Love Alike: A Small-Group Practice Engaging Faith & Politics
Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?
John Wesley’s exhortation seems harder than ever to follow today.
The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election indicate that Americans are divided almost equally. But as people of faith, United Methodists have a responsibility to lead in ways that foster healthy interaction and build communities where all God’s people can thrive.
This 3-part guided discussion series is a small-group practice in having tough conversations about faith and politics.
Through this series, you won’t cease to disagree, but you’ll learn together how to navigate disagreement with grace, charting a path toward healing in our divided society.
This study resource is designed to help your United Methodist church or community become more trans-inclusive. Whether or not your group is Reconciling, this resource will equip you to better live into a future of greater love and affirmation.
It will cover some basic truths about transgender people. These sessions will ask you to engage in reflection and discussion guided by biblical scriptures, and to be better equipped to support transgender folks in your community.
The reflection guide was designed to help communities and congregations better understand and respond to the decisions of the 2024 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
What’s inside?
The Next Faithful Steps includes guides for four holistic, discussion-based sessions. Each lesson guide includes insightful summaries of General Conference work and results, as well as meaningful discussion prompts, prayer, scripture, reflection, discussion questions, and suggestions for continued engagement.
How do I get it?
For your whole small group or church, The Nexts Faithful Steps is $20 and you can get it here. Your purchase helps Reconciling Ministries Network to keep equipping our denomination, from individuals to institutions, to keep moving forward toward justice and affirmation for all of God’s children.
If your community is interested in this product but cost is a barrier, please reach out to us at admin (at) rmnetwork.org.
This is intended to be inserted into an existing order of worship. Please note that this is not a Baptism service; it is important to make sure that the presider does not treat it as a Baptism in practice.
This is intended to be a stand-alone service. From the Scripture readings through the Greeting could be utilized in a regular worship service in the same way as Baptism/Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism liturgies*
Please note that this is not a Baptism service; it is important to make sure that the presider does not treat it as a Baptism in practice.
If you’re wondering what your Reconciling Ministry can do to further show your love and affirmation of LGBTQ+ people, click below for a brief list of next steps you can take together.
Say More is a resource meant to support you and your community as you engage in thoughtful reflection and conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion. We hope to empower you to share your story with others to further the causes of inclusion and justice both within The United Methodist Church and your own local context.
Say More is for communities and congregations who want to begin or continue facilitating conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion. Whether this is your first time, or one opportunity among hundreds, we all benefit when we allow the stories of others to touch us deeply while also sharing our own reflection, testimony, and witness.
The foundation of Say More was developed by Rev. Dr. Tiffany Steinwert.
“A study for United Methodist Groups that guides persons to explore the controversial issues of homosexuality from a Christian perspective and to consider ways to be in ministry to and with persons who are homosexual. It contains the complete text of the 1992 General Conference Report of the Committee to Study Homosexuality and the official United Methodist position as contained in the Social Principals.”
Published in 1994, this study was later dismissed by the General Conference but was, for its time, an important and singular resource.
$20.00
A good toolkit contains a variety of tools that will help you accomplish your task. It may not contain every tool you will need to finish the job, but it contains the basics to get you started. That’s the intention of this Parent Support Group Toolkit. We believe this will help you develop and lead a gathering of the loved ones of queer and trans people: parents, grandparents, siblings, and more.
What’s included:
5 track options for learning about your LGBTQ+ loved ones, each representing a different way to engage your group based on interest
Meeting logistics and planning guide
Sample group rules and parameters of confidentiality
We hope this Toolkit companions you and your fellow families. Thank you for your ministries of affirmation and community-building! The time and love you pour into a parents support group are vital for changing – even saving – LGBTQ+ lives.