You are WElcome Here

At Bellevue First United Methodist Church, we honor and affirm all people’s expressions of their own gender identity and sexuality, and we affirm and celebrate love between people. 


For over 20 years our church has been what Methodists call a Reconciling Congregation. We have a deep and abiding commitment to be an inclusive community where all people are invited into full participation in the life of our church.


While the larger United Methodist Church is not of one mind, our church marries same sex couples, supports the ordination of openly gay pastors, and believes that God's love is truly for everyone.  We march in the Seattle PRIDE parade, host a Transgender Day of Remembrance event, stock our library in the lobby with books of interest to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, engage in ministry to support homeless LGBTQ+ youth, and are always looking for new ways to be supportive and to walk alongside our queer siblings.  Check out our Social Action Ministry Team if you are interested in partnering with us!


Here are the answers to many Frequently Asked Questions about the LGBTQ+ community and what it means to be a reconciling church.


Also, click here for a recent article written about some of our work and partnerships with the LGBTQ+ community. 


And lastly, here's a little message from the Bellevue First UMC congregation about why we love our LGBTQ+ neighbors (see below). 





LGBTQ+ RESOURCES


  • Here is a cheat sheet on some of the Bible texts that are unfairly used to attack or "clobber" the LGBTQ+ community. 


  • Here are answers to frequently asked questions about what reconciling means and how that changes us.


  • The gender unicorn, helps to better understand gender issues and identities and can be found here. 


  • Here are ten passages in the Bible that are pro-LGBTQ+.  

  • PFLAG: Parents and Friends of LGBTQ+ 

    PFLAG Bellevue Eastside meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6 pm at our church, and has for many years. The first half is peer-to-peer support groups led by trained facilitators and the second half is a guest speaker.  

  • GENDER DIVERSITY

    Gender Diversity's peer support groups for parents and guardians is the longest running and largest network of support groups for families with trans and gender-diverse children in the country. Groups meet face-to-face in Seattle and greater Puget Sound area, and online at www.transfamilies.org. All attendees are screened to ensure that the groups are safe. Contact: info@genderdiversity.org, or call 1-855-4GENDER (855-443-6337) 

  • EMERALD CITY SOCIAL CLUB

    For several years we have partnered with Emerald City Social Club to provide a Transgender Day of Remembrance program. We have been honored by their partnership.

  • gAY sTRAIGHT bUSINESS aLLIANCE

    GSBA is Washington state's LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce, and the largest LGBTQ chamber in North America. FUMCB is a proud member of the GSBA.