United Methodist Church in Denver celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusivity
DENVER (KDVR) — Leaders of the United Methodist Church recently voted to remove bans on same-sex marriages and LGBTQ clergy members.
Members of the congregation at Christ Church United Methodist in Denver said their church had already been accepting for years before these changes were made. But now that it’s official, they’re excited to step into the future.
Reverend Emily Flemming announced the changes to her congregation last Sunday, a moment more than 50 years in the making. The church’s book of discipline no longer has discriminatory practices or language against the LGBTQ+ community.
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“Like, homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching or ordained clergy may not be self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” explains Flemming.
Flemming said the changes to the church are largely thanks to a split within the church that happened over the last couple of years, with more conservative Methodist churches disaffiliating from the denomination to create their own. The changes were made by the United Methodist Church’s governing body at a conference held every four years.
These are changes Flemming has advocated for for decades.
“Every four years, those of us who believe in full inclusion have fought and prayed and hoped and worked and failed,” she said.
Jere Havis remembers first stepping into Christ Church two years ago. As a gay man, he said the idea of church terrified him.
“I never thought I’d be in a church and feel accepted,” he remembers feeling.
Cheryl Evermore, a transgender member of Christ Church, felt the same when she first attended. But both soon found a home.
“It was indescribably wonderful,” said Evermore. “It was such a peace.”
“I didn’t feel like I had to change who I was and they didn’t want me to change who I was,” said Havis.
Evermore and Havis both had the same reaction to the church’s changes: It’s about time.
“I, you know, was just, really?” said Evermore. “I thought we were already there.”
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Same-sex married couples in the church are now able to drop any lingering fears, as well.
“To know there was still, this church still questioned the validity of their marriage all these years later, I know it means a lot to them,” said Evermore.
While Flemming said some at Christ United are still unsure about the changes, she believes it’s a chance to move the church in a modern direction.
“Even though we don’t think alike, we might love alike,” said Flemming. “That’s what John Wesley said.”
A chance that Havis believes can be life-changing for people just like him.
“It’s worth taking a chance on,” said Havis.
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