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    Brethren Mennonite Council For LGBT Interests

    About

    BMC VISION
    The mission of BMC is to cultivate an inclusive church and society and to care for the Mennonite and Brethren lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied community.

     

    BMC MISSION

    For our community we will:

    • Visibly advocate for justice on behalf of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) people.
    • Reach out to lgbt persons and allies who share a connection with Mennonite and Church of the Brethren heritages.
    • Provide opportunities for lgbt persons and allies to nurture relationships, celebrate community, and build networks of solidarity, empowerment, support and care.
    • Provide intentional support and advocacy for lgbt youth and young adults.
    • Connect people with lgbt-positive theological and spiritual resources.
    • Empower individuals and groups to advocate for justice and work for change.
    • Acknowledge the limitations of our worldviews and commit to broadening our understanding and appreciation of human diversity.

     

    For the church we will:

    • Be a persistent voice for an open and inclusive church.
    • Call congregations to be actively open and inclusive communities.
    • Hold denominational leadership accountable to their denomination’s vision of social justice, expecting fair play, honesty, integrity, risk and courage.
    • Develop denominationally sensitive theological, biblical and spiritual resources.
    • Provide educational opportunities for our denominations and related educational institutions.

     

    For society we will:

    • Participate in the broader social justice movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people by building alliances with other denominational and secular organizations who share similar concerns.
    • Responsibly advocate for religious practices and policies that support democratic visions and an inclusive society.
    • Intentionally connect our experiences of injustice with other forms of social discrimination and commit ourselves to resist oppression in all its forms.
    Gender & Sexuality
    Social Networks
    Services & Programming Offered

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    • Supportive Communities Network - A network of Mennonite and Church of the Brethren communities who are publicly affirming of gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual members. For More Info Click Here

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    • Kaleidoscope  - A supportive and resource-sharing network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), questioning and allied people on peace church campuses.For More Info Click Here

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    • Connecting Families - Connecting Families is a support network of Brethren and Mennonite people committed to providing mutual support for families with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender members. For More Info Click Here

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    • Local Groups - Some BMCers have organized informal groups and networks to gather or communicate with other BMCers local to their area. Some local groups have periodic meetings for fellowship, potlucks, business or worship For More Info Click Here

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    TRAINING & WORKSHOPS

    • Welcoming Churches, Strong Churches - Lays the groundwork for discussing the benefits of becoming a welcoming congregation, not for lgbt members, but for the congregation as a whole. For More Info Click Here

     

    • History Matters: Elder LGBT Challenges & Strengths - Provides basic information about the strengths of lgbt elders bring to a congregation/community, as well as the historical and structural challenges they face. For More Info Click Here

     

    • Accompaniment - Provides basic information needed to create community and individual relationships of support and unconditional love for lgbtq youth. For More Info Click Here

     

    • Building Solidarity - Undoing Heterosexism and Transphobia - Explores oppression and privilege related to sexual orientation and gender identity, looks at dynamics within your specific context. For More Info Click Here

     

    • Safe Zone Training - Introduces the skills needed to create spaces that are safer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For More Info Click Here

     

    • Sex & Gender 101 - What does it mean to have a sexual orientation? Is that the same as having a gender identity? If not, how are they related? What do the letters lgbtq stand for anyhow? And what happens when someone “comes out?” If you find yourself confused or overwhelmed by the current conversation related to human sexuality and gender identity, you are not alone. This session is designed to help unpack some of the complicated concepts and hopefully empower participants to have a more informed and respectful conversation. For More Info Click Here

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    NEWS & BLOGS

    • Outspoken - Outspoken features articles and opinions from the BMC community. We hope you will continue to enjoy articles and commentaries from lgbtq Brethren and Mennonite communities and their supporters. Instead of producing a quarterly newsletter, we will post an article or two here each month. If you've read an article you'd like to share, or if you have one ready to burst forth from your keyboard, contact our office. For More Info Click Here

     

    • News Net - Possibly the most efficient way to stay connected with BMC - news, upcoming events and general announcments all in one package! Sent approximately once a month, it won't even clog your inbox. To subscribe or unsubscribe, just send an email to [email protected].  For More Info Click Here

     

    • Coming Out Story - A BMC blog specifically for youth and young adults. Check back periodically for updates about Kaleidoscope as well as Mennonite and Brethren colleges. For More Info Click Here

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