Welcoming & Affirming

  1. Home
  2. Welcoming & Affirming

A warm invitation to belong, to be seen, and to grow together in Christ’s love.

1) Being Welcoming

At Berwyn United Methodist Church, we believe every person is created in the image of God—beloved, sacred, and worthy of belonging. We open our doors and our hearts to all who come seeking grace, connection, and purpose.

Whether you are filled with faith or full of questions, whether you’ve always had a church home or have been away for a while, there is a place for you here. We welcome people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background—because that’s how God welcomes us.

Our hope is that when you walk through our doors, you feel not just accepted, but celebrated as the unique and wonderful person God made you to be.

2) Being an Ally

Being welcoming is only the beginning. We also seek to stand alongside those who have been excluded or hurt by the church, and to listen, learn, and use our voices for justice and compassion.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love not only in words but in action—to practice empathy, advocate for inclusion, and create spaces where everyone can fully participate in the life of the church.

  • Supporting and celebrating our LGBTQ+ siblings.
  • Standing with people of color and working against racism.
  • Affirming those living with visible and invisible disabilities.
  • Recognizing the divine image in every person we meet.

We are still learning what this means and how best to live it out, but our commitment is real: to be a church that chooses love over fear and grace over judgment.

3) Growing into this Reality in Community

We know we’re not perfect—but we believe God is still working in us. Being a welcoming and affirming church is not a one-time statement; it’s a journey of growth.

We are learning together how to listen deeply, to speak truth with kindness, and to live more fully into the radical love of Jesus. There is still more to understand, more to practice, and more to become.

If you’re looking for a community where people are trying—sometimes stumbling, always striving—to love as God loves, we invite you to grow with us. Together, by God’s grace, we can become the church the world needs us to be.

Last updated October 16, 2025. We periodically review this page with our Leadership Board and ministry teams as we continue to learn and grow together.

Top