Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is an unofficial association of United Methodists working for full and genuine welcome and inclusion of all persons as members and leaders in The United Methodist Church, with particular concern for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) persons.
The present denominational official policies exclude such persons who are in "active" relationships (even when faithful and monogamous) from ordination or positions of pastoral Leadership, and may also be used to exclude them from church membership. For several decades RMN has worked to change that policy and to encourage and support United Methodist congregations that openly identify themselves as welcoming of all.
PNW-RMN is a social justice program with its present administrative base at First Center; it is actively working in support of these goals among United Methodists in Washington and Northern Idaho (the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church), in close coordination with the national network based in Chicago. Our key activities include:
the publication and distribution of a quarterly newsletter, The Word Is OUT, to over 800 concerned persons in the Pacific Northwest and another 400 to Reconciling United Methodist churches and ministries throughout the United States;
an annual educational and inspirational event, The Gathering, which brings together over 100 people to learn more about LGBT issues, to share in fellowship, and support one another in pursuing the RMN goals;
public witness at the annual sessions of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, including support of legislative action favoring full inclusion of LGBT persons in the life and ministries of the denomination, the distribution of related educational materials, and significant speakers at a dinner meeting;
encouragement and assistance of United Methodist congregations who will "come out" publicly as "Reconciling," thus making known to all their welcome and inclusion of all LGBT persons.
