Reconciling Congregations are engaged in the core of the Christian and United Methodist mission

Among the 260 churches in the Pacific Northwest Conference, ten participate in the Reconciling Ministries Network. These include 5 in Seattle: Ravenna, Trinity, University Temple, Wallingford, and Woodland Park, as well as First UMC Bellevue, East Vancouver, First UMC Ellensburg, First UMC Tacoma, and Longview. These are urban, suburban and "town" churches. Campus Ministries at the University of Washington, Washington State University and the University of Puget Sound also participate in the Reconciling Ministries Network.

Since identifying with the reconciling movement, these churches have welcomed more than 626 new members and baptized more than 245 individuals. Sunday Schools in these churches reported 819 persons enrolled during 2002. During the year following the decision to become reconciling, these churches lost an average of less than 1% of their membership for any reason, many for reasons unrelated to the reconciling outreach. Eight of the ten paid their full apportionments last year and they contributed $151,000 in 2002 to other benevolences.

These churches demonstrate their faith and vitality through a variety of innovative ministries:

• Since 2000 Wallingford UMC has nurtured a Sister Parish relationship with Guarjila, El Salvador, sending 28 members, including youth, to share in ministry and relationship in El Salvador, and welcoming three members of the Gaurjila community to Seattle.
  
• Woodland Park UMC has housed 20 homeless men every night for over ten years, providing breakfast, and celebrating key holidays. This church also provides housing, food, and supportive community for up to three homeless families per week for four weeks out of the year through the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
  
• First UMC Bellevue is helping to build 12 Habitat for Humanity homes as part of the Coal Creek Terrace project, and helped build Jaama Letu orphanage in Southern Congo.
  
• University UM Temple offers the only homeless shelter for young adults in Seattle, providing 25+ beds, three nights a week. The church also participates in the University District Youth Shelter, Friday Feast serving 150 meals per week, and Teen Feed for homeless teenagers.
  
• Longview UMC has partnered with a nearby elementary school to offer after-school tutoring in math for at-risk kids five days a week. Volunteers work with teachers, parents, and elementary students in a computer lab equipped by church donations.
  
• Tacoma First UMC hosts a potluck of ministries, including, "My Sister's Pantry," providing a hot meal and groceries to 150 families, 3 times a month.
  
• Trinity UMC hosted "Tent City," a traveling self-managed homeless village.
  

Far from being merely about sexual orientation, these ministries are engaged in the core of the Christian and United Methodist mission, to make disciples of Jesus Christ among all people (Matthew 28: 19-20).

The Reconciling Ministries of the Pacific Northwest

Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice.

-RMN Mission Statement