Dear Siblings in Christ,

The past few days have not gone as hoped. To be very succinct: in seeking for justice and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in The United Methodist Church, we failed.

That said, no legislative body has the power to limit God’s grace. God is God and the church is not. God is love, and the church can’t stop God’s love.

In this case, the church does not speak for God. Not only that, but the church is standing in God’s way.

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady will continue to welcome, include, celebrate, love, and empower people who are LGBTQIA+ as God’s beloved people, because it is true. We have noticed that God loves diversity, and that’s why people and creation are so diverse. We stand on the side of love, and we will ALWAYS stand on the side of love.

You are a beloved child of God, beautiful and precious in God’s sight.

This church will keep workings towards justice for all of God’s people, including LGBTQIA+ people, and we will not stop until justice is found. We are coming home with some new ideas about that… but planning is for another day. Today is a day to grieve for the blindness and harm done by the denomination, and to care for each other in our pain.

May God be with us, and may the Spirit guide us.

In God’s Love,
Sara