RECONCILING WEEKEND 2023

JANUARY 28 - JANUARY 29

  • Reconciling Ministry Network

    Reconciling Ministries Network is committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist connection, working for the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people throughout the life and leadership of the Church.

  • The Weekend

    Reconciling Weekend is a public event to raise awareness and empower individuals who seek to engage in the work of including all persons into the life of Christ’s Church.

  • Cost

    We invite you to consider making a loving donation to help offset the cost of the event. You can give at www.uumcpeoria.org/give

    The weekend is free to all persons.

Izzy Alvaran

Keynote Speaker

Israel I. Alvaran (he/him/his) is an ordained Elder in the Philippines Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He has served in various ministry settings as pastor, youth minister and faculty at a UMC university and seminary in the Philippines. He is currently under episcopal appointment to serve as an organizer with Reconciling Ministries Network. A longtime activist, Israel worked as Person in Mission of the UMC General Board of Global Ministries for the Manila Episcopal Area, focusing on advocacy for lowwage workers. For a number of years, he was a community outreach organizer for UNITE HERE Local 2 (the hotel workers union ) and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of California. Prior to joining RMN, he served as national organizer for economic justice with the UMC General Board of Church and Society. A political asylee from the Philippines, Israel lives in San Francisco, CA and is immersed in the life of his community. Until recently, he was an officer and board member of San Francisco Pride at Work, an organization committed to LGBTQI rights in the workplace. He is on the Activist Committee of the Jobs with Jus tice chapter in San Francisco. Israel has a Masters of Divinity degree and a Masters of Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines. With a dissertation focused on faith rooted organizing, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree fr om Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA in 2010 as a recipient of the UMC Crusade Scholarship. When not in the thick of rallies and picket lines, Israel loves to cook and bake for friends, and spends quality time with his adorable dog Waui Kush.

Sara Isbell

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Sara L. Isbell was appointed as Senior Pastor to Wesley UMC on July 1, 2018.  Her previous appointments were to Decatur Grace and Chatham UMC’s.  Rev. Isbell received her M.Div from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2003 and was ordained Elder in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference in 2006.  She has served as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences since 2008, and currently chairs the North Central Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy.

Sara grew up in the United Methodist Church as a “preacher’s kid.”  Her father is retired pastor Rev. Dr. E. Paul Unger, who now lives with Sara’s mom Judith in Bloomington, right across town.  She received her call to ordained ministry while working as a Program Associate at the Wesley Foundation campus ministry at the University of Illinois (UIUC), and bears witness to the importance of campus ministry in the lives of college students.

Sara is happily married to husband Andy since 1988, and is very proud of their two adult children.  Andy enjoys his own role as musician in the church, taking part in choir, ensembles, praise band and handbells.

Saturday Schedule

9 am: Doors Open

Doors will open at University United Methodist Church at 9 am. Join us for a time of light refreshments and fellowship.

9:30 am: Worship Gathering

Join us in the sanctuary for an opening set of praise and worship.

10 am - 11:30: Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran guest speaking in the sanctuary on RMN & inclusive ministry.

11:30: Lunch (provided)

12:30 Worship re-gathering

1:00 - 2:30: Keynote Speaker

Rev. Sara Isbell guest speaking in the sanctuary on Biblical interpretation & ministry.

2:30: Break

2:45 - 3:45 pm: Workshop 1

Choose from 2 workshops to attend the day of.

3:55 - 4:55 pm: Workshop 2

Choose from 2 workshops to attend the day of.

5:00: Service of Holy Communion

Join us in the sanctuary as we close out our time together with Holy Communion.

5:15: Question & Answer Session (optional)

Join us in the sanctuary after communion for a q&a session.

Sunday Schedule

9 am: Holy Grounds Cafe Opens

Join us at 9 am for Holy Grounds Cafe as we fellowship together.

10 am: Worship

Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran guest preaching in the sanctuary.

Workshops

Pick 1 workshop for each timeslot.

  • Biblical Interpretation Q&A

    1st Workshop Set

    Workshop A

    Come if you’d like to discuss inclusivity within the framework of the Bible & theology.

    Speaker- Rev. Sara Isbell

  • Living our Vows

    1st Workshop Set

    Workshop B

    Come if you are interested in learning how to live within our baptismal vows and denominational stances & doctrine while affirming inclusivity.

    Speaker- Rev. Eric Swanson

  • Becoming Reconciling

    2nd Workshop Set

    Workshop C

    Come if you’d like to hear more about what it means to be a part of RMN as an individual, ministry, class, or church.

    Speaker: Rev. BJ Birkhahn-Rommelfanger

  • Ministry with the LGBTQ+ Community

    2nd Workshop Set

    Workshop D

    Come if you’d like to learn how to partner with your local lgbtq+ beloved in your area (inside and outside of your church).

    Speaker - Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran