May 9, 2016 Volume XXVI, No. 5 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
METROPOLITAN CHURCH
A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
Reconciling Sunday - Sunday, June 5 Featuring Guest Preacher, Rev. Matthew Berryman
2016 General Conference Stay Informed!
As General Conference approaches, Reconciling Ministry Network volunteers will join with others from the Love Your Neighbor Coalition to offer hospitality and engage in dialog with delegates who will have to decide how the denomination will move forward. Votes will be taken on whether or not and how the church will continue to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer members and clergy. Follow what happens at umc. org/who-we-are/every-unitedmethodist-can-be-part-ofgeneral-conference-2016.
Save the Date - June 11 DC Pride Parade
Join us at the DC Pride Parade for a fun time, and an opportunity to march with other Reconciling United Methodists from around the Capital Area. Plan to gather at our assigned area between 2pm and 3pm. We’ll supply the beads! Details to follow. See you there!
Reconciling Sunday is our yearly celebration of having joined the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). On June 1, 2008, Metropolitan Memorial proclaimed its commitment to welcome and include LGBT persons stating, “Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church affirms that all individuals are of sacred worth without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, marital circumstances, economic status, physical and mental condition, or criminal history. We declare ourselves in support of the reconciling movement and welcome the full participation in the church of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered persons and their families, as a reflection of God’s unconditional love.” In so doing, Metropolitan became a part of RMN, which was founded in 1982 to “develop a program in which local churches will declare their support for the concerns of lesbians and gay men.” The need for such an organization in the United Methodist Church developed both from the emerging gay rights movement, and from opposition many in the denomination had to the language adopted at the 1972 General Conference stating, “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian Teaching.” In the intervening years, additions were made to the Discipline that flowed from this statement, specifically, denying ordination of “practicing homosexuals” and restricting clergy from conducting same gender marriage ceremonies, or permitting their sanctuaries to be used for such ceremonies. Both Metropolitan Memorial and Wesley congregations joined RMN to affirm the sacred worth of all persons, and to commit to undoing the harm caused by the denomination’s policies in regard to human sexuality. Our commitment to RMN intensified with Frank Schaefer’s trial in the fall of 2013, and our adoption of the “Stop the Trials” motto, which was proclaimed on banners at United Methodist churches across the city. Reconciling Methodists at Metropolitan Memorial and Foundry then spearheaded Catching Fire, a benefit concert hosted at Metropolitan Memorial that raised over $25,000 for RMN. This year, we welcome guest preacher, Rev. Matthew Berryman, Executive Director of RMN. Rev. Berryman received a B.A. from the University of South Carolina and a M.Div. from Emory University, and studied law at Florida Coastal School. Since becoming Executive Director, Rev. Berryman has led the organization through a period of intense growth, galvanized by dismay as clergy were defrocked after being tried for being gay or for conducting same gender marriage ceremonies. The strategic decision to focus organizing effort in the South East and South Central Jurisdictions has resulted in massive growth in the number of Reconciling Congregations, Campus Ministries and Communities which have committed to this work. There are now over 700 congregations supporting RMN, including 12 who joined in April, 2016! Rev. Berryman’s visit with us will be within weeks of the conclusion of the 2016 General Conference (GC). So, we can be sure that Matt will have much to share with us about the progress made at GC, and will celebrate our history together, while challenging us to the continued work ahead, as we seek to “transform the world by living out the Gospel’s teachings of grace, love, justice and inclusion for all of God’s children.” See you there! Blessings, Ellen Bachman
Pentecost, Sunday, May 15 — One service at 10am!
We will celebrate Pentecost with a joint worship service at Metropolitan Memorial! It will be a glorious day of music with offerings from Dayspring, Chancel and Wesley Gospel choirs. New members will be joining from both Wesley and Metropolitan Memorial and Rev. Kate Payton will offer the message. Following worship the new Hospitality Team will be hosting a “Party on the Plaza” with time to visit with friends. See you there and wear red!