SPRINGFIELD – The members of Springfield’s Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church (DAUMC) this week voted to designate themselves as a Reconciling Congregation and affiliate with the national Reconciling Ministries Network.
DAUMC is the first church in the Springfield area and only the third in the 87 county Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church to adopt this designation.
Reconciling Congregations are LGBTQ-inclusive UMC congregations. The Reconciling Ministries Network has been running since 1984. Congregations that join pledge themselves “to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.”
“I am so honored to pastor with the loving folks of Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church,” said lead pastor Rev. Meredith Brown. “DAUMC has always been a church that welcomes and affirms all kinds of people with love, care and compassion. Becoming a Reconciling Congregation is a big deal, but it also feels like a continuation of who we’ve always been as people who love and follow Jesus.”
The congregation will celebrate its designation and affiliation during the 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. worship services on Sunday, April 30. Members are encouraged to attend worship in pride clothing. Services are held at 501 South Douglas Ave. in Springfield. For more information about the congregation, visit www.douglasavenue.org or call (217)546-4631.
Know a useful resource?
Share it with your community!
We aggregate links that connect to resources across Illinois. If you know of a site that should be included or want your website listed, please submit it!
