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Winter 2009 • Katalyst|1WWW.RMNETWORK.ORG
Does My All ReallyMean All?
KATALYST
NEWSLETTER OF RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
VOL. 26 NO. 1WINTER, 2009
By Rev. Troy Plummer 
In my white mind, it took a bit tosink in. The white electricians leftbecause we had persons of color onour mission team. OK, still moretime, still sinking in. Having beenrejected from one work site forbeing reconciling people, my whitemind said the electricians aban-doned the worksite because theynoticed our women tended to havebetter tool belts than our men andhad identi
fi
ed us as LGBTQA. Inmy white mind, it was our queer-ness that scattered the electriciansfrom the Katrina relief site. ButHolly knew. As a person of colorand the
fi
rst person out of the vanand onto the worksite, Holly knewracism lives on.In my matched male-mind-male-body being, my heart sank. I puta transgender person at risk.But it was just a typo, wasn’t it?Even though the registrar smiled,Sean’s fear of being homeless ata reconciling meeting was real.His experience had taught him so.The registrar exclaimed, “I knewit must be a mistake. ‘Sean Pat-rick’ certainly could not be female.I’ll get you set up with a maleroommate.” If she requested legalidenti
fi
cation, the female birth sexwould not match the man she sawbefore her. Transgender folk havebeen put out on the street for lessthan that.In my temporarily-abled bodyand mind, I worked hard to makesense of the caller’s words. “Are
Continued on Page 4
 By Laura Rossbert
Once upon a time is a
fi
ne way tobegin a story, but our Christian livesare not simple fairy tales which endin “happily ever after.” Rather, we
fi
nd ourselves in the midst of God’sunfolding story of redemptive andreconciling love. This story beckonsus to be faithful disciples by reachingout to share our stories with othersand calling themto create a just andwelcoming UnitedMethodist Church.On a rainy Sat-urday morning inJanuary, thirtyfolks – some whodrove 100 miles toattend – gatheredin Nashville, TNto follow the callfor an inclusiveChurch. This wasgroundbreaking work in the BibleBelt of the south, where the Nash-ville Area Reconciling Methodists(“NARM”) had only started meetinglast fall. All who graced the doors of Edgehill UMC were greeted by hand-made signs of welcome. We came toshare stories, learn valuable toolsand create an action plan for theTennessee Annual Conference. Whilesharing delicious homemade lunch of soup and sandwiches, we created avision of a more just Nashville. As a trainer, nothing could be morerewarding than experiencing a shar-ing community by hearing people’sstories. Coming from the safety of Washington, DC to the “South,” Ihad been prepared to encounterdifferent ways of being; however, aspeople shared words of what broughtthem to the training, our commonal-ity shone through. People spoke outof their “hope” for all to be welcomein our churches, the beauty of “tradi-tion,” the importance of “justice,”and the “joy” of a community gath-ered together to follow Jesus.We shared many moving stories.One gay man had been told not toreturn to a speci
fi
c church but thenfound a home ina loving Method-ist congregation;another, a formerMormon who cameout, found beauti-ful community at areconciling con-gregation. Peoplemade themselvesvulnerable, and inthat intentionalsafe space, wegained healing andpower from ourstories. Some realized that if mem-bers of their community were goingto take a leap of faith, they couldtoo, and members of NARM pledgedto support one another by drivingtogether to their meetings withDistrict Superintendents and, after-wards, analyzing the conversations.Our task at hand is incrediblysimple and wildly radical. Help ourchurch realize that their doors aren’topen to all, a reality which harmsGod’s children. This work can seemoverwhelming and incredibly lonelyat times, but that is exactly whyso many of us are brought into theCalled to Witness work. We buildrelationships with those who mightnot understand the importance of 
God’s Unolding Story
Continued on Page 3
 
2|Katalyst • Winter 2009
RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK 
 
is a national grassroots organizationthat exists to enable full participationof people of all sexual orientationsand gender identities in the life of TheUnited Methodist Church, both inpolicy and practice.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Helen AndrewRachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger Vincent CervantesRev. Daniel DissLawrence T. DuncanRev. Duane A. EwersElizabeth A. FimbresWill E. GreenWill J. GreenEsther Villarreal HouserDavid MauzyRev. David MeredithDr. Randall MillerRev. Holland MorganRev. Joshua M. NoblittRev. Diane NunneleeRev. John OdaElizabeth OkayamaRev. Dr. Karen OlivetoRosario QuiñonesRev. Bruce RobbinsRev. Dr. Martha ScottSally SparksDerrick SpivaMonica L. SwinkJoy T. WattsRalph A. WilliamsChristina Wright
LEGAL COUNSEL
Jennifer Soule
RMN STAFF
Meg Carey
 Business Manager
 Antony Hebblethwaite
Communication/Technology Manager
Sarah Howery
 Admin & Donor Relations Associate
 Audrey Krumbach, M.Div.
Field Organizer
Susan Laurie, M.Div.
Outreach Coordinator
Candie ODell
Seminary Intern
Rev. Troy Plummer
Executive Director
 By Sue Laurie
 As we celebrate 25 years of Rec-onciling Ministries, we rememberthe
fi
rst congregations who chal-lenged the majority rule of GeneralConference (GC).In 1984 the GCcreated a brandnew rule againstthe ordination of “self-avowed prac-ticing homosexu-als”.
1
Members of  Af 
fi
rmation wereready that day.They had plannedand prepared.The next daythey greeted theGC delegates with an opportunityto offer a Christian response. Theyinvited our church family, the oneswho knew this law was a mistake, togive witness that their church doorswere truly open to all people. Herewould be the chance to publicallyaf 
fi
rm the lives, families, and minis-tries of gay and lesbian people. Theywere invited to become “ReconcilingCongregations”. There were readycongregations; most of whom alreadyunderstood diversity as a gift, not afright, and were willing to extend anauthentic welcome to whomever Godgave them as neighbors. When youvisit their websites today, you seeministry that goes beyond charityand insists on justice; that does notrest with patience for inequalities.Reconciling Ministries has experi-enced an acceleration in growth thelast three years ~ our list has grownby an annual average of 20 congrega-tions and 15 communities since thecontroversial Judicial Council rulingthat permitted bigotry against gayand lesbian United Methodists.Injustice can spark action ~ but let’snot wait for more harm. For thosewho attend Reconciling Congrega-tions, can you
fi
ndways to spreadthe Good News?Consider waysyou may seed andnurture neighbor-ing congregationsin your AnnualConference.For informationon the Recon-ciling Process,see our website
http://www.rmnetwork.org/process.asp
. You may also order our DVD on theReconciling Process and contact usfor support and ideas.
New Reconciling Communitiessince October 2008
Congregations:
Langley UMC 
, Langley, WA 
Sebastopol UMC 
, Sebastopol, CA 
Hilltonia UMC 
, Columbus, OH
New Horizons UMC 
, Columbus, OH
Franksville UMC 
, Franksville, WI
First UMC 
, Kalamazoo, MI
Communities:
Nashville Area Reconciling Ministry
,Nashville, TN
Reconciling Journey Sunday SchoolClass
, West End UMC, Nashville,TN
Celebrating 25 Years o Ministry!
Reconciling Churches o 1984
Washington Square UMC,
NYC
(merged into The Church in the Village)
Wesley UMC 
, Fresno, CA 
St. Paul’s UM 
, Denver, CO
Wheaton UMC 
, Evanston, IL(merged into United Church of RP)
 Bethany UMC 
, San Francisco, CA 
Central UMC 
, Toledo, OH
Edgehill UMC 
, Nashville, TN
Sunnyhills UMC 
, Milpitas, CA 
Wallingford UMC 
, Seattle, WA 
Funny Thing!
Did you know that sometimes congregations achieve their Reconciling goaland forget to let RMN know
☺
. Go to our website www.rmnetwork.org,click on “Find a church” to see if your congregation is listed.If “no”,
take action
. Check whether your church already has a mission orwelcoming statement that names “people of all sexual orientations andgender identities” or “LGBT”. Contact Audrey@rmnetwork.org to see whatyou need to get your congregation on the list.
 _____ 1
 Bishop Jack Tuell “How I Changed MyMind”. http://www.rmnetwork.org/other.asp.
 
Winter 2009 • Katalyst|3
 By Audrey Krumbach
I was bursting with excitement as Ientered Cokesbury to buy the bookseminarians fondly call “The HolyDoorstop.” This nickname for
TheUMC Book of Resolutions
indicatesboth the generous size and commonneglect of these valuable Method-ist insights. These of 
fi
cial UnitedMethodist declarations includetopics from ethical tourism to stemcell research. Resolutions have thepower to guide the agenda of Gen-eral Boards and release Methodistagencies from the unjust policiesand funding practices of our past.In obedience to
The Resolution toOppose Homophobia and Heterosex-ism
, the General Board of Churchand Society has already establisheda taskforce to advocate and educatechurches about these social ills. Thisgroup will study the prevalence of homophobia, collect stories, andwrite and distribute study materials.How to get involved:Send in stories of homophobia;Suggest resources.Watch the RMN and GBCS web-sites for upcoming resources.Send a designated gift to GBCS. All suggestions can be emailed to Audrey@rmnetwork.org.•••
Heterosexism/Homophobia Resolution
Opposition to Homophobia and Heterosexism
Submitted by Kansas East Annual Conference, adopted on April 30, 2008 
 
WHEREAS
, homophobia
1
is the discrimination of people perceived to benon-heterosexual, regardless of the victim’s actual sexual orientation orsexual identity; and,
WHEREAS
, heterosexism
2
is a self-justifying system of homophobia that1) perpetuates stereotypical categories of what is essentially “masculine”and what is essentially “feminine,”2) provides a privileged status for people who identify as culturallyde
fi
ned heterosexuals, and,3) discriminates against persons who, regardless of their sexual orienta-tion or sexual identity, do not appear to
fi
t within the particular categoryde
fi
ned as appropriate for their gender; and,
WHEREAS
, actions rooted in homophobia and heterosexism, includingviolence, threats, ridicule, humiliation, discrimination, isolation, andrejection, is damaging to persons of all sexual orientations and identities,
WHEREAS
, homophobia and heterosexism are manifestations of sexism ingeneral in that they foster stereotypes based on arbitrary distinctions of gender categories,
WHEREAS
, The United Methodist Church is committed to the eradication of sexism (#48, 2004 Book of Resolutions),
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
, that The United Methodist Church strengthenits advocacy of the eradication of sexism by opposing all forms of violenceor discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual practice orsexual orientation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
, that the General Board of Church and Societydevelop resources and materials aimed at educating members of the localchurches about the reality, issues, and effects of homophobia and hetero-sexism and the need for Christian witness against these facets of margin-alization.
1
Homophobia, “Fear or contempt for lesbians and gay men.” The American Heritage Diction-ary (1992).
2
Heterosexism, “Discrimination or prejudice against lesbians or gay men by heterosexualpeople.” The American Heritage Dictionary (1992).
full inclusion and strengthen our ties to thosewho share our common vision for our church.With this strength we go out and make dis-ciples boldly, knowing that we have hands tohold and friends to lift us up when we have adif 
fi
cult interaction. In newly formed com-munities and those that have been comingtogether for decades, we
fi
nd the strength toshare our stories and change our Church. Theroad ahead will not be easy, but that is neverwhat Jesus promised to his disciples as theyset out on their paths. Being a disciple meansleaving my comfort zone of Washington, DCto work in southern conferences, and havingfaith that the way will be made known andthe divine comforter will be at my side. So, letus go out boldly to
fi
nd our shared path andheal our beautiful but broken church!
Edgehill UMC has been Reconciling since 1984.
“Believing that diversity is God’screative intention, this congregationvalues the many differences amongus. All are welcome in God’s familyand we strive to offer true welcomehere. This vision brings challengeand with it an ongoing need for rec-onciliation. We are willing to learnmore, to refresh our understanding.We believe deeply that our whole-ness as a community dependson everyone having a place at thetable.” Rev. Judi Hoffman, pastorEdgehill UMC, Nashville, TN.
 Banner from Edgehill UMC. Visithttp://www.edgehill.org for info.
Edgehill UMC
“God’s Unolding Story,” Continued rom Page 1
of 00

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