Cambridge Welcoming Ministries

Sue Laurie and Julie Bruno, along with Joyce and Willard Robinson to be recognized as CWM’s Reconciling Saints on November 1st, 2009

We at Cambridge Welcoming Ministries are pleased to announce the celebration of our annual Reconciling Saint Sunday on November1st, 2009 at 5 PM at College Avenue United Methodist Church, Somerville, MA.

Each year we host a celebration of Reconciling Saints in honor of those who advocate for the full inclusion of all God’s beloved children. This year, we will honor the life and ministry of two families who embody what it means to be a saint for the Reconciling movement: Sue Laurie and Julie Bruno and Joyce and Willard Robinson.

Sue and Julie have been tireless advocates for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities from their small church in Pennsylvania to the steps of General Conference, where in 2008 they were married as an act both of committed love and of radical ecclesial obedience…doing what the Gospel demands and the Discipline forbids.

Joyce and Willard Robinson have also embodied what it means to be a faithful family dedicated to inclusion of all people in both the church and society. For decades, Joyce and Willard have been the voice of justice in the New England Annual Conference, advocating and speaking out for all those marginalized

A Reconciling Saint embodies the qualities of a faithful believer who is passionate, courageous, caring, audacious, and dedicated to the vision of a fully inclusive church in which one day lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons will be welcomed and loved as equal believers in the Church of Jesus Christ. A Reconciling Saint has, through their leadership, witness and action, diligently advocated and struggled for such a vision in our own United Methodist Church.

CWM invites all to honor Sue and Julie and Joyce and Willard by giving a special gift to the Bishop Melvin Talbert Mission fund campaign designed to raise $250,000 over five years. This year we will dedicate this fund in honor of Bishop Talbert. Last year we kicked off the campaign by raising over $50,000 and hope for 2009 to raise an additional $50,000. These funds are critical to both the maintenance and growth of our mission as we seek to proclaim God’s love with all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight persons.

As a mission to the Church and world, CWM plans to expand our current programs to:

Nurture New Reconciling Communities: Gathering monthly for spiritual renewal in the context of radically inclusive worship and bible study, these groups would form a supportive network for the work of promoting full inclusion.

Host Conferences on Pastoral Care With LGBT Persons: Clergy and congregations alike need opportunities for learning more about the particular needs of LGBT persons. Through an annual conference, CWM will help educate the Church on the needs of the LGBT community.

Develop Progressive and Inclusive Worship Resources: CWM’s weekly worship services offer creative ways to worship from a progressive theological perspective. We hope to create an accessible resource of our liturgy, adapted hymns and special services for use in other congregations.

This mission fund will help to expand the reach of our ministry with LGBT persons, and with straight Allies who share an inclusive, hopeful, and liberating vision of the Good News of Christ.

To donate, please send your check or pledge to Cambridge Welcoming Ministries at 14 Chapel Street, Somerville, MA 02144. Be sure to include the names of the Saints you wish to honor with your gift.