Inclusive

Human Sexuality
United Methodist clergy and lay members pray outside the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 13  for the General Conference that will take place in its halls in about six months. The United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus organized the prayer session for the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly during the Reconciling Ministries Network Convocation in Charlotte. The Rev. Austin Adkinson, pastor of Light of the Hill United Methodist Church in Puyallup, Wash., leads the prayer. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

LGBTQ advocates plan for new day in church

Reconciling Ministries Network’s 2023 Convocation looked back at the group’s 40 years of advocacy for LGBTQ United Methodists. The gathering also included time for strategizing for next year’s General Conference.
Social Concerns
Names on banners honor those who died in an arson fire on June 24, 1973, at the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans' French Quarter. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Church marks 50th anniversary of tragic fire

June 24 marked 50 years since an arson fire at the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, killed 32 people and inured 15 more. Churches across the city refused to assist with proper funerals, however, St. Mark's United Methodist Church held an open service for those affected.
Congregations
Worshippers at Market Street United Methodist Church prepare for Sunday service and Holy Communion. The new church, chartered in the North Texas Conference on March 26, was formed by United Methodists whose previous church homes disaffiliated. Forming the new church was part of their grieving process. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Eston Williams.

Trying to heal after church disaffiliation votes

The United Methodist Church’s splintering has left many feeling wounded. But churchgoers, pastors and seminary professors are finding different ways to mend after hurtful battles over church exits.
General Church
United Methodists encourage and invite worshipers to use the full range of imagery for God present in Scripture and Christian tradition. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: How do United Methodists use pronouns and names for God and for people?

United Methodists invite worshipers to use the full range of imagery for God found in Scripture and across the whole of the Christian tradition, and to avoid language for people that seems to imply males are the norm.

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