Members to talk Faith, Hope and Justice. Not yet a Member? Join HERE.   Support this Justice Ministry         REFLECTIONS for the JOURNEY: May Reflection: Faith, Hope and Justice It's been two weeks since I participated in"JustChurch" Tampa! I continue to reflect on the intersection of my life-lines; of the United Methodist Church's General Conference in Tampa, my leaving Florida 13 years ago, and my return to Florida on behalf of the Church Within A Church Movement. One of the reasons I moved away from Florida in 1999 was because I could no longer abide by the treatment I was experiencing by the church. For 18 years I attended a United Methodist Church (UMC) in a small town in south central Florida. I was closeted and never felt it would be spiritually or emotionally safe to come out. And why would I? Every year, whether in response to something in the news, the "Gay Days" at Disney World or because Annual Conference or General Conference was on the horizon, the "issue" of homosexuality was raised. In Sunday School classes and from the pulpit I was reminded that I was not accepted. One pastor, who later became a District Superintendent, preached one bright sunny morning, that I was an abomination. In that moment something deep inside shifted for me. I knew God had something more for me than being spiritually abused by some pastors of the UMC. I moved to Chicago and my first Sunday I risked attending a United Methodist Church. I had read about this church. Pastor Greg Dell had just been on trial for participating in a holy union for two gay men. I needed to meet this pastor. My first Sunday in Chicago was Greg's last Sunday before he went on indefinite suspension. Again, something deep inside shifted for me during that service. This time, it was my liberation.  My God-voice had been rekindled. And then the church acted out again. In 2005 I gave up my membership in the UMC after Judicial Council ruling 1032. The ruling was related to a Gay man who was very active in his local UMC denied membership in that church because he wouldn't turn away from his "sin" of being a sexually active Gay man. That ruling was my line in the sand. The faith I have lost in the UMC system, has been replaced by the place I have found  in the Church Within A Church Movement. And by "place" I don't mean status or responsibility. Rather, I mean a place of community. A place where I am theologically grounded in a God of love and justice. A place to call 'my church home' that honors and respects me and offers a place to live my faith, be supported in hope and work for justice. There is no hierarchy that puts up barriers or conditions. It's community being church. And it is in that spirit that I could be back in Tampa, Florida offering myself as a witness of a fully inclusive and just  community to the United Methodists doing battle inside the convention center. During a dinner break from the battle next door, over 50 of us gathered at "JustChurch" Tampa! We talked, ate and shared our stories. We offered a place of support and community. We were BEing Church. Some of the 50 are already Members of the Church Within A Church Movement. Others won't join. Others have and will. Others will find a way to stay in the UMC. My prayers are with them all. My community is with the Church Within A Church Movement. cathy knight executive director Church Within A Church Movement Read more of our "JustChurch" Tampa activities HERE Read IRD (a conservative ecumenical renewal group) article"Church Within A Church Movement at General Conference"  cathy knight introducing speakers at "JustChurch" Tampa! l to r: Dave Lafary, Rev. Annie Britton, Rev. DeLyn Celec. Tampa. 2012. Read the beautiful Communion liturgy used by Annie Britton, DeLyn Celec and Sarah Celec at the Tabernacle in Tampa, HERE. Rev. Annie Britton, Sarah Celec, Rev. DeLyn Celec. Tampa. 2012.   The Church Within A Church Movement is a Christian Ministry of hope and life. We have roots in a Methodist tradition and are growing into an Ecumenical community that lives into our Theological statement that includes:   ... Therefore, we are called to hold the church universal accountable to be an inclusive community. ... We stand for the celebration of the sacred worth of all persons and the rest of creation. ... We witness to God's work of breaking down the dividing walls of hostility and will co-operate with God in restoring humanity to an image that more fully reflects God's love. The CWAC justice ministry is guided by these Working Strategies: A pathway to Extraordinary Ordination for those denied ordination because of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, inclusive progressive theology, and for people for whom ordination through CWAC would enable a liberating expression of justice ministry within a community of mutual accountability. Promote progressive church plants and ministry development. Break down the walls of racism, white privilege and other "isms" that divide us. Provide curriculum and worship resources for the progressive, justice-seeking church. Promote Ecumenical partnerships.   Read CWAC's full Theological Statement HERE     www.cwac.us

Update for May

RECONCILING UM's in NE and friends:

 

www.RMNetwork.org  400 RUM's in NE : Sign on!

We have 73 AIDS Ambassadors in NE : let's get to 75!

We need one or more in every local church in NE!   

 

Thanks to all who have given to the Spring Email Offering as our yearly commitment from Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network to RMN or Reconciling Ministries Network!  

 

We have gathered $240 so far for this SPECIAL Email offeringbefore and after General Conference 2012 in Tampa this spring!

 

Our Goal of this Special Email Offering is $300 to $500 this spring and summer : to help support the COMMON WITNESS at General Conference through RMN, MFSA and other groups:  and the many expenses to have a tabernacle tent air conditioned in the heat, meals each day at noon, speakers each day, tables, chairs, media, newspapers daily, the common witness each day and a protest for justice in the UMC!

 

Thanks to all persons who went to General Conference and for many who  paid their own way to attend the Common Witness for a week, a few days or the whole eleven days :  or Lighten the Burden IV Conference on HIV AIDS just ahead of GC 2012 in tampa.   

 

We are looking for HOPE FOR TOMORROW again and turning our frustrations and heartbreaks into actions and telling our stories!   Start a Reconciling Support group or become an AIDS Ambassador today : contact andrewb@nap.org  .  As AIDS Ambassadors we promote offerings for UM Global AIDS fund and other fundraising if possible, we send prayers and we give ourselves!   www.umglobalaidsfund.com   andwww.umcneb.org/AIDS  

 

Become part of the 2020 Campaign to eliminate HIV AIDS by 2020 : www.2020AIDSfreeworld.org    We have 73 AIDS Ambassadors in NE now and we would love to get to 75 by Annual Conference with one or more in each local church advocating for persons living with HIV AIDS and UM Global AIDS fund!

 

Thanks for all the prayers of SUPPORT!

 

The folks who have given as DONORS to this Special  Email offering thus far for a total of $240 : 

 

Bob and Betty Dorr : Reconciling Table Reservation and copies for Annual Conference in June

Linda Kastning, Ponca NE

Maureen and Jay Vetter, Lincoln NE in memory of Rev Nye Bond

Emogene and John Whitten, Omaha First UMC

Ruth and Lowen Kruse, Omaha First UMC

Joan and Lloyd Byerhof, Omaha First UMC and Florida

Loren and Iola Mullins, Omaha First UMC

 

Send your gift today by writing your check to RMN and then sending it to : Maureen Vetter, 4422 Drake Lane, Grand island, NE 68801     Maureen will send all the checks to RMN then as our gifts this spring from Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network!

 

Actions :  You can help at the Reconciling Table at Annual Conference June 6 - 9 in Lincoln at St Marks UMC : bobcdorr@cox.net

 

You can help at the UM  Global AIDS fund table :  contact  Sarah Ashleysashley@nebrwesleyan.edu or Bill Black co chairs starting march 15 :  biobb@bellsouth.net

You can be on a new District HIV AIDS team in each District or become and AIDS Ambassador!

Contact the same persons!

 

June 5 :  NE MFSA Dinner :  info just went out via email : contact Susan Davies, Omaha, Soul Desires Bookstore

 

June 7 :  Special Offering for UM Global AIDS fund at 8:30 am worship

 

June 8 :  NOON, Reconciling Birthday Lunch :  Dino's on 84th ST in Lincoln south of A Street near St Marks UMC :  RSVP to Liz Bady to attend : lizabethjoan@aol.com   The party room holds about 20 people so beyond 20 people folks can eat in the main restaurant :  all will order off the menu : celebrate birthdays of persons (bring your calendar) and birthdays of our groups : 15 years this summer for RUMOLA!  It started summer of l997 at Cornerstone UMHE at a potluck with about a dozen people!   Give gifts to RMN rather than cards and gifts to friends for the work or RMN through our Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network of friend!  Let's keep growing our circle of friends : we have about 400 RUM's in NE!  Sign up today:  www.RMNetwork.org

 

June 9 : Queen's Birthday Party, MONA Kearney for NAP kearney as a fundraiser : starts with tea at 3 PM and silent ART AUCTION at Museum of NE ART and more!  join in the fun in central NE after Annual Conf!

 

July : School of Christian Mission Kearney :  if you can volunteer at an INFO Table for UM Global AIDS fund and Reconciling (one table we are hoping) please contact Andrew Brackett in Kearney : andrewb@nap.org  or Evie Gulachi Johnson

 

Pride Events this summer in Lincoln and Omaha!  Go and participate or have a table with info!

Event in KS in August for NE and KS Reconciling folks : more info coming

 

AIDS walks in the fall and Coming OUT Day in Oct :  find friends to start a Reconciling support group, a book group or coffee group!  contact Maureen or Wendy if you are interested! mvetter@charter.net and wsmith28@gmail.com

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

Here is a LETTER we received up on returning from General Conference in Tampa :  from Rev Carolyn Dickinson, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church, Minatare NE : thanks for sharing Carolyn and helping in our way west reconciling work!  We celebrate with you in the final vote this week to replace the non inclusive language with inclusive language out west in the Plains and Peaks Presbytery!

 

 

My deepest sympathies for the lack of progress and the animosity of the General Conference. That is certainly not the Methodist Church in which I was raised. (Or maybe it is. I don't remember the battle over the ordination of women.) It seems to be more like the political division this country is experiencing, not the way followers of Christ behave.

On the other hand, this particular presbytery (Plains and Peaks) finally voted (I hope for the last time) to be more inclusive. You remember that the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted last fall to remove the ordination ban on gays and lesbians, and we were part of the positive vote. Our Presbytery followed that with a complete reversal, adding the "fidelity and chastity, marriage between a man and a woman" stuff to the sexual abuse policy. 

In October we tried to rescind that amendment. The leadership finally decided to allow some time for discussion (not that 40 years is not long enough). In February we had small group conversations, and today we had the final vote. (At least, I hope it's the final vote.) After a series of votes leading up to the climax, they voted 62 to 49 with 1 abstention to replace the bad language with good language. A long sigh of relief! 

 

Carolyn Dickinson

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”—Alvin Toffler, futurist

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

 

Become a Reconciling UM today :  go to www.RMNetwork.org and sign on!   We have about 400 RUM's in NE and FIVE Reconciling communities along with our Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network of friends!

The five official communities are :  Omaha First umc (official Reconciling congregation), RUMOLA Lincoln, AWE Lincoln at Christ UMC, Open hearts Reconciling Community at Trinity UMC G Island along with our Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network as an email community of friends and an OFFICIAL Reconciling community!  

 

Celebrate our groups and birthdays June 8 at noon in Lincoln during Annual conference :  at Dino's party room on 84th st during Annual conf!  RSVP to Liz Bady today :  lizabethjoan@aol.com   The party room holds 20 people so RSVP today and others can sit in the restaurant : we will all order off the menu!  They have great sweet potato french fries! 

 

Start a reconciling support group of friends at your church or group : choir, UMW, SS class, youth group, book group, coffee group, smoothie group or hiking group, movie group, a friendship group today!

 

www.Nebraskarum.blogspot.com

Facebook page: Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network

Facebook : Nebraska UM Global AIDS fund

www.RMNetwork.org    www.cwac.us www.umcneb.org/AIDS   www.2020AIDSfreeworld.org