Join us in honoring the enduring legacy of LGBTQ+ individuals in The United Methodist Church, lifting up this community in the present, and supporting the future of LGBTQ+ individuals following their full inclusions and affirmation in the life of the Church.
We invite congregations to engage in worship, storytelling, and reflection during the three-week LGBTQ+ Heritage Season!
The purpose of this timeframe is to not only celebrate this vibrant community, but also listen, collect and amplify their stories of resilience, and spiritual courage.
The Significance of Oct 11 - Nov 1 Time Period:
Though this season builds upon the momentum of the May 1 anniversary of The UMC’s historic vote for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals, the date range to honor LGBTQ+ Heritage Season was specifically chosen to span the time between National Coming Out Day (Oct 11th) and All Saints Day (Nov 1st). This is a symbolic observance, honoring the full “lifespan” of LGBTQ+ experience in the Church: from coming out and claiming identity, to surviving exclusion and finding resilience, to remembering and celebrating those we’ve lost.
Read more about this historic vote here.
Commitment Ito Intersectionality as a Key Layer of LGBTQ+ Identity
Additionally, United Methodists LGBTQ+ Heritage Season overlaps three other observance times: National LGBTQ+ History Month, and a portion of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month. This alignment is a powerful reminder that LGBTQ+ individuals exist in all communities, and have always existed in our church's history. It also serves as an opportunity to lift up the faithful witness of LGBTQ+ clergy who have led with love, justice, and grace (often at great personal cost); honor the rich and vibrant history of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout time; and celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals who have been part of our Hispanic and Native American United Methodist communities.
Worship Planner Additions+ (ResourceUMC)
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Laity Sunday — 3rd Sunday in October
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All Saints Sunday — November 3rd
- ResourceUMC.org monthly ministry planner for October
Significant national/international observances
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Month
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National Clergy Appreciation Month
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Filipino American History Month (FAHM)
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German-American Heritage Month
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Global Diversity Awareness Month
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Italian-American Heritage
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Polish-American Heritage Month
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Days
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Oct 11 — National Coming Out Day, a US celebration of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer coming out and the recognition of the 1987 march on Washington for gay and lesbian equality.
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Oct 11 — International Girl Child Day
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Oct 12 — National Clergy Appreciation Day
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Oct 13 — National Indigenous Peoples Day
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Oct 15 — International Pronouns Day, seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonpla