It is now 90 days until the beginning of General Conference

Dear Cathy,

LYNC continues to move forward toward the General Conference in Charlotte. Advocacy and educational work on important legislation, creating a witness of hospitality on-site for GC Charlotte, and finding a team of talented UMs to support our work have filled our days. We know that you have chosen to continue to be part of the UMC and work to create the future that we dream of. LYNC’s vision is for a church that mirrors the Kindom and holds a place at the table for All.

Now, we need your help to raise money to complete this work.

As we shared in our last update, we have a budget of $135,000 to carry out our witness at the General Conference. While contributions have started to come in, we are far from our goal.

Any amount you can contribute, large or small, will help us to be the church that we envision.

Donate online today or send a check for LYNC to MFSA (our fiscal sponsor) at the address below. We need your support now.

We also need your help to reach churches that might be able to support LYNC. Do you know a church that might contribute? Linked below is a draft letter that you can adapt to reach out to your church or other organization you think might consider contributing.

Thank you in advance,

Mittie Quinn & Neal Christie
Co-Conveners/ Love Your Neighbor Coalition

MFSA National Office
996 Maine Ave SW #307
Washington, DC 20024

Invite your church to support LYNC

If you feel your local church supports the values of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, consider asking them to make that support tangible with a financial gift. Many local congregations are looking forward to the time when the UMC changes its policies on the inclusion of LGBTQIA people. This is a chance for them to act on the goal.

Three key things to do with your request are:

1. Be direct. Suggest an amount based on what you know about your church and its history of supporting inclusion, diversity, and justice. Aim a little bit high, a requested amount can be lowered, but is rarely increased. Send it to a whole committee, so one person can’t become a gatekeeper.

2. Tell them key points about LYNC, a coalition of 15 groups seeking justice and inclusion in the church and the world. Give them links to the LYNC website (www.lyncoalition.org) to help them learn more.

3. Tell them about yourself. Share how you have supported LYNC and its partners with your gifts, time, talent, and witness. Don’t assume they know.

Download an annotated sample of an email to send to your church council, leadership team, or faith and witness committee (word DOC).
Or (pdf version).

Donate to LYNC Today!

Contact our treasurer if you would like to discuss how you or your church might make a special contribution to our witness by sponsoring a LYNC program or underwriting a scholarship.

While online donation is fast and easy, you might prefer to mail a check. If so, coalition member MFSA will be happy to handle that for you. Send checks Payable to Methodist Federation for Social Action, with “LYNC Support” on the memo line to:
MFSA National Office, 996 Maine Ave SW #307, Washington, DC 20024

Volunteers pay most of their own costs or are supported by their church and friends. They work as observers, witness volunteers, worship leaders, communication supporters, and provide hospitality to delegates from around the globe and other volunteers.

Volunteers can come for a few days, or all of the conference, working all the time, or a few hours.

Even if you’re not sure about your plans, let us know you are interested by filling in the volunteer interest form on our website.