The beginning of Reconciling Congregation Program (RCP) happened during 1982-1983. Some members of Affirmation, an organization of United Methodists for lesbian, gay, and bisexual concerns, began to talk about forming a grass-roots movement for change on lesbian and gay issues in The United Methodist Church. The Presbyterian Church had started a movement called the More Light Program, which was seen as a model to follow. At the meeting of Affirmation in Spring, 1983, a working group was assigned to develop a plan. In Fall, 1983, Affirmation developed a new plan called the Reconciling Congregation Program. Mark Bowman and Beth Richardson agreed to serve as volunteer co- coordinators of the program. During the next months, the first brochure and a paper, "How to Become a Reconciling Congregation," were developed.
RCP was publicly launched during the General Conference of The United Methodist Church that was held in May, 1984. The morning after the conference voted to deny ordination/appointment to so-called "self-avowed practicing homosexuals," several friends of Affirmation gathered outside the conference meeting hall to pass out Reconciling Congregation Program brochures to delegates and visitors. Shortly after General Conference was over, two congregations voted to become Reconciling Congregations--Washington Square United Methodist Church in New York City and Wesley United Methodist Church in Fresno, CA.
Churches in Stockton that are open and accepting to the GLBT community:
First Unitarian Universalist Church
2737 Pacific Avenue Stockton 95204 466-7743 Rev.
Laura Horton-Ludwig
www.stocktonuu.org
office@stocktonuu.org
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Valley Ministries Metropolitan Community Church
4118 Corodado Avenue Stockton 464-5244 Rev. Terri Miller
www.valleyministries.com
valleyministries@valleyministries.com
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Central United Methodist Church
3700 Pacific Avenue Stockton 95204 466-5046 Rev. Dave
Bennett
www.StocktonCentralUMC.org
Sunday 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
First Christian Church
1235 William Moss Blvd. Stockton 982-1212 Rev. Steve
Kindle
www.fccstockton.org
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
306 E. Clay Stockton 463-7071 Rev. Jola Bortner
Sunday 11:00 a.m. English
5:00 p.m. Spanish
Temple Israel
5105 N. El Dorado Stockton 95207 477-9306
Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff
www.stockton.urj
templeisraelstkn@yahoo.com
Friday 8:00 p.m.
Way of Christ Community
meets at Elkhorn School, 10505 N. Davis Rd. 95209
Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday
(209) 337-5443
e-mail WayofChristCC@aol.com
website: www.the-way.info
Pastor: Amy Jo Mattheis
It's always wise to double-check worship times, as they are subject to change.
For changes, additions to this list, feel free to contact Becky at 948-6148 or revreb@juno.com.