Skip to Main Content

Building an Inclusive Church

Location: First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove, IL

2023 11 Nic Rmn Event 2

 

 

Cancelled

Please watch for announcements of a future event

Building an Inclusive Church

Raise 'Em Up. . . Hands, Hearts, and Voices for a Fully Inclusive Church!

Learn how to become a Reconciling Congregation that affirms LGBTQ+ people in our churches, engages in intersectional justice, and advocates for changing The United Methodist Church's discriminatory policies that harm LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones.

Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran, Reconciling Ministries Network regional organizer, will facilitate the session. Izzy is a self-avowed gay United Methodist elder from the Philippines who is appointed to his ministry with RMN. He has also served as a pastor, conference youth director, faculty in United Methodist educational institutions, labor union organizer, and economic justice organizer with the General Board of Church and Society. A former political refugee, he is passionate about human rights and believes that queer justice is inherently intersectional.

  • Childcare is available for free by RESERVATION. Contact Bonnie Beckonchrist for information. 
  • Facilities are fully accessible. 
     

This gathering is made possible through the generous contributions of FUMC Arlington Heights, FUMC Glenview, FUMC LaGrange, Euclid Avenue UMC, Friendship UMC, and Kingswood UMC.

 

News & Announcements

Olderadults

Honor Older Adults in May and through the Golden Cross Offering

In May, churches take the Golden Cross Offering. Donations support Northern Illinois Conference ministries with older adults and help provide scholarships for ind…

Sympathynoticeflowers

In Sympathy: Philip M. Dripps

Rev. Philip M. Dripps, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on April 15, 2026.

Sympathy625x400 2a417

In Sympathy: Charlotte (Char) Hoffmann

Rev. Charlotte (Char) Hoffman, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2025.

Sandbarcr

Signs of Hope

"Mutual benefit is breaking out and ubuntu steps are among us each day," says Bishop Dan Schwerin. In this article he includes some tanka, a form of poetry that comes from Japan. These keep an eye on the small as…

Print