*Reconciling Team
News From Your Reconciling Team
When your adult child informs you that he or she is gay or lesbian, where does one go for support? Do you go to a counselor? Where is a support group? Enter PFLAG (parents, family members, friends of lesbians and gays, bisexual, and transgender.) This organization is in all 50 states with 250 local chapters. The Tucson local chapter can be contacted at 520 360-3795, PO Box 36264, Tucson, AZ 85740.
Here is a group where you can share your own situations and hear about others in your circumstances. All of this in a supportive, accepting atmosphere. It was an eye-opening experience for us. This is where we go for support which was important for us, but further, we heard the desperate (and sometimes tragic) stories of other parents and young adults who are gay or lesbian. Additionally, PFLAG provides education and advocacy.
One young adult said, "Please do not tell my father, he will disown me forever." It was very difficult to listen and imagine what it must have been like for that young man. We found that, typically, gays who "come out" to their families were often separated from the families and left to be on their own.
As our scientific understanding of human sexuality has increased, we have all grown in our understanding and acceptance of this perplexing part of our human existence.
Written by B. and L.S.
About the Reconciling Team
First Church recently formed a Reconciling Team to offer information and support regarding issues surrounding the struggle to assist the United Methodist Church to be truly inclusive where Lesbian, Gay,
Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) people are concerned.
The UMC (United Methodist Church) Western Jurisdiction and the Desert Southwest Conference have now embraced the effort to reverse the injustice that denies the dignity of LGBT persons, and this gives hope to the desire to realize the Church to be truly inclusive.
On the third Sunday of each month the Reconciling Team will wear rainbow-colored stoles as a witness to the wearer's willingness to embrace the diversity of God's creation. This means that the wearer stands in solidarity with those who believe all persons should be full participants in the life of the church, in policy and in practice, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Stoles are available ($5.00) for those who wish to join in this endeavor.
For more information about the Reconciling Ministries Network, click on its' icon in the upper left. Please note that doing so will take you to another web site.
More About the Reconciling Team
The purpose of the Reconciling Team is to bring an increased understanding of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in relation to our spiritual journey. The end objective will be to create a greater sense of support and a welcoming environment within the church.
The goal is to be an officially recognized Reconciling (Welcoming) Church.
*May 2008 - After consultation with pastor, Administrative Council establishes Reconciling Exploration Committee.
*Committee meets on a monthly basis - develops a strategy for informing FUMC (First United Methodist Church) about the history of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered and the United Methodist Church.
*Represented monthly at Administrative Council meetings.
*Fall 2008 - Launches a church wide effort to reach all constituents, through in-home small group meeting, with information on efforts to join other congregations in changing the Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
*Offers six week study on Biblical view of difficult issues, film presentation "For the Bible Tells Me So," and sponsors a panel of L, G, B, T persons
*Keeps congregation informed of activities through church's monthly newsletter.
*Committee members meet with several established small groups within the church to "hear" their concerns about FUMC becoming reconciling.
*Fall 2009 - Administrative Council establishes Reconciling Team.
*Establishes a witness to constituents and visitors to worship through 3rd Sunday "stole Sunday" with a statement in the bulletin.
*Posts information on church's web page
*Continues to explore and expand ways of reaching out to all persons relating to FUMC.
Resolution for First United Methodist Church to Become Reconciling
In December, 2010 the congregation of First Church overwhelming approved the following resolution:
Whereas the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church has formally adopted a Reconciling position,
And, the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church has formally become Reconciling,
And, whereas, First United Methodist Church does embrace the theme of the United Methodist Church, "Open hearts, open minds and open doors," and exemplifies this through ministries which are welcoming in nature,
And, whereas, First United Methodist Church recognizes the mandate of the Scriptures, "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
And, whereas, the goal of Reconciling Ministries is to clearly be a church which is fully welcoming to all persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, social or economic status, and be transparent to all who come to worship within the community of the faithful.
Therefore, we move to officially identify First United Methodist Church as a Reconciling Congregation, where truly all persons are welcome at the table.
