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Over the last several years, as a congregation we have made changes in structure including moving to a general governance model. As part of that model, we use one meeting a year to “look around” at our community, and see who we are here to serve. We have learned from our efforts to reach out and become a more active part of that community, that our neighborhood is quite diverse. Yet we as a congregation do not reflect that diversity.
This presents the question of: why do we not look more like the community we serve and how can we demonstrate that ALL are welcome here? Along the way, we as a congregation determined that in order to be more inclusive, we should acknowledge our acceptance of our LGBTQ+ spiritual siblings. This started us on the journey to become recognized as a Reconciling congregation. It’s been over two years since we took our first steps on that path. Many will remember the members of PFLAG, who came and spoke and joined us in sharing a meal. Getting to know them was a positive first step, and they were pleased to know that their LGBTQ+ family members would be welcome here. They were supportive of our efforts, and encouraged us along the way.
Following that initial contact the Governance team wrote up an affirmative statement, which was presented to the congregation. As a congregation, we responded by voting on and accepting our statement, which we share regularly, BUT the process has stalled. Much of this work remains unfinished. The affirmative vote and statement were never presented at our local conference meeting, and the paperwork to be formally recognized was never submitted. This was largely due to a change in how our local meeting was held, district wide, rather than as an individual congregation, and then the additional complication of a pandemic, which limited our ability to communicate effectively with in the church.This should bring us up to date. In many ways, we are essentially back to square one, and yet not entirely. The official statement, which is required in order to be recognized as Reconciling has been formalized, so now we must present the updated statement to for a vote, in order to move ahead with our plan. This should happen later this year.
Once we have again affirmed our willingness to embrace our LGBTQ+ siblings fully into our spiritual family, we can resume our plan to formally become a Reconciling congregation. Then when LGBTQ+ community members seek a spiritual home, they will find us listed among those they can trust to embrace them as equal in God’s eyes. It means that our members that are LGBTQ+ will be affirmed that this is the right church community for them. We know very well that churches can be among the least welcoming spaces in our community, but it is our hope that they will find in us a loving, and welcoming community, which embraces them, and graciously accepts their gifts. It is hoped that we will provide a safe harbor against a hostile world.
Even as we take steps to formalize our Reconciling status, it falls upon us to take action, and to be seen as leaders within our community. We have been blessed with two years of solitude, during which we have had time to reflect and grow into our calling. Now as we emerge, we can take steps to become visible. We can step out in faith and embrace opportunities. That is why, with Pride month upon us, we are embracing the opportunity to join with other United Methodist congregations to share a table at the upcoming Park Pride Event at Esther Short Park July 9th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm!
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