As we approach General Conference in April, there have been a number of groups providing resources for their annual conferences to share and use as, once again, the compatibility of homosexuals to Christian Teaching is up for discussion. Initiatives, resources, and advocacy efforts from Reconciling Ministries Network, Young Prophets Collective, and Resist Harm stand as powerful examples of grassroots movements dedicated to fostering dialogue, inclusion, and affirmation within the faith community.
Reconciling Ministries Network
Reconciling Ministries Network has created a Workbook and facilitators guide, “Say More: Talking About Why LGBTQ+ Inclusion Matters (Workbook and Facilitator Guide), which can be found here: Say More: Talking About Why LGBTQ+ Inclusion Matters (Workbook and Facilitator Guide) – Reconciling Ministries (rmnetwork.org)
Young Prophets Collective
The Young Profits Collective (an LGBTQIA+ nonprofit and a new faith community led by Rev. J.J. Warren (he/him)) is offering an online gathering throughout the duration of General Conference which can be shared in your churches and they are asking for volunteers to help provide virtual community and care: https://forms.gle/nNuiQT7DzdZMeaU67
You can also volunteer for them in person or on the phone providing care and support during General Conference: https://forms.gle/1XC4QbuGrREzWKm26
Resist Harm
Resist Harm, a movement launched after the Special Called General Conference of 2019, (and which many of our churches were involved in throughout 2020 – see the picture above at Hollywood UMC) is encouraging people to use their platform and social media to share testimony and declare support for full inclusion of all God’s beloved children. They have created the following form for our churches to download, complete, and share photos of on social media, tagging #ResistHarm so it can be shared more widely.
The sign can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cXB5MYy8QjyZxwtYOUxVJ2xOKYisFTWu/view?usp=sharing
Their website is resistharm.com and includes a great variety of resources that can be used on social media and in your churches, including liturgies, prayers, and ideas of ways in which you can support them.
The efforts of these organizations not only offer practical tools and platforms for engagement but also signify a collective determination to uphold the principles of love, acceptance, and justice in our shared spiritual journey.
As we move forward, let us continue to amplify these voices of advocacy and support, recognizing that by standing in solidarity, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive church community where every individual is celebrated as a beloved child of God.
