Direct Action
and Advocacy

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Host a Direct Action

Protest is at the heart of the Gospel. If protest is the antithesis of complicity in, apathy toward, or callousness in the face of suffering, then it is the definition of Jesus’ ministry! As we organize our communities in response to the Traditional Plan, we will need to follow the way of Jesus and stand between the implementation of these oppressive policies and the LGBTQIA persons and allies directly threatened by them.

Neutrality, as Archbishop Tutu reminds us, is not an option.

When we talk about protest, we are actually referring to two different kinds of action:

Direct Action Activism involves direct action(s) that place oneself between an oppressive force and those that force seeks to oppress. It risks one’s own well-being for the sake of another who, without intervention, will be denied the "abundant life" at the heart of Jesus’ ministry (John 10:10).
Advocacy involves the ongoing ways we harness the energy and awareness built through public actions to create change in our congregations, communities, and world.

In our theologically and contextually diverse denomination, we know that not every community will be able or ready to engage in a sit-in or physical demonstration. But there are many ways you can engage in protest no matter your community’s position or perspective.

For Moderate Churches and Churches in Conservative Annual Conferences

  • Invite LGBTQ persons to give testimony and participate in regularly scheduled worship services.
  • Participate in virtual demonstrations.
  • Hire seminary-trained LGBTQ individuals as associates and into staff positions. Publicly celebrate and announce your new hires (if the individuals hired are comfortable with that).
  • Elect as many progressive Annual Conference delegates as possible.
  • Continue to pay apportionments but send a letter of protest with each payment.
  • Align your ministry with a local LGBTQ civil advocacy group.
  • Appoint LGBTQ individuals and allies to the Board of Ordained Ministry (BoOM) and District Committees on Ordained Ministry. Prepare to send letters to your bishop urging the appointment of LGBTQ individuals and allies.
  • Witness at your conference office: take an open letter to the bishop, meet with the bishop, share stories, and ask them to do no more harm to LGBTQ people and allies.
  • Invite LGBTQ individuals to be guest preachers and publicize their appearance at your church before and after their preaching.
  • Schedule a pre- or post- Annual Conference gathering of people interested in learning about how they might support their LGBTQ members.
  • Write op-ed pieces for your local paper pertaining to the importance of full LGBTQ inclusion in the Church.
  • Start a mass letter- or email-writing campaign.

For Reconciling Congregations and Those Committed to Radical Inclusion

  • Continue to stay and stand in resistance until we are better positioned to live into the new expression of the Church.
  • Perform as many same-sex weddings as possible.
  • Ask for LGBTQ clergy to be appointed to your church.
  • Hire LGBTQ individuals to staff positions at your church.
  • Elect as many progressive Annual Conference delegates as possible.
  • Witness at your conference office: take an open letter to the bishop, meet with the bishop, share stories, and don’t leave without making a clear ask.
  • Invite LGBTQ individuals to be guest preachers, and publicize their appearance at your church before and after their preaching.
  • Schedule a pre- or post- Annual Conference gathering of people interested in learning about how they might support their LGBTQ members.
  • Suspend apportionment payments and put funds into an escrow account, OR organize other churches in your Annual Conference to send letters of protest with payment of their apportionments.
  • Advertise your welcome & inclusion of LGBTQ people in your Conference newspaper, local secular newspaper, or similar outlets.

Additional options for direct action activism and advocacy include but are not limited to:

  • Virtual protests on social media
  • Sit-ins or walk-outs
  • Mass letter or email-writing campaigns
  • Petitions
  • Building signage and banners

All of these are ways we can make our voices heard, build mutually supportive relationships, and resist the Traditional Plan. To learn more about the basics of organizing or participating in a direct action, download the planning guide below.

Direct Action Planning Guide

If you’re planning an action or protest, we encourage you to understand your state’s laws about direct action and assembly. This resource from FindLaw can help you find information about your state.

February Direct Action and Advocacy

With the Traditional Plan going into effect, we strongly encourage you to consider scheduling a direction action or advocacy opportunity for your community/congregation. This is the time to make our voices heard and empower our congregations to speak out against the harm that the Traditional Plan will cause the people, congregations, and communities we call home. In addition to the above suggestions, consider:

Congregational Life

  • Place a #ResistHarm banner or sign in front of your church
  • Create a display telling the story of the struggle in The UMC for equity and justice for all God’s people, and make the display readily visible at your church
  • Start or become a Reconciling Church, group, class, or district group
  • Mentor another group or church in your area through the Reconciling process
  • Create a welcoming statement for your church that includes affirmation of ALL God’s people
  • Host an anniversary party for all couples
  • Host a fundraiser for LGBTQ causes in your local area or elsewhere
  • Offer a marriage encounter course or retreat specifically for LGBTQ couples
  • Host a meal with and for LGBTQ people and/or organizations in your area
  • Display rainbow flags or other signage outside churches and homes
  • Study sermons from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Strength to Love. Sing Mark Miller’s “Only Love Can Do That,” which has lyrics from Dr. King’s sermons
  • If you haven’t already, consider becoming a Reconciling Congregation.

Individual Actions

  • Make quilts, scarfs or shawls of love for a shelter (a disproportionate number of LGBTQ youth experience homelessness)
  • Mentor an LGBTQ youth
  • Volunteer at PFLAG, Trevor Project, Family Equality Councils, LGBT National Help Center, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Transgender Law Center (TLC), or another organization focused on the LGBTQ community
  • Create an artistic expression of support for LGBTQ people
  • Attend an event in support of or to learn how to be better advocates for LGBTQ persons and other marginalized people
  • Speak up for and advocate for policies that positively impact the LGBTQ community
  • Sign up to become a Reconciling United Methodist
  • Schedule a meeting with your pastor, church council chair, or other leaders in your congregation. If they are celebrating all marriages, thank and encourage them. If they are not, encourage or challenge them to consider doing so.
  • Share your own story of becoming an LGBTQ-affirming or Reconciling United Methodist with friends, family, and on social media.

Worship

  • Conduct a reaffirmation of the marriage covenant or family blessing service (see examples of this service here)
  • Offer a healing service for LGBTQ, POC, people with disabilities, immigrants, and others marginalized by our Church and society
  • Invite people from the LGBTQ community to preach, give testimonies, or participate in worship in meaningful ways
  • Create and use rainbow altar cloths or other displays of solidarity in the sanctuary
  • Lift up stories of LGBTQ persons who have lived out brave and daring love
  • Dedicate a special offering for LGBTQ causes in your local area or nationwide
  • Hold a justice-focused prayer vigil

Upcoming Events

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LAMENT - A Worship Service Mourning Church Harm to the LGBTQ+ Community

March 1, 2020 5:30 pm
University United Methodist Church
2915 E 5th St, Tulsa, OK 74104
Hosted by: Boston Avenue UMC, University UMC and other Tulsa area churches

Join us Sunday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. at University United Methodist Church for "Lament: A Worship Service Mourning Church Harm to the LGBTQ+ Community"

You are also invited to join us prior to the service (from 4 p.m.-5 p.m.) for Cookies and Conversation, an opportunity to get to know other United Methodists resisting the harm of the traditional plan.

This service is part of a monthly worship series hosted by Tulsa-area churches in holy resistance to the Traditional Plan, as we affirm LGBTQ+individuals as beloved children of God.

“The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.”LUKE 22:61-62 (NRSV)

In this month of lament, may God open our eyes and ears of so that justice and mercy for all people will be done.

For more information about resistance to the Traditional Plan, and the Resist Harm movement, visit www.resistharm.com

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YOU ARE SET FREE! a visual of the inclusive gospel to be presented at General Conference

March 1, 2020 12:00 am
Whereever you are! This is an internet option
Your location
Hosted by: Bering UMC

Rev. Diane McGehee, Chair of Reconciling United Methodist Texas Conference and Senior Pastor of Bering Memorial, one of only 3 reconciling congregations in the Texas Annual Conference, is seeking to create a life size visual art exhibit for delegates to view at General Conference that positively highlights the gift of the reconciling community to the UMC and Jesus’ call to set them free to fully claim their God-given identity within the UMC.

The visual image will use the story of the bent over woman in Luke’s gospel. Jesus told her “You are set free!” and she stood up tall in her identity for the first time in over 18 years. The image of this woman set free in her identity by Jesus will be made out of your pictures – LGBTQAI+ persons, couples, family members, friends and allies and your congregations or groups that are reconciling or Open Hearts, whether officially or unofficially.

We need 13,000 pictures for that art piece to take shape.
Please send pictures to the following link: https://form.jotform.com/92665888656177

We want pictures from all over the UMC connection! They can be individual pictures, family pictures, group pictures, and pictures of you Reconciling/Open Hearts groups engaged in mission, any and all of them. We need the pictures no later than March 31, 2020 to create it in time for General Conference.

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Sacred Story - An LGBTQ Christian Retreat

February 28, 2020 8:00 pm
Colby Rancg
Colby Ranch Road, Plmdale, CA 93550
Hosted by: Cal-Pac LGBTQIA+ Task Force

This will be a time for retreat in the mountains with the LGBTQIA young adult community to share in recreation, the arts, friendship-building and story sharing.
We will come together to worship, listen to speakers, participate in workshops, and experience the Creator in the heart of their creation.
#ResistHarm

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#ResistHarm Prayer Event - Ash Wednesday 2020 - Repent and Resist

February 26, 2020 12:00 am
Locations for Repent and Resist Ash Wednesday By District: Blue Rivers: Connection Point, 1333 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE Dodge City: online, contact Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson at apbarlow@gmail.com to learn more Elkhorn Valley: online, contact Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson to learn more. Five Rivers: Osborn Chapel, BU Campus Flint Hills: Reading UMC, Reading AND College Ave UMC, Manhattan Gateway: Great West: online, contact Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson to learn more. Hays: online, contact Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson to learn more. Hutchinson: online, contact Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson to learn more. Kansas City: St. Paul's UMC, Lenexa, KS Missouri River: Saint Paul Omaha Roth Chapel. Use southwest door Parsons: Wesley UMC, Parsons, KS Prairie Rivers: Salina: Topeka: Topeka First UMC, Topeka, KS Wichita West and East: East Heights UMC, Wichita, KS
See FB Page
Hosted by: Great Plains UMC

On Ash Wednesday, we are called to repent of the wrongs we have done, and to seek God's mercy and call to love all. This year Ash Wednesday is on 2/26/2020, which is the one-year anniversary of the passage of the traditional plan. We take this opportunity to repent of harm we have caused, intended and unintended, as individuals and as a Church. United Methodists throughout the Great Plains will gather at sites in each district between 8am and 5pm to offer prayer, song and contemplation as we continue to #ResistHarm. A new person will lead prayers each hour. Saint Paul Benson is hosting the Missouri River District location. Please enter on the Southwest side of the building; we will be located in the Roth Chapel.

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It is Time, Minnesota

February 24, 2020 7:00 pm
Multiple churches
Hosted by: Minnesota Methodists and multiple churches

Minnesota, last year we declared who are are.  

With a vote of over 85%, we declared we are a church rooted in Jesus, grounded in Wesleyan theology, inclusive of all persons, and engaged in the work of justice and reconciliation.  With a vote of over 80%, we recognized the harm of The Traditional Plan and made a covenant together that we would not perpetuate this harm in any form.  (view legislation here)

Now is the time to lead.  The Minnesota Annual Conference is holding gatherings around the state to hear from you.  We need you to attend - wearing your Minnesota Methodist t-shirt and sharing the need for us to be that just, inclusive church.

Please find a gathering in your area and attend.  
Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m. - Moose Lake United Methodist Church, 301 3rd Street, Moose Lake
Sunday, February 23, 2 p.m. - Grace United Methodist Church, 2615 Clearwater Road, Saint Cloud
Monday, February 24, 7 p.m. - White Bear Lake United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch Street, White Bear Lake
Saturday, February 29, 10 a.m. - Evangel United Methodist Church, 2645 Broadway Avenue N, Rochester
Saturday, February 29, 2 p.m. - Hubbard United Methodist Church, 12150 Broadway Road, Park Rapids
Sunday, March 1, 1 p.m. - Prospect Park United Methodist Church, 22 Orlin Street, Minneapolis
Sunday, March 1, 4 p.m. - Alexandria United Methodist Church, 2210 6th Avenue E, Alexandria
Monday, March 2, 630 p.m. - The Grove - Woodbury Campus, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury
Monday, March 2, 630 p.m. - Hilltop United Methodist Church, 108 S Manitou Drive, Mankato
Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m. - Grand Rapids United Methodist Church, 1701 SE 5th Avenue, Grand Rapids
Sunday, March 8, 4 p.m. - Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 202 N 4th Street, Marshall
Monday, March 9, 6:30 p.m, - Faith United Methodist Church, 1530 Oakdale Avenue, West Saint Paul
We know how schedules get, how busy we all are.  

But we must show up at these events to share we have not forgotten what we declared last year.  We must show up to talk to others.  To be together as one.  To move forward together to be just.  To move forward together to be inclusive.  

It is time, Minnesota.  

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Inclusive Gathering - Resist - Carry On

February 23, 2020 3:00 pm
Avondale UMC
500-40th Street South, Birmingham, 35222
Hosted by: Inclusive Methodists of North AL

Worship celebration designed to affirm and celebrate all we've done and will continue to do in the hard work of inclusion here in North Alabama. We're also hoping this gathering will energize folks who are feeling isolated and alone because of their restrictive contexts.

The service is at 3:00pm at Avondale UMC (500-40th Street South, Birmingham, 35222). Afterward, we will have light refreshments so folks can connect with one another and stay in touch. Please invite your friends and neighbors and encourage them to attend.

A few things to note:
Childcare ... Children are always welcome in worship ... but if you want/need childcare, we'll have nursery for children ages 4 and under. Email me if you'll be using childcare so I can plan accordingly.
Lay Delegates ... If you're a lay delegate to Annual Conference, please plan to meet briefly after worship with other lay delegates to organize yourselves.
Updates ... check out our Facebook event (click here) for updates throughout the week leading up to our gathering. Please share it with your friends and invite them to join us.
Sacred Items ... if you're coming with a group, please bring a special item that will be blessed during the service for you to take home as a reminder of our shared efforts.

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Minnesota Methodists Conversation with Bishop Karen Oliveto

February 23, 2020 3:00 pm
Anoka United Methodist Church
850 South Street Anoka, Minnesota 55303
Hosted by: Minnesota Methodists

Join Minnesota Methodists and Bishop Karen Oliveto, the first openly lesbian Bishop in the United Methodist Church. Bishop Oliveto will share her thoughts and answer questions on our denomination and the topic of Imago Dei, or Image of God, in this time and place of our church life.

Minnesota Methodist t-shirts will also be available for purchase and pick up at the event.

There is no ticket or RSVP necessary, but for planning purposes please let us know you are coming here.

This event will be live streamed on https://www.minnesotamethodists.org/bishop-oliveto - join us!

#ResistHarm

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Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms

February 15, 2020 7:00 pm
Mission Hills UMC
4044 Lark Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Hosted by: Mission Hills UMC, MissionGathering San Diego and SD Pride

Matthias Roberts, queer therapist, author, and host of popular podcast Queerology, will be coming to speak about his new book "Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms" at Mission Hills UMC. This event will be in partnership with MissionGathering San Diego, and will include a panel in partnership with SD Pride with faith leaders engaging in dialogue about shame in their particular contexts. #ResistHarm

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NEXT CONVERSATIONS - United Methodists moving forward toward a church for all God's people

February 15, 2020 10:00 am
Central UMC
201 3rd Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917
Hosted by: UMCNext-Holston

Are you disappointed by the Traditional Plan and the harm caused to our LGBTQ+ siblings and the entire body of Christ during General Conference 2019? Would you like to learn more about the plans that will be presented at General Conference 2020? Do you want to be a part of a more inclusive UMC? We invite centrist and progressive United Methodists of Holston to gather for a day filled with:
- Teaching - Testimonials - Resources - Conversations
- Worship - Learning - Communion - Vision - Action
#ResistHarm

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Love: A Worship Service Affirming Commitment & Connection

February 1, 2020 1:00 pm
Boston Avenue UMC
1301 S Boston Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119
Hosted by: Boston Avenue UMC, St. Paul's UMC Tulsa, 13th Street Worship at Boston Avenue

This service is part of a monthly worship series in holy resistance to the Traditional Plan as we affirm LGBTQ+individuals as beloved children of God. Within the service, we will make vows of commitment to each other as a community joined together in our love for each other, and in our conviction to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves

This event is open to all, and includes activity stations and a children’s sermon. We hope to see you there!

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Building An Inclusive Church -- Cincinnati, OH area

February 1, 2020 9:00 am
Epiphany United Methodist Church
6635 Loveland Miamiville Rd, Loveland, OH 45140
Hosted by: Tri-State Reconciling Ministries

This training is being offered for persons in United Methodist congregations who want to learn more about the process for becoming a Reconciling Congregation. A Reconciling Congregation is a local church that publicly and actively welcomes LGBTQ persons and their families. Often these congregations have support groups and fellowship opportunities for LGBTQ persons.
#ResistHarm

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Roll Down, Justice

January 20, 2020 10:00 am
St. John's UMC
1207 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
Hosted by: UMCNext Memphis

We look forward to gathering with you on Martin Luther King day as we continue to seek God's justice for all of God's beloved community. Please help us share the word and invite your friends and fellow United Methodists to join us on Jan. 20.

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Still Beloved: #ResistHarm

January 12, 2020 6:30 pm
First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor
120 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Hosted by: The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan

12 days in to the new year, we gather to worship and to resist the harm done by the Traditional Plan. We gather to celebrate God’s inclusive love. This evening of worship will include the voices and stories of LGBTQIA+ people of faith, music, and practical ways in which United Methodists in Michigan are responding to and resisting the actions of the UMC. We believe that God loves all people, we believe that all means all!

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Meeting with Bishop Graves

January 6, 2020 9:00 am
AWF Episcopal Office
4719 Woodmere Boulevard Montgomery. AL 36106
Hosted by: AWF RMN Groups and others who want to ResistHarm

On January 6th a group of laity and clergy will be meeting with Bishop Graves. This meeting has been set up with Bishop Graves for 9:00 AM. We appreciate Bishop Graves meeting with us even though he is hosting the SEJ Bishops later that day. Please join us as we meet with him, ask him to be supportive of a more inclusive church, ResistHarm, and so many United Methodists who are opposed to the Traditional Plan and the other discriminatory language of The Discipline. We will also ask him if we could pray for him. This is a difficult time! We need as many people as possible to participate! Please come and be supportive!

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Resist: A Worship Service Protesting the Harm of the Traditional Plan

January 5, 2020 7:00 pm
Tulsa--St. Paul's United Methodist Church; Oklahoma City--Mosaic United Methodist Church; Lawton--St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Tulsa--1442 S. Quaker Ave; OKC--3130 NW 50th; Lawton--910 NW 38 St.
Hosted by: OKUMC for Equality

This "Resist" worship service is an act of protest to the harm brought by the Traditional Plan (passed at General Conference 2019) which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

All are welcome to join us for a worship service that will include song, prayer, and a time of collective action as we unite to resist the injustice, discrimination, and harm of the traditional plan, and as we affirm our commitment to the inclusion and acceptance of all God's children especially our LGBTQIA+ siblings.

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#resistharm worship service

January 5, 2020 5:30 pm
First UMC- Little Rock
723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
Hosted by: Arkansas UMCNext

The service will be lgbtq led, with support from allies. The homily will be delivered by Bonnie Allen, Chicago, IL. Allen is a graduate of Rhodes College, and received her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. She has a Masters in Theological Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Currently, Allen is the CEO of the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. All are welcome.

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Resist Harm Worship Service

January 5, 2020 5:30 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church
1021 W Sycamore St, Fayetteville, AR
Hosted by: UMCNext AR chapter

A worship service to address the intent of the #resistharm. The service will include hymns, prayers, scripture and communion. Childcare will be provided. All are welcome. Reception to follow.

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A Different Way

January 5, 2020 11:00 am
Hollywood UMC
6817 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
Hosted by: Hollywood UMC

#ResistHarm worship service. LGBTQ focus and launch of book project which will comprise stories of harm received by LGBTQ people and the healing they have received at Hollywood UMC. Group photo of all those in attendance will be taken all holding #ResistHarm posters. LGBTQ Associate Pastor preaching (also is the LGBTQIA Advocacy Coordinator for the Cal-Pac annual conference). #Resistharm fence line banner will be displayed from 1/1/20.

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#ResistHarm Virtual Action

January 5, 2020 11:00 am
Los Altos UMC
5950 E Willow St., Long Beach CA 90808
Hosted by: Los Altos UMC

On Sunday, January 5, we invite folks to take pictures of themselves, families, friends, groups, pets! (all means all!) with #ResistHarm signs and post them on social media with the hashtag #ResistHarm. You bring your smile for justice and camera and we got the signs!

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Love is Love

January 5, 2020 10:30 am
LA FIRST UNITED METHODIST
1020 south flower st LA
Hosted by: LA First United Methodist

Since beginning pastoral ministry in 2003, it has always been my tradition to celebrate the "Festival of the Christian Home" on Mother’s Day to consider its inclusiveness. This is a United Methodist term, and we can use this as an opportunity to strengthen our homes as a place for living justly, celebrating the fullness of our creation as individuals and families of all compositions.

It has always been true - from Biblical times until today - that families have been expressed in a variety of ways. Many of us have close relationships with our families of origin, but many of us do not and have found ways to create families of choice, form covenant relationships with spouses and partners, and become loving and caring people to children of all ages.

This Sunday at Los Angeles First United Methodist Church, we will offer a Blessing of Families liturgy, in which we all are invited to come forward to be anointed and blessed. This ritual serves both to honor the people who have parented and loved us, and to honor the many ways in which we have created our families.

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Great Plains Resist Harm Kickoff

January 4, 2020 10:00 am
Countryside UMC
3221 SW Burlingame Rd, Topeka, KS 66611
Hosted by: Great Plains UMCNext, Mainstream UMC and Reconciling Ministries Network

We will gather for Epiphany worship at Topeka Countryside UMC followed by a trip to the Great Plains Conference office to deliver the letters to Bishop Saenz from the GP UMCNext letter writing campaign. To send a letter, be sure to check out the instructions in the November issue of the GP UMCNext News: https://us3.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=3756829 More info to come.

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Meeting with Bishop Johnson

January 1, 2020 4:00 pm
Peninsula-Delaware Conference Resource Center
139 N State St, Dover, DE 19901
Hosted by: UMC Next Pen-Del

Bishop Johnson recently wrote a pastoral letter, in which she stated that she would not refer to trial complaints against clergy for officiating same-sex weddings or being self-avowed practicing homosexuals.

Join us in meeting with the Bishop, as we deliver letters of thanks and support for her decision. She has taken a stand - let's demonstrate that we stand with her!

All supporters are encouraged to write a personal letter. We will organize drop-off points for people who are unable to deliver their letters in person.

You can read Bishop Johnson's full pastoral letter letter here:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Pastoral-Letter-from-Bishop-Peggy-A--Johnson.html?soid=1115113910561&aid=7LjssjZRysk

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Renewal of Marriage Vows for All Couples

January 1, 2020 1:00 pm
United Methodist Church of Palm Springs
1555 E. Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CA
Hosted by: United Methodist Church of Palm Springs

We are inviting all couples, gay and straight, to renew their marriage vows and all people (single, partnered, widowed, married non-renewing) to come and stand for love and justice! Officiant is Rev. Jane Voigts

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Covenantal Celebration of Holy Marriage

December 29, 2019 6:30 pm
First United Methodist Church - Dallas
1928 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75201
Hosted by: First United Methodist Church - Dallas

All married couples are invited to this special worship service celebrating the sacred covenant of marriage, which will be followed by a reception. This service is part of the slate of recommendations from the Church at the Crossroads Commission, which developed FirstChurch’s official response to the passing of the Traditional Plan at the called General Conference this past February.

This will be a worship service where any married couple can reaffirm their vows to one another. A reception in Fiedler Atrium will be held after the service .

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Blessing of Unions

January 12, 2019 10:30 am
Bering Church
1440 Harold St Houston, TX 77006
Hosted by: Bering Church

Bering Church unequivocally denounces the “Traditional Plan” and the portions of the Book of Discipline that discriminate against LGBTQAI+ persons, couples and families. Beginning January 1, 2020, In opposition to the harmful actions of the United Methodist denomination in implementing this plan, Bering Church (formerly referred to as Bering Memorial UMC) will not use “United Methodist” in any of its communications until the discrimination ends.

Additionally, the January 12, 2020, 10:50 am worship service will be a protest against this plan and a celebration and affirmation of all LGBTQAI+ couples and families who are being discriminated against by it. During worship, a special blessing will be offered for all same gender couples and families because they are the ones being discriminated against by the denomination. We will bless, affirm, protest and celebrate in worship and at the reception immediately following the worship service.

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Epiphany Worship And #Resist Harm

January 4, 2019 2:00 pm
St Paul Benson
5410 Corby St. Omaha, Nebraska 68104
Hosted by: UMCNext, Mainstream and Reconciling Ministries Network

Join us on to celebrate the Epiphany story and reclaim our baptismal vows as we offer ourselves as a living resistance to the Traditional Plan. God calls us, as wise people to go home by another way. Join us for worship, an opportunity to write letters expressing opposition to the Traditional Plan, and learn about resources you can use to join the movement to #ResistHarm in the Great Plains and the United Methodist Church.

Two new helpful websites: www.greatplainsumcnext.com for the Great Plains-curated resource page or www.resistharm.com for more resources and options.

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Host a Resist Harm Direct Action

Thank you for stepping up to host a Resist Harm direct action. Don’t forget to register your event with Resist Harm and advertise on social media and with local churches to get the word out. Please fill out the form below to submit your direct action. Once approved, it will be promoted on this site!

A direct action should be family friendly, accessible, nonviolent, and legal. We want as many people as possible to feel comfortable attending these direct actions as possible.

Guidelines for Hosting a Direct Action

Direct actions are not sponsored by Resist Harm but Resist Harm provides tools, resources and promotion (where possible) for direct actions focused on resisting the Traditional Plan or other forms of evil and injustice. Resist Harm relies on volunteer direct action hosts to plan and organize the direct actions; those volunteer hosts, and not Resist Harm, are the sole organizers of all direct actions on this site. By submitting this form you agree, as the host of a direct action, that:

  • You are responsible for planning and supervising your direct action and ensuring that it is carried out in a safe and legal manner;
  • You will not request, direct, or knowingly permit anyone acting on your or your 
organization’s behalf to request or direct, any participant at your direct action to engage in any unlawful activity, including unlawful nonviolent direct action;
  • You will obtain any permits required for your direct action and comply with any requirements;
  • You will communicate and coordinate with local law enforcement authorities to make them aware of your direct action and offer to coordinate and cooperate with them in arranging for security of event participants and the public, to the extent applicable, necessary, or required by law;
  • Although Resist Harm is in a support role, you agree that Resist Harm does not necessarily authorize or adopt any statements or conduct made or undertaken by you or attendees at your event; and
  • Resist Harm, its partner organizations and any individual involved in Resist Harm or any partner organization do not assume or accept any liability for any injury to any person or damages to any property occurring in the course of, or by reason of, a direct action you organize as host.

What is the name or description of the group hosting the direct action?

What is this direct action about? Please include any special directions or other notes.

When does the direct action begin?

Where does it take place? Please remember to secure any permits that might be necessary.

What is the address for the direct action's location?

How can people contact you with questions?

If yes, Resist Harm will not recruit people to attend your direct action.

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Link to your group's page or the Facebook event for this direct action.

For information on hosting a same gender wedding, we recommend the resources at MarriageRites.org.

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Resist Harm Partners

Resist Harm is organized by everyday United Methodists in every corner of the connection and is supported by a number of organizational partners.* To learn more about our partners, visit their websites:
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*The tools, resources, and opportunities posted on Resist Harm have been suggested by people or organizations associated with the movement. They are not necessarily endorsed by all of the partners.
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