Reconciling Ministries Network

“FUMC Prairie Campus strives to create a community where unconditional love – the love that Jesus embodied – is demonstrated in everything we do. We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed. 

As we say each week, we especially welcome anyone who is single, married, divorced, widowed, partnered… LGBTQ, straight, black, brown, white… filthy rich, dirt poor… doing ok, or in desperate need of a prayer today. However you walked into our space, whatever you bring with you, you are welcome here; you can belong here; you are wanted here.

I believe the movement for justice is stronger and more effective when we join our voices with others who are on this same journey of sharing the good news of God’s affirming love to EVERYONE! I thank God every day for finding this faith community that embraces me fully for who I am. I’m on a healing journey and you are a part of that. But we are the minority in this city. Fundamentalist churches are everywhere. You’ve likely seen signs at evangelical churches that proclaim “Everyone is welcome here” but it’s actually a carrot and stick ploy to get queer people to contort into hiding their natural selves. It’s an impossible ask. 

Many of us have been deeply wounded and have lingering trauma from those so-called welcoming churches. The cacophony of non-affirming church voices is devastating for my people. When I think of what it means to be a reconciling ministries faith community, I think of my teen and young-adult years. With all my heart, I wanted to express my faith openly and without reserve. I had one big problem. I was gay and was born into a very conservative family that attended a fundamentalist evangelical church. There was NO WAY I could live authentically in that world. 

It took me until 42 years old for me to finally have courage to live openly and without shame. That was 10 years ago. I finally tuned out the voices of rejection, and embraced God’s love for me. Looking for a safe church was a top priority during that time. Lives can be saved if more young Richards hear the message that God smiles on them just as they are. Recent events in our world make it clear that the movement for justice, the vision that Jesus brought to this world, isn’t always an easy path. For far too many people, churches are a primary source of pain.

When we say yes to being a reconciling congregation, we are joining hearts and hands with others and formalizing what is already true about us. We are reinforcing our commitment to hurting people with the life-changing message that Prairie actually means it when we say that queer people belong here. Thanks for considering what this means to the queer community. 

Let’s do this.

Q: What is a Reconciling Congregation?

A: A Reconciling Congregation specifically welcomes and affirms all people, inclusive of race, nationality, economic status, educational status, sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and has followed a deliberate welcoming process that includes relational organizing and education across the entire congregation, and has held a congregational vote in favor of a public statement of welcome and affirmation for persons of ALL sexual orientations and gender identities. 

Q: How does a UMC congregation become a Reconciling Church? 

A: We are following the path the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) recommended. Under this program, an entire congregation votes to adopt a statement of affirmation (welcome statement) and affiliate with RMN. Our core team assisting Pastor Patty in leading this process includes Richard Sorrell, Christy Eustice, Sandi Tossell, Corey Kidwell, Jay Sawyer, and Lynn Strong.

Q: What is a “Welcome Statement”? 

A: The Welcome Statement provides the foundation of what “reconciling” means at FUMC-Prairie Campus. It is a public document that specifically welcomes people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions into full participation within our community. The Prairie Campus Board adopted the statement currently under consideration by the congregation. The congregational vote to affirm the statement will be held at our inaugural annual meeting on January 26th, 2025.

Q: All people are welcome in our faith community. Why should we single out lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual/ aromantic (LGBTQIA+) people? 

A: Many LGBTQIA+ people have learned by experience that they are not welcome in faith communities, even in those that state, “All are welcome here!” A general statement of welcome is often heard as meaning “everybody but me,” so it can take a special effort to communicate an authentic welcome to LGBTQIA+ people. Many Reconciling Communities find that the process of extending a welcome to LGBTQIA+ people opens them up to other people or groups who also need a particular invitation to know that “all” includes them as well. 

Q: What is the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)?

RMN is a network of over 40,000 Reconciling United Methodists and over 1,000 Reconciling Churches and Communities. RMN provides education, advocacy, guidance, and recognition of churches and communities that elect to become welcoming. Living into our shared baptismal covenant, RMN equips and mobilizes United Methodists to resist evil, injustice, and oppression as we seek justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. RMN envisions a renewed and vibrant Wesleyan movement that is biblically and theologically centered. As committed disciples of Jesus Christ, we strive to transform ourselves and the world by living out the Gospel’s teachings of grace, love, justice, and celebration of all of God’s children. More information can be found at https://rmnetwork.org/.

Q: Are there any other Methodist Reconciling Ministries in Colorado Springs?

A: No, at this time, there are no other Methodist churches in Colorado Springs that have formalized their membership with the Reconciling Ministries Network.

Q: Are communities listed on the RMN roster required to contribute dues, assessments or apportionments to RMN? 

A: No, it is not a requirement. To ensure this holy work continues, RMN welcomes gifts. 

Q: What does it mean to be a part of Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)? 

A: The RMN simply keeps a roster of Methodist communities that proclaim a specific welcome for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions so they are more easily found by those looking for such a welcome. 

Q: I’m not sure how to think about homosexuality and scripture. Where can I get help exploring that? 

A: Please reach out to Pastor Patty to discuss any concerns regarding scripture interpretation.  The Reconciling Ministries has also provided a helpful booklet deeply exploring this topic, which can be accessed here: https://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Booklet-about-Homosexuality-and-the-Bible-Sept.-2016.pdf

Q: How can I learn more?

A: Questions are welcome! You can reach out to any of the core team members mentioned above or to Pastor Patty. The Reconciling Ministries Network also has information and resources available at www.rmn.org.