Reconciling Ministries Network

Calling all LGBTQ+ people in the UMC — or interested in it — to complete a survey.

This October, the Council of Bishops is holding a special leadership gathering: lay and clergy leaders from every episcopal area, coming together for prayer and discernment about the UMC's future after General Conference 2024. A group of LGBTQ+ people invited to that gathering connected beforehand and agreed on one thing — their voices alone aren't enough.

So they created a survey to bring LGBTQ+ voices from across the whole connection into the room with them, and they've asked us to help spread the word. They want to hear from you whether you're currently part of the UMC, used to be, or would like to be — to understand what it means to be LGBTQ+ in the UMC today, how you're engaged in the life of the church, and what the priorities should be for the future.

Add your voice. Survey closes Sunday, October 12.
https://bit.ly/calgarylgbtqsurvey

Nearly 65% of United Methodist churches in the U.S. average 50 or fewer in worship. A new report says that's not a crisis — it's a calling.

Two of the churches featured, Mancos United Methodist Church (CO) and Eastside Church (Atlanta), are Reconciling congregations — open and affirming of LGBTQ people. Their size never held them back. It gave them clarity about who they are and who they're for.

Small doesn't mean quiet. It means knowing exactly who you're called to love.

Full story here: https://bit.ly/4Ar3DUX

Happening tomorrow!!

Hundreds of new laws have limited transgender rights across the country in the last two years. What does it mean for the church to be a sanctuary in this moment?
Join UMATI (an extension ministry of RMN) for a Virtual Porch panel discussion: The UMC and Transgender Rights.

September 22 | 3:00 PM ET

Panelists:
Rev. Stephanie York Arnold (she/her), General Secretary, GCSRW
Rev. Kendal L. McBroom (he/him), Director of Civil and Human Rights, GBCS
Rev. Enger Muteteke (she/her), Senior Director of Programs and Education, GCORR
Rev. Andi Woodworth (she/they), Executive Director, RMN

We'll talk about the work already underway and the steps still ahead of us. Leaders at the intersection of faith and justice, in conversation.

Register here: https://mailchi.mp/1057b3b74059/umativp926

Welcome to the movement, Peace and Grace Sunday School Class of Fairhope UMC!

We're so glad to celebrate this with you. Deciding to say clearly that everyone has a place in your group takes courage, and it means so much to people who've wondered whether the church has room for them.

Thank you for doing this work in Fairhope, AL. We're honored to welcome you in!

Friends, check out this upcoming event at Candler School of Theology - Emory University!

Ashley Boggan, general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History of The UMC, will be at Candler Sept. 22-23 to take part in three public events focused on q***r history, memory, and The United Methodist Church.

Learn more and register to attend these events in person or online: bit.ly/boggan-candler-events

During these two days, Boggan will preach in Candler's chapel worship and participate in the panel discussion "Q***r and Community Archival Practices" alongside archivists, pastors, and scholars. She'll also present a lecture on reclaiming the heart and method of Methodism, looking at the concept of what she calls "Wesleyan Vile-tality."

"'Wesleyan Vile-tality' is a willingness to look beyond today’s acceptable practices, standards, and norms, and bend the rules in order to ensure that more and more persons can be included within the kindom of God,” Boggan explained in a 2025 episode of the United Methodist Church podcast "Get Your Spirit in Shape." "And that all persons, no matter who they are, how they identify, whom they love or how they live, can know and experience the love of God, can know their own self-worth and can grow to love themselves so that they can love others."

Hundreds of new laws have limited transgender rights across the country in the last two years. What does it mean for the church to be a sanctuary in this moment?

Join UMATI (an extension ministry of RMN) for a Virtual Porch panel discussion: The UMC and Transgender Rights.

September 22 | 3:00 PM ET

Panelists:
Rev. Stephanie York Arnold (she/her), General Secretary, GCSRW
Rev. Kendal L. McBroom (he/him), Director of Civil and Human Rights, GBCS
Rev. Enger Muteteke (she/her), Senior Director of Programs and Education, GCORR
Rev. Andi Woodworth (she/they), Executive Director, RMN

We'll talk about the work already underway and the steps still ahead of us. Leaders at the intersection of faith and justice, in conversation.

Register here: https://mailchi.mp/1057b3b74059/umativp926

We're so glad to welcome Southern Brazoria County Reconciling Ministries out of Lake Jackson, Texas — the newest group to join the Reconciling Movement!

They're choosing to show up as a visible, active witness for LGBTQ+ affirmation right where they are. Join us in welcoming them to the movement!

In a tense political and cultural climate, what would it look like for Christianity to be more faithful to the Gospel and more capable of responding to the moment we're in?

This October, join Dr. Ish Ruiz for Decolonizing Christianity, a six-session online course examining how Christian theology and ministry have been complicit in racial, sexual, and economic oppression — and the liberative possibilities emerging from feminist, q***r, and BIPOC theological traditions.

Open to clergy and laity. Come ready to learn, reflect, and imagine something more faithful.

📅 Oct 5–20 | Mon & Tue | 7PM EST
💻 Online | $150/person | Limited scholarships available
📌 CEU available
Register here:

Buy Decolonizing Christianity with Dr. Ish Ruiz on Sendowl In today’s tense political and cultural climate, how might Christianity be renewed into a tradition that is more faithful to the Gospel and more capable of resp