The Congregation of Richfield United Methodist Church affirms that through God’s redeeming love for all, we are one in Christ. We celebrate our diversity and recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all persons regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental capacity, education, or economic or marital status. We welcome all persons to full participation in the life and ministries of RUMC. We welcome all in our journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect.

Commitment to Marriage Equality Statement

As a church in the Methodist tradition since 1854, Richfield United Methodist Church’s ministries are grounded in Jesus’ call to love both God and neighbor. We acknowledge that we have often failed to extend the radical hospitality that God asks of us, even as we continually strive to do so.

In 2007 — seeking to open our hearts, minds, and doors — we publicly welcomed lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families into full participation in the life and ministries of the congregation, and we continue to do so today.

We recognize that when two people come together to form a primary committed relationship, they often ask the church to bless their wedding. With due consideration, the church responds by celebrating, in the presence of their families and friends, the work of God’s Spirit in their lives.

We lament that in our time, so many courts, legislatures and religious institutions still deny same-gender and transgender couple equal access to marriage and all the blessings, rights, and responsibilities thereof.

We rejoice that at this point in history, the arc of justice now bends toward equal recognition of marriage for all couples.

Today we affirm that God’s grace is open to all, and we witness to that grace through our commitment to justice and equality in our congregation, the State of Minnesota, the United Methodist Church, and the world. We will honor and celebrate the wedding of any couple, licensed in Minnesota, who seek to commit their lives to one another in marriage.