Thee Steps to Affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network1.The basic - PDF document

Thee Steps to Affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network1.The basic requirement to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is a public statement ofinclusion that particularly mentions “people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.” This statement is all that is necessary to become an official Reconciling Congregation or Community. (A “community” is defined as anything other than a congregation. Examples would be a Sunday School Class, Campus Ministry, UMW Chapter, etc.) Because the Book of Discipline specifically singles out LGBT persons for harm, it is crucial that each statement explicitly welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons (full spelling preferred). This is also an opportunity to consider all who might feel marginalized by the church, or those who are not always welcome in our churches. We encourage you to write a statement that includes a broad diversity of God’s children to demonstrate our belief that all persons are made in the image of God. Your Reconciling statement should do exactly that; make a statement. It should name who you are as a community. Are you a social justice based congregation? A church that focuses on hospitality? A church that is proud of your United Methodist heritage that seeks to live into Wesley’s theology of grace? Sample Reconciling statements can be obtained from your Regional Organizer (see list below). Reconciling statements from congregations must be typed on church letterhead. (Communities may not have letterhead.) Your statement can be signed by whomever is most appropriate for your new Reconciling group: your pastor, a lay leader, Church Council Chair, Sunday school teacher, UMW President or, if you wish, the signatures of your entire community. Statements should be mailed to the Deputy Director at the RMN office (see address above) or scanned and emailed to your Regional Organizer (see list below). In addition to your statement, please complete and mail the form entitled, “New Reconciling Community Form.” (found on website orprovided by your Regional Organizer of Process Coach)take and send a high resolution photo of your congregation or community to be shared on social media2.We request that each congregation/community keep the Reconciling statement in visible places.Most Reconciling Congregations/Communities print their statement in the Sunday bulletin and on the main page of their website as part of their welcome. It can also be displayed on a church bulletin board. Think of places where first-time visitors would encounter your statement: newsletters, outdoor signs, letterhead, etc… We encourage you to find opportunities in your community to share your commitment to inclusion – participate in pride festivals, local UMC gatherings, etc. This is an important word of welcome and we hope you will find unique places to share it. Many Reconciling communities hold a Reconciling United Methodist (RUM) drive, inviting everyone in the community to sign up as individuals – with a goal of at least 75% of community members signing up as RUMs. RUM cards and other materials are available for download on the RMN website or by calling the office. 3.We ask each Reconciling Church or Community to donate annually. Just as we give to our localchurch with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness, we invite you to do the same with RMN. It is from the generosity of those who believe in inclusion for LGBT persons in our church that we are able to provide training events, travel to Annual Conferences, and witness at large UM gatherings. As a guideline, we ask for $250 annually, but know that some communities can give more and some less. Communities raise this money in various ways – some have a special offering, some have a fundraiser, some have a line item in their budget, and some have an individual who gives to RMN on behalf of the congregation. For more information or support, we encourage you to contact your Regional Organizer who can connect you with a trained Process Coach: Last revised: