We're GLBT Friendly

All means ALL!


Believing ALL MEANS ALL, our congregation welcomes persons of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, economic conditions, marital status, mental or physical abilities to attend, join and participate fully in the life of our congregation. Such belief advances our United Methodist mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by applying the three simple rules:

  • Do No harm
  • Do Good
  • Stay in Love With God


Reconciling CongregationFirst United Methodist Church believes that heterosexism and homophobia, whether sanctioned by individuals or institutions, is wrong, and we want to raise our voices and offer our ministries in an effort to help eradicate the cultural and spiritual oppression of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people.

On December 1, 2009, First United Methodist Church in Madison, WI joined the company of more than 360 other United Methodist congregations and communities by voting (unanimously) to become a Reconciling Congregation.

First Church spent more than a year engaged in a process of discernment in which we offered informational and educational opportunities, including a book study, a Bible study, a staff sensitivity training, a study of the United Methodist polity and a film festival. As a Reconciling congregation, we are officially affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network# (rmnetwork.org). We have also created a local Reconciling Task Force, comprised of First UMC members. The Task Force will be a permanent and ongoing part of our outreach ministry.

Reconciling Congregations are necessary because our United Methodist Church holds official policies that explicitly and categorically exclude Gay and Lesbian Christians from full participation in the life of the church.

The vote which occurred on December 1 several years ago doesn’t mean our work is done. Indeed, now we will continue to grow in the reconciling spirit and to expand our welcoming practices. Following in the footsteps of Christ and committed to the practice of radical hospitality, First Church is intentionally striving to ensure that our language and actions are welcoming and affirming, free of discrimination and exclusion.