By Jan Hensley-Olson
It's hard to believe that another General Conference is just around the corner. May 2016 will be here soon. Affirmation will be in Portland to make its presence known, just like it has for every General Conference since 1976. We will continue to show the UMC that we are still here even though the church has done a lot to push us away. There will be a core group of Affirmation individuals, along with the Love Your Neighbor coalition, who will represent you at General Conference 2016.
The Affirmation council has been making plans. Individuals are making reservations. We are determining what we can do and how we will pay for it. That's where you come in! There are a number of ways you can contribute to our work. The first, of course, is an outright donation. We recently received a $4000 check from a long-time supporter. Are you able to match it? If not, how about:
- Any amount will help but we hope you can and will be very generous.
- Another way to support us is participation in an on-line auction we are planning. Do you have something we could auction? Some of the items already committed are: a one week stay in a rural Tennessee retreat, a Barry Manilow memorabilia collection, 3 hours with a professional organizer, a week stay in upstate New York, a kitchen layout design, an LGBT theological book collection, and clergy services for a wedding including the marriage license. It's also important to participate by bidding during the auction. Look for information about the on-line auction in the coming months.
- Have you named Affirmation in your will? It is another way you can support our work. Our new project in Uganda (see article in this issue) has been possible because an Affirmation member remembered us in his estate planning. Can we count on you to do the same?
- How about joining us in Portland? We are always in need of volunteers. Your presence would be a great gift to us. If you are unable to make the trip to Portland we ask for your prayers. GC can be very physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually draining. We welcome prayers for strength in the journey, hospitality in the face of rejection, peace amidst hurtful language, humbleness in our successes, and love of our neighbors in all that we do.
Have you received enough ideas? If not, we welcome your creativity. Let us know what we could be doing to move the UMC towards full inclusion. And let us know how you can help us do it.
A copy of the treasurer's year-end report is available upon a written request to the P.O. box or email address, umaffirmation_at_yahoo.com.
$1975 In honor of the year Affirmation was founded
$500 or 500 sweet treats For our "Sweets for the Sweets" reception
$100 or $10 For each of the 10 General Conferences Affirmation has attended
$40 or $1 Per year Affirmation has supported LGBTQ persons
$1 For every year you've been out as a LGBTQ person or an ally
