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Methodist churches nationwide are publicly rebelling against the denomination’s anti-LGBTQ stance

Affirming rainbow doors outside the North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.
Affirming rainbow doors outside the North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Many individual Methodist church's protested the governing body's anti-LGBTQ stance earlier this year. Photo: North United Methodist Church

Churches all over the country are protesting the United Methodist Church’s anti-LGBTQ stance with some amazing signs.

Last week the General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to reaffirm their teaching that homosexuality is “incompatible” with Christianity and to punish individual churches that perform marriages for same-sex couples and allow LGBTQ* clergy.

Here are 20 of the signs and rainbows that churches have put up in the past week to speak out in favor of inclusion.

The First and Summerfield United Methodist Church in Connecticut put together this rainbow “Welcome” sign.

Our children’s Sunday School made this the Sunday after General Conference 2019. #themountaintopislocal #thisisthechurch #realchurch #methodistchildren #thenextgeneration

Posted by First and Summerfield United Methodist Church on Monday, March 4, 2019

The North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis set up doors in rainbow colors and posted them to Facebook.

This is home – North UMC. ❤️

Posted by Troy Barker on Friday, February 22, 2019

The First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge in Illinois covered the word “United” in their sign with a rainbow, “to acknowledge the deep division in our denomination over ministries of full inclusion with LGBTQIA persons,” according to Pastor David Aslesen.

The Clifton United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, wrote on their sign, “No matter what the denomination says, God loves you. We do too.”

The Smoky Hill United Methodist Church in Colorado had a welcoming sign.

We care about ALL of you !!

Posted by Smoky Hill United Methodist Church on Friday, March 1, 2019

The First United Methodist Church in Duluth, Minnesota, put up a sign that their church was for “all,” with “no exceptions.”

First UMC/The Coppertop congregation AND Duluth Community: In response to the recent decision of the worldwide United…

Posted by First United Methodist Church, Duluth (The Coppertop) on Friday, March 1, 2019

People at the Foundry United Methodist Church in D.C. made prayer flags to support “full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people” in the church.

Thank you to all the Foundry community who made prayer flags for us to bring to General Conference as part of our witness for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the life and ministry of the Church.

Posted by Foundry United Methodist Church on Monday, February 25, 2019

They also covered everything with rainbows while they were at it.

The First United Methodist Church in San Diego was a little more subtle.

The Dayspring United Methodist Church in Arizona covered up the words “United Methodist Church” in its sign with black cloth, saying that they are mourning the “sad demise of a denomination.”

The sad demise of a denomination. And so begins the mourning. Dayspring will hold vigil in the sanctuary tomorrow (Feb…

Posted by Dayspring-UMC on Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Chicago crossed out the word “united” and put up a rainbow flag.

This LGBTQ-affirming sign is from the Linworth United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio.

The Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, took out an ad in the paper to apologize for the harm done by the denomination.

Today the people of Allendale took out a full page ad: a love letter to the LGBTQIA community to say we are sorry and to…

Posted by Allendale UMC – St. Petersburg on Saturday, March 2, 2019

The Greenland Hills United Methodist Church in Dallas put up these rainbow signs.

WE STAY TO STAND WITH OUR LGBTQ FAMILY. We are a church that believes in action! It took three days for these banners to…

Posted by Greenland Hills United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 7, 2019

The Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas, had a simple message.

The Lakewood United Methodist Church in Dallas covered up the words “United Methodist” in their sign with rainbows.

Lakewood United Methodist Church embraces the concept of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. We affirm that ALL PEOPLE…

Posted by Lakewood United Methodist Church, Dallas on Tuesday, March 5, 2019

The Grace United Methodist Church, also in Dallas, did the same.

And the Preston Hollow United Methodist Church in Dallas put a rainbow and an affirming message on their sign.

The Decatur First United Methodist Church in Georgia had this sign.

The First United Methodist Church in Medford, Oregon, put up a sign saying that they stand with LGBTQ people unconditionally.

*Note: It has been pointed out that the UMC’s plan refers to “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” not being allowed in the clergy. Depending on how dioceses interpret the plan, it may or may not refer to bisexual, transgender, or non-binary people.

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