A Report from

Reconciling Ministries Network Convocation, July 24-27, 2025

“Uncharted: Becoming the Church We Need Right Now”

by Judy Jerde, member of Faith UMC, St. Anthony and member of MN Reconciling Congregations Leadership Team

Every two years, RMN gathers Reconciling United Methodists for Convocation or Convo.  This year’s gathering was held at First UMC, Madison, WI from July 24-27. This was my fourth Convo.  My first was in 2009 in Estes Park, CO. It was a “mountain top” experience!  We were in the Rocky Mountains and it was my first opportunity to gather with over 200 UMs, ranging from young adults to older folks and we were ALL working for the UMC to become fully welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ+ persons. Much has happened since 2009, with the most momentous being the General Conference in May 2024.

This Convo focused on the next phase of work now that the harmful language has been removed from the Book of Discipline and Social

Over the course of three days, I attended numerous excellent plenary sessions, workshops and worship. Some of my take aways include:

  • There is a difference between being an advocate and activist. An advocate is someone who is building bridges and listening with the goal of influencing a persons belief. An activist shows support for the people they’re fighting for. An activist isn’t going to bring change; advocacy does.

  • We need to invite the next generation to the table and we older folks need to learn from them.

  • “It’s easier to change practices than beliefs.  When you change practices, beliefs follow.” Rev. Andy Oliver.

  • We had an excellent persons of color panel on the topic of “From Fragility to Faithful Witness”. As a privileged, white, cisgender, educated person, I learned a great deal!

  • We need to have greater focus on intersectionality – in our churches and within RMN. (I think this is a challenge for many of our churches. How do we expand our efforts to include racism, ableism, ageism, sexism – the possibilities are endless.)

If you would like to learn more about Convocation, please see this article from UM News. https://www.umnews.org/en/news/lgbtq-advocates-head-for-uncharted-territory

 Three Minnesotans attended the 2025 Convocation in Madison, Wisconsin  – Marty Shimko, Hennepin Avenue UMC; Dave Nuckols, Minnetonka UMC and Judy Jerde, Faith UMC, Saint Anthony..