The Current Disagreement around Human Sexuality
You may have heard the news that United Methodists are on the way to becoming Untied around questions of human sexuality: What does God's love for our LGBTQ siblings look like? Shall we have LGBTQ clergy? Shall we welcome same-gender marriages at our altars and same-sex households into our churches?
There is much to say about this, but we will say this:
The UMC of La Mirada is part of the East District of the California-Pacific Conference of the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. From our local church to the Jurisdictional leadership, we have clarity on our stance of full inclusivity. This means that words that should be spoken only with grace and love must also be spoken with the stridency of resistance:
Homosexuality is NOT incompatible with Christian teaching.
We celebrate with same-gender couples who wish to join their lives in the sanctity of Christian marriage.
We believe that the spiritual gifts of ministry are found not just in one kind of person, but in the endless varieties of people and stories that make up humankind.
We welcome everyone who is on a faith journey and have no need to single anyone out to justify their existence and relationship.
All of that having been said, many of the people in the La Mirada church are older and may stumble on pronouns and the ever-expanding vocabulary of human sexuality. We apologize in advance. Use the teachable moment or don't - as you feel led.
Like other churches in the Western Jurisdiction and the fully inclusive churches across the connection, we don't know what is going to happen next. For now, we are going to worship together, loving God with all our hearts, souls, and strength - and our neighbors as ourselves.
We see you. We accept you. We love you. We invite you to join us.