In Brief

Local Methodist Church Joins Reconciling Network
by Fay Jacobs

(Epworth Pastor Jack Abel and United Methodist Dover Superintendent Sandra Steiner Ball.)

Epworth United Methodist Church recently voted to join the Reconciling Ministries Network—a group which supports the inclusion of gay and lesbian members in the Methodist Church.

While Rehoboth’s Epworth Church has long welcomed GLBT members in its congregation, the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is a growing movement of United Methodist individuals, congregations, campus ministries, and other groups working for the full participation of all people in the United Methodist Church.

The RMN mission statement states that "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."

On Tuesday, April 25, at a meeting with about 150 in attendance, Epworth Church members voted 82-9 in favor of the congregation joining the RMN. The vote was preceded by informational workshops where members were introduced to the RMN organization, shared their thoughts and concerns and discussed the upcoming vote.

Epworth will now be in good company, alongside 208 other reconciling congregations nationwide, 28 reconciling campus ministries, 31 communities/ Ministries and over 18,000 Reconciling United Methodists.

RMN grew out of the GLBT Methodist organization Affirmation—United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns. The word "reconciling" was first used in this context in 1982 at an Affirmation meeting. According to the RMN website, the term (reconciling) recognizes the pain and brokenness that the church has caused for its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender members by repeatedly refusing to hear and honor our stories of faith; by repeatedly and progressively barring our full participation in the United Methodist Church, and by even excluding openly GLBT persons from the debate.

CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Steve Elkins worked on the Epworth committee to educate the congregation about RMN and helped organize the informational meetings. Following the vote, Elkins said, "Its primary purpose is to make sure that any visitor to the Rehoboth area affected by recent decisions would know that Epworth is a safe place for them to worship."

For more information on Epworth Methodist Church, call 302-227-7743.

2006 CAMP Women’s Weekend Co-Chairs

We want to say a special thank you to Barb Fishel and Marti Austin, the co-chairs of the 2006 CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Weekend.

Comedian Vickie Shaw at the Rehoboth Convention Center

Friday night of the 2006 CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Weekend found everyone in stitches as nationally known comedian Vickie Shaw performed at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The show, produced by ELBoW Productions, was another in their series of GLBT comics performing at the beach this season.

Holly Near Serenades the Women’s Weekend Crowd

Holly Near has performed in film, TV, and on Broadway in Hair. However, her role as an ambassador for peace and music for social change is what most of her fans came out to celebrate as she performed on the final night of the 2006 CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Weekend, and she didn’t disappoint anyone.

Delaware Humane Assoc. Yappy Hour at CAMP

After a "howlingly fun" walk on Rehoboth’s boardwalk, many of the dogs and their friends returned to the CAMP Rehoboth courtyard for a Yappy Hour filled with food, drink and prizes.

The Delaware Humane Association, which sponsored the annual Walk for the Animals at the Beach, raised more than $20,000 in support of their efforts to provide a temporary home for abandoned or unwanted animals as they seek to place them in suitable homes.

The Delaware Humane Association’s Spay and Neuter Van was visible throughout the weekend. The message, if you love your pets have them spayed or neutered is an important part of their education and outreach program.

For information and a list of pets available for adoption, visit dehumane.org.

Chef Riche Griffin Cooks with Broadway’s Tommy Tune

Not wanting to stand on his laurels as a Broadway actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and director, nine time Tony® Award-winner Tommy Tune recently celebrated his passion for cooking at Celebrity Kitchens, a hands on cooking school in Wilmington, Delaware.

Tune delighted guests at Celebrity Kitchens by preparing lunch and getting "up close and personal" with them, even doing a few dance steps as he cooked. Tune was in Wilmington appearing at the Dupont Theatre as Dr. Doolittle.

Chef Riche Griffin of Rehoboth’s Dish Restaurant assisted Tune by preparing an appetizer and dessert. No one seemed surprised that Tune ate the appetizer and main course but skipped dessert. (Although guests saw Tune take the pink iced pig cookie with him!)