katalyst summer 2011

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Summer 2011 • Katalyst | 1

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KATALYSTNEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

VOL. 28 NO. 3 SUMMER, 2011

Loving Our Neighbor: Practice, Practice, Practice!by Rev. David Meredith

In 1984, I attended my

rst General Conference

in Baltimore as a seminary

student. I carried a once-upon-

a-time hopefulness born of

romanticized sentiment about

the church of Jesus Christ and

our Wesleyan part of it. That

year, our movement, led byAfrmation, carried a similar

hopefulness. The child-like

exuberance continues today. Some bring hope for acceptance.

Some bring energy for changes. Some bring commitment to

ght for justice regardless the cost. Some bring wide smiles

and big eyes to make a difference. Perhaps you will go to

Tampa, Florida for General Conference in 2012 eager that

this is the time for your once-upon-a-time hopefulness.

Unfortunately, there has been no “And they ALL lived

happily ever after!” At each of the General Conferences I’ve

attended, St. Louis, Louisville, Denver, Cleveland, Pittsburgh

and Ft. Worth, I have had moments when the warmed-heart of my Wesleyan evangelical experience confronted

the renewed exclusions of United Methodist institutional

policies and practices. I haven’t been alone. Many of you

shared them while crying on bleachers, screaming in

balconies, chanting on sidewalks, and singing in jail cells.

When the inner faith of God’s assuring grace meets the outer

reality of denominational barriers, it is difcult to surmount.

That’s when the General Conference is like going to the

dentist. It feels like a root canal. Why do I put myself through

it? I’ve been convinced by the sign I see from my dentist’s

chair, “Only brush the teeth you want to keep.” I want to keep

this United Methodist Church and I want to help it become

fully-inclusive of ALL people in ALL ways especially for

those who haven’t come, have been turned away, or who

have left the UMC, for those in our congregations at home

for the young growing up in our communities, and for thoseof many languages, cultures, colors, and faiths throughout

our changing world. ALL still means ALL.

I go to the dentist and General Conference for other

reasons as well. It’s like teeth cleaning, a prophylactic

treatment, which keeps the church (and me) accountable

cleaned up, and ready for another four years. In each

quadrennial cycle we have had positive results from our

preventive check-ups: 1) the formation of the Reconciling

Congregation Program (now RMN); 2) successful legislative

initiatives; 3) a decreasing size of the majority in opposition

4) vibrant witness events; 5) same-gender weddings; and 6)

powerful non-violent actions.General Conference preparations are also akin to daily

ossing. I hate doing it but my gums are healthier at my nex

visit. The relational organizing of the past six years is our

way of ossing. Listen to stories. Tell stories. Keep it up

Twice a day! We, and the UMC, are healthier because of it.

The nal outcome has often been disappointing, hurtful

and painful each time additional layers of prohibition and

Love Your Neighborby Audrey Krumbach

Growing up in small town Georgia, our standard reply to

a dare was I-might-could-if…. This single word expresses

bravado, fear, and a pride-saving request for help. When

my timid best friend asked if I would audition for the drama

club, I replied, I-might-could-if you will try out with me.

When she said yes, we screamed in terror but both ended up

with parts.

When people ask if I expect the 2012 General Conference

to vote for full inclusion, I think, “they-might-could-if you

tell them your story!”

Love Your Neighbor is the fth and nal year of the

Called to Witness campaign where we have been building

relationships, perfecting our public narrative skills and

organizing in strong teams. This year, the Love Your

Neighbor campaign will mobilize United Methodists from

across our connection to engage in holy conferencing with

continued on pg 6

continued on pg 3




General Conference delegates. Beginning in August of 2011,

we will seek to obey Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor

as yourself” (Mark 12:31) by telling our stories and building

relationships with United Methodists from every walk of life

and theological position.

Together, Methodist Federation for Social Action

(MFSA) Chapters, Afrmation members and ReconcilingMinistries Network (RMN) Annual Conference Teams in

fty four Annual Conference areas will recruit, support and

coach Love Your Neighbor volunteers who will learn to tell

their stories and build relationships with General Conference

delegates.

Campaign Goals and Outcomes:

• 22 Jurisdictional Organizers will train and coach

volunteers

• 54 RMN-ACTs and MFSA Chapters will host Love

Your Neighbor training events

• 1500 Love Your Neighbor Volunteers will gather and

practice Holy Conversations through storytelling,intentional listening, and one-to-one meeting skills

• Each delegate living in the US who will attend the

2012 UMC General Conference will be contacted

and hear the stories of two Love Your Neighbor

volunteers

Get Involved

• Visit http://www.loveyourneighbor2011.org

• Invite United Methodists to attend the Love Your

Neighbor training events

• Publicize Love Your Neighbor training events

• Provide hospitality and logistics for Love Your

Neighbor training events

• Attend and support Love Your Neighbor training

events• Meet with one or two General Conference Delegates

• Support team members who are practicing thei

stories

• Plan local events during General Conference

Love Your Neighbor, Cont’dcontinued from pg 1

The Cup of Justice Award is given for taking bold action

to bring about systemic change where injustice, oppression,

and exclusion exist.The 2011 Cup of Justice Award recognizes the

endurance, the teamwork, the strategy, the implementation,

the impact on our United Methodist way of life, of the trial

team and outcome for Rev. Amy DeLong and, in particular,

her advocate Rev. Scott Campbell who was Amy’s choice

from among all the available clergy of our church. Scott

contributed time, travel, money, heart, passion, clear thinking,

cooperation, exibility, nimbleness, focus, and humor. Amy

says, “Scott was so resilient; as each of our 11 brilliant trial

strategies were knocked down by the presiding bishop, there

was still another. His depth of wisdom and ability to remain

steady and centered in the midst of overwhelming odds was

just amazing.”

The Voice in the Wilderness Award is given for taking

risks, despite isolation in a wilderness to proclaim the

rightness of inclusion for all people in the church and for

standing against injustice despite that lack of support.

The 2011 Voice in the Wilderness Award goes to a

Mississippi lesbian couple, Renee Sappington and Connie

Campbell, who answered the call from their pastor to

share their testimony on the oor of the Mississippi Annual

Conference in 2009. Renee and Connie moved quickly

from shock over hostile responses to their testimony to

direct action. They organized. Through emails, phone

calls, and personal visits, they recruited and empowered

80 Mississippians to the rst Believe Out Loud training

Over one weekend, they mobilized over 80 signers who

successfully passed a Sacred Conversations legislation at

the Mississippi Annual Conference, which Bishop Ward

is implementing. In the midst of this, Connie and Renee

created a team, growing their list of Reconciling United

Methodists in Mississippi from 36 to over 200! Along the

way they have become Mississippi Moms to many in the

wilderness longing for family.

Sing a New Song Award Winners

Renee Sappington, Rachel Harvey, Connie Campbell



4 | Katalyst • Summer 2011

The Methodists have a lot of

gay ministers. The church takes

our money, takes all kinds of gifts

we bring, but we can’t get married

or have other rights. We should.

Being here, I am awestruck. I’m

overjoyed. And I would never

have known about any of this, if Ihadn’t met Julie (Photo left). Julie

was going to the conference, and I

decided two days before to come

with her. I feel like I’m home. I

am excited. I want to know more.

I want to know where I could t in

to possibly even help. Every time I

learn something, I share it. I’m involved with the teenagers. They want to know how they can be

accepted. So I share my story with them. I want to put it out there, that the Methodist Church is

a loving, inclusive place. And for members of Reconciling Congregations like my own, I want

them to know that they can do more than just be a member.

Vanessa Meeks - Atlanta, GA

At Sing a New Song, I had the great privilege of being host to Bishop Yvette

Flunder. Coming from outside the United Methodist denomination, she really

emphasized how important it was that we keep in mind that this was not just an internal

struggle but that it would take all of us working together across denominations,

across traditions, across states and communities to work together as one in unity in

order to accomplish the goals of all inclusive love. Our traditions are important, but

it’s also important for us to make that transition together. As we reect on Sing a

New Song, I can't emphasize it enough, that we keep the message of Jesus in mind,which is, to love our neighbor as our self. If I was to boil it down to one question

that encompassed all that we explored to act upon here, it would be “How do we best

love our neighbor as our self?”

Derrick Spiva - San Francisco, CA

Rev. Amy DeLong - Osceola, WISing a New Song feels a little different from other gatherings. In

that, so often it feels like as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people

we are asking permission to be let into the church. At this conference

we are saying, "We are tired of asking for permission and we are nowgoing to claim our space within the church. We belong here rightfully

and the Church is impoverished without us." And that kind of boldness

is what the movement needs.

What I would say to clergy around the country is to be bold, be

brave, act courageously. I said in my sermon that we will not ge

anywhere in the movement if people of privilege are not willing to risk

some of that privilege —popularity, prestige, pensions, and purses. We

have to take real risk for real change to come. I would encourage my

colleagues to be bold in their witness and to put actions behind their

words.

Compiled by Amy B




My experience at SANS is indescribable.

Before this event, my participation with RMN

was very limited, but during the week, I came

to understand the full presence RMN has in our

church. The loving individuals I interacted with

embraced me, supported me, and challenged me

to dream without limits. I was pushed beyond

the inadequate worldviews I had constructed,and was forced to see others for the true life-

giving beauty they held inside given by our

Creator. We created friendships and shared

laughter. The Church erupted in the midst of all

of this diversity. In less than a week I realized,

we are ALL family.

Joseph Kyser - Boston, MA

Growing up I was surrounded by musicians and the understanding that

singing a song meant you had prayed twice. When I was told that I wasgoing to get the opportunity to go to Sing a New Song, I was positive

it would be a source of rejuvenation. I was right, but I didn’t realize it

would play the role that it has in my life. This past year has been one of

many rsts for me. I went to my rst pride parade, entered my rst serious

relationship, and upon arriving at Sing a New Song had my rst RMN

event. From learning to tie a bowtie, to worshiping with over 600 people,

to discussing the future of the church, to skype dates with my partner just

to say; “Baby, you wouldn’t believe how at home I feel,” Sing a New Song

was more than praying twice. It awakened the song deep in my soul and for

that I will always be grateful.

Shells Stephens - Evanston, IL

Jane: I’ll take away trying to get away from the

discrimination. I never knew there were avenues to go

about change, but now I can see there’s something I can

do; maybe I’m only one drop in the ocean, but a drop

can make a wave. I’m just very much glad I came; to see

what I didn’t even know was going on. This has been an

amazing eye opener; a window to see what my daughter

is doing [Rachel Harvey]. I can’t imagine being more

proud.

Israel: There are restrictive laws against gays, and

I think it’s wrong. I understand more about the LGBT

community and in a different way now. I just see people

people God loves. The church needs to show God’s love for all people. I just think about LGBT individuals who have

committed suicide or not been loved or touched, and I can’t even understand that people make laws to exclude them. I’m

not leaving the same. It’s been a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed myself.

Jane & Israel Lopez - Lebanon, PA

yler, and James Dalton



6 | Katalyst • Summer 2011

Some of our most self-avowed practicing United

Methodists faithfully gather every four years at our

international legislative convention known as General

Conference (GC). United Methodists from around the

world will be at the next GC from April 24-May 5 in Tampa,

Florida. Every four years, we get the opportunity to alter

our rules of life as United Methodists in a Wesleyan effort to“move on to perfection.”

This past February, RMN, MFSA, and Afrmation

leaders from California, Minnesota, Tennessee, Washington

DC and Illinois began planning for this Tampa mission trip.

Building upon many years of coalition work, we expanded

our coordinated efforts to launch the Love Your Neighbor

campaign. This expansion includes:

• grassroots organizing to build relationships

with General Conference delegates

• multi-lingual website resource for

constituents and delegates

• central conference relationships coordinator staff person

• onsite advance teams in Tampa for early

delegate arrivals

• onsite strategic witness and legislative teams

to resource delegates decision making

• coordinated media plan for domestic and

international United Methodists

Centering on the Great Commandment, which directs us

to love God and love our neighbor through the example of

the Good Samaritan, challenges us and our church at GC to

love your neighbor who isn’t just like you. You are invited

to join us in this journey! To volunteer, visit www.mfsaweb

org.

Mission Trip Tampa: General Conference 2012by Rev. Troy Plummer

Launched at the Minnesota Annual Conference this

year, nearly 1,000 United Methodist clergy have signed on

to conduct marriages for LGBT persons now! Eleven annual

conferences are creating an altar for all where supportingfaithfulness and delity for loving couples is not dependent

upon sexual orientation. To locate a clergy person in these

annual conferences, visit: http://www.rmnetwork.org/act-

now/altar-for-all. Even with one local clergy case pending,

another Minnesota pastor exclaimed, “Publicly signing the

statement brought joy back into ministry. I felt lighter.”

These clergy are calling leaders, laity and the whole UMC

to abide by the highest calling of the Gospel by making the

ministries of the church available to all members. Ordained

and lay leaders know that for them and every person there

comes a moment to decide and these faith leaders are

choosing pastoral ministry rather than legalisms.

Rev. Dr. Phil Wogaman states, “In the aftermath of the

Amy DeLong trial, I'll guess that further trials are much

less likely. The penalty established quite clearly that even

if there is a trial there is much less likely to be loss of

ordination. So one can credibly claim that there are situations

where performing such ceremonies is the higher pastoral

responsibility. In light of that, I believe it is a mistake even

to treat performing such ceremonies as necessarily being

contrary to the Discipline!”

Creating an Altar for Allby Rev. Troy Plummer

exclusion have been enacted. Nevertheless, the sign remains

“Brush the teeth you want to keep.” Each quadrennium we

return to purposefully persevere in our engagement of the

powers.Although I go to GC2012 hopeful and to do what it takes

to restore health to our denomination, neither is my primary

motivation this year. As Wesleyans, you and I practice our

faith using means of grace and other spiritual disciplines

Therefore, I’m going to General Conference to practice!

With God’s help, I pledge to practice discipleship

practice loving my neighbor, practice being the church for

ALL people, practice holy conversations that honor conict

at a table of commitment and inclusion, practice witnessing

to Christ’s redeeming love in everything I say, do and indeed

who I am, practice reforming the church by the power of

the Spirit, practice growing the church one person and faith

community at a time, and practice carrying the gospel of

Jesus Christ around the globe to the ends of the earth.

Friends, I’m going to practice the old, old story in a new

new song. I hope you’ll sing along.

When a New Yorker was asked by a tourist, “How do

you get to Carnegie Hall?” she answered, “Practice, practice

practice.”

How do we get to a fully-inclusive United Methodist

church? How do we get to the embodied reign of God on

earth? Practice, practice, practice.

Practice, Practice, Practice, Cont’d

From Left to Right: Rev. Troy Plummer, Jill Warren, Tim Tennant-Jayne, Ann Craig,

Steve Clunn, Walter Lockhart

continued from pg 1




Gifts in Memory and Honor of...

In Honor Of...Rev. Amy DeLong was honored by Amanda Stein

Maureen Vetter was honored by Catherine Denman

Dr. Brian Watson was honored by Charles Chipman

RMN Staff were honored by Chip Aldridge

Fairness and Equality were honored by John Dahl and Claire Dahl

Rev. Vern Groves was honored by David Poindexter

Mary Kraus and Drew Phoenix were honored by Ella Curry

Hillview UMC, Boise, ID was honored by Janine Watkins

Amee Miller & Jim Paparello

were honored by Jann Nestell

Bonnie Beckonchrist, April Hall Cutting,

Kathi McShane, and Bruce Robbins

were honored by Jeanne Audrey Powers

Drew Phoenix was honored by Jen Ihlo

Jimmy Creech was honored by Joan Byerhof

Amy DeLong, Sam Byrd, Jared Littleton

were honored by Joy Watts

Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst was honored by Leonard Sjogren

Rev. Bob Epps was honored by Stephen Ham

Ed and Janelle Armstrongwere honored by Therese Armstrong

The Dorr Family was honored by Will Green

Bishop Jack Tuell was honored by Woodland Park UMC

In Memory of...Bishop Mel Wheatley is remembered by Gene Hawthorne

Alice Shelton is remembered by Judy Shelton

Like many young Christians of my generation, I rst

learned about the story of the Good Samaritan on felt board.

On the backdrop of a sky blue bulletin board with a desert

scene strewn with rocks and a worn path, we watched our

Sunday school teacher animate the felt gures. From felt

gures to VeggieTales to classic bible study, Sunday school

classes across the world teach young children the story of the Good Samaritan because it illustrates the depth of care

and love we are to share with others who are different from

us. It personies the Greatest Commandment – to Love God

and Love Your Neighbor.

At RMN, we have spent the past several months

designing our grassroots organizing and media campaign

strategies with our coalition partners for Love Your

Neighbor. More than ever before, RMN is poised to change

the discriminatory policies of The United Methodist Church

to support the full inclusion of all God’s people.

At Sing A New Song, RMN and MFSA raised $52,576

in support of our collaborative efforts to build relationshipswith United Methodists across the world as well as advance

progressive and inclusive policies in our church. We would

not be in the position we are today to change the hearts and

minds of our church without your loyal support.

I invite you to respond to this unique opportunity

and join the hundreds who have already said “Yes” to an

inclusive church by making a gift to further the ministries

of RMN today. Your generosity will help us to reach moredelegates with the message of the Greatest Commandment

and return The United Methodist Church to the heart of the

inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can make a gift online

at www.RMNetwork.org, write a check, or give us a call

(David Braden, 773-736-5526).

My Sunday school teacher spent hours cutting and

gluing each individual felt gure and preparing each story

she would share with us so that we would be captivated by

the Good News. With your gift, you empower RMN to share

the Good News embodied in Love Your Neighbor with the

church and world – felt gures and all. However you choose

to give, thank you for your support!

Felt Figures & The Greatest Commandmentby David Braden

katalyst summer 2011

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