Author | Lightnews

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jul 11

But if you have options, time, money:

- Is there a local hardware store that could use your patronage?

- Has it been a while since you've stopped in to the town's office supply shop? The pet care shop?

- Is there a grocery store or local coffee spot where you ought to treat yourself?

2 3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jul 11

Before we are consumers, we are kin.
Before we are consumers, we are siblings.
Before we are consumers, we are of earth + spirit.

Sometimes, we find ourselves having to rely on imperfect options. Those of us who live in rural places or experience poverty, or those of us trying to survive a crisis.

$image contains two buttons – one pink with the label "local economy," and the other blue with the word "billionaires." text says: this last day of amazon’s annual sale is a prime reminder: how we spend our money is one way to live out our prayers. local economy: * build a healthier community * nurture economic creativity & cooperation * foster trust & civic participation * support your neighbors * safeguard local jobs, making it attractive for people to stay billionaires: * subsidize wealthy shareholders and executives * drain dollars out of publicly funded safety nets & projects * reward dishonest business practitioners and abusive employers * invest in a fractured global economy$

2 1 3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jul 4

independence,
we ask of you God,
from bondage of
all kinds.

from apathy

from savage cruelty

(we do this to each other,
to our own –
we do this)

from amnesia
(are we first neighbors
or are we consumers?
and who/what
are the consumed?)

from despair,
which looks like anger.

from distance,
from separateness,
the one-act play of
independence,
deliver us, loving God.

3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jul 2

If you don't know who your representative is, that's okay! You can look them up here: www.house.gov/representati...

No need to be polished or speak steadily. Simply tell your elected official, who works for you and your neighbors, to reject this bill on account of the suffering it promises.

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a budget bill that will endanger U.S. lives.

The bill strips $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP food assistance funding.

17 million more Americans will lose life-sustaining healthcare. Families will go hungry. And yet, the national debt will increase by $4.5 trillion – all to pad the pockets of the hyper-wealthy.

The bill now returns to the U.S. House for consideration. If passed by the House, it will become law, casting Americans into poverty and injustice.

Today is a good day to call your U.S. representative – especially Republicans. It is an act of faithfulness to reject the suffering of our neighbors.

1 2

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 13

🌎 WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT

Immigration Justice & Congregational Care
Led by Rev. Becky Schofield Motter (she/her)

How can your church move from compassion to action when it comes to immigration justice?

🧡 Wonder. Discern. Act.
🗓️ Join us at Convocation 2025!

Register today: rmnetwork.org/uncharted

1 3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 12

📣 CONVOCATION WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT

🕊️ Come ready to imagine sacred disruption.
🔥 Leave ready to lead with bold, embodied gospel.
🗓️ Join us at Convocation 2025!

Register now—both in-person & virtual tickets available!
👉 rmnetwork.org/uncharted

1 3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 3

Izzy says: "We're not interested in tokenism. If you're really affirming and welcoming, you have to show it by advocating for (pro-LGBTQ+) policies in your community. You have to actively be fighting for us, with us."

#faithfullylgbtq #lgbtq #umc #queer #trans #transgender #pride

1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 3

If you see today's issue of @usatoday.com on newsstands, flip it open and you'll find Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran (RMN's Director of Mission Impact) in the middle, speaking about the sacred responsibility of churches.

A screenshot of Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran's photo with the USA TODAY article around it.

1 1 2

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · May 27

... the Georgia House of Representatives during its morning prayer.

Uncharted is RMN's biennial Convocation, a gathering of #LGBTQ+ affirming followers of Jesus to co-create the kin-dom of God.

Register for Convocation today! rmnetwork.org/uncharted/

#faithfullylgbtq #umc #queer #transgender

Convocation 2025: UNCHARTED - Reconciling Ministries Network

Register! Sponsorship Opportunities Lodging Photos from Convocation 2023 by Joscie Cutchens & Jennifer Von Essen Register! Sponsorship Opportunities Lodging

rmnetwork.org

1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · May 27

At Uncharted, we're blessed to look forward to preaching from Rev. Andi Woodworth – a gifted speaker and compassionate thinker.

You may have seen Rev. Andi highlighted earlier this year in The Advocate and LGBTQ Nation where they lauded her as the first out #trans person to address...

A photo of Rev. Andi Woodworth smiling into the camera and the following text: with preaching from Rev. Andi Woodworth. Uncharted. Andi is originally from Atlanta proper. She is an ordained elder in the UMC and has served churches in various roles in Atlanta, Aragon, and Rome.

Andi loves helping people and communities grow through creativity, courage, and cooperating with God.

1 1 2

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · May 22

Today is #HarveyMilk Day – honoring the life and courage of the first out U.S. politician. In our public sphere, there are some who buy the platform for personal gain – but that's not everyone. TY to our #LGBTQ+ policy-makers who exhibit painstaking courage.

1 3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · May 22

Uncommonly, needlessly cruel – a bill banning gender affirming care for adult Medicaid recipients has passed the U.S. House. It now proceeds to the Senate.

A photo of Harvey milk against a bold background. A caption on top says: Harvey milk day. Honoring those who exhibit, political bravery for the freedom and the dignity of us all. "I have tasted freedom. I will not give up that which I have tasted."

1 2

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 18

Not even when we’re ruled by traffickers and profiteers may we ever sell one another, beloveds, for a bag of silver.

#faithfullylgbtq #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch
#easter #goodfriday #lent

A photo of barbed wire in front of a blue sky and the following text:

Crucifixion was a thousand different horrors.
And among those
horrors was its
normalcy.

Look down the road as you look upon the cross. Crucifixes all along the
highway to the city.
Those are our kin.
Perhaps that is you.
May this suffering
cease to be normal.

1 5

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 18

Those are our kin, God’s children. Perhaps it is you. May we never glance down the road and call a culture of destruction normal. May we never become adjusted to our neighbors’ cries for mercy.

1 3

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 18

When we mourn the suffering and the costly solidarity of Jesus, we cannot help but see the others crucified with him. We cannot neglect God’s lament over all her beloveds, bodies broken all down the road.

Look down the road as you look upon the cross.

1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 18

In reality, people were crucified commonly enough that they marked the gates to and from cities.

Those who were most commonly crucified were enslaved people and religious and political agitators. Jesus was counted amongst them.

1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 18

Crucifixion was a thousand different horrors. And among those horrors – its normalcy.

The folklore of the cross, the image that many of us conjure today on Good Friday, is of three crucifixes on a skull-shaped hill.

1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 11

You may have this coming Palm Sunday on your mind – a ritual of scripture and community to remind us that Jesus was about our liberation. Our holy scriptures are full of histories of ordinary courage and extraordinary grace.

A photo of the tearful eyes of a child with the following text beneath it:

What use is a strong dollar in the hands of someone who has none?

What is a king but a terrorist if he disappears your parents in the dead of night?

What is a king but a fool if he wields holy scripture, upside down, like a weapon?

What is a king but a thief if he lines his friends’ pockets with the savings lost by a nation’s families?

On Palm Sunday, we remember:

No empire will overcome the kin-dom of God.

No empire can take from us our inheritance of philia – love between kin.

No empire will last. One day this, too, will be ashes.

2 2

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 9

#faithfullylgbtq #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch #montana #trans #transgender

2

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 9

Journalist @erininthemorning.com reported that 17 MT Rep. representatives crossed party lines to help defeat a bill that would've threatened trans children's lives by targeting their caretakers. Before the vote, Rep. SJ Howell moved hearts with their speech, advocating for their own community.

A photo of a Montana landscape with a headline from Erin Reed from Apr 8 2025 in front: 17 Montana Republicans Cross Party Lines, Defeat Anti-Trans Bill After Nonbinary Rep's Speech

Then the following text above and below:

You're never "too old," "too old-fashioned," "too uninformed," "too entrenched" to let God change your heart.

1 2 6

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 7

Prosperity preachers are as common as fools' gold, preying on our desires for certainty and comfort. For someone to make things right.

The way of Jesus, however, is much simpler and harder than that.

#faithfullylgbtq #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch #paulawilliams #gospel

1 1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 7

The way of Jesus promises neither prosperity, health, nor safety. In times that test the texture and timbre of our faith, who do we say Jesus is? Where would Jesus be found today?

Photos depicting people harmed by this regime's actions including kidnapped Americans and green card holders and those mourning the demolishment of USAID. The following text from prosperity preacher Paula Williams says:

"an angel assigned to you
God as your enemies' enemy
prosperity
sickness removed
long life
increased inheritance
a special year of blessing"

These were things she said would alight on those who made a $1k donation to the Trump campaign

At the bottom of the image is a paraphrase of scripture: "what do we gain in exchange for our souls?"

1 4

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 1

If you've never been to Convocation, we especially welcome you into this vast & courageous family! Come learn what the Reconciling movement is all about: rmnetwork.org/uncharted/

#faithfullylgbtq #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch #2528 #convocation #convo #uncharted #trans

Convocation 2025: UNCHARTED - Reconciling Ministries Network

Photos from Convocation 2023 by Joscie Cutchens & Jennifer Von Essen

rmnetwork.org

1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 1

Convocation registration is live! Early bird pricing for a limited time.

"Uncharted" will be a sanctuary in time and space, fueling and connecting people committed to LGBTQ+ justice at a time when our Church and our world need prophetic guidance.

More info & registration: rmnetwork.org/uncharted/

1 1

Reconciling Ministries Network @rmnetwork.bsky.social · Mar 31

#faithfullylgbtq #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch
#tdov #transgender