To: 2019 General Conference of the United Methodist Church
Statement Supporting LGBTQ Inclusion in the United Methodist Church (American University)
As students, staff, faculty, alumni, and others connected to the American University community, a United Methodist-related institution, we are appealing to the 2019 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. The church has long claimed to stand for the values that all persons are of sacred worth and equal standing, which we wholeheartedly embrace. Following the lead of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC) we also strongly affirm access and inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff on our campus regardless of their race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation.
The church, once again, finds itself at a crossroads that will test the church’s commitment to justice and valuing the inherent dignity of all persons. Decisions made at the General Conference will reach far beyond the membership of the denomination and will be a public statement witnessing to the world.
As such, we call upon the leaders of the United Methodist Church at this 2019 called General Conference to live up to the values of inclusion by amending their policies and practices to affirm full inclusion in the life and ministry of the United Methodist Church of all persons regardless of their race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation.
Rev. Joey Heath-Mason
United Methodist Campus Minister
American University UM-Protestant Community
The church, once again, finds itself at a crossroads that will test the church’s commitment to justice and valuing the inherent dignity of all persons. Decisions made at the General Conference will reach far beyond the membership of the denomination and will be a public statement witnessing to the world.
As such, we call upon the leaders of the United Methodist Church at this 2019 called General Conference to live up to the values of inclusion by amending their policies and practices to affirm full inclusion in the life and ministry of the United Methodist Church of all persons regardless of their race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation.
Rev. Joey Heath-Mason
United Methodist Campus Minister
American University UM-Protestant Community
Why is this important?
As the community of American University (students, staff, faculty, alumni, and others connected to the University) we are asking the UMC to stand for the inclusion of all persons in the life and ministry of the church and specifically our university campuses.