Invitation to Join the Dialogue

Greetings in the name of Jesus the Messiah!

In January, 2009, Skyline UMC will be celebrating God's gracious call to dialogue, or verbal communion that enables us to live together with different understandings and perspectives of God's presence. We are currently engaged in a community conversation about whether or not God is calling us to make public our present policy of welcoming people into full membership who are typically marginalized in the church, including persons with mental and physical challenges and persons of minority affectional orientation and gender identity, who identify as both Christian and LGBT.

This blog collects some of the reflections of our members and friends, as we consider expanding our Mission Statement to explicitly welcome people who are typically marginalized in the Christian Church. You can read more details about this process at Skyline, including a FAQs section and an Invitation to Join this Dialogue, and participate online simply by responding to this post.

Our proposed Mission Statement:
The Mission of Skyline United Methodist Church is to:
reach out to all people seeking a deeper relationship with God, regardless of age, racial, ethnic or national origin, physical or mental ability, marital status, religious experience, affectional orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status,
welcome them into a community of followers of Jesus who freely choose to worship, serve, and live together prayerfully and in peace following a Methodist understanding of God’s gift of grace,
equip them to live as the Holy Spirit gifts and guides, and
send them to serve and reach out to all people in Christ's name.

As you reflect on this proposed mission statement, please respond to the following questions:
1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?
3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?
4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

Peace,
Bo & Vicki Gordy-Stith
Co-Pastors of Skyline UMC

Judie Riley's Dialogue Response

From: Judie Riley
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009
To: Bo & Vicki Gordy-Stith
Subject: Mission Statement

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
I think the revised mission statement beautifully reflects my personal feelings about inclusiveness within the community. All means all, and we can turn our sights away from micro-managing terminology and begin living the mission statement within the community we live in with our actions.

2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?
I would feel that my religious community had made an important step forward in reaching out to all members of the community with a sincere heart of accepting people where they are in their lives. Our church community would be strengthened by taking this action.

3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?
I think we as a group would be more attractive to others seeking spiritual guidance and longing for community in their lives. Skyline has the most loving, and inclusive congregation, capable and comfortable with extending a welcoming posture towards all people. We now stand unafraid to tell our authentic, personal stories as we gather together to strengthen the community.

4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?
God has always called me to reach out with love towards my fellow man, and to accept any who come searching for acceptance and truth and to discover together creative, liberating, and loving ways to gather in his name. At a time where we are living in unprecedented economic uncertainty, the need to accept and include others has never been greater in our community. Because of this downturn, we will come to recognize how much we are alike with our neighbor, and how much we need to work together as a team to instill stability and safety within the community. As the person who asked that Skyline begin the journey within the congregation and mission statement, I am more sure and resolute than ever that we are following God's will for Skyline Church.

Please feel free to post this statement if it is helpful for you and the church community. Hope to see you soon!
Judie