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!

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.

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.

#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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.  

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.