Statement of Inclusiveness

Regarding all children of God

THE NEED

Each child of God is a unique creation. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ face public and private rejection by their families and communities of Christians. Fellow Christians are judged by their peers and not always accepted and welcomed into faith communities because of their individuality.

OUR BELIEFS

The congregation of St. Timothys United Methodist Church believes in celebrating God's gifts. We do not all have the same gifts, nor do we all wish to be the same. We do, however, feel it is important to respect all brothers and sisters in Christ, and in doing so respect their individualities even though they may differ from our personal ideology. We feel that our Lord is the only one who has the right to judge our fellow human beings.

OUR COMMITMENT

Because we are a congregation built upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, we embrace the opportunities to live as courageously and lovingly as He instructed. We are, therefore, committed to recognizing and responding to the needs of all God's children in our community, particularly those who seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We love them no less than we would love our Lord and Savior, were He to come and walk among us. In this endeavor, we make a conscious decision to reject our own fears and any public condemnation.

Our house is a Christian lighthouse. As such, we provide a beacon of love and acceptance to all persons, including those who have encountered impassable storms in their efforts to navigate to God. This calling is our holy challenge and privilege, and shall be a blessing upon us all.

OUR INTENTIONS

We feel that St. Timothys UMC is an open, loving, and caring congregation, ready to accept all who wish to celebrate and grow in God's love. With this statement we will proclaim this unending love to the community, reaching out to all, even those who have not always been accepted in other places of worship. We intend this to not be an idle statement, but one that is actively lived out in our everyday lives.

SPECIFICALLY

In addition to fulfilling other commitments of our mission, the congregation of St. Timothys United Methodist Church will:

1. Incorporate into our programs and policies - to the degree allowed by United Methodist discipline--inclusive language and practices that affirm our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.
2. Make clear to the community at large that we welcome all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, as loved and loving members of our congregation.
3. Educate ourselves about the lives and issues of gay and lesbian persons.
4. Support the same guaranteed civil protections for homosexuals as for heterosexuals.
5. Educate ourselves about our own gifts of loving sexuality.