First United Methodist Church of Boulder welcomes the Crafting a New Normal gathering on Saturday, March 16, as the first part of our 22nd anniversary celebration of becoming a member church of the Reconciling Ministries Network, fully welcoming of LGBTQ persons and their loved ones. The celebration continues in our worship service on Sunday, March 17, at 10:30 AM, when Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls will be our guest preacher on “Jesus the Holy Disrupter.” The Resonance Women’s Chorus will also sing during our service. Absolutely EVERYONE is welcome!
Our Reconciling celebrations will be particularly poignant and timely this year, as on February 26, 2019, the delegates gathered in St. Louis for the General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted 438-384 to pass the Traditional Plan, which reinforces the church’s current bans on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy and same-sex unions. First United Methodist Church of Boulder responded with a statement signed by our Pastor, Rev. Matthias Krier, and many of our church leaders and staff. The statement said, in part:
As a Reconciling Congregation that affirms the human dignity and worth of all persons, we at First United Methodist Church of Boulder are heart-broken to hear this news. We are saddened and grieved that the General Conference of the United Methodist Church stands in opposition of full inclusion of our entire UMC family. Our hearts especially go out to our LGBTQIA+ siblings who have been hurt once again by the United Methodist Church as a whole—our commitment remains with you.
You can find First United Methodist Church of Boulder’s entire response statement on our website.
Crafting a New Normal: A Community Gathering about Inclusion and Intersectionality
Click HERE to visit the EVENT WEBSITE
Join us for a day of conversation on Saturday, 3/16, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Crafting a New Normal is a FREE community gathering about inclusion and intersectionality that will take place at First United Methodist Church of Boulder (1421 Spruce Street in downtown Boulder). The goal of this daylong forum is for participants to be inspired to act in ways that honor diversity, empower the marginalized, and liberate the oppressed. The headliner for this special event is Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls, an out lesbian, national faith leader, and social justice activist who has focused most of her work in the Southeastern United States fighting oppression and discrimination. In 2008, she was consecrated as one of the first women Bishops in the Los Angeles-based Unity Fellowship Church Movement’s history. In 2014 she founded Sacred Souls Community Church, a diverse congregation of progressive Christians in Charlotte. Bishop Rawls is also the co-founder of the Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice, as well as the Founder and Executive Director of The Freedom Center for Social Justice,. Founded in 2009, FCSJ works intersectionally through programs that support the trans community, people of color, people of low wealth, youth and sexual minorities.of this FREE, daylong gathering is for participants to be inspired to act in ways that honor diversity, empower the marginalized, and liberate the oppressed.
The day will also include a panel of diverse individuals who represent various Boulder County organizations. The panel includes: Carly Hare (Change Philanthropy), Mardi Moore (Out Boulder County), Jeff Hirota (Community Foundation of Boulder County), Shiquita Yarbrough (Families of Color Colorado), and Nicole Garcia (Umbrella Collective).
The members of the panel will respond to the focus of race, gender, sexuality, faith, and intersectionality.
Singing by the women’s a cappella ensemble Sound Circle will bring the day to a close.
Lunch will be provided for all participants of Crafting a New Normal who registered on or before March 10. Childcare is also available. Please register (see link below) so that we can best accommodate your dietary and childcare needs.
TO REGISTER for the March 16 gathering, and for more information about both days’ events, visit the EVENT WEBSITE. Please register by Sunday, March 10.
THANK YOU to the Sponsors of Crafting a New Normal: PFLAG Boulder County, TYES (Trans Youth Education and Support), and First United Methodist Church of Boulder.
THANK YOU to the following Participating Organizations: CHANGE Philanthropy, Community Foundation of Boulder County, Families of Color Colorado, Out Boulder County, Resonance Women’s Chorus, Sound Circle, and Umbrella Collective.