Rock On, FUMC Pasadena Youth!

On October 23, 2011, First United Methodist Church Pasadena (California) voted to become a Reconciling Congregation. In the months of preparation to become a Reconciling Congregation, the Youth voted to become a “Reconciling Youth Group." As part of the process, the Youth of FUMC Pasadena created a statement to be presented to the congregation regarding the vote to become a Reconciling Congregation. After much discussion, the youth broke into groups to develop ideas and principles that we wanted to see included in the statement. This is the statement that our Youth Group worked on together:

Youth Statement on Becoming a Reconciling Congregation

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Last year, our youth group's theme was "Youth with a Voice." This year, we have chosen as our theme, "Acceptance." Today we stand before you, using our collective voice, to ask for acceptance for all.   

Acceptance of ourselves, the opinions of others, different traditions and lifestyles, things we can change and things we cannot change, decisions that we make, and even illness and death as part of life. The area we feel extremely passionate about is acceptance of people in our church regardless of who you are --including your sexual orientation. 

Many of us interpret the Bible in different ways, but WE understand God’s primary message to be about love:

Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times.

And of course, as we follow the Golden Rule, we remember to "do unto others as (we) would have them do unto (us)." (Matthew 7:12)

Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 

If we are called to love one another, we cannot sit in judgment of others – only God is our judge. FUMC Pasadena and this congregation has taught us that we are all made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) and God loves everyone – therefore we should love everyone equally.

We believe we must stand up for each other, just as Jesus did for the Woman at the well, for the sick man lowered through the roof by his friends, the dying child, for the poor and oppressed; the prisoners, the widows, and the orphans. Therefore, we the Youth of First United Methodist Church Pasadena – and the future of the United Methodist Church – do pledge to love, accept, and cherish all people; regardless of race, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, religion, class, gender, education, physical or mental ability, marital status, or sexual orientation. We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind. ALL MEANS ALL.

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Submitted by Rev. Allison Mark, First United Methodist Church Pasadena, CA