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Helen Ryde / Seeking connection and signs of inclusive thoughts in unexpected places

Fri 1:00pm - 1:50pm

Venue: Convo Table 04

Co-Creators

Type of Experience: Conversation

Content Type: Circuit riding for inclusive thoughts

In 2019 I embarked on a prayer pilgrimage to The United Methodist Church Special General Conference. Setting my GPS to avoid highways between Weaverville, NC and St Louis, MO, I plotted a route to visit all The United Methodist Churches that lay between my home and the General Conference. At each church I prayed and delivered a letter of hope for the future of our denomination. In a few places I actually met people and had a conversation. The General Conference did not go well, instead of making a modest move towards inclusion for LGBTQ+ people, we lurched drastically in the other direction. Three years later, The UMC is still mired in mess and I am still curious and drawn to connecting with unexpected people in unexpected churches to see what common ground might be found. This time I have embarked on a more local pilgrimage, a circuit ride of sorts, visiting churches within driving distance of home for worship and Sunday School class. Join me as I recount some of the experiences I have had and let's explore together what it looks like to seek connection and inclusive thoughts in unexpected places.