Founded in 1820, Medford United Methodist Church (MUMC) has a 200+ year history of vital ministry in Medford Township and the surrounding area.
Our journey toward becoming a fully inclusive and affirming congregation began in 2019, following a Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. That gathering voted to retain language in The Book of Discipline that many believed excluded and harmed members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
For many at Medford UMC, this moment became a turning point.
Our leadership, pastors, and congregation had already been prayerfully discerning how to more fully live out Christ’s call to love and justice. We believe that all people are children of God — equally loved, equally valued, and equally welcome.
TAKING ACTION
In response, Medford UMC began working with the Reconciling Ministries Network, a national organization that supports Methodist churches seeking to become intentionally inclusive of LGBTQIA+ persons.
After months of conversation, education, prayer, and discernment, our congregation voted in January 2020 — by an overwhelming 86% — to become a Reconciling Congregation.
Shortly afterward, the COVID-19 pandemic paused in-person gatherings and ministry efforts. Yet our commitment did not waver.
RENEWED COMMITMENT AFTER THE PANDEMIC
In January 2022, our Reconciling Ministry Committee reconvened with renewed energy and purpose. We recommitted ourselves to establishing a visible, active presence in the Medford community as advocates for inclusion, justice, and love.
We understand that the history of the global church has not always reflected Christ’s radical welcome. For decades, debates within the United Methodist Church wrestled with language in The Book of Discipline related to LGBTQIA+ persons. Many experienced those years as painful and divisive.
AN HISTORIC MOMENT IN 2024
In the spring of 2024, the General Conference met in person for the first time since 2019. In a historic decision, delegates voted to remove the restrictive language from The Book of Discipline, allowing churches to choose a path of inclusion.
While this change does not require every church to be affirming, it created space for congregations like ours to more fully embody our calling.
LIVING INTO OUR IDENTITY
Following that historic vote, Medford UMC adopted a Ministry Covenant in spring 2024 that clearly affirms our commitment to:
- Supporting and advocating for LGBTQIA+ individuals
- Welcoming LGBTQIA+ pastors and staff
- Officiating same-sex weddings on church premises
- Ensuring future pastoral leadership aligns with our affirming stance
This covenant reflects who we are and who we strive to be — a church where all people can worship, serve, lead, and belong.
ALL MEANS ALL
Our journey continues. Inclusion is not a destination but a way of living out the Gospel.
At Medford United Methodist Church, we affirm that God’s love knows no boundaries. We are committed to being a community where everyone — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, background, or life story — is welcomed, celebrated, and embraced.
You are welcome here. Always.
If you are looking for an in-person connection and aren’t local to Medford UMC, Reconciling Ministries Network has a page that can help you find a congregation near you.
OUR AFFIRMING STATEMENT
Medford United Methodist Church is a Reconciling Congregation who celebrates God’s gift of diversity, believing that all people are created in the image of God. As God’s beloved children, all are worthy of God’s love and grace.
We welcome, affirm, and include humanity’s entire spectrum of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family configuration, race, ethnicity, age, faith, history, education, physical and mental ability, economic, marital, social and citizenship status. We believe God’s people share in all opportunities equally, including marriage and ordination.
We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities; and we recognize that despite the many differences among us, we can love alike even though we may not think alike.
We proclaim this statement of welcome to all who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in church and society. As followers of Jesus, we are committed to the pursuit of justice and will stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed. We invite all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater love, understanding, and mutual respect.
