“Let love be genuine.” So scripture tells us. The determination of whether love is genuine can only be made by those who are (or are not) being loved. So we think it’s essential for you to know exactly how we at Grandview Church seek to practice love so that you can decide whether to risk seeking safety, solace, and embrace here as an LGBTQIA+ person. You may also want to know about this if you are a family member or an ally.
Here’s some of what you’ll find at Grandview:
- Our wedding policy does not differentiate between same-gender-loving and different-gender-loving people. Love is love.
- We actively support gay and lesbian and gender non-conforming people who are clergy or are preparing to become clergy. This includes single, married, and partnered people. Our staff includes LGBTQ people—including one of the pastors.
- If you come in our doors on a Sunday morning or for an activity during the week, you will find people here who identify as LGBTQIA and many, many allies. You won’t be alone.
- You are free & supported in choosing the bathroom that’s the best fit for your identity.
- If you are a child, youth, or adult, the teachers you encounter in our Christian education programs will be affirming of your identity and of the identity of your parents, siblings, cousins, friends, etc.
- As you listen to a sermon, you will hear the good news of God’s love for you. (And if we fail in this, let us know.) The message may be preached by a queer person or a straight person and by people of different genders and ethnic/racial identities.
- We work to overcome racism and white supremacy in ourselves and in our community.
- We actively strive to relieve suffering in every way we can—providing good food and quality housing to those who lack it and caring for the grieving, for those with mental and physical illnesses and disabilities, and in many other ways. This is our calling as people who seek to walk in the Way of Christ.
Members of Grandview worked for change in the United Methodist Church for many decades, hoping that the UMC would fully embrace LGBTQ+ people and end its discriminatory practices and policies throughout the world. Sometimes, it seemed, progress was taking place. However, in 2019, when the denomination hardened its stance at its General Conference, we became a free-standing congregation and created the Movement of Inclusive Methodists with some like-hearted congregations. We are painfully aware that what has been done by our former denomination hurts people spiritually, physically, materially, and emotionally—even leading to violence and death. And we are happy for the recent changes there, praying that our former denomination will take further steps to be a fully open & affirming body.
At Grandview, we are a joyous people. We are resurrection people. And we are faithful people, seeking to move where the Spirit leads as we walk with Jesus Christ. Love is our highest value, and God is love.
~Rev. Andrea Brown, Former Lead Pastor; Rev. Liz Fulmer, Lead Pastor; Rev. Jane Dutton, Executive Pastor
Grandview York worships at 9am at the Belmont Theatre, 27 S. Belmont St., York, PA.
Grandview Lancaster worships on Sundays at 9 & 11 at 888 Pleasure Road, Lancaster, PA and online via Facebook, YouTube, and our website.
