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"This decision was not without consequences. One long-time church officer openly expressed disapproval and departed, not angrily, but firmly, and a few others who left may also have done so for the same reason. Their presence was missed, their departure regretted. But Dumbarton's decision also led to gaining new church members over the ensuing years, and enabled other long-term congregational members to "come out," to declare their sexual orientation to the congregation, without fear of rejection, knowing that they would be fully accepted and supported." (from Many Witnesses: A History of Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Chapter 18: Irresistible Visions by Francis Stevens, page 425.)
Journey to Reconciliation
Dumbarton is a reconciling community, affirming the Gospel call to be in ministry with people of all nations, races, sexual orientations, ages and physical conditions. We want all people to feel welcome here.
We are a small congregation (100 pledging units), which draws from the entire metropolitan area. We already had a strong social action focus, having recently voted to join the Sanctuary movement and assist a Salvadoran refugee. At the time there were no openly gay or lesbian members of the congregation.
In the Fall of 1985, at the request of Mid-Atlantic Affirmation, the church’s Administrative Board approved consideration of the Reconciling Congregation Program (RCP). In the spring of 1986, a small Task Force began meeting. "Despite Dumbarton's well-established liberal, activist tradition, and despite the church's well-earned reputation for radicalism, the Reconciling Task Force proceeded with deliberation." (from Many Witnesses: A History of Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Chapter 18: Irresistible Visions by Francis Stevens, page 423.)
At the annual conclave in the fall of 1986, the congregation approved the Task Force’s proposal for a deliberate process of study and dialogue. Which consisted of the following elements.
Adult Education Series
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Presentation by a sex educator.
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Discussions with members of Christ UMC, who had already become a Reconciling Congregation.
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Several gay and lesbian Christians shared their relationship with the church.
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Viewed Brian McNaught's video On Being Gay.
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At parents’ requests, an additional meeting scheduled with the sex educator was held.
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Biblical issues regarding sexuality discussed.
Sermon Series
One sermon each month was themed to promote our study and dialogue.
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Mississippian drew connections between civil rights activism in the 1960s and the need to overcome oppression of lesbians/gays.
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An MMC pastor, formerly a UMC clergyperson, preached.
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The District Superintendent preached and was followed by a dialogue with the congregation.
Committee Meetings
Task Force invited 10-12 members to serve as facilitators, who were chosen for their openness to the topic and ability not to impose their own views.
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Half-day training sessions were held for facilitators, who were then assigned in pairs as liaisons to our committees.
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All committees set aside one of their fall meetings to participate in a structured discussion, including worship/meditation, experiential exercises, reactions to a draft statement which had been prepared by the Task Force in order to focus dialogue.
Newsletter
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Articles related to the consideration of the RCP appeared in the newsletter.
Revision of Statement
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Facilitators brought reactions, themes of discussion in the various committees. Proposed statement was substantially revised on the basis of feedback (pulling back from activists language to journey language). The revised statement/proposal was circulated prior to the congregational meeting at which it was to be discussed.
In February 1987, at a well-attended meeting, DUMC congregation voted nearly unanimously to accept the statement and join the RCP.
| As one of annual celebrations DUMC recognizes the anniversaries of our decision to become a reconciling congregation. |