FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19 2025
‘SACRED STORIES: MINISTRIES OF LGBTQ+ UNITED METHODISTS’ IS FOCUS OF HERITAGE SUNDAY 2025
Liturgy, podcasts, oral histories, digital exhibits and more available now
Madison, N.J. – Sacred stories are at the heart of our denomination’s heritage. In 2025, the General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) encourages local churches to lift up and celebrate stories from those who have been silenced in the past with its Heritage Sunday theme, “Sacred Stories: Ministries of LGBTQ+ United Methodists.” Heritage Sunday traditionally is recognized the third Sunday in May (May 18 this year), but congregations may choose to commemorate the special Sunday at any time.
“When we hear one another’s stories, we discover our common bonds as people of faith, as children of God,” observes Dr. Ashley Boggan, GCAH general secretary. “For too long, we have not sought out nor listened to stories from the LGBTQ+ community in The United Methodist Church. We welcome and hold precious these authentic experiences of struggle, deep faith, pain and love. This Heritage Sunday, all of us at the General Commission on Archives and History thank you and your United Methodist congregation for your own sacred stories and encourage you to draw the circle wide so that all can share from their lived encounters within the church.”
The General Commission on Archives and History has curated a number of resources to be used by local congregations in recognition of this special Sunday in the life of our denomination. All Heritage Sunday 2025 resources are available at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory.
Below are details about the 2025 Heritage Sunday resources.
Worship resources
Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) has produced numerous resources, including “The Next Faithful Steps,” a collection of prayers, scripture, reflection and group discussion questions, designed for churches to better understand and respond to the decisions of the 2020 General Conference held in 2024. The resources may be purchased by churches or small groups for $20 at RMNetwork.org
A series of free devotionals from RMN can be viewed and downloaded here.
For a one-sheet of books and study resources for all perspectives, visit the link here.
Pew cards, produced by UMCGiving, are available for download at this link.
Oral histories
We are pleased to share a collection of sacred stories from the LGBTQ Religious Archives, an organization that has recorded more than 70 in-depth interview with early leaders of LGBTQ+ religious movements, including United Methodists Pamela Lightsey, John V. Moore, Melvin E. Wheatley and GCAH’s archivist and author, the late Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Rowe.
Discover more sacred stories at LGBTQ Religious Archives.
We invite you to share your own oral history with the United Methodist Stories app. Learn more about the app and find instructions for recording your stories at the link. Please note that you have the option to make the recordings public or keep them private. You also will receive a copy of the recording for yourself with one copy going to GCAH’s secure digital repository.
'Un-Tied Methodism' podcasts
We are sharing both archived and newly-released podcasts to support the Heritage Sunday theme. Two podcasts from the archives, “RMN at ’40 years young’ features guest Jan Lawrence, Reconciling Ministries Network’s executive director, discussing the organization’s four decades of ministry; and “RMN: A movement of love for LGBTQ+ United Methodists” features guest Beth Richardson discussing the early days of the movement, are being reshared in the weeks leading up to Heritage Sunday. Both podcasts are available at UnTiedMethodism.org.
Watch for details about new podcasts to be shared as we gather the oral histories from prominent United Methodist leaders who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Digital Exhibit
GCAH has published a new digital exhibit titled “Faithful Witness: The United Methodist Church and LGBTQ+ Inclusion.” The unique collection spans decades of activism, reflection and policy struggles within the denomination. Browse through the images that tell the stories of resistance, dialogue and transformation here.
Heritage Sunday explainer video
A video produced by United Methodist Communications explains why we celebrate Heritage Sunday and the importance of this special Sunday for all United Methodists. The video, which is available for download, can be viewed here.
Additional resources
Heritage Sunday resources from past years continue to be available to view and/or download. These resources, including worship materials, podcasts and resources to help tell your church’s story, featuring the themes of “Rooted and Grounded in Love (2024),” “Local Church Histories; The Cornerstone of our Faith (2023); “Splits, Separations and Reconciliations: Rooted in Wesleyan Grace (2022); and “Racism: Pride, Shame and Pain: Methodism’s history with racism and efforts to dismantle it (2021).” Discover all of the resources at the link.
For more information about GCAH and Heritage Sunday, visit ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory.
Media contact:
Crystal Caviness
[email protected]
615-306-3401