Roslindale church officially welcomes LGBT members

Bethany First United Methodist Church in Roslindale is rolling out the welcome mat to LGBT people. The 88-member congregation voted at its annual meeting to become a Reconciling Congregation, or one that advocates the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life the United Methodist Church and in society.

About 20 congregants were present at the annual meeting said the Rev. Karen Petersen, Bethany First's pastor. Though she did not know the exact vote tally, she said, "It wasn't a close vote." The vote capped a three-plus years process, initiated by Petersen, of Bible study, conversation and preaching. The outcome, she said, reflects the diversity of the congregation, which includes African, Caribbean and Philipino immigrants as well as African Americans and Caucasians, gay and straight.

Said Petersen, "Because we are diverse there's not this understanding of, 'Well we're all alike.' But yet while recognizing our differences, at the same time we recognize that God accepts everyone." Bethany First, said Petersen, is "of the understanding that it doesn't matter who you are. You are welcome to worship with us, to be engaged in ministry with us. If you find a home with us, that's terrific."

Bethany First's vote to become a reconciling congregation comes amidst an ongoing struggle within the United Methodist denomination over LGBT issues. Official church law bans the ordination of openly gay clergy and holds that homosexuality "is incompatible with Christian teaching." But just last week, a progressive United Methodist group called The Church Within a Church Movement convened at Union United Methodist Church in the South End to strengthen its movement for full inclusion of LGBT people within the denomination (See "Methodists Reach Out To The Gays," Nov. 15). Petersen acknowledged moving the congregation to a supporting the move to become a Reconciling church took time. At times during the years she found herself thinking, "They're just not ready." At other times she thought, "They're never going to be ready."

"People had to come to the place on their own, trusting that it would be okay," said Petersen. "I think I'm speaking for myself - that I had to trust that ultimately this would be okay," said Petersen. "And it was okay."
Petersen, who has pastored the congregation for eight years, said she is "thrilled" with congregation's vote. "I see this as ... a justice issue, that no one should feel excluded by the church, that everyone has a place at the table," said Petersen. "Everybody does."