MADISON (WKOW) — First United Methodist Church is hoping the language used about the LGBTQ community in their denomination’s church law will soon become more inclusive.
The language will be discussed at this year’s General Conference.
Between 2019 and 2023, the United Methodist Church reported more than 7,600 congregations have left the denomination due to the church not requiring the enforcement of bans on same-sex marriage and having LGBTQ clergy members.
“There have been multiple organizations working to keep the language in, which has been very frustrating,” said Rev. Cathy Weigand, First United Methodist Church. “The church continues to cause harm in so many different areas, but especially in the area of our LGBTQ siblings.”
Weigand said she strongly believes in changing the language in the church’s law to be more accepting of the LGBTQ community.
“The church here acknowledges that harm has been caused in the queer community, and that spiritual harm has been perpetuated by our denomination and by our churches,” Weigand said.
She adds, there are United Methodist Churches within Madison who left due to the changes, however, there are also people who have left due to the lack of change.
“Some people will no longer ever be part of the United Methodist Church because it’s taken us so long to make a decision that is loving, and just and kind,” Weigand said.
The conference lasts two weeks, and at the end, decisions will be made on whether language in church law will change.
