A Message from our Leadership Team
In response to recent events within the United Methodist Church, the Leadership Team of FUMC has issued this statement:
The United Methodist Church recently made national headlines for trying and convicting a Pennsylvania pastor named Frank Schaefer in church court for the crime of blessing the same same-sex marriage of his own son in Massachusetts in 2007. We were dismayed to hear of this decision, for it is antithetical to the Gospel message of love, tolerance and inclusion that our church seeks to foster in every aspect of our congregational life and mission.
At this historical moment, as our denomination grapples with an issue that has caused significant rancor nationally, we feel it is important to state before you, our neighbors, that our church welcomes, affirms, and values all people of all sexual orientations and gender identities as children created equally in the image of God.
Our commitment to the inclusion of LGBT people is grounded in Gospel obedience and is carried out in words and action throughout the life of our church. Two years ago, we voted overwhelmingly to join the United Methodist Church’s reconciling movement, which strives to “transform our church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.”
The reconciling statement we adopted reads in part that “our faith compels us to accept nothing less than the human rights of all people,” and that we “commit ourselves to actively work to effect changes within the United Methodist Church which encourage the full inclusion of all people in the life of our church and denomination.”
Before each of our Sunday services, you will hear words that welcome everyone to worship, “no matter who you love, or who loves you.”
During this difficult time for our denomination, we at First United Methodist will continue to do our best to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and welcome everyone through our doors.
In light of the continuing struggle over LGBT inclusion, we would especially invite anyone who has faced discrimination and rejection on account of their sexual orientation or gender expression to join us on Sunday mornings at our beautiful church at 645 Main St. We also invite you to visit our website, fumcmelrose.com, where you will find our complete reconciling statement and get a sense of what our church is about.
At First United Methodist Church, you will find a community of Christians striving to love their neighbors as themselves—and you are our beloved neighbor, no matter who you are, who you love, or who loves you.
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/opinions/letters/x1829416147/Letter-Local-church-calls-for-LGBT-acceptance#ixzz2nvxF5ypb
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