Reconciling
Ministries
In 2023, Calvary UMC became a reconciling congregation and joined the Reconciling Ministries Network. As a reconciling congregation, we welcome EVERYONE to worship with us and participate in the ministries of our church.
As a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, we join with others in the United Methodist Church individuals, covenant groups, and congregations, committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist connection, working for the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people throughout the life and leadership of the Church. For information about Reconciling Ministries visit their website.
Our Reconciling Statement
“We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.”
Calvary Votes to Join Reconciling Ministry Network
At the Sunday, May 7th Congregational meeting Calvary UMC voted to join the Reconciling Ministry Network with 93.3% of the 135 Calvary members and 100% of the 18 Calvary community members (those that attend Calvary but are not yet members) voting in support. In making this decision we are making a public commitment that we are open to all and working to share the love of God with everyone in our community and in our world and especially for the LGBTQIA+ people in the United Methodist Church.
The Church Council has discussed how to move forward if the vote was in support of joining the Reconciling Ministry Network. There are currently no changes planned for Sunday worship or within the Sanctuary or the Gathering Space. We will be communicating this decision in four ways:
A post was made on the Calvary UMC Facebook page sharing the results of our Congregational meeting.
We will become a registered member of the Reconciling Ministry Network (RMN), and listed as such on their website.
The RMN flame, shown above, will be posted on the home-page of the Calvary UMC website.
A decal of the RMN flame will be posted at the upper and lower entrance to the church.
On Sunday, we came together as a community to vote on a difficult topic. Our goal as a Church Council was to have a voting process that was clear and open to all and to go forward from the vote as a community that continues to be committed to “Live and Learn the Way of Christ”. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Pastor Drew, Pastor Gordon, or me.
Your Sibling in Christ,
John Drake, Chair Calvary UMC Church Council
More Resources
To learn more about the Reconciling Ministry Network please visit their website.
To learn more about the issue of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the church please please visit our Reconciling Resources Page