To the Church I grew up in,

Though it has been many Sundays since I sat in your pews, read your hymnal, and went to your camps, you have held a special place in my heart. Some of my oldest memories include growing up in the church, running down the aisle, attending Sunday School and learning lessons and morals that I have taken into my adult life.

I have made relationships that I have carried with me for years; I have found love in the church. And now, though I don't know where exactly I stand, I do know one thing:

I experienced love. I felt that I was loved for who I was because we are taught that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. That's what I felt in my time as an active member in the United Methodist Church (I was confirmed when I was 11 years old, which was a big deal for me. Most youths are confirmed when they are 14-16, and most of my confirmation class was adults).

The message that the UMC general conference sent on February 26th was not one of love, in fact, it actually lacked it. The motto of the UMC is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors".

Well, as long as you're straight. With the passing of the traditional plan, and the almost forcing out of LGBT clergy and members, one of the largest denominations is proving that their hearts are closed, their minds won't be changed, and their doors are locked.

So, my question for the church is: Will you change your motto? How will you face your alienation of not only LGBT people but their allies as well? I once loved the church and felt the doctrine best described where I stood in my faith. This act, however, was another push out of the door for me.

So to my former church I ask: Where are the open hearts, the open minds, and open doors?

With love (of all kinds),

A saddened, and possibly former, member