We Are Inclusive + Affirming + Reconciling

On August 11, 2019, our congregation voted unanimously to become an official reconciling congregation. This means we are an intentionally inclusive community that welcomes + affirms all people no matter the color of their skin, who they love or their gender identity.

We celebrate that LGBTQIA+ persons are affirmed in God’s love + are assured of their place in the body of Christ. We advocate for the affirmation of all of God’s children in the Church and the world.

Click here to learn more about what we’re all about and how we put our faith into action here.

Our Welcome Message // Read Aloud at Every Service + Event

 We at Glendale UMC want you to know that no matter:
Where you’ve come from or where you are going; what you believe or what you may doubt; what you are feeling or just not feeling; what you have or don’t have; and no matter the color of your skin, who you love or how you identify – all of who you are is welcomed into this community of faith by a God who loves you and knows you by name.

Putting Our Faith Into Action

Heather Thomas

Glendale’s Heather Thomas Testifies against HB2310 regarding Gender-Affirming Care

Our own Heather Thomas testified before the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on HB2310, which, as amended, would provide for criminal and civil penalties for those who help transport minors for gender affirming care.

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Heather Thomas

Glendale’s Heather Thomas Advocates for Gender-Affirming Care during TN Senate Committee Hearing

Heather testified at the Senate Health and Welfare committee on SB01 - the anti-transgender healthcare bill. We are not through fighting yet.

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Amy Charlton

Glendale’s Amy Charlton Advocates for Gender-Affirming Care during Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission Meeting

Our own Amy Charlton spoke to the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission about the importance of transgender youth receiving gender affirming care. After editing for clarity, the MHRC unanimously approved her statement. We will continue to show our support for transgender youth friends who have become family.

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Advocating for Equitable Rights for All

We continue to find new ways to advocate for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. This means hosting learning sessions on how to use pronouns, effective ways to contact lawmakers and other tangible and important ways to act for justice in our community. Recently, Glendale members have met with local lawmakers (multiple times) who are writing anti-inclusive bills targeting our trans siblings (and drag shows) that are being presented in the Tennessee legislative session this year. We also hosted a Tennessee Equality Project postcard writing party to advocate against these bills. among ongoing justice work.

Photo: Glendale UMC at Nashville PRIDE

Glendale SHOWS UP @ Pride!

We are intentional in showing up and being a part of Franklin Pride, Murfreesboro Pride and Nashville Pride each summer to make sure that our LGBTQIA+ siblings know that there is a community of faith where they can find community just as they are. Find more information at GlendaleUMC.org/Pride.

Supporting Local LGBTQIA+ Organizations

Over the last few years, we have collected and provided gloves + food for LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness, among other support efforts with Oasis Center and Nashville LaunchPad. You can still support these efforts at: GlendaleUMC.org/SnackPacks + GlendaleUMC.org/Gloves.

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