Making “Reconciling” Real!

On Sunday January 22 we presented LGBTQ+ 101, a “crash course” on basic ideas and terminology around the topic of gender. The session was recorded and can be found on the church website at this link: LGBTQ+101 on Vimeo

After the session, one person asked what other churches had done to live out their commitment as a Reconciling Congregation. I asked that question of the Minnesota Reconciling Congregations group. Most of them explicitly mentioned that they are public about their reconciling status in bulletins and newsletters. Most have banners or signs inside and outside their church buildings. Most of them are involved in their local Pride festivals and have hosted film showings and discussions. 

Some additional activities of particular interest include:

Faith UMC in St. Anthony supports RECLAIM! an organization that provides mental health services to queer and trans youth, young adults and their families.  In addition to therapy, RECLAIM! trains mental health professionals, provides community trainings, education and outreach to change the overall access to care for queer and trans youth. 

Centenary UMC (Mankato) voted to openly welcome and support gay pastors and allow/perform same-sex marriage services in our sanctuary. 

Spirit of Hope UMC (Golden Valley) The church website recently added a drop-down in the "about us" section that lists all the ways in which Spirit of Hope has lifted up GLBTQAI+ persons and includes links to MN RMN.

Northfield UMC designed "there is nothing love cannot face" lawn signs with rainbow insignia and gave them to members and college students. They fly the trans flag on the church sign and host a trans support group. They have invited speakers from OutfrontMN for adult education. They provide pronoun buttons at the welcome desk and have the clergy model their use

St. Mark's UMC in Atlanta GA has a Beginners Yoga class for LGBTQ+ Justice, which"centers and makes space for queer and trans bodies".

Community UMC in Columbia Heights invites a speaker every year to provide a sermon about LGBTQ+ issues.

Minnehaha UMC  youth gathered fabric and tied the pieces into a Trans/Rainbow/Black and Brown flag in our chain link fence around the playground. They also requested those flags be hung in the hallways of the Christian ed space and in the youth room.