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Dumbarton United Methodist Church responded to its national denomination's tougher rules on Sunday by celebrating the 32nd year of supporting gay, lesbian and other people and welcoming two women members to repeat their wedding vows.
The Georgetown church’s Reconciling Sunday event came just five days after the General Conference of the United Methodist Church reinforced its ban on same-gender weddings and its refusal to ordain LGBTQIA+ people as clergy.
With their two small children by their side, Amy Stapleton and Jennifer Stapleton restated wedding vows on the 15th anniversary of their wedding in San Francisco and the 20th year of being together. A large Mardi Gras style party was held afterward.
The service was led by the Rev. Mary Kay Totty, who had just returned from the General Conference in St. Louis. “”For many of us, the United Methodist Church died this week,” she said. “We repudiate the actions of the General Conference and claim God’s love for all people. We are not about to stop now.”
The ceremony at Dumbarton Shows How Wrong the Traditional Plan Is, Blog post by Michael Doan
Photo taken after Dumbarton's Easter 2019 Easter service, featuring the sermon: "Searching for Alleluias" by the Rev. Mary Kay Totty. An Easter egg hunt and refreshments followed the service Photo by Alan Mayers.
Regardless of the damage done by the United Methodist General Conference in February, Dumbarton United Methodist Church will stick to its core values. We will continue to practice full inclusion. We will continue to offer our building and our clergy for same gender weddings. We will not obey unjust rules.
Dumbarton has been at the forefront of support for LGBQTIA+ people. We were one of the first United Methodist churches in Washington to join the reconciling movement and the first to conduct same-gender weddings. We are not about to stop now. LGBTQIA+ people are beloved children of God, created in God’s image, and wholly worthy of affirmation, ordination, and marriage in the United Methodist Church.
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Our Location
3133 Dumbarton St
NW Washington, DC, 20007
Phone: (202) 333.7212
DUMC
A Reconciling Congregation
Sunday worship is held at 11 a.m. from September through May, 10 a.m. during summer. . Refreshments following church. Nursery provided.
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What People Say About Us
--"There is a welcoming fellowship and a continuing challenge to be engaged in social justice."--Harry K.
--"I love how Dumbarton continues to stand up for the rights of the marginalized, especially LGBT people"
--"I appreciate the incredible lay participation and leadership - it is unrivaled elsewhere, in my experience."--Jamie M.
--"Everyone at Dumbarton is honestly and uniquely who they are - there are no pretensions or facades to pretend to be someone we are not." Michelle D.
--"I like the time in the service when we prayerfully express our joys and concerns."--Joan C.