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 Ann Michel
Reconciling Ministries Update
Love Your Neighbor
The Common Witness coalition -- MFSA, RMN and Affirmation -- are preparing for next year's UMC General Conference and asks United Methodists who believe in full equality for LGBT people in the life of the church to sign its statement. To add your name click here.
2012 Reconciling Group Meetings
Beginning Sunday, January 29
The Reconciling group is planning a series of bi-monthly meetings on the fourth Sunday at 1 p.m. The first meeting is January 29. Activities being discussed include: participation in B-WARM (Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists), participation in the GLBT Pride Festival and Parade, Reconciling Sunday, marching in the Palisades Independence Day Parade. We also welcome other strategies for increasing Metropolitan's presence on this issue. For more information, please contact Kerm Towler, or Suzanne Forsyth.
Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish
Marches at the 2011 DC Pride Parade
Members of our community of faith joined hands with other members of the United Methodist Reconciling Congregations of the District of Columbia and marched in the 2011 DC Pride Parade. Those marching included members from Dumbarton, Capitol Hill, Foundry, Mt. Vernon, Metropolitan Memorial and Wesley. Below is a reflection by Kerm Towler about his experience marching in the parade.
Kerm Towler: After helping Pat House and Bob Benn set up the sanctuary for Pentacost Sunday, I took a short nap and then made my way to the kick-off site for the 2011 Pride Parade. While I knew that Laurie Hughes and I would be there, I was pleased to find Beverly Fleming there as well. Sarah Ousley, Jim Pollock, Margaret Ososky, Ina Morgan, Kate Murphey, Brian, Heidi, and Cymia represented Wesley UMC. Afterwards, in good United Methodist fashion, we broke bread and got to know each other a bit more.
While it is wonderful to walk down the street and hear people scream, "Yeah Methodists!!" - something that seems so surreal in some ways - and we all enjoyed the experience as we waved at the crowd - I think there is a theological lesson in the experience. It is about evangelism. We are marching for the GLBT community and its allies, when those same people know the larger institution doesn't care about them.
Every time that the Judicial Council hands down another decision that states that GLBT folks don't matter, aren't welcome as members, shouldn't be ordained and get married or be married by our clergy, it undermines the work of so many others in the denomination. Sadly, their proclamations are reported in the mass media and the general public are left with the impression all United Methodists are equally unwelcoming.
The words to a Shaker tune present the theological conflict succinctly:
More, Love; More Love
If ye love not each other in daily communion,
How can ye love God, whom ye have not seen?
The Heavens are blessing, the angels are calling,
O Zion, more Love!
In marching, we made the following witness:
1. Being a part of the GLBT community and being religious are not mutually exclusive. Before the parade I found myself in a conversation with an immigrant Korean man who had to leave his Korean Presbyterian congregation because being gay meant ipso facto that he was a sinner AND that he would never enter heaven.
2. The religious community really does wish to realize the community of the beloved and we value the contributions of the GLBT community in manifesting that dream.
3. Reconciling congregations will not stigmatize the friends and family of GLBT folks.
4. We make it easier for other congregations and ministries to "join the parade."
5. Despite the wishes of those on the "other side of the aisle", we will not go quietly into the dark on this issue.
I look forward to seeing you all next year for an even larger turn-out!
Links:
Gaychurch.org is a web site dedicated to ministering to the gay Christian community and to the friends of our community.
