Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church affirms that all individuals are of sacred worth without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, marital circumstances, economic status, physical and mental condition, or criminal history. We declare ourselves in support of the reconciling movement and welcome the full participation in the church of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered persons and their families, as a reflection of God’s unconditional love. At the same time, we recognize differences of opinion on issues of sexuality and seek to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect.
MMUMC is proud to be a reconciling congregation. After a period of prayerful discernment, we joined the reconciling ministries network in June 2008.
As a ministry team we work to ensure that everyone who walks into the doors of our church are welcomed. We are always welcome to new ideas and to find unique ways to declare God’s love for ALL of God’s children.
MMUMC also is involved with the B-WARM Network, the Baltimore/Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists. BWARM works to encourage dialogue and education about LGBT issues, increase the number of reconciling congregations, and stand in solidarity with all who have been excluded or marginalized by the Church. Members come from United Methodist churches from across the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Some of us are members of reconciling congregations; many of us are not. We are LGBT and straight people. (Wording adapted from the B-WARM website).
BWARM meets the second Saturday of each month.
If you are interested in getting involved with us, please contact Anne Brown.
Marriage Equality and the Church:
An Open Letter to the Congregation from the Advocacy Ministry Team
Dear Friends,
On December 15, the DC Council approved The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, which would permit same-sex couples to marry in the District of Columbia. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill into law December 18. And the law will take effect at the conclusion of a Congressional review period, which lasts for 30 legislative days following the Mayor’s signature. This legislation provides equal rights for same-sex couples to marry in DC and preserves the right of clergy and congregations to adhere to their faiths. Read more.
Marriage Equality and the Church:
Same-Sex Marriage and United Methodist Doctrine
Homosexual Marriage By Rev. Tex Sample
The term homosexuality as we understand that word today appears nowhere in Scripture. In fact, the word was not coined until the nineteenth century. Moreover, there is no evidence that the Scripture addresses the matter of sexual orientation as that characteristic is now understood. In Scripture the attention is given to same-sex practices. It is a minor concern and appears in only five passages. (I exclude two passages on same-sex rape that are not under consideration here. Rape of any kind is wrong.) Biblical scholars hotly contest all of these passages. Read more.
Marriage Equality and the Church:
Discussion and Learning Opportunities
Click on the titles below to view discussion and learning opportunities.
Pre-Cana for Metropolitan and Foundry Members
Reconciling Ministries Network Update!
Reconciled Churches Set Record
The Reconciling Ministries (RMN) Network is a growing national movement of United Methodists working for the full participation of all people in the United Methodist Church. Since its formation in 1984, individuals, congregations, campus ministries, and other groups have declared their dissent from UM policy on Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender issues and joined the RMN movement.
RMN encompasses 325 Reconciling Congregations and 114 Reconciling Campus Ministries and other Reconciling Communities and Ministries. There are over 80,000 Reconciling United Methodists.
In 1984, 9 United Methodist Churches became reconciled churches.
In 2009, 23 United Methodist Churches became reconciling churches, the most churches to reconcile in a single year in RMN’s history.
Congratulations are extended to Chestnut UMC (Portland, Maine), Green Street UMC (Winston-Salem, NC), Journey of Faith UMC (Round Rock, Texas), and United Methodist Church of Tarrytown (Tarrytown, NY) on becoming the newest reconciling churches to join the movement.
Marriage Equality Rally
“The Campaign for All DC Families” and “DC Clergy United” are co-hosting a rally in support of marriage equality in DC on Monday, December 14 at 7 p.m., at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street N.W., in D.C. The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 would permit same-sex couples to marry in the District of Columbia!
Thank You to Metropolitan and the Advocacy Team
I wish to express my gratitude to Metropolitan and the Advocacy Ministry team, chaired by Ann Michel, for hosting a screening of my documentary film, “Incompatible with Christian Teaching” on Dec. 6. The event was attended by 63 guests. In the coming months, I will be screening and discussing the film at United Methodist Churches and organizations all over the country. It was an honor to share the film with all of you at Metropolitan before I take the film on the road. —Yours in Christ, Anne Brown
Documentary Film Screened at Metropolitan Memorial
“Incompatible with Christian Teaching”
Sunday, December 6, 4 p.m., Great Hall
Metropolitan’s Advocacy Ministry Team hosted a screening of Anne Brown's documentary, "Incompatible with Christian Teaching" on Sunday, December 6 at 4 p.m. in the Great Hall.
In January 2008, Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church embarked on a journey toward becoming a reconciled church. Our 6-month discernment process concluded with a vote on June 1, to become a reconciling congregation! Anne states, "During Metropolitan’s discernment process there was one question that I kept hearing, "Why do we have to say we are reconciled? We already are welcoming!" The question of "why" is not unique to Metropolitan, this is the question every congregation wrestles with during discernment. So it was out of this question that I decided to make my film, "Incompatible with Christian Teaching." For me, the answer to “why reconcile” is answered with the statement in the Book of Discipline, “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” The focus of my film was to capture the effect this statement has on individuals. "Incompatible with Christian Teaching" premiered at the Reconciling Ministries Network's convocation in Estes Park, CO in September. Since the film's premiere, I have received invitations from United Methodist churches all over the country asking me to screen and discuss the film. Reconciled churches are interested in hosting a screening in hopes of encouraging other UM churches in their conference to reconcile. UM churches that are not reconciled are interested in hosting a screening for their own congregation in hopes of beginning the reconciling conversation. I look forward to sharing the film with all of you. The screening is free and ALL ARE WELCOME. Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to attend. However, the film is not recommended for children under 13.
RMN Celebrates 25th anniversary!
RMN celebrated its 25th anniversary of reconciling ministry at its Convocation, which was held Sept. 4-7 in Estes Park, Colorado. Over 500 United Methodists gathered from around the country to celebrate in community justice and joy for all God’s children, to bridge diversities of race, sex, culture, and gender identity, to nurture Christian spirituality and discipleship, and to transform the United Methodist Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s love.
RMN presented the Cup of Justice Award at their Convocation to the Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists (B-WARM). The Cup of Justice Award is given for taking bold action to invoke justice where injustice, oppression and exclusion exist. In 2005, the award was presented to the Retired Reconciling Clergy of the New England Annual Conference who made public statements and took action for marriage equality. In 2007, Rebecca Cramer, a young adult who shepherded legislation through the Student Forum creating reconciling worship and workshops as part of official programming, was the recipient.
B-WARM member churches include: Bethesda UMC, Capitol Hill UMC, Dumbarton UMC, Foundry UMC, St. Luke’s UMC, Metropolitan Memorial UMC, Christ Church UMC (Columbia, MD), Christ Church UMC (Washington, DC), St. John’s of Baltimore City UMC, and St. John UMC-Presbyterian.
Metropolitan Celebrates Reconciling Sunday and Gay Pride Month!
On Sunday, June 7, Metropolitan celebrated its one-year anniversary as a reconciled congregation!
Each year, reconciled congregations set aside one Sunday to celebrate their commitment as a reconciled church. This allows the conversation and hospitality to be refreshed each year. It also is helpful to new members of a congregation to have the opportunity to hear the story, understand the priority, and share the hope. Reconciled congregations seek justice, full inclusion and participation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people in the Church.
The Advocacy Ministry team wishes to thank guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Traci West and guest speaker Dr. Sharon Groves for sharing their time and talents. Rev. West’s sermon, and the testimonies given by Barbara Osgood and Kerm Towler are available here.
On Saturday, June 13, twenty-five members from Metropolitan and St. Luke’s marched in the DC Pride Parade behind a banner saying “Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church – A Reconciling Congregation.”
Many other congregations—Baptist, Catholic, Congregational, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Unitarian, and non-denominational—took part, as well. Because many in the GLBT community have only experienced the church as angry, condemning, and exclusionary, our presence was very welcome. Parade-goers cheered us. Many thanked us. Others shouted “Yeah, United Methodists!” It was clear from the excited reactions of many in the crowd that they were United Methodist or were from a United Methodist background. They were especially touched by our presence. It was a powerful experience of “reconciliation,” an explicit form of missional outreach, and a deeply profound act of Christian witness.
Declaration of Religious Support for Marriage Equality
A statement was prepared by a group of clergy supporting marriage equality for our gay and lesbian neighbors here in Washington, DC. A public release of the declaration occurred on June 2 at Covenant Baptist Church. All three of MMUMC’s pastors co-signed the declaration. Text of the declaration as well as a complete list of co-signers is available on the Web at http://www.clergyformarriage.com/declaration.
Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference
The Resolution on Human Sexuality, which was supported by the Baltimore Washington Area Reconciling Methodists and was endorsed by MMUMC, passed June 6 (with amendments).
Links:
Gaychurch.org is a web site dedicated to ministering to the gay Christian community and to the friends of our community.
