Reconciling Sunday Worship

Preacher:

Dumbarton's Reconciling Sunday is the annual celebration of the congregation's 1987 decision to welcome and affirm LGBTQIA persons. Worship on Reconciling Sunday is always a creative, affirming, celebration; this year-though virtual--wll be no exception! Worship will include a children's message by the pastor, a video of church people sharing why being reconciling is important to them, virtual choir music, and a sermon by our guest preacher, Rev. Izzy Alvaron.

Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran, a self-avowed gay United Methodist Elder originally from the Philippines, is appointed to serve as an organizer with Reconciling Ministries Network in the Western and North Central jurisdictions. Prior to this ministry, Rev. Alvaran served as pastor, conference youth director, and faculty in United Methodist education institutions in the Philippines.

Currently living in San Francisco, CA, he also worked as a labor union organizer for UNITE HERE Local 2, the hotel and restaurant workers union in the city. He also served as economic justice organizer with the General Board of Church and Society. Rev. Alvaran received his basic theological education in the Philippines (Master of Divinity and Master of Theology). He graduated from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA with a Doctor of Ministry degree and wrote his dissertation on faith-rooted community organizing.

Having been a former political refugee in the United States prior to naturalization as a citizen in 2020, he is passionate about human rights, worker justice, and immigrant rights. Rev. Alvaran believes that queer justice is inherently intersectional and that a revitalized United Methodist Church needs to make amends and structural changes given its practices of historic, systemic racism and colonialism.

We look forward to hearing his inpiring message.

All are welcome to experience this uplifting celebration day!

We celebrate God's gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education and family structure and of every immigration, marital and social status and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic and political inequalities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.

Adopted by DUMC Church Council October 2020

Sermon Title:

"Breaking Barriers"

Date:

Sunday, February 14, 2021 - 11:00am