Easter Egg Hunt photos

Click here to view photos from the annual Children's Easter Egg Hunt ("view as slideshow" is recommended!)

Maundy Thursday Seder photos

Click here to view photos from the annual Maundy Thursday Seder meal ("view as slideshow" is recommended!)

Grassroots Miracle: Delegates Receive "For The Bible Tells Me So"

On January 13th about 75 persons gathered for an adult forum with Phil and Randi Reitan, a Minnesota family featured in the award winning documentary “For the Bible Tells Me So.” Those of us in the room that day were touched deeply as we heard their story, a story of pain and rejection by the church and by people of God after their son Jake declared he was gay.

At the close of the forum there was a sense in the room that we had to do something, but what? How could we, a group of people in a congregation that declares God loves and accepts ALL people make a difference? What could we do? Someone blurted out the words “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the delegates attending the United Methodist General Conference could see this film?”

That was the igniting spark. You could feel the unifying affirmation in the room. Yes that’s it. Let’s do it.

Seven weeks later, over $16,000 has been raised and all the DVD’s have been mailed. All US delegates and alternate delegates were sent the DVD. We’ve also sent the DVD to our Minnesota Bishop, our District Superintendents, and one DVD was mailed to every Reconciling Congregation in Minnesota. Because of DVD formatting conflicts and language differences we chose not to send it to the delegates from foreign countries.

Besides an overwhelming financial response by our Good Samaritan community, we received contributions from individuals and churches from greater Minnesota, Kansas, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, California, Nebraska, and Illinois.

Thank you to all who not only gave financially but also worked hard to spread the word about what we were doing, to the Good Samaritan Church Council who gave unanimous approval to this project, and to all who diligently gave of their time to package and mail the DVD’s.

Please continue to pray with us now that the same Spirit that moved us to share this film will move in the hearts of all who view it, that they may be open to receiving the incredible message of God’s inclusive love that it portrays.

Marlys Rechkemmer and Dandy Lewis
Coordinators of this unbelievable adventure

via Reconciling Ministries Network