Who Does Lake Oswego United Methodist Church Welcome?

Lake Oswego United Methodist Church (LOUMC) states that everyone is welcome, and that all individuals are of sacred worth, without exception. The church's published inclusivity statement, adopted in October 2012, makes that welcome explicit across a defined list of characteristics and circumstances, and frames it as a commitment to ministry with all persons rather than a general greeting.

What the Welcome Statement Says

The statement on the church's site opens with "Everyone is welcome here" and "All means all." It affirms that all individuals are of sacred worth, without exception, and commits the congregation to be in ministry for and with all persons regardless of:

• Age
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Faith
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Economic condition
• Marital status
• Abilities

The statement also welcomes "all persons who seek God's love through Jesus Christ and who desire to journey together toward greater understanding and mutual respect." That second sentence describes the posture the church asks of those who join: a shared journey toward understanding and respect, not agreement on every point.

Why the October 2012 Date Matters

The statement was adopted in October 2012, so it is a formal congregational position rather than an informal welcome note. The church also links from its site to information about changes the United Methodist Church has made to embrace and include LGBTQIA+ siblings more fully. Read together, the two pieces answer a practical question visitors often have: whether the welcome extends specifically to LGBTQIA+ people. The statement's explicit inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity, plus the linked denominational context, indicates that it does.

How to See the Welcome in Practice

A statement tells you the stated position; attending tells you the culture. LOUMC holds worship on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and 10:30, and services are available online on the church's YouTube channel (youtube.com/lakeoswegoUMC). For someone who wants to gauge the congregation before visiting in person, watching a service online is the lowest-commitment way to hear how the welcome is expressed in practice.

The church is located at 1855 South Shore Blvd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

What the Statement Does Not Cover

The published statement addresses who is welcome and the congregation's commitment to ministry with all persons. It does not, on its own, describe specific programs, accessibility accommodations, or membership steps. If your question is about a particular need — for example, whether a specific accessibility arrangement is available, or what joining the church involves — the statement establishes the intent, but the practical details are best confirmed directly with the church.