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.

Metropolitan Celebrates Reconciling Sunday

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.

Shower of Stoles Project Art Exhibition

During the month of June, the Advocacy Ministry team will host the Shower of Stoles Project in the Great Hall.

The Shower of Stoles Project is a collection of liturgical stoles representing the lives of GLBT people of faith. These religious leaders have served in 32 denominations and faith traditions, and come from 6 countries on 3 continents. The collection celebrates the gifts of GLBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting GLBT persons of faith that have been excluded from service and silenced by the Church because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  

The majority of the stoles have been sent to the collection by GLBT persons. Other stoles were made by churches to honor their GLBT members. A smaller number of the stoles are “signature stoles,” which are covered with the signatures of both gay and straight persons to honor GLBT friends.
In honor of Metropolitan’s commitment as a reconciled congregation, Metropolitan’s Prayer Shawl Ministry team made a signature stole on behalf of our congregation. This stole carries the strength, love, care and energy of the Prayer Shawl members and we thank them for this extraordinary gift. During the month of June, this stole will be hung, alongside the other stoles before being sent to the Shower of Stoles Project as part of its permanent collection.

Those interested in signing MMUMC’s stole should contact Anne Brown.

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). A full report will be included in the July Messenger.

Links:

 
Gaychurch.org is a web site dedicated to ministering to the gay Christian community and to the friends of our community.