Fairlington United Methodist Church proclaims without reservation God’s unconditional love and grace, and affirms the dignity and worth of every person as created in the image of God. We commit to extend Christ’s gospel hospitality, creating a place of safety and spiritual sanctuary for all people. Therefore, this community of faith welcomes into membership, participation and leadership all persons regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic background, political affiliation, physical or mental ability, faith history, or life experience. We recognize among us differences in theology and biblical interpretation, and covenant to accept, respect, and love one another along our faith journeys. As God loves us, so let us love one another.
A Reconciling Congregation is one that adopts a public statement, which can be inclusive of many people, but specifically welcomes individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. FUMC crafted and adopted a reconciling statement on February 10, 2013 that recognizes and reflects the diversity of our congregation, and extends a wide welcome that includes many individuals and groups that may not always feel welcome at church.
We are asking for second-mile gifts to the FUMC Reconciling Ministry Fund. Our Reconciling Ministry team has been active the last four years and is planning additional work as our denomination comes out of General Conference. Our balance has dropped by half in the last couple years. We haven’t asked the congregation for contributions in awhile and some of our regular givers over the years have moved away. Please take a look at this letter to the congregation for more information about the great work of our Reconciling Ministry and how it has spent funds over the last four years to support outreach, education, advocacy and visibility. Please contact Mark Elder (markuselder@gmail.com) with any questions
Fairlington UMC became a Reconciling Congregation on February 10, 2013. This vote followed a nearly two-year planning and discernment process that began in May 2011, involving numerous educational events, small group meetings, personal stories, and other congregational engagement. The final congregational vote was 94% to 6% in favor. A Reconciling Congregation is one that adopts a public statement which, while inclusive of all families and individuals, specifically welcomes persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities who face explicit discrimination in the UMC Book of Discipline, as well as other marginalized groups who often are not fully welcome in churches.
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