Affirming churches in the greater DC area

[Anonymous]

The majority of the United Methodist Churches in the DC metropolitan region are "reconciling" churches which is the language used for churches that support all sexualities. They allow LGBTQ+ clergy, allow LGBTQ+ marriages and invite all to the table for all services including communion.

Right now, the UMC in the US are starting to splinter off. Those who believe in "traditional" doctrine will be leaving. Most of those churches will join a new entity called the Global Methodist Church. Right now approximately 6% (1800) of the roughly 30K UMC churches in the US have opted to leave in 2023. The majority of those (about 60%) are in Texas. That said, the Baltimore-Washington Conference has delayed the transition (e.g. the split) until 2024. So, those churches who want to leave UMC for GMC will not be able to do so until Spring 2024.

But you can check any UMC and see if they are traditional or reconciling. As I said, the majority of the churches in this region are reconciling.

[Anonymous]

St Columba’s Episcopal in Tenley Town NW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering about what it means if a church/parish is Catholic and designated “affirming?” Do they hold a different view on administering sacraments, specifically marriage?

In my experience they do not perform gay marriage as a sacrament but do bless gay marriages if asked. I am Catholic and think this is bare crumbs but it’s something. I have gay friends who consider themselves Catholic and this is meaningful to them, as is Pope Francis’ recent outreach to LGBTQ communities.

I believe if the Church as a whole does not move on this, it will collapse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The majority of the United Methodist Churches in the DC metropolitan region are "reconciling" churches which is the language used for churches that support all sexualities. They allow LGBTQ+ clergy, allow LGBTQ+ marriages and invite all to the table for all services including communion.

Right now, the UMC in the US are starting to splinter off. Those who believe in "traditional" doctrine will be leaving. Most of those churches will join a new entity called the Global Methodist Church. Right now approximately 6% (1800) of the roughly 30K UMC churches in the US have opted to leave in 2023. The majority of those (about 60%) are in Texas. That said, the Baltimore-Washington Conference has delayed the transition (e.g. the split) until 2024. So, those churches who want to leave UMC for GMC will not be able to do so until Spring 2024.

But you can check any UMC and see if they are traditional or reconciling. As I said, the majority of the churches in this region are reconciling.

Just so I understand, are you saying to wait until 2024 because we don’t know what’s going to happen? Thx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St Columba’s Episcopal in Tenley Town NW.

Thank you this is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Will reiterate most Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations in the DC area are welcoming (they're called Reconciled in Christ congregations). Augustana (V St & New Hampshire, NW) has a historically larger gay population. Christ Lutheran (at Gallatin & 16th NW) has a smaller queer community but is very welcoming and diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering about what it means if a church/parish is Catholic and designated “affirming?” Do they hold a different view on administering sacraments, specifically marriage?

In my experience they do not perform gay marriage as a sacrament but do bless gay marriages if asked. I am Catholic and think this is bare crumbs but it’s something. I have gay friends who consider themselves Catholic and this is meaningful to them, as is Pope Francis’ recent outreach to LGBTQ communities.

I believe if the Church as a whole does not move on this, it will collapse.

“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

[Anonymous]

What does affirming mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St Columba’s Episcopal in Tenley Town NW.

Thank you this is very helpful.

You are welcome.

St Columba’s is a large vibrant church with a lot of age diversity and increasing general diversity. There are several church leaders (priest and lay) who are gay. There are parish members who are gay with children and who are fully welcomed. St Cs welcomes and celebrates same sex marriages as equal to straight marriages and both are treated as sacred. There is a parent support group for parents of GTLBQ kids/ youth.

There is always a lot going on and people tend to care about social Justice/ living faith in practical as well as spiritual ways.

Best wishes finding the best faith community fit for you.

[Anonymous]

St Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal at 16th and Newton in DC

[Anonymous]

Try All Souls off of Connecticut in NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try All Souls off of Connecticut in NW DC.

Unless there’s another I’m not familiar with:

All Souls is a Unitarian church off 16th Street NW.
All Saints is an Episcopal church off Connecticut Ave on Chevy Chase Circle, technically in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does affirming mean? Will they perfrom same sex marriages?

we are a gay couple and got married at our Episcopal Church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The majority of the United Methodist Churches in the DC metropolitan region are "reconciling" churches which is the language used for churches that support all sexualities. They allow LGBTQ+ clergy, allow LGBTQ+ marriages and invite all to the table for all services including communion.

Right now, the UMC in the US are starting to splinter off. Those who believe in "traditional" doctrine will be leaving. Most of those churches will join a new entity called the Global Methodist Church. Right now approximately 6% (1800) of the roughly 30K UMC churches in the US have opted to leave in 2023. The majority of those (about 60%) are in Texas. That said, the Baltimore-Washington Conference has delayed the transition (e.g. the split) until 2024. So, those churches who want to leave UMC for GMC will not be able to do so until Spring 2024.

But you can check any UMC and see if they are traditional or reconciling. As I said, the majority of the churches in this region are reconciling.

Just so I understand, are you saying to wait until 2024 because we don’t know what’s going to happen? Thx

No. You don't have to wait. UMC churches that re accepting are listed as "reconciling" churches right now. Virtually all of the affirming churches will include that language on their web-sites and other information about their church. UMC churches that are not affirming, will call themselves "traditional" churches.

However, the separation has begun. The only point about 2024 is that in 2024, the traditional churches will most likely no longer be UMC churches, but will become GMC churches. The reconciling churches will remain UMC.

[Anonymous]

Christ Congregational in Silver

https://www.cccsilverspring.org/