We celebrate that we are all children of God, created by God with our many differences and that all are welcome at God's table. We affirm that God's love is not limited by the boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical capability, mental ability, or other human-made distinctions. We believe that prejudice, hatred, or discrimination directed toward any individual or group is contrary to the life and spirit of Jesus Christ.
Faith United Methodist Church is a Reconciling Congregation.
And we shall open our doors to same-gender and transgender couples seeking to unite in marriage and all the blessings, rights and responsibilities thereof. We will honor and celebrate the wedding of any prepared couple who seek to commit their lives to one another in marriage.
We proclaim ourselves a Reconciling Ministry and an Altar for All Congregation and welcome all who seek a relationship with God. We're glad you are here!
For more information on Reconciling Ministry and the Altar for All movement,
visit Minnesota United Methodist Reconciling Congregations.
• Eliminate prejudice and discriminatory practices within ourselves and our community.
• Pursue justice and stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.
• Extend Christ's welcome and grace to everyone.
• Eliminate prejudice and discriminatory practices within ourselves and our community.
• Pursue justice and stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.
• Extend Christ's welcome and grace to everyone.
Therefore, we shall strive to:
Faith UMC is among the Methodist churches in Minnesota who have adopted the denomination's Racial Reconciling Covenant and is a participant in the Racial Reconciling Movement.
Racial Reconciling Covenant Congregation
As part of that covenant, we have found to be true:
• Racism and racial inequity is a specific problem in our society.
• Jesus led from the edges. His ministry focused on all people, especially on people not in the power elite of society.
• The margins are now our centers -- those who are marginalized need to be the focus of our efforts; and yet, our congregations struggle to include marginalized people.
• What we say we believe is not necessarily the way we live out our daily lives.
• There is no easy answer or quick fix -- the answer is in building relationships and ongoing efforts.
• Change takes access to resources and action-oriented education.
• Pray, seek and work for unity at all levels of church life.
• Conduct a racial/ethnic awareness audit.
• Partner with a coach recommended by the Racial Reconciling Movement.
• Together with our coach, set goals for progress in the "racial awareness continuum."
• Engage in vital conversations in groups and worship.
• Monitor and measure our progress by repeating the cultural audit annually.
Our Congregation Will:
• Not being daunted by the magnitude of the task, by guilt or shame, or the powerlessness of a single person; we will move forward taking intentional steps to eliminate racial inequities in our own backyards.
• Doing what we can as a congregation and as individuals to raise awareness, speak up and take action whenever possible.
• Assessing our progress in these commitments on a regular basis.
We Commit To:
• Eliminate racism in our society; individual, cultural, institutional and systemic.
• Break down the established social patterns of the racist value system.
• Reduce discrimination in churches and society.
• Condemn all overt and covert forms of intolerance, being especially sensitive to their expression in media stereotyping. We assert the right of all to freedom from legal, economic and social discrimination.
