The church has finally committed to full inclusion and the rainbow banner is being hung. It has been an exhausting road to reach this point but I am deeply grateful to the 208 of you who stayed the course. We have secured our place at the table and now we …
April 16, 2019
Final supporters
Dear Members of the Clergy and Council of Providence United Methodist Church,
The decision made by the Special Session of the General Conference to adopt the Traditional Plan and enforce a ban on LGBTQ+ marriage and ordination directly violates our belief that all people, no matter what, are worthy of God’s unconditional love. While we understand that there is the potential for this ban to be overturned at the judicial hearing in April, we feel it is necessary to issue an immediate response expressing our disappointment and intention to fully love and accept all members of our community. We ask that you as leaders of our church help us live into our baptismal covenant to "accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves" (United Methodist Hymnal, page 34).
Regardless of the results of April’s hearing, this church will face some undoubtedly difficult decisions in the months to follow. It is our hope that we do so as a community, and with love and kindness to those who have been deeply wounded by the events of the past few days. At a minimum, we ask that you:
-Issue an immediate statement expressing our love and support of all people, and our commitment to providing a welcoming community where everyone is invited to God’s table.
-Prominently display a rainbow banner near our church entrance to express our solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
-Continue to promote and engage in dialogue with the church about how to move forward.
We believe that these actions will encourage members to express their support of establishing a more loving and just community of worship, and will lead others to see God’s love set forth in our example.
Yours in Christ,
Members of Providence United Methodist Church
Updates
March 2, 2019
Reaching this level of support is heavier than I expected because it proves how many of us are hurting. The exhaustion is still there but seeing this many people hold onto the same hope keeps me moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
March 2, 2019
46 Comments
I gladly sign this petition. Of all places in our society, certainly God's church should be welcoming and accepting of all His children.
I believe in basic human rights for all. I will not be able to continue supporting a church that endorses discrimination toward any of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I do not want to leave my church, and so I urge the “powers that be” to right this wrong ASAP!
I am sickened by the UMC GC decision. But I am equally proud that Providence UMC is willing to state publicly that this decision is WRONG.
The UMC says it supports open hearts, open minds, open doors, but the Traditional Plan does not. I love PUMC and our inclusivity!
A point of clarification: This was NOT written in anger, not towards our church or Traditionalists. Pastors Randy and Cole have both stated in church that all are welcome at Providence. My hope is that we can make that statement more visible and apparent to anyone who may wonder where we stand. This petition is NOT asking for us to denounce the ban, only to support the LGBT community and guide our church forward in productive conversation. Thank you all for signing and sharing!
Although I am not a very religious person, support of the LGBTQ+ community is one of my biggest passions. I gladly signed this petition as I believe that this lovely community has absolutely no right to be discriminated against so violently. I hope this petition significantly exceeds it signature goal.
Well put, Karen. Thank you for continuing the discussion.
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The church has finally committed to full inclusion and the rainbow banner is being hung. It has been an exhausting road to reach this point but I am deeply grateful to the 208 of you who stayed the course. We have secured our place at the table and now we …
April 16, 2019
Final supporters
Dear Members of the Clergy and Council of Providence United Methodist Church,
The decision made by the Special Session of the General Conference to adopt the Traditional Plan and enforce a ban on LGBTQ+ marriage and ordination directly violates our belief that all people, no matter what, are worthy of God’s unconditional love. While we understand that there is the potential for this ban to be overturned at the judicial hearing in April, we feel it is necessary to issue an immediate response expressing our disappointment and intention to fully love and accept all members of our community. We ask that you as leaders of our church help us live into our baptismal covenant to "accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves" (United Methodist Hymnal, page 34).
Regardless of the results of April’s hearing, this church will face some undoubtedly difficult decisions in the months to follow. It is our hope that we do so as a community, and with love and kindness to those who have been deeply wounded by the events of the past few days. At a minimum, we ask that you:
-Issue an immediate statement expressing our love and support of all people, and our commitment to providing a welcoming community where everyone is invited to God’s table.
-Prominently display a rainbow banner near our church entrance to express our solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
-Continue to promote and engage in dialogue with the church about how to move forward.
We believe that these actions will encourage members to express their support of establishing a more loving and just community of worship, and will lead others to see God’s love set forth in our example.
Yours in Christ,
Members of Providence United Methodist Church
Updates
March 2, 2019
Reaching this level of support is heavier than I expected because it proves how many of us are hurting. The exhaustion is still there but seeing this many people hold onto the same hope keeps me moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
March 2, 2019
46 Comments
How can we still proclaim "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" after a decision such as this? I still hope for a better resolution.
I gladly sign this petition. Of all places in our society, certainly God's church should be welcoming and accepting of all His children.
I believe in basic human rights for all. I will not be able to continue supporting a church that endorses discrimination toward any of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I do not want to leave my church, and so I urge the “powers that be” to right this wrong ASAP!
I am sickened by the UMC GC decision. But I am equally proud that Providence UMC is willing to state publicly that this decision is WRONG.
The UMC says it supports open hearts, open minds, open doors, but the Traditional Plan does not. I love PUMC and our inclusivity!
A point of clarification: This was NOT written in anger, not towards our church or Traditionalists. Pastors Randy and Cole have both stated in church that all are welcome at Providence. My hope is that we can make that statement more visible and apparent to anyone who may wonder where we stand. This petition is NOT asking for us to denounce the ban, only to support the LGBT community and guide our church forward in productive conversation. Thank you all for signing and sharing!
Although I am not a very religious person, support of the LGBTQ+ community is one of my biggest passions. I gladly signed this petition as I believe that this lovely community has absolutely no right to be discriminated against so violently. I hope this petition significantly exceeds it signature goal.
Well put, Karen. Thank you for continuing the discussion.
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How can we still proclaim "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" after a decision such as this? I still hope for a better resolution.