Creating Change: What Is All the Fuss? and What Is Taking So Long?

Winter Warming Workshops:

Creating Change: What is all the fuss? And what is taking so long?

This introductory workshop provides the basics of how this worldwide United Methodist family operates to “make disciples for the transformation of the world.” Get ready for a whirlwind tour through circuit riders and civil war, merger and mission, structure and process with specific attention to how change has shaped our United Methodist identity and how the Reconciling Movement advances this change. This tour will shape our exploration of the current challenges created by anti-gay United Methodist policy both within our denomination, our congregations, our young people and beyond our church walls.

Presenters from Reconciling Ministries Network: Rev. Troy Plummer, Executive Director; and Rachel Harvey, Associate Executive Director

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Making Connections

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela

Reconciling United Methodists are committed to the work of liberation and reconciliation in the church and the world that is holistic. We seek to address the church’s response to oppression and suffering, working not in competition with other justice seeking ministries but in coalition. How do today’s concerns intersect? What issues need our attention and commitment?

Facilitator: Debbie Fisher

Presenters: Michael Mann, NIC’s Associate Director of Missions and Advocacy

Myung Ji Cho, Vice President Korean American National Co-ordinating Council

Rev. Dr. Jon McCoy, Lead Pastor St. Mark UMC, the largest Black Church in North Central Jurisdiction.

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How to Start a Reconciling Conversation in your Church

Here’s a brief overview of possible models for beginning a Reconciling process in your local congregation. This overview will prepare a lay or clergy leader to initiate dialogue and help a church move towards a more public stand for full inclusion of all persons of all sexual orientation and gender identities. We will discuss resources for education, small groups, and bible study; skills for facilitating holy conversations; and the official steps for affiliation as a Reconciling Congregation or Community.

Presenter: RMN National Organizer Audrey Krumbach ROOM ______

Parenting GBLT and gender non-conforming persons, the gifts and challenges

Join other parents in an exploration of the gifts and challenges of parenting LGBT persons in a heterosexist church and world. The church’s current discriminatory language and policies harms parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and friends of GBLT persons.

Presenter: Ms. Blair Barbour, MSW, LCSW and active member of PFLAG

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Legislative Action Groups (number dependent on registration)

These groups will examine proposed legislation, plan for local congregation support and strategize for annual conference passage.

Removing anti-gay language from Discipline, removing funding restrictions, removing ordination and appointment restrictions, proposing lifting limits on marriage and performing holy unions, proposing anti-bullying legislation,and…………………………..