United Methodist Speaks Out for Full Inclusion
By Ann Perrone
By now everyone knows about First United Methodist Church of Germantown and our support of our defrocked openly lesbian minister, but not many people know how the church became a Reconciling Congregation many years before. It has to have been 20 or more years ago.
After many "house conversations" — small groups discussing what it would mean to support GLBT persons as fully included in all levels of the church — the vote came down to a congregational meeting. There were still many people who were conflicted. Steve, an openly gay young man who was answering the call to ministry, had grown up in our church. Someone finally clarified the discussion by announcing, "A vote to exclude gays would be a vote to exclude Steve!"
A palpable murmur went up and the matter was settled. We voted for full inclusion.
Nov. 14, 2005
Related Links:
• Extreme Hope: Rev. Irene "Beth" Stroud, First United Methodist Church, Germantown, Pa., Oct. 23, 2005
