LINKS

Links to:
Organizations
Books, Films, and Other Resources
News Stories and More
Letters from Bishop Schol and Council of Bishops

Organizations

Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) - "A national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice." (RMN mission statement)

United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) - Read the UMOC's first statement, "Manifesto on the Costs of Heterosexism and Racism" (Word document), and Statement from Lake Junaluska, NC in September 2005 (Word document).

MOSAIC, an extension ministry of RMN, is made up of students, seminarians, and young adults.

Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns - "As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community." (Affirmation mission statement)

Soulforce - "The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance." (Soulforce mission statement)

Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) - "...an independent voice for justice within Methodism since 1907. MFSA unites activists within the United Methodist Church to take action on issues of justice, peace and liberation in the church, nation and world."

Human Rights Campain's Religion and Faith Program- Available resources include "Out in Scripture," a weekly preaching and devotional resource.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - The Institute for Welcoming Resources, a program of the Task Force, now hosts the Shower of Stoles Project. The Task Force also convenes the National Religious Leadership Roundtable.

Books, Films, and Other Resources

Film and study guide: For the Bible Tells Me So - 2007 Documentary of families with gay and lesbian children. "For The Bible Tells Me So: A Study Guide and Advocacy Training Curriculum" by Rev. Chris Glaser

Booklet: Dios Nos Ama Por Igual, by Ann Thompson Cook (in Spanish)

Booklet: And God Love's Each One, by Ann Thompson Cook

Booklet: Made in God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue about the Church and Gender Differences, by Ann Thompson Cook - an excellent booklet to use in discussing sex, gender, and transgender issues

News Stories and More

"Methodists attend gay union ceremony near church convention"
by Angela Brown, Associated Press, 5/2/08.

"Same-sex couple says ‘I do’ outside church assembly" by Ciona D. Rouse, United Methodist News Service, 5/2/08.

"Conferences extend covenant agreement" (Baltimore-Washington and Zimbabwe) by Shaun Lane, United Methodist News Service, 5/2/08.

"Demonstrators call church’s ‘anti-gay’ policies sinful" by Linda Green, United Methodist News Service, 5/1/08.

"United Methodists uphold homosexuality stance" by Robin Russell, United Methodist News Service, 4/30/08.

"Black civil rights veterans advocate inclusion" by Robin Russell, United Methodist News Service, 4/27/08.

"Rally urges inclusion regardless of sexual identity" by Kathy Gilbert, United Methodist News Service, 4/26/08.

"Transgender United Methodists share stories" by Robin Russell, United Methodist News Service, 4/24/08.

"Washington church honors gay unions: Pastor says it’s a ‘step in the right direction’" by Joshua Lynsen, Washington Blade, 3/7/08.

Flexible Equity:An Alternative to Renew the UMC by Elizabeth Okayama and Bruce W. Robbins, on United Methodist NeXus

"United Methodists explore church's global structure" by Linda Green, United Methodist News Service, 2/6/08.

"Top court upholds transgender pastor’s appointment" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service, 10/30/07.

"Transgender man can keep post as pastor" by Liz F. Kay, Baltimore Sun, 10/30/07.

"Transgender pastor shares story" by Melissa Lauber, UM Connection Daily, 5/25/07. See page 3.

"Pastor speaks of transgender experience" by Linda Bloom, United Methodist News Service, 5/25/07.

"Transgender minister is reappointed: Pastor leads Charles Village United Methodist church" by Liz F. Kay, Baltimore Sun, 5/25/07.

"Judicial Council: Conferences may disagree with rulings" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service, 11/6/06.

"Bloody Knuckle" Petition at Clergywomen's Consultation - See coverage in:
- Reconciling Ministries Network Flashnet, 8/17/06
- "Clergywomen's Consultation: Women Bishops Symbolize Progress" by Cynthia B. Astle, UM NeXus, August 2006

"Women of Color scholars must lift all women’s voices, bishop says" by Linda Green, United Methodist News Service, 8/14/06

Rulings of Law from Bishop John R. Schol, 2006 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference: See Bishop Schol's response to two requests for rulings related to the "Resolution to Prohibit Discrimination in Receiving Members into United Methodist Congregations" - for requests, rulings and background, scroll down to the Second and Third Rulings of Law. The requests and rulings appeared in the UMConnection, vol. 17, no. 4 , 7/19/06, "Bishop's Report to the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church."

Reconciling Ministry Network has reports on activities from various 2006 Annual Conferences in their weekly FlashNet e-newsletter. See:

• July 6 edition for Illinois Great Rivers , California-Nevada, Louisiana, and Holston
• June 28 edition for Dakotas, Peninsula-Delaware, Holston, Western Pennsylvania,
  Western North Carolina, Kansas East, Central Texas
• June 13 edition for New York, New England, West Michigan, Troy, Detroit, Oregon Idaho, South Georgia, Southwest Texas
• June 6 edition for Minnesota and Kansas West

"Conference Affirms Open Doors to Everyone" (third story in the document) by Melissa Lauber, Connecting Through Christ: Saturday, May 27 (BWC), 5/27/06

"Judicial Council denies reconsideration of two decisions" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service (UMNS), 5/2/06

"Protesters, Judicial Council members worship together" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service (UMNS), 5/2/06

"Briefs crystallize debate points over Judicial Council decisions" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service (UMNS), 4/19/06

"Dozens from Iliff stage protest vigil: Seminary crowd upset by 2 rulings on rights for gays" by Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News, 11/4/05

"United Methodist bishops affirm church membership open to all" by Tim Tanton, UMNS, 11/3/05

"Church court reinstates pastor who denied membership to gay man" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service (UMNS), 10/31/05

Letters from Bishop Schol and the Council of Bishops

Bishop John Schol, Baltimore-Washington Conference, "Judicial Council Rulings," 10/30/07.

Bishop Sally Dyck, Minnesota Conference, "Answers to Questions about the General Conference Petitions," 6/8/06

Bishop John Schol, Baltimore-Washington Conference, "Called to 'model the open hospitality of Christ'," 11/3/05

Council of Bishops, "A Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church from the Council of Bishops," 11/2/05

Bishop John Schol, Baltimore-Washington Conference, "New Judicial Council decisions on rejection of homosexual clergy and laity," 10/31/05