LGBTQ

What We Believe

We believe that all people are created with sacred worth. We welcome all persons regardless of race, gender, age, physical disability, and sexual orientation to join us on our journey with God. When we practice genuine hospitality, engage in heartfelt acts of service, and embrace the gifts of people from different backgrounds and experiences, the church becomes the authentic expression of God’s unconditional love for us all.

We believe that every human being is a beloved child of God. We believe that each human being is on a journey toward God, with God. We freely admit that we do not have all the answers. We believe that Jesus points the way. All are welcome, no exceptions.

Partnerships

Strong Family Alliance

FUMC Austin partners with Strong Family Alliance as a resource for our families. Strong Family Alliance has a simple mission – to save lives and preserve families by supporting parents and children coming out. Resources are available to help you understand what to expect and how to keep your family strong and safe. https://www.strongfamilyalliance.org/

Reconciling Ministries Network

First United Methodist Church of Austin is a proud member of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), a group of United Methodist congregations who have adopted statements welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.

As committed disciples of Jesus Christ, the Reconciling Ministries Network strives to transform the world by living out the Gospel’s teachings of grace, love, justice and inclusion for all of God’s children. Reconciling Ministries Network is committed to policy change and the creation of long-term solutions and practices that create full inclusion in The United Methodist Church and our broader society. RMN works for full equality in membership, ordination, and marriage for God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children.

RMN at FUMC

• 2002: The Adelphi Class of FUMC, by an affirmative vote of 80 percent, becomes the first Reconciling community at FUMC (declaring that we welcomed, celebrated, and would advocate for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer siblings) and the first Reconciling Sunday school class in the United States. Other classes and small groups within FUMC follow suit in subsequent years.
• 2013: The entire congregation of FUMC, by an affirmative vote of 89 percent, becomes a Reconciling church, joining the nationwide Reconciling Ministries Network.  This milestone signified publicly that FUMC is an open and welcoming church for all LGBTQ persons.
• April 17, 2016: Members of the Administrative Board adopted a resolution, consistent with our 2013 congregational vote to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network, stating that the Administrative Board desires to allow same-sex weddings to be performed on our premises, and asking our Rio Texas Conference delegates to General Conference to vote in favor of changes in the Book of Discipline that would allow local churches this option. View the Resolution
• September 24, 2017: The congregation of FUMC, in protest of the denomination’s anti-gay policies, declares by an affirmative vote of 93 percent that it will no longer perform weddings for anyone until it can offer marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples.  For more information, visit fumcaustin.org/discernment.
• May 19, 2019: The Administrative Board of FUMC unanimously adopts an “equal marriage” resolution presented to it by the task force formed to determine a path for this congregation after the harmful actions of the Called General Conference of the denomination in February 2019. The Admin Board schedules a July congregational vote on the policy.
• July 14, 2019: The congregation of FUMC, in light of recent denominational actions that double-down on discrimination, declares by an affirmative vote of 98 percent, that its facilities are now available to all couples seeking the blessing of marriage, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and that this congregation will support, including financially, any of its pastors who officiate a wedding for a same-sex couple and face punitive denominational consequences as a result of that ministry.

Community Engagement

An Act of Love Film Screening
On April 17, 2016, FUMC hosted a community event to watch the movie An Act of Love. This powerful film documents the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister, Reverend Frank Schaefer, who risked his career and identity as a UMC elder to officiate his son’s marriage to his longtime partner.

Annual Pride Interfaith Worship Service
During Pride week in August, Pride Interfaith Partnership and FUMC proudly supports and participates in an annual Pride Interfaith Celebration with help from supporting communities. The service celebrates a diversity of religious beliefs and affirms that all people, including LGBTQ and allies, are created with sacred worth. This annual event is a decades-long tradition in Austin. The Pride Interfaith Celebration offers a safe and centering space with an opening processional of local faith leaders, powerful speakers, inspiring music.

Annual Pride Parade
In August, FUMC members lace up their walking shoes and march together, proudly representing its own Reconciling congregation in the Annual Austin Pride Parade. Together, members meet for a light dinner at the Family Life Center before walking the parade together. This is a time of fellowship, fun, and support for the church’s beliefs of extending God’s love to all. We are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ.