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.
United Methodist Clergy for Marriage Equality - Palm Sunday Service
4 p.m. Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church
As a witness of our support, the United Methodist Clergy for Marriage Equality will be holding a service of worship on Sunday, March 28 at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC at 4 PM, and invite all people to be part of that celebration. The church is easily accessible by metro at Metro Center, Mt. Vernon, and Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stations, and underground parking is available.
Marriage Equality and the Church
On Wednesday, March 3, The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, which permits same-sex couples to marry in the District of Columbia, took effect. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill into law December 18, 2009. The law provides equal rights for same-sex couples to marry in DC and preserves the right of clergy and congregations to adhere to their faiths. Because the passage of same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia creates new possibilities and new questions for our congregation, the clergy of the parish and the Advocacy Team have planned a number of learning and discussion events related to the subject of same-sex marriage and the church. Dr. Parker held open discussion with Metropolitan’s church leaders on February 2 and with the congregation on March 2, sharing, that he will perform same-sex marriages at Metropolitan for members of our congregation. A third discussion will be held on May 16. Our discussions provided participants with the opportunity for thoughtful discernment and discussion on the issue of marriage equality, and the effect Dr. Parker’s decision will have on Metropolitan, in light of United Methodist Church law. Our congregation is invited to enter this time of discussion, dialogue, and discernment prayerfully and with open hearts as we seek to live into our calling as a reconciling congregation to affirm and welcome the full participation of GLBT persons in the ministry of the church. Please plan to be present for our upcoming events.
Sunday, April 18 -
Film Screening and Discussion - 12:30 p.m., Great Hall
All are welcome to attend a screening and discussion of the film, Incompatible with Christian Teaching, which was produced by Anne Brown. The screening, which will be hosted by the Advocacy Ministry team, will provide participants the opportunity for thoughtful discernment and discussion on the issue of United Methodist doctrine pertaining to homosexuality including marriage equality. Throughout 2010, the film will be screened at 17 United Methodist churches and theological seminaries nationwide. Refreshments will be provided.
Sunday, May 16 -
Discussion with Dr. Parker - 12:30 p.m. — Great Hall
All are welcome to attend a discussion with Dr. Parker. The event, which will be hosted by the Advocacy Ministry team, provides the opportunity for thoughtful discernment and discussion on the marriage equality issue. Lunch will be provided.
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.
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.
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
Links:
Gaychurch.org is a web site dedicated to ministering to the gay Christian community and to the friends of our community.
