Reconciling Ministries Updates:

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The Church Conference that had been delayed due to the pandemic has been scheduled for Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 10:30 am. The purpose of this Church Conference is to vote on whether The United Methodist Church of West Chester will become a Reconciling Congregation. All full members who are present will be able to vote.

If we become a Reconciling Congregation we will welcome and provide a safe place for all persons regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We will also welcome persons regardless of race, age, ability, national origin, education, class, or economic status.

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If the United Methodist Church of West Chester votes to become a Reconciling Church community, this is the proposed reconciling statement created by the Reconciling Ministries Team:

 

All are welcome in this place! The vision of The United Methodist Church of West Chester is to build a spiritual home where you are family. We want to be a Christian community that invites everyone to know, love, and serve God. We are a family that truly cares about and for one another. As beloved children of God, we are all worthy of God’s love. The United Methodist Church of West Chester affirms our belief that all persons are created in God’s image and are of sacred worth and that no one is incompatible with the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. We strive to live like Christ, welcoming and affirming all people, regardless of race, age, ability, national origin, education, class, economic status, sexual orientation, or gender expression. We welcome all to fully and actively participate in all aspects of ministry and the life of our congregation. We acknowledge the pain caused by exclusion and discrimination in the church and society. We therefore commit to cultivate inclusive love and intentional hospitality. We hope to embody our values as brothers and sisters in Christ encouraging everyone to share in our life-long faith journey.

 

We currently do welcome all persons who come to UMCWC. By becoming a Reconciling Congregation we will let people outside the church know that we do. We would become a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network. 

For more information speak to Rev. Rounsley or Rev. Brooks or a member of the Reconciling Ministries Team.
 

Video, An Act of Love
The Reconciling Ministries Team held a video screening, An Act of Love, "a documentary about the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister who risked it all for his gay son." For more information on the film, go to  https://www.anactoflovefilm.com/

 

Bishop Wilke's Remarks on Reconciling Ministries
The Reconciling Ministries Team shared a video by Bishop Wilke, A Plea to The United Methodist Church and hosted a small group discussion. You can watch Bishop Wilke's remarks below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reconciling Ministries Speaker

We thank Mrs. Betsy Diemer, the Head of the Reconciling Ministry Committee at Aldersgate UMC who spoke to us about her church’s experience as they became a Reconciling Congregation. 

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Reconciling Ministries Letter Mailed to Congregation

The Reconciling Ministries Team hopes you have read the letter sent recently about our church's process to become a Reconciling Congregation, as well as the moving letter from retired Bishop Richard Wilke. In a letter dated August 21, 2019, Bishop Wilke, a respected retired bishop, and author of the Disciple Bible Study, addressed his journey regarding the issue of homosexuality and same-sex marriage and the concerns he has for The United Methodist Church. You can watch a video of Bishop Wilke on the issue here. 

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