Yesterday was the founding meeting for Advocates for Inclusion. This group is a Reconciling Ministries Community within CAUMC (like a Sunday School Class). All who join affirm the CAUMC statement of Inclusion and the Reconciling Ministries Foundational Statement. Other than that, members are free to choose their level of participation in group activities. So far, we have 35 people signed up. If you missed the meeting, you can drop by the church office to join.
Reconciling Ministries Foundational Statement:
We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.
College Avenue UMC Statement of Inclusion:
At College Avenue United Methodist Church, we strive to live in ways which respect the dignity of others, communicate compassion, convey hospitality to others, promote spiritual growth, strengthen our sense of community, and enhance our discipleship. We affirm God’s grace is available to all, without exception, and we welcome the full inclusion of all God’s people to participate in all aspects of the church’s life and ministry. We stand against the exclusion of any people, and believe that we can love one another even though we may not think alike. The love of God is shown in the living example of Jesus Christ, and we commit ourselves to advance this Christian message of inclusion and justice.