Preparing for General Conference
What you can do to get informed and be
involved
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO
ACT!
For over a year the Reconciling Initiatives Committee has been working with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) to develop a personal relationship with our North Texas delegates to the UMC General Conference which will meet in Fort Worth April 23-May 2. We would like for the delegates to take action to change the following positions of the United Methodist Church –
• Local UM pastors have the power to deny membership to gay and lesbian Christians.
• UM pastors are barred from performing marriage or commitment ceremonies for same-gender couples.
• Openly gay and lesbian people are banned from the ministry.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW!
WRITE LETTERS
Many of you know the delegates personally. Many of you have years of experience as leaders in the Methodist Church. All of us have a very positive experience in an inclusive church. As the delegates prepare for the General Conference, they are receiving stacks of mail and emails. One more letter from you can make a difference.
• Write a handwritten note, asking the delegate to read your story.
• Enclose a one-page story about your experience as a member of an inclusive church.
• Enclose a picture of your family.
A list of delegates and addresses is available at the church office, at the Reconciling Initiatives Committee table after church, and on the Northaven website.
VOLUNTEER IN FORT WORTH
We live only a few miles away and don’t have to travel as far as other RMN volunteers. Can you volunteer during the week, on the weekend, or even for one day during the 10-day conference? It is important for the delegates to see volunteers with our stoles that support an inclusive church.
There will be members of the Reconciling Initiatives Committee available after church each Sunday until General Conference to provide more information and to answer your questions. This only happens every four years and may never be back to our area again.
ATTEND THIS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Our pastor, Eric Folkerth, will lead an "Introduction to General Conference" for those interested in understanding both what General Conference is, and what the specific issues will be before the conference this year.
This session will take place during the Sunday School hour on Northaven's Reconciling Sunday, April 20th.
ATTEND THREE IMPORTANT WORSHIP SERVICES
Saturday, April 19, 4:00 pm - Reconciling Parents Rainbow Saturday, Grace United Methodist Church, 4105 Junius at Haskell, Dallas, offering renewal and fellowship for all people desiring to truly open the hearts, minds, and doors of our church, expand our spiritual base, and impact General Conference.
Sunday, April 20, 11:00 am - Reconciling Worship at Northaven, celebrating the anniversary of our becoming a Reconciling congregation and preparing for our work at the General Conference later in the week.
Sunday, April 27, 2:00 pm - Reconciling Ministries Worship, First UMC, Fort Worth, sponsored by the Reconciling Ministries Network. Encourage your friends and family to participate with you and be symbols of the many people who support an inclusive church.
For over a year the Reconciling Initiatives Committee has been working with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) to develop a personal relationship with our North Texas delegates to the UMC General Conference which will meet in Fort Worth April 23-May 2. We would like for the delegates to take action to change the following positions of the United Methodist Church –
• Local UM pastors have the power to deny membership to gay and lesbian Christians.
• UM pastors are barred from performing marriage or commitment ceremonies for same-gender couples.
• Openly gay and lesbian people are banned from the ministry.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW!
WRITE LETTERS
Many of you know the delegates personally. Many of you have years of experience as leaders in the Methodist Church. All of us have a very positive experience in an inclusive church. As the delegates prepare for the General Conference, they are receiving stacks of mail and emails. One more letter from you can make a difference.
• Write a handwritten note, asking the delegate to read your story.
• Enclose a one-page story about your experience as a member of an inclusive church.
• Enclose a picture of your family.
A list of delegates and addresses is available at the church office, at the Reconciling Initiatives Committee table after church, and on the Northaven website.
VOLUNTEER IN FORT WORTH
We live only a few miles away and don’t have to travel as far as other RMN volunteers. Can you volunteer during the week, on the weekend, or even for one day during the 10-day conference? It is important for the delegates to see volunteers with our stoles that support an inclusive church.
There will be members of the Reconciling Initiatives Committee available after church each Sunday until General Conference to provide more information and to answer your questions. This only happens every four years and may never be back to our area again.
ATTEND THIS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Our pastor, Eric Folkerth, will lead an "Introduction to General Conference" for those interested in understanding both what General Conference is, and what the specific issues will be before the conference this year.
This session will take place during the Sunday School hour on Northaven's Reconciling Sunday, April 20th.
ATTEND THREE IMPORTANT WORSHIP SERVICES
Saturday, April 19, 4:00 pm - Reconciling Parents Rainbow Saturday, Grace United Methodist Church, 4105 Junius at Haskell, Dallas, offering renewal and fellowship for all people desiring to truly open the hearts, minds, and doors of our church, expand our spiritual base, and impact General Conference.
Sunday, April 20, 11:00 am - Reconciling Worship at Northaven, celebrating the anniversary of our becoming a Reconciling congregation and preparing for our work at the General Conference later in the week.
Sunday, April 27, 2:00 pm - Reconciling Ministries Worship, First UMC, Fort Worth, sponsored by the Reconciling Ministries Network. Encourage your friends and family to participate with you and be symbols of the many people who support an inclusive church.
Posted: Tuesday - April 01, 2008 at 02:29 PM |
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:54 PM
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:54 PM