BMC at COB Annual Conference

BMC is sponsoring a number of events at this year's Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. We would love to have you join us, especially for the worship service and dinner on Sunday afternoon. And don't forget to stop by the booth! Here is a full listing of BMC activities:

SATURDAY, JULY 7

Booth opens - come and visit!

SUNDAY, JULY 8

Water on a Thirsty Land - Worship Service 

4:30 Gathering Music

4:45 Worship Service

6:00 Dinner

Centenary United Methodist Church 55 Plaza Square

BMC's booth is an affirmation of the faithful persistence, courage, hope and longing for justice that has brought us this far and will carry us into the future. It seems right to celebrate with a service of worship to express our joy and appreciation for this moment in history. Susan Boyer, Shawn Kirschner and Zandra Wagoner from the La Verne congregation have prepared a rich and spirited service for us. Please come and bring a friend!

Centenary UMC is approximately one mile from the conference center. You may take the lght rail from the Conference Center to Union Station and walk a couple of blocks. Cars will also be available to transport those with mobility needs; please check in at the BMC booth for details. Click here for a map and directions to the church from the Renaissance Hotel.

Dinner will be served by the Centenary church following the worship service. Donations for the meal are welcomed but not expected. In order to help plan for food, please RSVP at bmc@bmclgbt.org.

MONDAY, JULY 9

Breakfast at The Bridge - Service Project

6:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Centenary United Methodist Church

At least 4 volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve breakfast at The Bridge (www.bridgesl.org), an amazing program sponsored by Centenary United Methodist Church that serves over 3,000 meals a week to people in need in St. Louis. You will need to arrive at the church at 6:30 am and will be done by 8:45. Please, please consider helping out - your service would be greatly appreciated. To volunteer, contact Carol Wise at bmc@bmclgbt.org or call 612.343.2060. Thank you!!

SCN Gathering - A Space for Conversation

9:00 p.m.

Room 132

This could be a rough conference experience for those of us who value an inclusive church. This space offers an opportunity to simply gather with others who share your values to talk, relax and/or do some collective planning.  

TUESDAY, JULY 10

Breakfast at The Bridge - Service Project

6:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Centenary United Methodist Church

At least 4 volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve breakfast at The Bridge (www.bridgesl.org), an amazing program sponsored by Centenary United Methodist Church that serves over 3,000 meals a week to people in need in St. Louis. You will need to arrive at the church at 6:30 am and will be done by 8:45. Please, please consider helping out - your service would be greatly appreciated. To volunteer, contact Carol Wise at bmc@bmclgbt.org or call 612.343.2060. Thank you!!

Welcome Matters: The Experience of Welcoming Congregations - Insight Session

9:00 p.m.

Room 125

The 1983 Paper on Human Sexuality calls upon the church to "welcome all inquirers who confess Jesus Christ" and to "challenge openly the widespread fear, hatred and harassment" of gay and lesbian persons. This insight session will feature a panel of pastors and individuals from congregations in the Supportive Communities Network (SCN) whose study, conversations and experiences have led them to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) people into their midst. Panel members will share about their congregations' embrace of hospitality, and reflect upon the many ways that their congregations have been enhanced and strengthened as a result of their decision.

Presenter(s): Pastors and individuals from the Supportive Communities Network of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests, including Anita Smith-Buckwalter (Lansing), Karen Eberly (Manchester), Kres Lipscomb (Springfield), Jonathan Bay (La Verne), and Elizabeth Bache (La Verne)

Other News:

Please contribute. BMC is collecting travel-sized personal hygiene items (no soap, please), socks, diapers or tee shirts to help replenish the pantry at The Bridge at Centenary United Methodist Church in St. Louis. Each day approximately 350 guests come to the Bridge for food, showers, internet access, rest, friendship and support. A basket will be available at the BMC booth to drop off your contributions.

New SCN Members! BMC is delighted to report that the Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis and the Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, are the newest members of the Supportive Communities Network, joining other congregations that are publicly affirming of lgbt members. Hurrah!

The More the Merrier. Volunteers are still needed to staff the booth. If you would like to help, please contact Carol Wise at bmc@bmclgbt.org with times that you are available. You may also stop by the booth at Annual Conference and sign up there.

Rainbow Scarves. Womaen's Caucus continues to collect and distribute rainbow scarves at Annual Conference. This is a wonderful way to express your support of an inclusive church and of yourself as a safe person for lgbtq people. Thank you, Womaen's Caucus, for your support and creative leadership.

Other Events. Please make it a point to participate in the following excellent meals and activities:

Voices for an Open Spirit Dinner - Saturday, July 7

Jim Lehman, founder of VOS, is the speaker. Tickets are available through the Conference ticket office. 

Womaen's Caucus Luncheon - Monday, July 9.

Ruthann Johansen, President of Bethany Seminary, is the featured speaker. Caucus also holds a silent auction at the luncheon, and would welcome any contributions for this event. Simply bring them to the Caucus booth. Tickets for the luncheon are available through the Conference ticket office.

VOS Celebration of 10 Years - Tuesday evening at 9:00. All are welcome. 

Bullying Within the Church: Strategies for Ending It - Sunday Evening Insight Session, Rm 123

Bullying is increasingly becoming an acceptable way of functioning within our church and society, despite the damage and mistrust that it creates. This insight session will identify various bullying behaviors and tactics, offer specific intervention strategies to stop bullying and opens paths towards reconciliation and respect. Eric Bishop, a member of the Program and Arrangements Committee, is in charge of this session, which will include a panel. For more information about events and times, go to the Progressive Brethren website at:  www.progressivebrethren.org.  

One More Note. This promises to be an intense Conference that carries within it the potential for great harm, especially to lgbt people and our visible allies. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers. If you are at the Conference, always feel free to stop by the BMC booth for support and a friendly face. If you need someone to talk with, please leave a note for Carol Wise at the booth, and I will be sure and get back to you. Despite the challenges, this is an historical moment, and we can feel proud about the work, vision and hope that has brought us this far. Together, we are making a difference.

If you would like to help BMC by making a financial contribution, please click here, or send a check to: BMC/Box 6300/Minneapolis, MN 55406. Thank you!