Foundry's LGBT Advocacy Ministry Team is working to make the United Methodist Church more inclusive of all people, especially LGBT. The Ministry Team is developing strategies leading up to the United Methodist Church General Conference in 2012. If you are interested in working with this team or helping in our activities, please contact Matt Mustard, Coordinator for LGBT Advocacy at mmustard@foundryumc.org. The Ministry Team's next meeting is on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. in Foundry's Conference Room. New participants are welcome. Contact Matt Mustard for more information.
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THANK YOU!! to all who attended and supported our kick-off Fundraising Reception on June 5th! A special thanks to Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Store on 14th Street for hosting us!!
Read an article on the Open Doors Fund from |
Open Doors Fund Following a congregation-wide vote in September 2010 that saw overwhelming support of marriage equality, Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC has launched the Open Doors Fund to promote full acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples and individuals, both lay and clergy, within the United Methodist Church denomination. Foundry UMC’s congregation hopes the fund will finance bold advocacy activities with the ultimate goal of convincing the UMC General Conference to add language to the Church Book of Discipline that would allow congregations to celebrate same gender marriages or civil unions, and delete existing, anti-gay language. The new marriage language would apply to congregations located in areas where these marriages and unions are already legally recognized. Click Here to Donate to this Fund |
Retired United Methodist Bishops Urge End to Gay Clergy Ban ~ Read their “Statement of Counsel to the Church – 2011”
Black Methodists for Church Renewal - On February 25, 2011 at its 44th Annual Meeting, Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) voted to endorse our retired bishops’ statement. Click here to read their statement and sign their petition.
Sunday, June 5th Fundraising Reception Hosts
Gold J. Max Barger of Ackerman Legal, PLLC Silver Chris Collins & Marc Carignan
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Bronze Michael Arichea & Dennis Gibson |
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Foundry's Advocacy in the News - click here
Baltimore- Washington Annual Conference Makes Progress on Inclusion It is with happiness and an outpouring of love and joy that we announce the passing of a resolution proposed by Foundry and co-sponsored by Dumbarton UMC in support of same-gender marriage by the Baltimore-Washington Conference this past weekend. In addition, the Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWARM) resolution putting our conference on record as supporting the removal of the "incompatibility clause" from the Book of Discipline passed overwhelmingly. As we celebrate these votes, we need to make sure that everyone understands that this does not change the Book of Discipline. The Book of Discipline can only be changed by General Conference which meets once every four years. It will meet next in April, 2012. These resolutions put our local Baltimore-Washington Conference on record as supporting these changes As with all aspects of our faith, change requires a searching, reflection and discernment. Our congregation benefited from our "Summer of Discernment" where we were able to discuss and reflect upon the teachings ingrained in us as children and marry those with our worldly experience and knowledge as adults. We have been privileged to have this time of discernment and we must use the experience gained to offer up support to others in the Methodist faith. Help support our newly announced Open Doors Fund where our goal is to provide a open space to speak and to be heard. To question and receive honest answers representing all United Methodists. It is now that we find ourselves at a place where we are able to help others see that this is both a civil rights and social justice issue. All people deserve the same respect and treatment as their brother or sister, and after this past weekend we are a step closer to achieving that reality. Read a Washington Post article. More information on Foundry's resolution follows...
A Resolution Allowing a Pastoral Response to Requests for Same-Gender Marriages and Civil Unions Whereas The Book of Discipline prohibits the celebration of same-gender marriages and civil unions in our churches and by our clergy; and Whereas several civil jurisdictions in the United States, to include the District of Columbia, now permit same-gender marriages or civil unions; Now therefore be it Resolved that the Baltimore-Washington Conference adopts the following resolution and recommends it to the General Conference of 2012 as an amendment to The Book of Discipline. It is Resolved that Paragraph 341.8 (Page 253) is amended by adding the underlined sentence appearing below:
Click here to read the rationale for this amendment. |
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Marriage Equality At Foundry Foundry Votes To Allow Same-Gender Marriages On Sunday, September 26, 2010, the members of Foundry United Methodist Church voted to allow same-gender marriages performed in its building, and to support any member of the Foundry clergy who chooses to celebrate a same-gender marriage at Foundry or elsewhere. The vote to adopt this policy was 367 to 8. It took place at a Church Conference duly convened under the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. The vote was preceded by a four-month-long period of discernment during which the congregation spent much time considering this policy in prayer, study, discussion and congregational conversations. The Foundry congregation believes that the consecration of committed, loving relationships is an important part of our ministry, witnessing to the joyous gifts of God’s love. As disciples of Jesus Christ living out this decision we will continue to work to deepen our faith, engage as Christian community, and transform the world through service and witness. We welcome all to join us in fulfilling this call. To read the Marriage Equality Proposal that was passed by a congregational vote of 367-8 To read the Special Edition of the Forge regarding the Vote and the Summer of Great Discernment On Sept. 27th, Bishop Schol responded to the congregation's vote in a letter sent to all clergy and lay delegates of the churches of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Read the Bishop's letter and the response of Foundry's Congregational Council.
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