TRI-ESS INT'L

GLBT Friendly Churches


Here Is A Table Of Church Organizations Around The Country That Are Openly "Welcoming" To The GLBT Community

Permits GLBT to be Members Ordains Non-practicing GLBT Ordains Practicing GLBT Performs/Blesses GLBT Marriage*
Episcopal Church USA YES YES YES NO
United Episcopal Church YES NO NO NO
Lutheran Missouri Synod YES YES NO NO
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America YES YES NO YES**
Greek Orthodox YES NO NO NO
Jewish Reform Movement YES YES YES YES**
Jewish Conservative Movement YES YES NO NO
Metropolitan Community Church YES YES YES YES
Presbyterian USA YES YES NO NO
Roman Catholic YES YES NO NO
United Methodist YES YES NO NO
Unitarian Universalist YES YES YES YES
Unity Church of Christianity YES YES YES YES

* individual churches within these broad categories can and do perform or bless same-sex unions, despite the national stance of the church

** this matter is still under discussion; however, the odds are in favor that the church will accept and bless these marriages

The Table above lists some church organizations that have a policy of being GLBT Friendly. I've also included a listing below of individual churches around the country that are "welcoming" to GLBT. This list was taken from the Pensacola News Journal, Friday, May 16, 1997. For a more recent listing, see a list of "queer-friendly" churches, or write to Open Hands / 3801 N. Keeler Avenue / Chicago, IL 60641 / Phone: 312-736-5526 / Fax: 312-736-5475. Also, if you know of a "welcoming" church that is not listed below, please write me, or Albert Lunde, or Open Hands, so we can expand the list. 


(Please re-distribute anywhere this would be of interest -- I've

already posted this on soc.bi and soc.motss. I'm posting this

to the nets with the knowledge & permission of the Open Hands office.

                               Albert Lunde - Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu )

- - -
Christian Churches Publicly Welcoming Les/Bi/Gay People There are, in several Christian denominations, groups of "welcoming" congregations, which make a public commitment to welcome LGB people.

What follows is a fairly recent list of such congregations. (This does not claim to be a list of all queer-friendly congregations, just those officially affiliated with the welcoming network of their denomination.)

This list comes care of "Open Hands" magazine, which is a interdenominational quarterly journal of the "Welcoming Churches" movement. For more information, you can contact:
    Open Hands / 3801 N. Keeler Avenue / Chicago, IL 60641
    Phone: 312-736-5526
    Fax: 312-736-5475.
A four-issue subscription to Open Hands is $16 ($20 outside the USA).

>From the Winter 94 Issue of Open Hands:
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Since 1978, 355 More Light (Presbyterian), Open and Affirming (Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ), Reconciled in Christ (Lutheran), Reconciling (United Methodist), and Welcoming & Affirming (Baptist) congregations and sixteen campus ministries have publicly declared that they welcome all persons, including lesbians and gay men. This is an increase of 22% over one year ago! These "welcoming" communities are in forty-one states, the District of Columbia, and Canada.

Following is a complete list of congregations, alphabetically by state and city, followed by a list of campus ministries and judicatories. 


The affiliation of each is designated by the following codes:

    ML  More Light (Presbyterian)

    ONA Open and Affirming (UCC)

    O&A Open and Affirming (Disciples)

    RIC Reconciled in Christ (Lutheran)

    RC  Reconciling Congregation (United Methodist)

    W&A Welcoming & Affirming (Baptist)





            Congregations

            -------------



ALASKA



Palmer

    Church of the Covenant (W&A)



ARIZONA



Tucson

    St. Francis in the Foothills UMC (RC)



ARKANSAS



Little Rock

    Pulaski Heights Christian (O&A)



CALIFORNIA



Alameda

    First Christian (O&A)

    First Congregational (ONA)



Albany 

    Albany UMC (RC)



Altadena

    Altadena Congregational (ONA)

    Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran (RIC)



Baldwin Park

    First Presbyterian (ML)



Belmont

    Congregational Church UCC (ONA)



Berkeley

    Berkeley & Richmond Intercity Ministry (O&A)

    First Baptist (W&A)

    St. John's Presbyterian (ML)

    Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran (RIC)

    Trinity UMC (RC)

    University Lutheran Chapel (RIC)

    University Church (O&A)



Carlsbad

    Pilgrim Congregational (ONA)



Claremont

    Claremont UMC (RC)



Concord

    First Christian (O&A)



Danville

    Peace Lutheran (RIC)



Fair Oaks

    Fair Oaks UMC (RC)



Fairfax

    Fairfax Community (ONA)



Fresno

    Wesley UMC (RC)



Hollywood

    First UMC (RC)



Irvine

    Irvine UCC (ONA)



Lafayette

    Lafayette Christian (O&A)



Larkspur

    Redwoods Presbyterian (ML)



Long Beach

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)

    Trinity Lutheran (RIC)



Los Angeles

    Mt. Hollywood Congregational UCC (ONA)

    United University (ML, RC)

    Wilshire UMC (RC)



Marin City

    St. Andrews Presbyterian (ML)



Milpitas

    Sunnyhills UMC (RC)



Modesto

    College Avenue Congregational (ONA)



Newark

    Holy Redeemer Lutheran (RIC)



North Hollywood

    St. Matthew's Lutheran (RIC)

    Toluca Lake UMC (RC)



Oakland

    Faith Lutheran (RIC)

    Lake Merritt UMC (RC)

    Lakeshore Avenue Baptist (W&A)

    Lutheran Peace Fellowship (RIC)

    Montclair Presbyterian (ML)

    Peace UCC (ONA)

    Plymouth UCC (ONA)

    St. Paul Lutheran (RIC)



Palo Alto

    Covenant Presbyterian (ML)

    First Evangelical Lutheran (RIC)

    First Presbyterian (ML)

    University Lutheran (RIC)



Pasadena

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)



Richmond

    Grace Lutheran (RIC)



Sacramento

    Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (RIC)



San Diego

    First Lutheran (RIC)



San Francisco

    Bethany UMC (RC)

    Calvary UMC (RC)

    Christ Lutheran (RIC)

    Dolores Street Baptist (W&A)

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)

    First St. John's UMC (RC)

    First United Lutheran (RIC)

    Glide Memorial UMC (RC)

    Hamilton UMC (RC)

    Noe Valley Ministry (ML)

    Pine UMC (RC)

    Seventh Avenue Presbyterian (ML)

    St. Francis Lutheran (RIC)

    St. John's UCC (ONA)

    St. Mark's Lutheran (RIC)

    St. Paulus Lutheran (RIC)

    Trinity UMC (RC)



San Jose

    Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran (RIC)

    First Christian Church (O&A)

    New Community of Faith (W&A)



San Mateo

    College Heights UCC (ONA)



San Rafael

    Faith Lutheran (RIC)



Santa Barbara

    La Mesa Community (ONA)



Santa Cruz

    Grace UMC (RC)



Santa Monica

    The Church in Ocean Park (RC)



Sausalito

    First Presbyterian (ML)



Sonoma

    New Hope Church (ONA)



Stockton

    First Christian (O&A)



Sunnyvale

    Congregational Community (ONA)

    Raynor Park Christian (O&A)

    St. John's Lutheran (RIC)



Terra Linda

    Christ in Terra Linda (ML)



Tiburon

    Community Congregational (ONA)

    Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran (RIC)

    Westminster Presbyterian (ML)



Vacaville

    St. Paul's UMC (RC)



West Hollywood

    Crescent Heights UMC (RC)

    West Hollywood Presbyterian (ML)



Yucaipa

    Faith Lutheran (RIC)



COLORADO



Aurora

    Parkview Congregational UCC (ONA)



Boulder

    First Congregational (ONA)



Denver

    Capitol Heights Presbyterian (ML)

    Park Hill Congregational UCC (ONA)

    St. Paul's UMC (RC)

    Washington Park UCC (ONA)



Fort Collins

    St. Thomas University Lutheran (RIC)



CONNECTICUT



Coventry

    Second Congregational (ONA)



Mansfield Center

    First Church of Christ (ONA)



Middletown

    First Church of Christ (ONA)



Hartford

    Central Baptist (W&A)



New Haven

    Church of Christ in Yale Univ. (ONA)

    United Church on the Green (ONA)



Noank

    Noank Baptist (W&A)



South Glastonbury

    Congregational (ONA)



Stamford

    St. John Lutheran (RIC)



Waterbury

    South Congregational (ONA)



DELAWARE



Newark

    New Ark UCC (ONA)



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA



Washington, D.C.

    Augustana Lutheran (RIC)

    Christ Lutheran (RIC)

    Christ UMC (RC)

    Church of the Reformation (RIC)

    Community of Christ Lutheran (RIC)

    Dumbarton UMC (RC)

    First Congregational (ONA)

    First Trinity Lutheran (RIC)

    Georgetown Lutheran (RIC)

    Westminster Presbyterian (ML)



FLORIDA



Gainesville

    United Church (ONA)



Key West

    Holy Trinity Lutheran (RIC)



Tallahassee

    United Church (ONA)



Tampa

    First United Church (ONA)

    John Calvin Presbyterian (ML)

    St. Timothy Lutheran (RIC)



GEORGIA



Atlanta

    Clifton Presbyterian (ML)

    Grant Park-Aldersgate UMC (RC)



HAWAII



Honolulu

    Church of the Crossroads (ONA)

    Honolulu Lutheran (RIC)



ILLINOIS



Carbondale

    Church of the Good Shepherd (ONA)



Champaign

    McKinley Memorial Presbyterian (ML)

    St. Andrew's Lutheran (RIC)



Chicago

    Albany Park UMC (RC)

    Augustana Lutheran (RIC)

    Christ the King Lutheran (RIC)

    Christ the Mediator Lutheran (RIC)

    Grace Baptist (W&A)

    Holy Covenant UMC (RC)

    Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran (RIC)

    Irving Park Christian (O&A)

    Irving Park UMC (RC)

    Lake View Lutheran (RIC)

    Lincoln Park Presbyterian (ML)

    Mayfair UMC (RC) 

    Peoples Church (ONA)

    Resurrection Lutheran (RIC)

    St. Paul's UCC (ONA)

    Trinity Lutheran (RIC)

    United Church of Rogers Park (RC)

    University Church (ONA, O&A)

    Wellington Avenue UCC (ONA)



Evanston

    First Baptist (W&A)

    Hemenway UMC (RC)

    Wheadon UMC (RC)



Maywood

    Maywood House Church (RIC)



Oak Park

    Euclid Avenue UMC (RC)

    Good Shepherd Lutheran (RIC)



Wilmette

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)



Winfield

    Winfield Community (RC)



INDIANA



Indianapolis

    Northeast UCC (ONA)



South Bend

    Southside Christian (O&A)



West Lafayette

    Shalom UCC (ONA)



IOWA



Ames

    Lord of Life Lutheran (RIC)



Cedar Rapids

    Faith UMC (RC)



Des Moines

    Trinity UMC (RC)

    Urbandale UCC (ONA)



Iowa City

    Faith UCC (ONA)



KANSAS



Kansas City 

    ecumenikos (ML, ONA, O&A, RC)

    Van Brun Blvd. Presbyterian (ML)



Topeka

    Central Congregational UCC (ONA)



KENTUCKY



Louisville

    Central Presbyterian (ML)



LOUISIANA



New Orleans

    St. Mark's UMC (RC)



MARYLAND



Baltimore

    First & Franklin Presbyterian (ML)

    St. John's UMC (RC)

    St. Mark's Lutheran (RIC)



Gaithersburg

    Christ the Servant Lutheran (RIC)



Lanham

    Good Samaritan Lutheran (RIC)



Rockville

    Rockville Presbyterian (ML)



Takoma Park

    Takoma Park Presbyterian (ML)



MASSACHUSETTS



Amherst

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)

    South Congregational (ONA)



Auburn

    Pakachoag (ONA)



Boston

    Church of the Covenant (ONA, ML)

    Church of the United Community (ONA, O&A)



Cambridge

    First Church, Congregational (ONA)

    Old Cambridge Baptist (W&A)

    University Lutheran (RIC)



Danvers

    Holy Trinity UMC (RC)



Framingham

    Grace UCC (ONA)



Newburyport

    Belleville Congregational (ONA)



Osterville

    United Methodist (RC)



Shrewsbury

    Mt. Olivet Lutheran (RIC)



Wellesley

    Wellesley Congregational (ONA)



Wendell

    Wendell Congregational (ONA)



West Newton

    Second Church in Newton UCC (ONA)



Williamstown

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)

    First UMC (RC)



Worcester

    United Congregational (ONA)



MICHIGAN



Ann Arbor

    Church of the Good Shepherd (ONA)

    Lord of Light Lutheran (RIC)

    Memorial Christian (O&A)

    Northside Presbyterian (ML)



Detroit

    Truth Evangelical Lutheran (RIC)



Douglas

    Douglas Congregational UCC (ONA)



Kalamazoo

    Phoenix Community UCC (ONA)



Ypsilanti

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)



MINNESOTA



Edina

    Edina Community Lutheran (RIC)



Minneapolis

    Community of St. Martin (RIC)

    First Congregational (ONA)

    Grace University Lutheran (RIC)

    Hennepin Avenue UMC (RC)

    Holy Trinity Lutheran (RIC)

    Judson Memorial Baptist (W&A)

    Lyndale UCC (ONA)

    Mayflower Community Congregational UCC (ONA)

    Our Savior's Lutheran (RIC)

    Prospect Park UMC (RC)

    Spirit of the Lakes (ONA)

    Temple Baptist (W&A)

    University Baptist (W&A)

    Walker Community (RC)

    Wesley UMC (RC)



Robbinsdale

    Robbinsdale UCC (ONA)



St. Paul

    St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran (RIC)



Wayzatta

    St. Luke Presbyterian (ML)



MISSOURI



Kansas City

    Abiding Peace Lutheran (RIC)

    Fountain of Hope Lutheran (RIC)

    Kairos UMC (RC) 

    St. Mark's Lutheran (RIC)



St. Louis

    Gibson Heights United (ML)

    St. Marcus Evangelical UCC (ONA)



University City

    Bethel Lutheran (RIC)



MONTANA



Missoula

    University Congregational UCC (ONA)



NEBRASKA



Omaha

    First Lutheran (RIC)



NEW HAMPSHIRE



Hanover

    Our Savior Lutheran (RIC)



Plymouth

    Plymouth Congregational (ONA)



NEW JERSEY



South Orange

    First Presbyterian & Trinity (ML)



NEW MEXICO



Santa Fe

    Christ Lutheran (RIC)



NEW YORK



Albany

    Emmanuel Baptist (W&A)



Brookhaven

    Old South Haven Presbyterian (ML)



Brooklyn

    Church of Gethsemane (ML)

    Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian (ML)

    Park Slope UMC (RC)



Buffalo

    Amherst Community (ONA)

    Westminster Presbyterian (ML)



Churchville

    Union Congregational (ONA) 



Copake

    Craryville UMC (RC) 



Dobbs Ferry

    South Presbyterian (ML)



Geneva

    North Presbyterian (ML)



Gloversville

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)



Grand Island

    Riverside Salem (ONA)



Henrietta

    John Calvin Presbyterian (ML)



Marcellus

    First Presbyterian (ML)



New York

    Broadway UCC (ONA)

    Central Presbyterian (ML)

    Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (RC)

    Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian (ML)

    Grace & St. Paul's Lutheran (RIC)

    Jan Hus Presbyterian (ML)

    Judson Memorial (ONA, W&A)

    Madison Avenue Baptist (W&A)

    Metropolitan-Duane UMC (RC)

    Our Savior's Atonement Lutheran (RIC)

    Park Avenue Christian (O&A)

    Riverside (ONA)

    Rutgers Presbyterian (ML)

    St. Peter's Lutheran (RIC)

    Trinity Evangelical Lutheran (RIC)

    Washington Square UMC (RC)

    West-Park Presbyterian (ML)



Oneonta

    First UMC (RC)



Palisades

    Palisades Presbyterian (ML)



Rochester

    Calvary St. Andrews (ML)

    Downtown Presbyterian (ML)

    The House Church (ONA)

    Third Presbyterian (ML)



Sayville

    Sayville Congregational UCC (ONA)



NORTH CAROLINA



Chapel Hill

    Church of the Reconciliation (ML)

    United Church (ONA)



Winston-Salem

    First Christian (O&A)



Raleigh

    Community UCC (ONA)

    Pullen Memorial Baptist (W&A)



OHIO



Brecksville

    United Church of Christ (ONA)



Cleveland

    Pilgrim Congregational UCC (ONA)



Columbus

    Redeemer Lutheran (RIC)

    Third Avenue Community (RC)



Cincinnati

    Mt. Auburn Presbyterian (ML)



Dayton

    Congregation for Reconciliation (ONA)



Norton

    Grace UCC (ONA)



Toledo

    Central UMC (RC)



OREGON



Ashland

    United Church of Christ (ONA)



Corvallis

    First UMC (RC)



Estacada

    Estacada UMC (RC)



Lake Oswego

    Lake Oswego UCC (ONA)



Milwaukie

    Milwaukie UCC (ONA)



Portland

    First Congregational (ONA)

    Metanoia Peace Community (RC)

    St. James Lutheran (RIC)

    University Park UMC (RC)



PENNSYLVANIA



Philadelphia

    Calvary UMC (RC)

    First UMC of Germantown (RC)

    St. Michael's Lutheran (RIC)

    Tabernacle United (ONA, ML)

    University Lutheran of Incarnation (RIC)



Wayne

    Central Baptist (W&A)



RHODE ISLAND



Newport

    Newport Congregational (ONA)



SOUTH CAROLINA



Columbia

    Gethsemane Lutheran (RIC)



SOUTH DAKOTA



Erwin

    Erwin UCC (ONA)



TENNESSEE



Memphis

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)



Nashville

    Edgehill UMC (RC)



TEXAS



Austin

    First English Lutheran (RIC)

    Trinity UMC (RC)



Dallas

    Bethany Presbyterian (ML)

    Midway Hills Christian (O&A)



Fort Worth

    St. Matthew's Lutheran (RIC)



Houston

    Bering Memorial UMC (RC)

    Community of the Reconciling Servant (ML)



VERMONT



Bennington

    Second Congregational (ONA)



Burlington

    Christ Presbyterian (ML)



Rutland

    Rutland UMC (RC)



VIRGINIA



Harrisonburg 

    Sanctuary UCC (ONA)



WASHINGTON



Chelan

    Fullness of God Lutheran (RIC)



Federal Way

    Wayside UCC (ONA)



Leavenworth

    Faith Lutheran (RIC)



Medical Lake

    Shalom UCC (ONA)



Mountlake Terrace

    Terrace View Presbyterian (ML)



Olympia

    Community for Christian Celebration (ONA)



Richland

    Shalom UCC (ONA)



Seattle

    Broadview Community UCC (ONA)

    Central Lutheran (RIC)

    Findlay Street Christian (O&A)

    First Baptist (W&A)

    Pilgrim Congregational (ONA)

    Plymouth Congregational (ONA)

    Prospect UCC (ONA)

    Richmond Beach Congregational UCC (ONA)

    University Baptist (W&A)

    University Christian (O&A) 

    University Congregational (ONA)

    Wallingford UMC (RC)



Vancouver

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)



WISCONSIN



Eau Claire

    University Lutheran (RIC)



Madison

    First Congregational UCC (ONA)

    Orchard Ridge UCC (ONA)

    University (RC)



Milwaukee

    Church of the Reformation (RIC)

    Cross Lutheran (RIC)

    Plymouth UCC (ONA)

    Village Lutheran (RIC)



Racine

    Our Savior's Lutheran (RIC)



Sheboygan

    Wesley UMC (RC)



CANADA



Saskatoon

    King of Glory Lutheran (RIC)



            Campus Ministries

            ------ ----------



CALIFORNIA



    Chapman University Pride Alliance (O&A)

    Wesley Foundation at UCLA (RC)



DELAWARE



    Wesley Foundation at University of Delaware (RC)



ILLINOIS



    UM Student Fellowship at Illinois Wesleyan (RC)



INDIANA



    Lutheran Campus Ministry at Indiana University (RIC)



IOWA



    Lutheran Campus Ministry at University of Iowa (RIC)



MICHIGAN



    Guild House at University of Michigan (O&A)

    Ecclesia at Michigan State University (O&A)



MINNESOTA



    Lutheran Campus Ministry in  Minneapolis (RIC)

    Lutheran Campus Ministry at St. Cloud State (RIC)

    Student Congregation at St. Olaf College (RIC)



NORTH DAKOTA



    University Lutheran Center in Fargo (RIC)



OREGON



    Lutheran Campus Ministry in Portland (RIC)



PENNSYLVANIA



    Lutheran Campus Ministry at Kutztown (RIC)



WISCONSIN



    Lutheran Campus Ministry in LaCrosse (RIC)

    Metro Milwaukee Campus Ministry (RIC)



            Judicatories

            ------------



More Light Synods

    Synod of the Northeast



Open and Affirming Conferences

    Connecticut

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    Minnesota

    New Hampshire

    Northern California/Nevada

    Ohio

    Rocky Mountain

    Southern California



Open and Affirming Regions

    Northern California/Nevada



Reconciled in Christ Synods

    Eastern North Dakota

    Eastern Washington-Idaho

    Greater Milwaukee

    Metro Chicago

    Metro Washington D.C.

    Pacifica

    Rocky Mountain

    Sierra-Pacific

    Southeast Michigan



Reconciling Conferences

    California-Nevada

    New York

    Northern Illinois

    Troy

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-- 

 Albert Lunde                      |  Interfaith  |     *Y*Y*      "A branch on the

 Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu |  Bisexual   |      *Y*        tree of life"

                                               |  Feminist   |.........|.........................

You should also check out the listing of Certified Welcoming Congregations at

  OBGLTC   The Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns.

They maintain an up to date list of well over 200 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada.

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