 A Summons to Witness, Protest, and PromiseWe United Methodists in The North Carolina Conference join our voices in witness, protest and promise in these times of violence against our Black brothers and sisters.
We Believe...
We believe that the Holy Spirit is indeed poured out upon all people. We believe that in baptism, we are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation, and commissioned to resist evil, injustice and oppression, in whatever forms they present themselves. We believe that God's intent for humanity is community, compassion, and holiness, and that justice has been marred by the history of enslavement and racism. We believe that repentance is urgent for the historic and ongoing violence against Black girls and boys, men and women. We believe that in the wounding of Black bodies we see Christ crucified. We believe that those who have been steeped in white privilege, through repentance, can be transformed into humble servants of the living God. We believe we are called to work for the day when God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Pastor Heather shares how new light is beginning to break through the chaos of pandemic shutdowns and restrictions.   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Methodist clergy officiate same-gender marriage in holy disobedience to denominational policy. March 3, 2020 Contact: Rev. Heather Rodrigues, Pastor (919) 683-3467 office@dukememorial.org DURHAM, NC - Duke Memorial United Methodist Church joyfully celebrates the covenant marriage of Caleb Parker and Thomas Phillips, which took place in our sanctuary on February 29, 2020. Twelve clergy from Duke Memorial United Methodist Church and our United Methodist and ecumenical connection jointly officiated this wedding in holy disobedience to the prohibitions against same-gender marriage laid forth by denominational policy in the United Methodist Book of Discipline (¶ 341.6). We bless Thomas’s and Caleb’s covenant promises in Christian marriage and are grateful to be given the honor of celebrating their love through the wedding worship service. Love is at the center of our faith tradition and is a lens through which we interpret the Scriptures. We at Duke Memorial will continue to celebrate the reconciliation of all persons as beloved children of God, equal before the throne of love and grace. We will continue to welcome and affirm ALL of God’s children, as we live into our baptismal vows to “accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves” (United Methodist Hymnal, 34).  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Duke Memorial United Methodist Church stands on the side of love and reconciliation, not judgment and exclusion. February 28, 2019 Rev. Heather Rodrigues, Lead Pastor office@dukememorial.org “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 We regret and are saddened by the recent decision of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church to bar, on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, those whom God has called to the ministry; to deny marriage to certain members of the faith on the basis of their respective genders; and to push from our pulpits those clergy whose consciences will not permit them to comply with these hurtful policies. We do not see the love of Jesus reflected in this decision. We believe that it inflicts needless and unjust pain upon persons for whom Jesus died and leaves an enduring scar on the Body of Christ. Love is at the center of our faith tradition and is the lens through which we interpret the Scriptures. We will continue to celebrate the reconciliation of all persons as beloved children of God, equal before the throne of love and grace. |
ContactDuke Memorial UMC
504 W. Chapel Hill Street Durham, NC 27701 Mon-Thurs 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
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