Fairlington United Methodist Church proclaims without reservation God’s unconditional love and grace, and affirms the dignity and worth of every person as created in the image of God.  We commit to extend Christ’s gospel hospitality, creating a place of safety and spiritual sanctuary for all people.  Therefore, this community of faith welcomes into membership, participation and leadership all persons regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic background, political affiliation, physical or mental ability, faith history, or life experience.  We recognize among us differences in theology and biblical interpretation, and covenant to accept, respect, and love one another along our faith journeys.  As God loves us, so let us love one another.”

Sadly, Virginia’s former Bishop Sharma Lewis has forced two clergywomen in Mississippi who officiated a wedding for two LGBTQ individuals into an involuntary leave of absence in order to avoid a church trial.   One of the clergy still has a source of income and the other does not.   A national effort is underway to send contributions to the one pastor to support her and her family.   Fairlington UMC will give $750 from our Reconciling Fund to assist.   We encourage others to match this gift through individual contributions; your gifts will not be tax deductible.  If you are interested in helping, email justice.in.mississippi@gmail.com and someone will email with details about how to give. 

Fairlington UMC became a Reconciling Congregation on February 10, 2013.  This vote followed a nearly two-year planning and discernment process that began in May 2011, involving numerous educational events, small group meetings, personal stories, and other congregational engagement.  The final congregational vote was 94% to 6% in favor.  A Reconciling Congregation is one that adopts a public statement which, while inclusive of all families and individuals, specifically welcomes persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities who face explicit discrimination in the UMC Book of Discipline, as well as other marginalized groups who often are not fully welcome in churches.