Your recent article about the Chilmark Community Church seems to imply that most United Methodist churches are intolerant toward LGBTQ+ persons and that for this reason the Chilmark Community Church has left the UMC denomination. While I am saddened at this outcome, I wish the Rev. Charlotte Wright and the people of Chilmark Community Church godspeed in this new chapter of their ministry here on the Island.

I would like to clarify that, like many UMC congregations throughout New England, the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard (Oak Bluffs) is a welcoming congregation to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, physical ability, age or any of the other categories that people might use to exclude.

UMC-MV welcomes all people into beloved community, and we are committed to serving the people of this Island through our Clothes to Go ministry (at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven), our community suppers (relaunching in Oak Bluffs on Jan. 13), annual participation in Crop Hunger Walk, and many other ministries.

Rev. Joanne Hus. The write is the pastor of United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard.