Reconciling Ministries

“We, the Traverse City Central UMC Reconciling Ministries Community, believe Christ calls us to love all our neighbors. God’s love and grace are given to all regardless of ethnicity, race, culture, gender, class, ability, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity and age. We welcome all to join our faith journey.”

The Reconciling Ministries group shares four core beliefs:

1. The Bible tells us that God’s grace is available, without exception, to all who believe in Jesus Christ

2. Homosexuality is not a choice, it is simply the way some individuals are made

3. Homosexual practice between two consenting adults in a long term relationship is not a sin

4. The Church should be welcoming and affirming of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals who seek a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Given these beliefs, the group has been involved in the following activities:

Meeting as a group to learn more about the issues surrounding sexual orientation and the church.
Promoting education for the group and the congregation on the issues.
Providing those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender or those who have gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender family members an opportunity to meet with a supportive group

Upcoming 2013 events include:

Reconciling Ministries will serve the Wonderful Wednesday meal on February 20
Joint Potluck with the "Boyz of Oz" on Thursday, April 18 at 6:00 pm
Book discussionon "God believes in love: Straight talk on gay marriage" by Episcopal Bishop Eugene Robinson on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 pm

We invite all Central folks who wish to help transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love to join us as a member of our Reconciling Community. We also encourage you to place a rainbow sticker or rainbow cross on your nametag as a sign of welcome.

The Reconciling Ministries Group of Central United Methodist Church is affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) as a “Reconciling Community.” RMN is a Christian and United Methodist organization that mobilizes United Methodist Church members of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love. For more information about RMN, go to www.rmnetwork.org

All this is from God, who reconciled us…through Christ, and who gives us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18

222 Cass Street Traverse City, Michigan 49684