Union College
United Methodist-related Union College in Barboursville, Kentucky, voted Oct. 28 to join the Reconciling Ministries Network in support of the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the church. (Photo courtesy of Union College)
United Methodist-affiliated Union College in Barbourville, KY, became the first college to join the Reconciling Ministries Network by a supermajority vote of its governing board Oct. 28. The move follows “its 2018 opposition to statements in the 2016 Book of Discipline that it deems incompatible with its belief in the sacred worth of all persons,” according to an RMN press release.
"It is a privilege to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries in the important work of encouraging The United Methodist Church to abandon the exclusionary practices that marginalize our siblings in Christ,” says Dr. Marcia Hawkins, President of Union College. “I look forward to a time when the sacred worth of all individuals is truly embraced in Church policy and practice."
The press release says:
“In affiliating with Reconciling Ministries Network, the Board of Union College adopts the following welcoming statement:
“Union College welcomes and affirms people of every race, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, physical ability, mental ability, immigration status, economic class, or educational class.
“Union College invites other United Methodist-affiliated colleges and universities to likewise voice their opposition to the Traditional Plan and any form of discrimination by The United Methodist Church and to articulate their affirmation of the LGBTQ community. Says Rev. David Miller, College Minister & Director of Justice Initiatives: ‘I love our Church, and I long for the day when our LGBTQ members are welcomed and affirmed at every level of our church life.’”
Union College's affiliation brings RMN membership to more than 1,000 congregations and communities, with another 40,000-plus individual members.
UMARC Inclusiveness III Coming
An email reminder came in this week from the Rev. Dr. Donald Messer: “keep Dec. 6 free on your calendar for the Mountain Sky Inclusiveness III Conference!”
Keynote speakers are Bishop Karen Oliveto, Dr. Joretta Marshall, and Rev. Mark Holland, executive director of Mainstream UMC. Dr. Messer says registration hasn’t begun because UMARC is still finalizing its “focused conversations” (workshops). The event is scheduled for Dec. 6 at St. Andrew UMC from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Live streaming will be available. Watch UMARC’s website, www.umarc.org
If you’d like to help sponsor the event, contact Dr. Messer at globalaids@gmail.com
Video conferences on “Plain Grace” Plan
Frank Holbrook writes: “I’m exploring the possibility of hosting some video conferences explaining the Plain Grace Plan for those who might be interested. The format will be a session with 5-7 people participating. The agenda would be a short overview of the PGP, followed by Q & A. I would moderate the Q & A. I anticipate a session would last 1 to 1.5 hours.
“If you are interested in participating in such a session, please send me a message through this page. Preference will be given to General Conference delegates, so if you’re a GC delegate please indicate that fact in your response.
“If this idea has any traction, I intend to start scheduling conferences during the week of Nov. 11.”
Media Mentions as of Oct. 31, 2019
United Methodist Church of Palm Springs hosts LGBTQ workshops through November – KESQ
Iowa members struggle with United Methodist Church ban on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage – THE GAZETTE*
Methodist Pastor at George Mason University Could Face Punishment for Officiating Gay Marriage ... – NBC4 Washington
Training helps therapists, counselors understand spiritual needs of the LGBTQ community – Chattanooga Times Free Press