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Nov.1, 2021, Centennial, Colorado – Three United Methodist Bishops will outline their visions of United Methodism’s future during a virtual Inclusiveness webinar of the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends (UMARC) scheduled for Saturday, November 20, from 8:30 to 12 noon (MST).
Mountain Sky Area Bishop, Karen Oliveto, will keynote this year’s conference. A barrier-breaking pioneer for human rights, Oliveto was the first openly lesbian bishop to serve the denomination. This year’s theme focuses on “Experiencing An Inclusive Church; Celebrating First Five Years of Bishop Karen Oliveto’s Episcopacy.”
Bishop Harold Rückert of Frankfurt, Germany, and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koiko of Pittsburg, Pa., will also share their biblical and theological visions of an inclusive church. Responding to the episcopal perspectives will be other clergy and laity from Germany, Burundi, the Philippines and the USA.
Speakers include Rev. Kent Ingram of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Patricia Luna of Santa Rosa, Fla.; Jay Williams of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Rev. Dr. Mark Holland of Kansas City, Kan.; Rev. Cimpaye Valentine of Bujumbura, Burundi; and Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran of Manila, Philippines.
For free advance registration and/or an opportunity for sponsorship, check out www.umarc.org
Three provocative books that prompt discussions about inclusivity in church and society will be examined by Vanderbilt Divinity School Librarian, Keegan Oskinski, Nashville, Tennessee, and two retired clergy of the Mountain Sky Conference, Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Rev. Dr. Kay Palmer Marsh, Longmont, Colorado. Moderating the webinar will be Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, Chair of UMARC, Centennial, Colorado.
Messer noted: “Every year increasing numbers of laity and clergy join in these inclusiveness conferences to explore God’s call to embrace a new image of Methodism that does not harbor human homophobia, racism and sexism but instead celebrates divine diversity.”