Lakewood UMC

Reconciling Church

5995 Dr Martin Luther King St S
Saint Petersburg FL, 33705

Phone: (727) 867-2556

Lakewood United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg, Florida describes themselves as diverse in both visible and not-so-visible ways in a nicely eclectic community. A small and growing congregation, Lakewood UMC focused their reconciling process around the theme of “growing in our love of God and neighbor.”

Lakewood UMC’s reconciling process was led by a task force of 14 people who scheduled educational events, hosted house gatherings and presented the recommended welcoming statement, received and assimilated feedback and requested the formal adoption of their fully inclusive welcome. A few of the comments from the congregational survey describe the generous and Gospel centered character of the Lakewood Congregation:

“It’s just about being Christian.”

“It’s the right, just, and hopeful thing to do.

This is part of who we are, “a congregation with a big heart who is growing in our love of God and neighbor.”

Their new Reconciling Statement, reads:

LUMC seeks to be a church with “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors: and is dedicated to reaching out to all God’s children. Jesus calls us to the ministry of reconciliation and grace. Therefore, we invite and welcome all persons of every age, gender identity, racial and ethnic background, sexual orientation, marital and socioeconomic status, nationality and immigration status, physical and mental ability to participate in the life of this faith community. We embrace the beautiful and amazing diversity of God’s creation in south St. Petersburg and identify ourselves as a Reconciling Congregation.

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