Reconciling Ministry
Open hearts, open minds, open doors.
At Onalaska UMC, we love all people unconditionally, and we mean ALL! Jesus encourages us to love God and our neighbor and warns us not to judge.
On September 27, 2020, Onalaska United Methodist Church members adopted a Reconciling Statement clarifying our full welcome of all people. While the global United Methodist denomination continues to debate inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, our members engaged in the Reconciling process, an extended period of education, prayer, and discernment, before making this decision.
This page compiles many of the resources we've shared during our journey as a congregation.
Reconciling Statement
Adopted by written ballot with 82.6% approval out of 167 in-person votes cast by professing members at a church conference September 27, 2020:
At Onalaska United Methodist Church, we believe in the teachings of Jesus: unconditional love, compassion, and justice.
All persons are created in God's image and are of sacred worth. We affirm and celebrate persons of all ages, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, family structures, abilities, economic statuses, races, ethnicities, national origins, and heritages.
We honor the unique gifts of all persons including LGBTQ+ individuals and their call to serve according to their spiritual gifts. The body of Christ shares one baptism and God's table is open to all.
We support the ordination of LGBTQ+ individuals and welcome them to serve our Church.
We will open our doors to celebrate the weddings of all prepared couples who, in consultation with our pastor, seek to commit their lives to one another with the blessing of our Creator.
We are the people of open hearts, open minds, and open doors. In the words of John Wesley, "We can love alike, though we may not think alike."
Composite photo of 11:00 and 8:30 services Sunday, October 11, 2020 as OUMC celebrated our Reconciling vote.
Personal Testimony
God Moments are a regular part of worship at Onalaska United Methodist Church. The following members of our congregation shared their faith experiences during our Reconciling process.
- Being an Ally – Nancy Dull, June 30, 2019
- Room to Believe – Jack Evans, September 29, 2019
- A Family Journey – Jan & Bob Mattson, October 6, 2019
- Call and Challenge – Ruth Halstead, October 13, 2019
- An Altar for All – Kelly & Loretta Dunn, October 20, 2019
- Gay in Church – Megan Barbian, October 27, 2019
- Loving Family – Marion Hanson, January 26, 2020
- Faithful Shift – Paul Bratsch, February 16, 2020
- Notes From the Field – Paul Brown, March 1, 2020
- Gay? Fine By Me – Megan Pence, March 22, 2020
- Youth on Reconciling – Grace & Grace, September 20, 2020
- Reconciling Sunday – Izzy Alvaran, Eric Brown, Megan Barbian, February 7, 2021
"The Methodist Way" Sermon Series
Prequel: We've Got to Talk
Rev. Wesley White, June 9, 2019
Rev. White recalls a moment when United Methodist Church leaders realized they had to begin talking and listening to each other on the subject of LGBTQ inclusion.
Watch on YouTubeThe Methodist Way
Rev. Park Hunter, October 6, 2019
Why reconciling? Why now? Introducing a Methodist framework for thinking and praying our way to a Reconciling decision, based on John Wesley's Three Rules.
Watch on YouTubeDo No Harm
Rev. Park Hunter, October 13, 2019
John Wesley's first rule for Methodists is "Do no harm." Unfortunately, the church has hurt LGBTQ Christians. We put the gotcha scriptures in context.
Watch on YouTubeDo All the Good
Rev. Park Hunter, October 20, 2019
John Wesley's second rule is "Do good." LGBTQ Christians have born fruit and enriched the life of the Church. How can we do all the good we can?
Watch on YouTubeStay in Love With God
Rev. Park Hunter, October 27, 2019
John Wesley's third rule is "Stay in love with God." Wesley intended for us to experience God's love through worship and fellowship together.
Watch on YouTubeResources
- The Way Forward, post-GC2019 – two-page summary of the results of General Conference 2019 and OUMC's response.
- The Way Forward, pre-GC2019 – two-page summary of the various proposals for General Conference 2019, and range of interpretation on LGBTQ issues and theology.
- Reconciling Survey Results July 2019 – at the beginning of OUMC's Reconciling process, we conducted a survey to assess our congregation's position.
- Reconciling Images Video Study – five-part study using movies and TV shows to examine faith and LGBTQ culture.
- What Does the Bible Say About LGBTQ People? – a pamphlet briefly summarizing the key scripture verses, with pro and con interpretations.
- Speakers' Panel on the Future of the UMC – Onalaska UMC hosted a wide-ranging panel discussion January 25, 2019 with leaders from a variety of perspectives across the conference.
- Reconciling Conversation Guide – prompts for small group conversations near the end of our process.
- Reconciling Listening Guide – prompts for a church listening session near the end of our process.
Links
Reconciling Ministries Network
Network of LGBTQ-inclusive UMC churches; resources for individuals and churches interested in reconciling.
Visit RMNetwork.orgUM News
The United Methodist Church's official news source for General Conference updates.
Visit UM NewsUnited Methodist Insight
Third-party articles and blog posts from several perspectives on United Methodist issues.
Visit UM Insight7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection
LGBTQ community center and support in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
Visit 7 Rivers LGBTQHistory
For over a year, Onalaska United Methodist Church engaged in a Reconciling Process designed to facilitate conversation and give everyone a chance to share input.
2019
February
- UMC General Conference 2019 narrowly approves the Traditional Plan, enacting harsher penalties on pastors who conduct same-sex weddings and ordination of LGBTQ clergy.
- OUMC Council votes unanimously to emphasize our vision that we "love all people unconditionally."
March
- OUMC Council votes to begin the Reconciling process
May
- Reconciling Team formed, begins monthly meetings open to all for planning of process
- Congregation surveyed
- OUMC hosts NC District Conversation about GC2019
June
- Pentecost sermon: Wesley White, "We've Got to Talk"
- "1 & Done: UMC and LGBTQ"
- Nancy Dull God Moment
July
- God & the Gay Christian book study
- "1 & Done: Father Jerry Anderson, Ordained By Angels: Memoirs of an AIDS Chaplain"
August
- Reconciling Images video Bible study
September
- "For the Bible Tells Me So" video discussion
- Jack Evans God Moment
October
- Sermon series: Park Hunter: "The Methodist Way," "Do No Harm," "Do All the Good," and "Stay in Love With God."
- Walking the Bridgeless Canyon Sunday morning adult study
- Shower of Stoles exhibit
- Bob & Jan Mattson, Ruth Hallstead, Kelly & Loretta Dunn, and Megan Barbian God Moments
November
- Making Sense of Bible book study
- "What Does the Bible Say about LGBTQ People?" pamphlet available
December
- Reconciling Statement first draft published
2020
January
- "1 & Done: Reconciling Conversations"
- OUMC hosts Future of UMC Panel Discussion
- Reconciling Statement first draft shared with Church Council
- Marion Hanson God Moment
February
- "1 & Done: Leader Listening Session"
- Reconciling Statement second draft published & shared with Church Council
- Paul Bratsch God Moment
March
- OUMC hosts 7 Rivers LGBTQ 101 and Panel Discussion
- Reconciling Statement finalized and published
- Church Conference to vote on Reconciling Statement (postponed until September due to COVID-19)
- Paul Brown and Megan Pence God Moments
May
- UMC General Conference 2020 (postponed until September 2021 due to COVID-19)
September
- Reconciling Q&A meeting to update members on process
- Youth God Moment
- Church Conference September 27 to vote on Reconciling Statement (rescheduled from March because of COVID-19)
Want to Learn More?
We welcome questions and conversations about our journey as a Reconciling Congregation.
Questions?
We're happy to talk with you about our reconciling journey.