All are Welcome, Including Gay People, at First United Methodist Church of Western Springs

The congregation of the First United Methodist Church of Western Springs voted May 17 to approve a new welcoming statement that invites people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to the church.

The First United Methodist Church of Western Springs is a Reconciling Congregation – whatever your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic situation, background or belief, age or ability, single or partnered, you are God’s beloved and are welcome here.

The Western Springs congregation joins more than 40 churches of the Northern Illinois Conference Reconciling Methodists and more than 630 total congregations, communities and campus ministries working to end discriminatory policies and language in the denomination’s Book of Discipline, according to NIC Reconciling Methodists.

The church is also now part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization “working to include all people, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, into the full life of the church,” according to the church website.

First United Methodist Church of Western Springs began the process of becoming a reconciling congregation in the summer of 2014. Several members formed a reconciling committee to study the issue and participate in individual and group discussions.

The Western Springs church also reached out to First United Methodist of La Grange, a reconciling congregation, for advice.

“We view the vote and the welcoming statement as a first step in a new ministry,” a church statement said. “We hope you will visit and find that we are sincere when we say were are truly welcoming to all.”

Image via First United Methodist Church of Western Springs on Facebook.

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