Reconciling Ministries

 

In 1999 a dialogue began within Capitol Hill United Methodist Church about the meaning of Christian community within the church – particularly in relation to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons. After six years of research, discussion, witness, and prayer, that dialogue culminated with a “Day of Consensus” on May 21, 2005. 

 

On this day CHUMC declared itself in solidarity with GLBT persons and decided to affiliate with the Reconciling Ministry Network of the United Methodist Church:

 

 

 

Leading up to the Day of Consensus, our congregation participated in an extended period of discussion, study and prayer. An eight-week Bible study, Claiming the Promise, was offered and four panel discussions that included pastors and lay persons from Reconciling congregations in the Baltimore-Washington area were held.

 

This was an incredible journey for our congregation.  Our six-year journey toward the decision to become a Reconciling Congregation sometimes progressed steadily, at other times it crawled. 

 

We learned a lot as we shared our personal stories, cried together, laughed with one another, and we held each other up. We don’t all agree, however, and there are those among us who mourn this decision. But even as we recognize our disagreements and wonder at how long the journey took, we know that the journey toward this decision was every bit as important as the final decision. 

 

 

Today, as a member of nationwide network of 268 reconciling United Methodist churches, CHUMC’s journey continues as it seeks to live out its reconciling identity in response to issues of marriage equality.

 

In April 2010, following the D.C. City Council’s vote to legalize same sex marriage in the District of Columbia, the church embarked on another process of discernment over the issue of same sex marriage. Discussions proceeded within the church about the differences between the legal, contractual institution of marriage as facilitated by the courts, and the sacred, covenantal relationship between a couple and God as witnessed by the church.

 

The discussion within CHUMC recognizes that marriage has become the latest feature in the ongoing debate over the civil rights of GLBT persons. Despite tremendous certainty and conviction pulled down on both sides of the marriage debate, how much do people really know and understand about the history of marriage as a social institution? How much has marriage been a topic of study within churches themselves? What does the Bible say about marriage?

 

In search of answers to these questions, and as the start of further discernment on CHUMC’s response to same sex marriage, we began on a study of marriage with a Sunday sermon and Monday lecture and discussion.

 

*Audio recordings of the Monday Night Marriage Seminars and Sermons are available here.

 

 

The reconciling ministry team works to ensure that everyone who walks into the doors of our church are welcomed. We host monthly social and educational potlucks, and shout our welcome to all persons during the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride parade each year.   We are always welcome to new ideas and unique ways to declare God's love for ALL of God's children. 

 

CHUMC is also involved with the B-WARM Network, the Baltimore/Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists. B-WARM 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).

 

If you are interested in getting involved with CHUMC's reconciling ministry, please don't hesitate to email Pastor Alisa: pastorchumc.net