Park Ridge church becomes ‘reconciling congregation,’ welcomes LGBT community

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First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge recently adopted a formal position declaring that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is welcome to become a member of the congregation. | Jennifer Johnson~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:48AM

Members of a Park Ridge congregation this month took a formal and, some would say, bold step toward an increased level of acceptance by the church.

The membership of First United Methodist Church, 418 W. Touhy Ave., voted Jan. 8 to become a “reconciling congregation,” establishing the church as one that welcomes homosexual, bisexual and transgender people for worship.

“To be a reconciling congregation means that we are open to and welcoming of anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” explained the Rev. Rich Darr, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church.

The reconciling movement is a nationwide endeavor “mobilizing United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love,” according to the Reconciling Ministries Network. The Park Ridge congregation is now one of nearly 500 Methodist churches, campus ministries and other faith-based groups to join the Reconciling Ministries Network, a statement released by the church said.

The process of becoming a reconciling congregation took more than a year and included a series of meetings, bible studies, films and open dialogue, Darr said.

“I feel it’s extremely important because it reflects the teaching and example of Jesus Christ,” the pastor said of the church’s stance. “He taught unconditional love, through his teachings and his example.”

This month 112 members of the church voted in favor of the reconciling position, Darr said. Two members voted against the measure and two members abstained from voting.

The church also adopted a new welcoming statement inviting “all persons to participate fully in the life of our church regardless of age, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental condition, marital status, family situation, or economic standing.”

At the heart of the reconciling movement is letting members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community know they are accepted within the church.

“We need to speak out, be explicit,” Darr said. “We need to explicitly welcome these persons.”

Members of the church with gay family members helped to lead the movement, Darr said. As the brother of a gay man who was forced to leave his conservative congregation after he revealed his sexual orientation, Darr understands the struggles of gay and lesbian Methodists and their families.

“It hits close to home,” the pastor acknowledged. “And there are a lot of people in our church (for whom) it also hits close to home.”

In a statement released by the church, Associate Pastor Carol Hill called the reconciling movement a “bold step for our congregation.”

“The general church has caused pain to many gay and lesbian persons, as well as their families and friends, with statements of condemnation,” she said. “Our vote doesn’t undo the damage that has been done, but it’s an important step forward.”

That’s not to say the change did not come with some resistance from church members.

“It’s a very contentious issue,” Darr acknowledged, explaining there “absolutely” was initial resistance, but that a “healthy, open dialogue” followed.

Though members will see changes within the congregation, they will not be radical changes, Darr believes.

“We’re the same people,” he said. “We were open, we were welcoming — we just didn’t make it explicit. Now we are.”

Darr is also among a number of Methodist clergy from across the United States who have greed to conduct civil-union ceremonies and blessings of same-sex couples. But just like the heterosexual couples who ask to be married in his church, same-sex couples will first need to meet Darr’s strict prerequisites, such as being members of the church and completing counseling sessions. The pastor also said he will likely not perform civil-union ceremonies inside the church.

First United Methodist joins two other Park Ridge congregations that have adopted similar messages of inclusion. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church openly welcome members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

“St. Mary’s has long practiced the full inclusion of LGBT individuals in the life and the ministry of the parish,” said the Rev. Sarah Odderstol, rector at St. Mary’s. “Part of the reason many members are here, and the reason they chose to come to St. Mary’s, is because they have family members who are gay or lesbian and they don’t want to attend a place where their child or grandchildren or cousin wouldn’t be welcome to come.”

Odderstol acknowledged that it can be difficult for churches to take such an inclusive stand and each must be “comfortable” with doing so.”

“I think it’s been a really courageous thing that First United Methodist and St. Luke’s and other parishes and denominations are doing,” she said.

In 2004, St. Luke’s passed a resolution similar to First United Methodist Church, by welcoming “every person who comes to our church regardless of race, national and ethnic origin, age, physical, mental and emotional condition or capacity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, economic situation or addiction.” The church also authorized the blessing of committed, same-sex relationships.