Morrow’s Journey of LGBTQIA+ Inclusion

Revolutionary changes came out of the UMC General Conference that concluded on May 4, 2024. Delegates voted overwhelmingly to lift the 1984 ban on LGBTQIA+ clergy and remove harmful 1972 anti LGBTQIA+ language from the Book of Discipline. United Methodist Churches will no longer fear repercussions for holding same gender weddings. We can take a collective deep breath of relief as the day we have longed for has finally arrived.

In the wake of our celebration, it is important to name the harm and acknowledge the long-lasting effects that have been caused by previous policies. Many people are left permanently scarred because of 52 years of derogatory language in the Book of Discipline. Generations of qualified people have left or simply not pursued ministry because of who they love. UMC clergy have had their credentials stripped after performing same gender weddings for their beloved children or dear friends. People have left the church because of its anti-inclusive rhetoric and often found more love and acceptance out in the world than in our pews.

Many LGBTQIA+ people are estranged from their families or currently have complicated relationships because the UMC deemed them incompatible with Christian teaching. There are others who have long since passed, quietly living their entire lives believing that, not just the church, but God could never love them.

Thankfully, Morrow Church has never been a “quiet” place when it comes to social justice. For generations, we have been known, throughout our Conference, as a place where we take Jesus’ words to serve the oppressed and “the least of these” seriously. We are so proud of the way our congregation has been at the forefront, leading our Greater New Jersey Conference, not just talking, but walking the walk despite the great risks to our church and clergy. Consider and celebrate some of the most notable contributions that have led to this day:

• When our youth group wanted Morrow’s Church Council to make a statement of inclusion in 2009, Pastors Bobbie Rambach and Brenda Ehlers, did the hard work to prepare Morrow to become the first Reconciling Church in New Jersey. The District Superintendent at the time wouldn’t allow us to join this organization, but the Council made a statement anyway and many parishioners supported the group independently.

• In 2013, Morrow officially joined the Reconciling Church movement. We have proudly displayed a Pride flag and while, on occasion, we receive unhappy letters and calls, we try to educate people on the importance of the symbol of safety for those that long to worship God in our midst. Morrow has had an impressive congregational presence at our booth in the annual North Jersey Pride festival. In doing so, we want to assure passers-by that no one will be left wondering if they can ever find a safe spiritual home.

• Even though policy forbade it, in 2015 we were the first UMC in New Jersey to host a same gender wedding publicly and proudly in our sanctuary. Pastor Chris Heckert advised our Trustees about the safest way it could happen, for no one was going to let our beloved choir director Holland Jancaitis and the love of his life, Nick Clarey marry in another church! Reverend Sharon Burniston officiated the ceremony. Our sanctuary was and is their sacred space and there was no way to keep our loud, proud members from shouting it from the social media rooftops!

• In 2015, some Morrow members were instrumental in writing the first legislation in support of LGBTQIA+ persons that finally passed at our Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. Morrow’s presence at that and previous Conferences was palpable; we’ve greeted participants at a Reconciling booth and stood alongside others in organizing a special communion service – all of which helped to ensure the legislation would pass.

• Sadly, when the Global UMC voted to keep discriminatory language against LGBTQIA+ clergy in 2019, Morrow withheld our financial obligations to the greater church until the bishop took a clear stand and publicly stated that no clergy or ordination candidates in Greater New Jersey would face repercussions over LGBTQIA+ related issues. Once the bishop did this, he was notified immediately that the check was in the mail.

• In 2018, we updated four of our restrooms to be all-gender inclusive spaces.

• We celebrated Pastor Brad Motta, who is openly gay and served during the time when the UMC forbade it. All subsequent clergy have continued to affirm inclusivity, and we have benefited so much from the ministry of many beloved LGBTQIA+ staff members, interns, ministry candidates, and church members.

• Morrow offered a class in 2022 that explored the fluidity of gender in ancient biblical times and how many expressions of gender were the norm in early Christian days.

While we are celebrating, let us remember that true affirmation and acceptance are a journey, and that journey looks different for everyone. While we at Morrow are proud of our past, it is our job to continue the work and help others catch up. We must continue to be visible, open, and accepting of our LGBTQIA+ siblings and help them however we can. What is so incredible about Morrow church is the depth and breadth of our social justice leadership. In addition to our steadfast commitment to gender equity, we have put a spotlight on the imperatives of fairness and justice. And we’ve taken countless actions to make a difference in the lives of people near and far. Morrow has empowered us to hold out our hands and welcome the complexities of life and the beautiful people around us who we share it with.

As United Methodists, we are sent into the world to engage in the struggle for reconciliation and equity. Our baptismal promise includes the vow to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.