how often does the letter "i" occur in:
a reconciling congregation is a united methodist local church that makes
a public statement welcoming all persons, regardless of sexual orientation,
to participate fully in its congregational life.
what is the reconciling ministries
network (rmn)?
organized in 1984, the organization was founded to encourage and support
justice-seeking local congregations that attempt to heal the gulf between
the umc and its lesbian and gay members and to minister to and with gay
men and lesbian women. being a reconciling congregation indicates to gay
men and lesbian women that they are welcome. the reconciling label does
not connote acceptance or rejection of the homosexual lifestyle. it invites
a non-judgmental attitude when evidence can be found to support a variety
of viewpoints on homosexuality. according to its mission statement, the
reconciling ministries network (previously known as the reconciling congregation
program) "provides a supportive network, educational and worship resources,
and strategies that enable and empower individuals and church organizations
for christian ministries with lesbian and gay persons." for further information,
see the reconciling ministry network's website at.
how does a church become part
of the reconciling network?
after a period of study, prayer and reflection about concerns of lesbian
and gay persons and their relationship to the church, a local church makes
a public statement welcoming all persons to participate fully in its congregational
life. the statement is adopted at an all church conference.
why do we have to make this
statement? we already welcome everyone..
does the reconciling program
put us in violation of the book of discipline?
absolutely not! making a statement of inclusion, in fact, supports the
book of discipline which calls for the inclusion of all persons who are
viewed as individuals of sacred worth. official united methodist policy
bars the ordination and appointment of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals".
the board of ordained ministry and bishop of each annual conference must
decide how to handle this mandate. the book of discipline also "prohibits
ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions". each local church must decide
for itself how it will handle this matter.
didn't the judicial council
rule that local churches may no longer name themselves with the label of
unofficial organizations?
yes. in november 1999, the judicial council announced that local congregations
cannot adopt labels which identify them with unofficial organizations.
the council expressed its concern that labels are "divisive". in response
to this ruling, the rmn made it clear that the effort to include gay and
lesbian christians in the local church would not be weakened. the salient
concern is not one of terminology. congregations can describe themselves
as engaged in the "ministry of reconciliation" or "in support of the reconciling
congregation program" or as participants in "this reconciling congregation".
the
rmn reminds those involved in this prophetic ministry that wherever there
is injustice and discrimination, any stand for justice and inclusiveness
will potentially be divisive.
if we become reconciling,
will we become an all-gay church?
no. there are now over 1,000 affirming (united church of canada),
more light (presbyterian), oasis (episcopalian), open and affirming (disciples
of christ or united church of christ), reconciling (united methodist),
reconciling in christ (lutheran), supportive (brethren/mennonite), welcoming
(unitarian universalist), and welcoming and affirming (baptist) churches
and ministries in the us and canada. the experience of these congregations
has been that they have received some new lesbian and gay members. in addition,
they have also been graced with many more new members who are attracted
to the open, inclusive, and hospitable environment a reconciling congragation
can provide.
user
The text includes 298 "i"s in total.
assistant