In 1972, the United Methodist denomination began adding discrimination toward LGBTQ people into its official law book, known as the Book of Discipline. These restrictions are founded upon harmful stereotypes and negative sexual ethics, rather than sound theology and Biblical study. First & Summerfield has long been a part of movements of resistance to these kinds of harmful church statements and policies.

Beginning in 1977, First UMC (which later merged into First & Summerfield) provided a home to the Metropolitan Community Church in New Haven, a faith community largely made up of LGBTQ individuals and leaders. Since the mid-1990’s, First & Summerfield has also been a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a community of United Methodist Churches around the world that have declared themselves to be openly welcoming of LGBTQ individuals and families.

Leaders of the church were involved in the creation of our local Reconciling organization known as Methodists in New Directions, which initiated the Covenant of Conscience, of which First & Summerfield is one of the first congregational signers. The final line of the Covenant, in direct defiance of United Methodist law, reads: “We, United Methodist congregations, refuse to discriminate in the sacraments and rituals provided to our members and pledge the full and equal use of our facilities as we welcome and celebrate equally all couples and the families they may choose to create.”

We continue to pray, act, and protest for a larger Christian church that is faithful to Christ’s call to center those on the margins, including LGBTQ people of every race, socio-economic status, nationality, and ability.In 1972, the United Methodist denomination began adding discrimination toward LGBTQ people into its official law book, known as the Book of Discipline. These restrictions are founded upon harmful stereotypes and negative sexual ethics, rather than sound theology and Biblical study. First & Summerfield has long been a part of movements of resistance to these kinds of harmful church statements and policies.

Beginning in 1977, First UMC (which later merged into First & Summerfield) provided a home to the Metropolitan Community Church in New Haven, a faith community largely made up of LGBTQ individuals and leaders. Since the mid-1990’s, First & Summerfield has also been a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a community of United Methodist Churches around the world that have declared themselves to be openly welcoming of LGBTQ individuals and families.

Leaders of the church were involved in the creation of our local Reconciling organization known as Methodists in New Directions, which initiated the Covenant of Conscience, of which First & Summerfield is one of the first congregational signers. The final line of the Covenant, in direct defiance of United Methodist law, reads: “We, United Methodist congregations, refuse to discriminate in the sacraments and rituals provided to our members and pledge the full and equal use of our facilities as we welcome and celebrate equally all couples and the families they may choose to create.”

We continue to pray, act, and protest for a larger Christian church that is faithful to Christ’s call to center those on the margins, including LGBTQ people of every race, socio-economic status, nationality, and ability.