View
217
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
1/8Summer 2009 Katalyst |
Conference. Knowing the policies o
exclusion in The United Methodist
Church, she pursued her Masters
of Divinity and along the way suc-
cessfully challenged discrimination
in housing at Garrett Evangelical.
While policies prevented Sue from
being set aside for local ministry,
they paved the way for a national
pulpit at RMN.
WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG
KATALYSTNEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
VOL. 26 NO. 3 SUMMER, 200
Praise God or Sue LaurieTransitionsBy Audrey Krumbach
Summertime in a United Method-
ist church vacation bible school,
old ladies with paper fans, camp-
meetings, and everyones favorite
new pastors! I sat in church this
morning and where just two weeks
ago stood a tall, brunette, mid-30s
male pastor was a thin, blonde,young woman pastor. Across our
connection, younger souls are fill-
ing pulpits recently vacated by the
now-retired; families move out of
a parsonage, and a single person
moves in. Favorite sermon illus-
trations will never be heard again,
and tired old jokes will be (hap-
pily) forgotten.
Less than three weeks after I
graduated from high school, my
clergy mom was appointed to anew church. We moved from a sub-
urb of 80,000 to an unincorporated
town of about 2,000. We moved
from a neighborhood full of houses,
people, and my friends to a street
with a taxidermists shop, orchard,
corn field, an egg farm, and cows!
My life was over, or so I thought.
It took me about three weeks to
discover the surprising blessings
of tiniest-town-ever living: fresh
peaches at the end of a run, Miss
Francis homemade fig cook-
ies, scrambled eggs from todays
laying, and singing from the old
Cokesbury hymnal.
Here at the Reconciling office,
we are experiencing a few transi-
tions this summer. In the midst
of hiring, retiring, transitions and
changes, we are experiencing new
realities in the general church and
world! We celebrate with Iowa and
Continued on Page 6
Susan Laurie (left) and Randy Miller at United Methodist Churchs
2000 General Conference in Cleveland. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
After sixteen years of ministry
affirming that Reconciling is the
radical notion that gay people want
to go to church, Sue Laurie officially
retires from her staff role with RMN
on September 7 at the Justice and
Joy convocation. In her past eight
years as outreach staff, she has
faithfully spread the Good News that
all are welcome at Gods table.
As a circuit rider, Sue has traveled
thousands of miles by air, land, and
sea (ferry boats) to reach the most
challenging regions of our church.
The journey to challenge church
injustice began with believing what
she was taught as a child in Sunday
School that Jesus Loves Me This
I Know. Each year, after receiv-
ing the call to ministry, she went
forward during the ordination
service invitation to ministry ofthe Western Pennsylvania Annual
See Page 3 or Refections on Sues Minist
Iamtremendouslyproudofmy
tenureatRMNandhaveseenthe
ministrygrowanddevelopinmany
positivewaysinmyeightyearshere.
Ihavelovedmyworkwithpeople
seekingatrulyinclusivesanctuary
intheUnitedMethodistChurch.I
amdeeplygratefulfortherelation-
shipsandopportunitiesIhavehad
inthisministryanditismyhopeto
continuetocontributeinthefuture.SueLaurie
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
2/82 | Katalyst Summer 2009
RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWOR
mobilizes United Methodists of all
sexual orientations and gender
identities to transform our Church
and world into the full expression of
Christs inclusive love.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSHelen Andrew
Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
Vincent Cervantes
Rev. Daniel Diss
Lawrence T. Duncan
Rev. Duane A. Ewers
Elizabeth A. Fimbres
Will E. Green
Will J. Green
Esther Villarreal Houser
David Mauzy
Rev. David Meredith
Dr. Randall Miller
Rev. Holland Morgan
Rev. Joshua M. Noblitt
Rev. John Oda
Elizabeth Okayama
Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto
Rosario Quiones
Rev. Dr. Bruce Robbins
Rev. Dr. Martha Scott
Sally Sparks
Rev. Dr. Derrick Spiva
Monica L. Swink
Joy T. Watts
Ralph A. Williams
Christina Wright
LEGAL COUNSELJennifer Soule
RMN STAFFMeg Carey
Business Manager
Rev. Carl Davis
Director of Development
Antony Hebblethwaite
Communication/Technology Manager
Stephanie Johnson
Admin & Donor Relations Associate
Audrey Krumbach, M.Div.
Field Organizer
Susan Laurie, M.Div.
Outreach Coordinator
Rev. Troy Plummer
Executive Director
Spotlight: Faith UMC, Cedar Rapids, IAWe are a small congregation dedi-
cated to the mission and ministry
of Jesus and John Wesley to preach
Good News to the poor. This comes
from Luke 4, where Jesus describes
the mission of his own life as he
understood it.
From church website
The Iowa Annual Conference meet-
ing included joyful, hardworking lay
members from a church in Cedar
Rapids. Officially reconciling since
1993, Faith UMC identify them-
selves as a group of friends, called
Christians, where everyone
can belong.
Working in several ministry
teams, Faith UMC seeks to be
and learn together in social
action, worship, education and
spiritual growth. Learning
together how to love God and
neighbor, Faith UMC helps
many individuals realize how
much God loves them. Rev.
Kathleen Moore, pastor, says
of the church I am touched
by the number of people
who express relief and joy at find-
ing a church that accepts them or
their family members and friends. I
long for the day when all of Christschurch is so accepting.
Not just a social justice church,
Faith is actively involved in outreach
and education. Defining evangelism
as care for not only those beyond the
church family, but also visitors, con-
stituents, and even current members
at whatever point they are in the
spiritual journey. Classes, worship
and fellowship opportunities abound,
with progressive dinners, movie
nights, open door coffee houses,
sports events and concerts.
On their website, Faith UMC lists
historical and present social con-
cerns which keep them busy with
Gods work:
Bible study in its historical, po-litical, socio-economic context.
Preaching the Gospel as Libera-
tion Theology.
Broad world view and awareness
of diversity in Cedar Rapids.
Sanctuary church in response to
war in El Salvador and the needs
of undocumented workers and
Hispanic immigrants.
Supported and testified on behalf
of adding gender identity to the
Civil Rights Code.
Provided sanctuary for the Cedar
Rapids Womens Clinic while
it was under fire for issues of
reproductive choice.
Check out Faith UMC Cedar Rapids
website at www.crfaithumc.org!!!
New Reconciling CommunitiesCongregations
Hope UMCof Iowa City, IA
College Hill UMCof Wichita, KS
First UMCof North Andover, MA
Garden Street UMCof Bellingham,
WA
Trinity UMCof Toledo, OR
Kenwood UMCof Milwaukee, WI
Centenary UMCof Richmond, VA
Highlands UMCof Denver, CO
Grant Avenue UMCof Denver, CO
Eastern Parkway UMCof Schenect-
ady, NY
Campus Ministry
The Student Community of the Wes-
ley Foundation of the University of
Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Community
The Journey, a group at Forest Cha-
pel UMC of Cincinnati, OH
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
3/8Summer 2009 Katalyst |
Sue came with us to clean his apart-
ment where she went right to work
scrubbing the toilets and mopping
the floor. God bless you, Sue Laurie.Bob and Betty Dorr, Betty is a ormer Board
Member
Sues gift of hearing the stories,
letting them have an impact on
her theology, mobilizing ordinary
churches and folks at a grassroots
level, alongside her ability to reach
out in reconciling -- yet clear -- ways
to those around her are things that
encourage me to keep on believing.Joretta Marshall, ormer Board Member
Courage, gentleness, simplicity,
relentlessness, glorious.Jorge Lockward, Convo Music Director
I will never forget the joy on Sues
face as she served communion dur-
ing Sunday worship for General
Conference 2008. Knowing that she
is prevented by the church from
fulfilling her passion to minister and
that the church loses the great gifts
that she could give as a pastor, fuels
my desire to work for change.Elizabeth Fimbres, Board Member
Tiffany Stenwert and Sue Laurie hand out newsletters
at 2004 Pittsburgh General Conference.
Sue gets arrested in front of hun-
dreds, comes to stay at your house in
New Jersey, tells Bible stories better
than your childhood Sunday school
teacher, enjoys excessively long
meetings, makes Bishops stop in
their tracks, finds her way into front
page color photo ops, gets hitchedwhile others are preparing legisla-
tion, likes board members, celebrates
volunteers and enacts social justice
before most people have had their
morning cup of coffee.
Je Spelman, ormer Board Chair
Year after year at the Western PA
Annual Conference (her
home Conference), Sue
would go forward at the
ordination service at that
point in the liturgy whenthe Bishop issued an
invitation for people feel-
ing called to ministry to
come forward. Sue did not
hesitate to walk forward
as a kind of protest
because it was a tremen-
dous opportunity to show
everyone the effects of our
discriminatory ordination
policy. Every year, more
and more people would walk forward
with Sue, sometimes wearing rain-bow stoles or holding other symbols
of the struggle. It made a difference
for many people in WPA. Sue is a
woman of conviction and courage!
Renee Waun, Western Pennsylvania
When Beth Strouds first trial
ended, many of us had been standing
in support. When the key players,
other observers, and press left, Sue
encouraged us to form a large circle,
and we were together in singing/
worship/prayer. I admired howshe could speak on the spur of the
moment as Spirit led, and not for the
first time did I mourn the systematic
loss of people like Sue, and Beth,
from our UMC.
Peggy R. Gaylord, New York
When we were devastated by our
youngest son Mikes struggles, Sue
was a true friend who talked and
prayed with us. When Mike died,
Refections on Sues Ministry
Suesministryhasstrengthened
us;challengedus;andsupported
usaswejourneytogetherinthis
work.Joinwithmetocelebrate
SuescontributionstoRMN,and
towishherwellinthefuture,as
Godcallshertonewministries.MonicaSwink,BoardChair
Welcome New Sta
Stephanie Johnson, tnew Admin and Don
Relations Associate,is a native of Chicago
IL. She worked at
the General Board
of Pension and Health Benefits for
the United Methoodist Church for
almost two years in data and healt
before moving to Breast Cancer
Network of Strength as a Develop-
ment Associate. I am excited to joi
the staff of RMN and look forward
getting to be able to put faces with
names at Justice & Joy.
Carl Davis, the new Drector of Developmen
joins Reconciling Min
istries Network after
having spent the last
seven years pastor-
ing United Methodis
congregations in the North Indiana
Conference. Prior to that Carl was
a Captain in The Salvation Army,
where he served as the Executive
Director for The Salvation Army in
Miami County, Indiana.
Im thrilled to be your new Devel-
opment Director and am eager to
meet everyone at Convo! My work
motivated by the reality that we ar
all Gods children and I love connec
ing resources to needs so that all
may have enough, and live in justic
and peace. I cant wait to get to the
Rockies and be with you.
Rachel Harvey, the neAssociate Executive
Director, comes to us
from The Advance at
the General Board
of Global Ministries
where she spear-
headed the national launch of the Bcampaign.
Throughout my journey from far o
places like Vermillion, SD to chaot
New York City, my spirit has been
sustained and challenged to grow
through the work of Reconciling
United Methodists. Im really excit
to be a part of the life sharing work
of the RMN family. I look forward
meeting you at Convo!
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
4/84 | Katalyst Summer 2009
RMN Welcomes the General Commissionon Religion and Race toJustice & Joy!
Join staff members of the General Commission on Religion and Race for an
interactive approach to looking at our own experiences, and connecting tho
to the world around us. This context will include individual, small group,and plenary interaction for a hands-on experience. We will discuss the in-
tersections of Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Classism, that together create
positions of privilege and oppression in our society and church. This plena
will start the discussion of how to address all these issues with our move-
ment and church to bring lasting change.
Erin Hawkins has been the General Secretary of the Gen-eral Commission on Religion and Race (United Methodist
Church) since September, 2007. She joined the staff as
an Associate General Secretary in 2001, serving as a staff
representative and resource consultant to the Southeast-
ern Jurisdiction, Black Methodists for Church Renewal
(BMCR), the Strengthening the Black Church for the21st Century Initiative and other ministries serving the
denominations black constituency. She is a Harry Hosier Life Member of
BMCR.
Erin was previously a legislative assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Juanita
Millender-McDonald from California. She has a Bachelors degree in busi-
ness administration from the University of California at Riverside and two
Masters degrees, one in public affairs from Indiana University and one in
organizational development from United Methodist-related American Uni-
versity in Washington.
The Rev. Barbara Isaacs is the Associate General Secretaryof the General Commission on Religion and Race (United
Methodist Church) with primary responsibility for Educa-tion, Institutional Development, White Constituency Anti-
Racism Concerns and GCORRs work and relationships in
the Northeastern Jurisdiction.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Barbara was ordained an Elder
in 1977 and is a member of the Northern Illinois Conference. She received
her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theological Studies and the Graduate
Certificate in Gender Studies from Northwestern University, in Evanston,
Illinois, in 2002. In her thirty-plus years of pastoral experience, Barbara h
been a pastor of rural, urban and suburban local churches; a chaplain; and
staff person at educational institutions and general agencies.
For more information, visit http://www.rmnetwork.org/convo2009.asp
Are You Registered?We are very exited to report that
over 450 people have registered
for Justice & Joy!at the YMCA of
the Rockies. Here are some impor-
tant details about joining us in the
mountains. Registration is still
open. The key deadline to keep in
mind is August 2. The YMCA of
the Rockies opens up our housing
block to others on that date. You
can still obtain housing, but it is
not guaranteed.
To register, visit http://www.rm-
network.org/convo2009.asp . Click
Register at the top of the page.
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
5/8Summer 2009 Katalyst |
Justice and Joy!WorkshopsA. Transorming Our Congregations
A.1. Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New
Methodists
A.2. Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influ-
ence
A.3. The Church and Global AIDS
A.4. Evangelism for Reconciling United MethodistsA.5. Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
A.6. JUST Worship
B. Equipping or Social Change
B.1. Building An Inclusive Church Community
B.2. Bringing People Together to Make Change Happen
B.3. Ordination and Social Change
B.4. Organizing for Change in Your Annual Conference
B.5. Media Savvy in a Soundbite World
B.6. Overcoming Discrimination Through the Lens of Paolo Freire
C. Engaging Intersections: Toward Wholeness
C.1. Transcending Gender (Introduction)C.2. Toward a Gender-Positive World (Advanced)
C.3. Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the
World
C.4. Black Queer Theology
C.5. Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic? Moving from Apology to Ac-
tion
C.6. Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Sexuality and Faith
D. Arts & Storytelling
D.1. Getting Our History Out of Our Closets
D.2. Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the Senses to Strengthen your
Worship
D.3. Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop
D.4. Thats So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal
D.5. Incompatible With Christian Teaching Film Screening and Dis-
cussion
If youve already registered, send us your two workshop choices at convo@
rmnetwork.org or login and add them to your registration account.
1. Visit http://www.rmnetwork.org/convo2009.asp and click Register.
2. Above the email box, click link Already Registered?
3. Enter the email address and password you used to register for Convo
and click the Continue button.
[If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address and click
the link Forgot your password. Follow the instructions and obtain your
password from your email account. Return to Step 1.]
4. Find your name and click on the Personal Information link under
Edit.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and under the title Workshop
Preregistration, select your two workshops.
6. Click the Continue button.
7. At the bottom of the page, click the Finalize button.
8. At the bottom of the page, click the Update My Registration button.
When you see the words, Your registration is complete, you are done!
Workshop Registration
A Special FocusBy Sue Laurie: Thats So Gay! The Biband United Methodist Hymnal
Gods call for inclusion of all people
comes in the words of the Gospel.
Of course the Bible and the UM
Hymnal are sources of inspiration
many people in following this call.However, their message is muted
when forced through a heterosexua
privileged lens. This workshop will
explore some favorite texts and
hymnsones that give me renewed
spirit as a lesbian Christian on the
journey toward a Reconciling UMC
Sometimes it is a word such as rai
bow or home, other times it may
be the theology of Advent or Shalom
that causes me to say, This hymn
was written for gay people! Come
sing and to enjoy!
Camp song:We are one in the Spirit, we are on
in the Lord (x2)
and we pray that all unity may one
day be restored. R
We will work with each other, we
will work side by side (x2)
And well guard human dignity and
save human pride.R
Refrain: And theyll know we arChristians by our love, by our
love; Yes, theyll know we are
Christians by our love.
Can you listen again with LGBT ears?
What Bible story holds you to
the Christian faith?
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
6/8
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
7/8Summer 2009 Katalyst |
Gits In Honor o...Gits In Memory o...In Honor o Honored by
Julie Arms Joshua Arrowood & Tiffany
Steinwert, J. Randy Beggs, Laur
Butler, Sarah Megan Howery,
Lynn Shirley, James Smith,
David Story
John & Jack Elsa & John Bengel
B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
David and Alex Braden Candie ODell
Julie Bruno & Sue Laurie John & Maggie Carr
Bob Cary Robin Ridenour
Ann & David Thompson Cook Samuel Paul Stapleton
Sandy Cox Mauvette Hurst
Rev. Gay King Crede Kevin Fanning & Rosalie Rippey
Alice Cromwell Ed Hoar
Aida Fernandez Will J. Green
Joanne & Phil Gillis Richard Lee Burns
Gods Blessing Rosalie KentLori Graham Donald Hurst
Walter L. Helms, Jr. J. Timothy Reynolds
Lizz Herron-Sweet Anne Broyles & Larry Peacock
Keith Kimberlain Cynthia Round
Mary Kraus Jen Ihlo
Virginia Lapham Samuel Paul Stapleton
Sue Lauries Retirement Beatrix Jones
Randall Miller, Jr. Gill Foundation
Martin Morley Nancy Kollhoff
Loren Mullins Betty & Bob Dorr
Old West Church Caridad Silva
Karen Oliveto Michael Alexander, Joshua
Arrowood & Tiffany Steinwert,
Richard Bentley, Laurie Hays
Coffman, Jayson Kerr Dob-
ney, Betty & Bob Dorr, Darren
Hochstedler, Luna Han, Shireen
McSpadden, Wade Meyer, Robyn
Morrison, Will Rogers, Jane
Schlager, Michael Schlager, Amy
Stapleton, Vicki Woods
Drew Phoenix Ella Pritchard Curry
Troy Plummer & Walter Treash Samuel Paul Stapleton
Judy Prenzler Betty & Bob Dorr
Chett Pritchett Samuel Paul Stapleton
Tony L. Reynolds J. Timothy Reynolds
Tiffany Steinwert Mary Todd, Jim Robey
Julie Todd Jim Todd
Ann & Ernie Turney David Johnson
Brian Watson Charles Chipman
Bill & Joy Watts Richard Lee Burns
Henry Lee Heather Waymack Jeff Waymack
Lucile Wheatley Nancy Grissom Self
Gits In Memory o Remembered By
Weslie Buss Faith Buss, Marilyne Dahl, PRN
Steering Committee, Carolyn Pen-
nington,
Glenn Alan Campbell Doris & William Campbell
John Carty Larry Fox
Christian Roxanne DanekSteve Jackson Gary Jackson
Tom Marston Dale McAllister
Chuck Myer Karen Oliveto
Gary Pennington Helen Andrew, Anonymous,
Mary Ann Appel, Andy & Mari-
lyn Belcher, Kevin & Lawanda
Potter, Faith Buss, Cathy Che-
leen-Mosqueda, Kathryn & Robert
Clark, Daniel & Valerie Taylor
Close, Vera Lea Follmer, Larry
Fox, Joe & Kimberly Giansante,
Rosalie Hulbert, Kevin Keeley &
Eileen McNutt, Phyllis Dee Lewis,
Bishop Calvin & Velma McConnell,Judith Newman, Kelly Oatman,
PRN Steering Committee, Carolyn
Pennington, Carol Waymack
Mary Jo Ruggles Marilyn Nicely
Bishop Melvin Wheatley Betty & Paul Beeman, Donald
& Gay Bossart, Mary Damonte,
Lonnie Johnsont, Chrystal & Ken-
neth Neal, Olive & Roger Robison,
Nancy Grissom Self, Linda Strem
Kathy York Dawn Gotoh
SueandJuliearecollectingkeepsakesofSuestime
intheReconcilingMovement.Pleasesendphotos
andstoriestoNewHopeUMC(7115W.HoodAve.,
Chicago,IL60631)oremailtoAudrey@rmnetwork.
orgwithSueMemoryinthesubjectline.
between 62% and 93% support protections and inclu-
siveness, but only 7% have expressed their convictions
publically, it is time we help each otherBelieve Out
Loud. When a similar survey shows that both persons inthe pews and persons in the pulpits are ready to move
forward but that each is waiting on the other to say
something, it is time toBelieve Out Loud.
One of these 50 trainings may be very near to you! We
hope you will plan to attend and even help organize
these events building grassroots growth and helping
each other to be BOLD (Believe Out Loud Disciples)
deepening our faith in Christ who calls us into this great
adventure. Dont miss the launch at Justice and Joy
RMNs 25th anniversary celebration this Labor Day
Weekend in the Rocky Mountains!
When All Really Means All continued rom Page 6
8/14/2019 Katalyst - Summer 2009
8/88 | Katalyst Summer 2009
Nonprot OrU.S. Postage
PAIDChicago, IL
Permit #387
Reconciling Ministries Network
3801 North Keeler Avenue, Third FloorChicago, IL 60641-3007
Address Service Requested
Save a tree! To receive uture Katalysts electronically, email stephanie@rmnetwork.org
Together, we can make a dierence! I want to make a financialcommitment of $ __________ to Reconciling Ministries Network.
I will send a check. My check is enclosed.
Please charge my pledge to my Mastercard, Visa,AMEX or Discover.
Card Name ___________________________________________________
Card Number _____________________________ Exp. Date ____/_____
Please contact me about setting up monthly giving.
I will send a check each month or quarter. Please remind me.
Name _____________________________________________ I am Clergy.
Address __________________________________________________________
City / State / Zip ___________________________________________________
Home Phone / Cell Phone ___________________________________________
Email ____________________________________________________________
Sign me up as a new ReconcilingUnited Methodist.
Sign me up for RMNs weekly emaildigest.
Please do not list my name in RMNsAnnual Report of givers.
This is a new address or correction.
About Katalyst
A quarterly publication of RMN,
this Katalyst and other editionsare available online atwww.rmnetwork.org/katalyst.asp.Hardcopies of the most recent editions can be ordered at:
Reconciling Ministries Network3801 North Keeler AvenueChicago, IL 60641-3007Phone 773.736.5526Fax 773.736.5475Email info@rmnetwork.org
For semi-monthly updates onmovement happenings, sign up fothe Flashnet! eNewsletter atwww.rmnetwork.org/Flashnet.asp
RMN is a non-profit corporationwith 501 (c)(3) status. All financiacontributions are tax deductable tthe fullest extent of the law.
Recommended