What Does MGCC Presbyterian Believe About Inclusion and Community?

MGCC Presbyterian — Morton Grove Community Church — describes itself as an inclusive Presbyterian community church that is LGBTQ+ friendly and welcomes people of all faiths, creeds, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and backgrounds. Its stated goal is to create a welcoming, accepting environment where everyone can explore their spirituality and faith. If you are looking for a congregation that puts that welcome into practice through worship, study, and service, the sections below show what that looks like in concrete terms.

The Inclusion Statement, in the Church's Own Words

The church's homepage states plainly that it is "LGBTQ+ friendly and welcome people of all faiths, creeds, sexual orientations, gender identities, races, and backgrounds." It frames this not as a one-time gesture but as an ongoing commitment: "We believe in creating a welcoming and accepting environment where everyone can explore their spirituality and faith."

Two things are worth noting about how this is phrased:

• The welcome is broad by design. It names faiths, creeds, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and backgrounds — not a single category.
• The purpose is exploration, not conformity. The stated aim is to give people room to explore spirituality and faith, rather than to require a particular starting point.

Public Theology: The New Barmen Declaration

Inclusion at MGCC is not only a welcome statement — it is also expressed in a public theological document. During Lent 2026, the congregation studied the Barmen Declaration, a Reformed Christian document written in Germany in 1934 that resisted the Nazi-backed German Christian movement. In response, MGCC created its own version of this public theology to address its contemporary context.

For a visitor, this matters because it signals how the congregation understands its own role: it treats theological statements as something a community writes together in response to the present moment, not only as historical texts to be recited.

Community in Practice: Worship, Study, and Service

The church's calendar shows inclusion and community as recurring activities rather than slogans.

The pattern is consistent: worship is paired with a concrete act of service to neighbors, and study groups meet in the same space.

Where Services Are Held

One practical detail that surprises some first-time visitors: the church notes that it holds service at the log cabin in Skokie, not at a traditional church building. Worship services via Zoom are also available "like always," and the site provides a Zoom link for worship. If you plan to attend in person, confirm the location before you go.

How to Learn More Before Visiting

• Watch first. MGCC hosts musical performances, event footage, and discussions on faith, spirituality, inclusion, and community on YouTube. The homepage also offers a sample of music from Sunday worship services.
• Ask about sermons. If you want to hear sermons from Reverend Beth, the church asks that you email them for the link.
• Check upcoming events. The site's Upcoming Events section is updated with gatherings for fellowship, learning, and fun, with the note "Join us - all are welcome!"

Who This Community May Suit

MGCC Presbyterian may be a good fit if you want a Presbyterian congregation that states an explicit LGBTQ+ welcome, values exploring faith over enforcing a single starting point, pairs worship with service to neighbors, and offers both in-person and Zoom participation. If you prefer a congregation with a traditional church building or a fixed weekly schedule beyond Sunday worship, the log cabin location and rotating event calendar are details worth checking directly before you visit.