 The Rev. Cynthia Meyer moved a step closer to a church trial after she and Bishop Scott Jones failed to agree on a just resolution to the complaint that she is a “self-avowed, practicing” homosexual.
One option the Great Plains Conference bishop offered Meyer was that Edgerton (KS) United Methodist Church, where she is now pastor, could withdraw from the denomination and retain Meyer as pastor in a new denomination. Meyer rejected that choice. “I thought that was a surprising and disappointing request. That he would want those who disagree with the formal position of the church to simply leave the denomination was troubling,” Meyers told United Methodist News Service. “Certainly, on that point I knew this was not anything I would willingly accept or sign. It does not seem to me to be just.” Rev. Meyer – a pastor in The UMC for 25 years – also rejected a proposal to delay the proceedings until after the 2016 General Conference votes on human sexuality petitions during the May 10-20 international conference in Portland, Oregon. More than 800 delegates from across the country and around the world will meet in Portland, Ore. from May 10-20 to consider more than 70 proposals on whether to confirm or rewrite the denomination’s biblical understanding of human sexuality. From United Methodist News Service reports http://www.umc.org/ |
Getting Ready for General Conference 2016
March 2, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA The Love Your Neighbor Coalition consisting of thirteen partner organizations, including MFSA and RMN, join together to offer an alternative witness and advocate for policy changes that would lead the denomination to the embodiment of God’s love and justice for all people in our church & beyond. http://www.lyncoalition.org/
Here’s how you can help: 1. Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and endorse the vision statement. http://www.lyncoalition.org/vision-for-umc. Rio Texas MFSA has rented a house in Portland for 8 of the 10 days of GC. Contact Rowland Curry at rcurry@austin.rr.com if you are interested in going to GC to volunteer. 2. Sign up to be a volunteer for the coalition. If you are able to come to Portland anytime during May 10-20, 2016, please consider signing up to volunteer with the coalition (legislative tracking, witness, and support to justice-seeking delegates). You can register to volunteer now! |
Lenten Devotions from Reconciling Ministries Network
March 2, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA  A Season of Becoming is a spiritual resource written by 47 different individuals from across the Reconciling Network, including three from the Rio Conference and our own Joy Butler.
In the season of Lent, we are invited into a period of self-reflection, preparation, and spiritual growth as we engage in the holy work of becoming. The Spirit moves through this season to free us from that which binds our growth as we are drawn more deeply into the truth of who we are, into the possibilities of who we can become, and of the justice we are called to seek together. Reconciling Ministries Network hopes this daily devotional will offer you spiritual nourishment and restoration as we prepare our hearts for General Conference this May where the global denomination will meet to make choices about who we are going to be as a church for the next four years. Download your copy at: http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/lent/ |
Documentary Screening – An Act Of Love
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA| Saint John’s UMC
5:30 p.m. Sunday February 21 Free admission Join us for the screening of An Act of Love, a documentary about the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister, Rev. Frank Schaefer, who risked it all for his son. Cosponsored by: Saint John’s Reconciling Team, Rio Texas MFSA, and Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team. Why this film is important now “We now have marriage equality in all 50 States, but the U.S.’s 2nd largest protestant denomination is still sharply divided on this issue. Full equality for the LGBTQ community cannot exist in the U.S. without the support of the Christian community. Laws may be passed that provide more rights and protections, but those rights will be routinely ignored in places where the community does not agree that LGBTQ citizens should be treated as equals under the law and under God. Just as the struggle for racial and gender equality made huge strides forward once they gained the support of influential religious communities – so will the LGBTQ movement. We hope that this film will be a strategic and important tool used to elevate the conversation about LGBTQ rights in one of the most significant Christian denominations in the U.S. – the United Methodist Church. In May 2016, at the denomination’s General Conference, there will be another chance for the rules of the UMC to change and allow for ordination of LGBTQ clergy and for same-sex marriage within the Church. We created this film with this critical turning point in mind.” |
Matthew Vines to Speak
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA Friday, Feb. 5th
University Christian Church Labyrinth Progressive Student Ministry, TX Freedom Network (UT Chapter), and University UMC Campus Ministry will host a free keynote lecture by Matthew Vines, LGBTQ+ activist and author of, “God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same Sex Relationships.” The lecture will be held at University Christian Church (2007 University Avenue) on February 5, 2016 at 7:30pm. All are welcome! No RSVP necessary. |
University UMC’s 5th Anniversary as a Reconciling Congregation
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
| Please join UUMC on February 7th as we celebrate 5 years of being a Reconciling congregation. We have invited former Youth Director and Justice Associate, M Barclay, to be our guest preacher for the day. M will be preaching at both the 8:30am and 11am services. M now works for the Reconciling Ministries Network as their Director of Communication. During the Sunday School hour, all are invited to the Fellowship Hall as M engages us in dialogue around RMN’s efforts and plan for General Conference 2016. On February 7th the congregation will also have the opportunity to become an Individual Reconciling Member. This gives the Reconciling Ministries Network a better idea of how many individual supporters there are as opposed to church groups. If you would like to register to be a Reconciling Individual today follow this link! |
Reconciling Ministries Network Training
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA February 20th, 9am to 4pm
Buda UMC – Buda, TX Do you want to help increase the number of Reconciling churches, communities and campus ministries in your area? Join us as SCJ Regional Organizer, Laura Young, facilitates a training designed to help participants coach congregations, Sunday school classes, and other groups as they journey through the Reconciling process. The training will include skills building around topics common in the Reconciling process including: complex identities, framing, the steps of the Reconciling process, graceful engagement, and conflict management. Click here for more information and to register. |
Special Screening of “An Act Of Love” Documentary
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
An Act of Love
Documentary screening
Saint John’s UMC
5:30 p.m. Sunday February 21
Free admission
Join us for the screening of An Act of Love, a documentary about the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister, Rev. Frank Schaefer, who risked it all for his son. Cosponsored by: Saint John’s Reconciling Team, Rio Texas MFSA, and Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team.
Why this film is important now
We now have marriage equality in all 50 States, but the U.S.’s 2nd largest protestant denomination is still sharply divided on this issue.
Full equality for the LGBTQ community cannot exist in the U.S. without the support of the Christian community. Laws may be passed that provide more rights and protections, but those rights will be routinely ignored in places where the community does not agree that LGBTQ citizens should be treated as equals under the law and under God. Just as the struggle for racial and gender equality made huge strides forward once they gained the support of influential religious communities – so will the LGBTQ movement.
We hope that this film will be a strategic and important tool used to elevate the conversation about LGBTQ rights in one of the most significant Christian denominations in the U.S. – the United Methodist Church.
In May 2016, at the denomination’s General Conference, there will be another chance for the rules of the UMC to change and allow for ordination of LGBTQ clergy and for same-sex marriage within the Church. We created this film with this critical turning point in mind.
It’s Time!
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
In May 2016, the UMC’s General Conference is expected to vote on whether or not to include LGBTQ congregants and ministers, or continue to reject them and forbid same-sex marriage.
- It’s Time to end the hurt that’s engulfed so many of our families.
- It’s Time to welcome and celebrate everyone who comes to The UMC.
Get involved by sending a letter to your delegation, sharing your story, and hosting or viewing a screening of An Act of Love – the story of Rev. Frank Schaefer. http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/itstime/
LYNC – General Conference 2016
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSAPREPPING FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016
The deadline to submit legislation for consideration at General Conference has passed. So many submissions were made that the online platform shut down and final submission had to be made by email! Once all legislation is published, look for MFSA’s analysis (think early January).
The Love Your Neighbor Coalition consisting of thirteen partner organizations, including MFSA and RMN, join together to offer an alternative witness and advocate for policy changes that would lead the denomination to the embodiment of God’s love and justice for all people in our church and beyond. http://www.lyncoalition.org/
Here’s how you can help:
- Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and donate! Building up to and committing to a 10 to 14 day campaign like this, is costly! To complete this witness properly, we believe it will require $200,000 or more, including meals and events.
- Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and endorse the vision statement. http://www.lyncoalition.org/vision-for-umc
- Sign up to be a volunteer for the coalition. If you are able to come to Portland, OR anytime during May 10-20, 2016, please consider signing up to volunteer with the coalition (legislative tracking, witness, and support to justice-seeking delegates). You can register to volunteer now!
LYNC – General Conference 2016
November 11, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
PREPPING FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016
The deadline to submit legislation for consideration at General Conference has passed. So many submissions were made that the online platform shut down and final submission had to be made by email! Once all legislation is published, look for MFSA’s analysis (think early January).
The Love Your Neighbor Coalition consisting of twelve partner organizations, including MFSA and RMN, join together to offer an alternative witness and advocate for policy changes that would lead the denomination to the embodiment of God’s love and justice for all people in our church and beyond. http://www.lyncoalition.org/
Here’s how you can help:
- Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and endorse the vision statement. http://www.lyncoalition.org/vision-for-umc
2. Sign up to be a volunteer for the coalition. If you are able to come to Portland, OR anytime during May 10-20, 2016, please consider signing up to volunteer with the coalition (legislative tracking, witness, and support to justice-seeking delegates).
You can register to volunteer now!
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 