On Saturday, September 7, 2013, 406 United Methodists from 9 churches participated in Austin Pride Parade.  Each day this week we will feature a story about the experience by a SWTX Conference Reconciling United Methodist. Today’s story is by Deana Henry, an active member of  Trinity UMC in Austin, Texas, a congregation that affiliated with RMN (Reconciling Ministries Network) 21 years ago.  Deana has a career based in community action research, chairs the local MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) chapter, has been married to her husband Kenneth for 43 years, and has 5 sons. TRINITY AT PRIDE Apparently this is the 10th … Continue reading Pride Parade Story: DEANA HENRY

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, 406 United Methodists from 9 churches participated in Austin Pride Parade.  Each day this week we will feature a story about the experience by a SWTX Conference Reconciling United Methodist. Today’s story is by Jeanette Ball, the Director of Senior Adult Ministries at Saint John’s UMC in Austin, TX.  She is an accomplished pianist and is very active in the life of her church, leading the Saint John’s Cokesbury choir and multiple book studies throughout the year.  Jeanette recently celebrated her 89th birthday with her church family. ——————————– GAY PRIDE PARADE I did not know that … Continue reading Pride Parade Story: JEANETTE BALL

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, 406 United Methodists from 9 churches participated in Austin Pride Parade.  Each day this week we will feature a story about the experience by a SWTX Conference Reconciling United Methodist. Today’s story is by Mark Brooks, an active member of Journey of Faith UMC in Round Rock, Texas.  Journey of Faith is in the Central Texas conference and joined the SWTX UMCs in Austin Pride Parade in 2012 & 2013 as part of the Love Your Neighbor coalition.  Mark is recently retired and looks forward to traveling with his wife Jean, to whom he has been happily married … Continue reading Pride Parade Story: MARK BROOKS

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, 406 United Methodists from 9 churches participated in Austin Pride Parade.  Each day this week we will feature a story about the experience by a SWTX Conference Reconciling United Methodist. Today’s story is by Jarell Wilson, a 21 year old student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary who plans to seek ordination as an elder. He is a lover of books, music, and Dr. Who. He also tries his hand at blogging & tweeting @TheJarell —————————————– MY FIRST PRIDE EXPERIENCE I am all about Pride. I love (most) of the festivities, I love parades, I love dancing, I … Continue reading Pride Parade Story: JARELL WILSON