Bethel MCC has moved to Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama

With the help of the Holy Spirit, an exciting new adventure awaits Bethel Metropolitan Community Church. With the approval of the District Superintendent and Bishop of the United Methodist Church, Bethel MCC has been invited to rent space from Woodlawn United Methodist Church.

Woodlawn UMC is a venerable institution. It has a long history in Birmingham, and it was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, with some members opposing and others desiring integration during the 1960's.

Now Woodlawn UMC is making further history by inviting Bethel MCC, an openly Gay church to share space with it. The decision is in keeping with the Methodist Book of Discipline, by which all of their churches are guided. Their message is "Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors", and they opened their doors to us.

Sunday, November 30, 2008, the first Sunday of Advent, will be the first worship service that Bethel Metropolitan Community Church has at Woodlawn United Methodist Church. The MCC service is moving to 12:30 p.m. with a coffee hour starting at 11:00 a.m. before that, while the Woodlawn UMC folks leave the church and we set up. The new address is 118 55th Street North. The entrance is toward the rear of the church, which fronts on First Avenue North at 55th Street.