All Means All

Central United Methodist Church began in 1850 as just the fourth church to form in Sacramento. The historic congregation had declined and was on the brink of closure in 2009 when a few young families began to imagine how God might be calling us to be church differently. The Table at Central UMC was born as a few folks returned to the roots of our Wesleyan tradition by gathering in small groups, called Kitchen Tables, to watch over one another in love. The Kitchen Tables provided a framework for people who’d been burned & bored by church to begin growing once more in faith. The Table began worshipping at Central UMC in October of 2010.  Worship has grown to average over 125; with over half of the people gathering in weekly Kitchen Tables. Over the last few months, The Table has partnered with others to re-boot the United Methodist/PCUSA Christian campus ministry at the University of California, Davis.

We are a community of resurrection and we are grateful for the ways God’s in-breaking love has blessed The Table with a beautiful diversity of people.

We are deeply convicted by the method in Methodism and our Wesleyan theological roots. Our local church will not abide institutional policies that attempt to define some sexual orientations and gender identities as incompatible with God’s unfolding Grace. Over the last week, we have seen our denominational system try to exclude some from God’s table. A retired bishop has been reprimanded for celebrating the marriage of two faithful men and a pastor was found “guilty” of officiating his own son’s wedding to his male partner. Such exclusion is hurtful to our church and inconsistent with Christ’s witness of love.

God’s banquet table will not be confined by our denomination’s fears and limitations. Indeed, sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons…All Means All. Thus, we publicly dissent from the recent actions of The United Methodist Church and we vow to continue our ministry of hope and compassion for all of God’s children. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. We welcome the opportunity to reflect with you on recent events and our mission to be rooted in Grace, growing in faith, and reaching in love.

Peace,

Linda Dew-Hiersoux and Matt Smith, Co-Pastors of The Table at Central UMC