Called to Witness

Successful Trainings

This past Saturday two successful CTW trainings were held in Florida and South Carolina.

In Florida 14 folks traveled from across the state to come and be part of the event. Excited about a new Annual Conference Reconciling group, these faithful disciples made a plan to create change in their conference, one person at a time! By dividing into action teams, they were able to create a leadership structure where no one is left alone in their tasks! Great job, Florida!!

In South Carolina 27 people gathered for training with Sue Laurie. They enjoyed a time to be together, share stories and network. It is always amazing the new people you meet at these trainings! They made concrete plans for their individual meetings and district forums and have plans to invite more folks to participate as the campaign continues. Great job, South Carolina!

Florida and South Carolina Trainings This Week

This Saturday, January 17th there will be two regional CTW trainings in Florida and South Carolina. Invite friends and family to attend these excellent trainings. Details below:

South Carolina Annual Conference       
9:30 AM to 4 PM with Regional Trainer Sue Laurie
Columbia College in Columbia, SC
At the intersection of Interstates 26, 20 and 77
For more information, email Sue Laurie at sue@rmnetwork.org

Florida Annual Conference               
9:30 AM to 4 PM with Regional Trainer Tiffany Steinwert
St. Luke’s UMC in Orlando, FL
4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819
For more information, email Tiffany Steinwert at tlsteinwert@yahoo.com

Calling to Connect

Don't let distance get in the way of organizing your regional action team. Consider bi-weekly or monthly conference calls with your Annual Conference Action Team as you plan your training and move through the campaign for Called to Witness.

You can get a free conference call number and access code for your action team by simply signing up at www.freeconferencecall.com It is easy to do and the number can be used any day, any time without reservations.

Stay connected with your team without the burden of meetings across conferences!

Extending the Table: Broadening Our Coalition

The Called to Witness: All Means All Campaign is an advocacy campaign dedicated to building relationships across theological and ideological divides. Focusing on passing Constitutional Amendment to Article IV of the UM Constitution, this campaign is about the whole Church! This is not just about persons who are marginalized and excluded because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is about all people who find themselves at the margins of church and society.

Did you know that currently our denomination's Constitution does not protect women or people with disabilities?

When we make lists of people who are included, we inevitably leave people out. That is why it is crucial to pass the proposed amendment to Article IV of the Constitution. All should mean all!

In organizing regional trainings, remember this is a broad campaign that impacts the whole church. Reach out and invite folks beyond the Reconciling mailing list. Consider inviting folks from:

• The Commission on Religion and Race
• The Commission on the Status and Role of Women
• United Methodist Women
• United Methodist Congress of the Deaf
• Association of Physically Challenged Ministers of the United Methodist Church
• Black Methodist for Church Renewal
• Federation of Asian American United Methodists
• Korean American Caucus
• MARCHA
• Native American United Methodist Fellowship
• Local Annual Conference Ethnic Caucuses
• And many others who are part of the movement for inclusivity and equality in our denomination...

In the New York Annual Conference, for example, local CTW organizers have asked members of different caucus groups to commit to bringing 3 to 5 people from their group to the CTW training. This has ensured not only that there is a high turn-out, but more importantly that the group assembled reflects the rich diversity that is our United Methodist Church.

With Called to Witness, let's extend the table and broaden our coalition!

Getting Ready for Regional Trainings: On Site Materials

Called to Witness trainings are springing up across the country. Already we have had a terrific training in Nashville for the Tennessee Annual Conference and this week we are hosting trainings in the Florida Annual Conference and South Carolina Annual Conference.

As you get ready for the trainings as regional organizers, remember to arrange for the on site materials that your trainer will need.

Below is a checklist for you to use:

•     LCD Projector
•     Screen
•     Newsprint, markers, tape
•     Lectern/Music Stand
•     Extension Cords
•     Speakers for Trainer’s Laptop
•     List of District Lay Leaders with full contact information
•     Name Tags
•     Pens/Pencils for Participants
•     Volunteer to help sell RMN Resources
•     Volunteer to help trainer monitor time.
•     Volunteer to lead music For Everyone Born (your trainer can send you the music ahead of time)
•     Lunches prepared
•     Snacks/Refreshments while people are gathering
•     Water/Coffee
•     Unisex and/or one stall bathroom

Nashville training!

We had a great training in Nashville this past weekend.  Despite it being one of the first major events for the Nashville Area Reconcilers of the UMC, we had a fantastic turnout with 30 folks coming in - some from 100 miles away!  We came together, shared our stories and grew together as a community.  Many thanks to all who made the training happen - from the banners, to the homemade lunch, to the fantastic turnout.  Looking forward to seeing how many All Means All Declarations NARM can get!