Campbell UMC is an Affirming & Reconciling Congregation –
ALL are Welcome Here!
Campbell UMC is a Reconciling Congregation (see below), officially becoming a “Reconciling UMC”
with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) in 1997.
In an attempt to make this better understandable to those not affiliated with the United Methodist Church and/or RMN, in 2026, the CUMC Reconciling Committee voted & unanimously decided that the group will now be known by the auxiliary name, Pride in Action.
A Campbell UMC Pride in Action google group has been created for anyone who is interested in being informed about upcoming events.
If you would like to be added to the group, please send an email to prideinaction[at]campbellunited[dot]org.
See our next meeting date.
The Creed at Campbell United Methodist Church:
“We are Campbell United Methodist Church, people reaching out,
with open minds, souls, and hearts –
- Nourishing Spirituality
- Engaging Creativity
- Building Social Justice
- Providing loving, welcoming community
– for Christ and the World!”
To be a “Reconciling Congregation” means we commit to the FULL inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the United Methodist Church. We affirm people of ALL sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and actively work towards creating not only a welcoming but affirming environment.
*After over five decades of strife and adoption of policies that increasingly excluded non-heterosexual persons from the clergy and receiving the full ministries of the church, the 2024 UMC General Conference removed all of those restrictions and replaced them with a series of affirmations and agreements about how all persons will be treated with respect to their sexuality or gender identity. These updated provisions are in entire effect as of January 1, 2025. Some of them went into immediate effect as of the close of the 2024 General Conference
(May 3, 2024).
CUMC Pride in Action Statement on HHS Proposals for Youth
On December 18th, 2025, the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced proposals to bar any hospital nationwide that receives federal dollars from providing gender-affirming health care via Medicaid & Medicare programs to trans youth under 18 years of age. These actions corrode access to healthcare for anyone–not just trans youth. Our healthcare system is already incredibly burdened by inaccessibility, lack of equity, and rising costs.
CUMC Pride in Action vehemently rejects the measures being enacted by such legislative actions against trans youth–and the trans community as a whole.
CUMC Pride in Action stands alongside Trans Youth.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You are seen, respected and valued.
Find Resources for LGBTQIA+ Youth & Young Adults here.
NEWS and Current EVENTS: (previous events here)
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Next Pride in Action Committee Meeting – February 15th
You are invited to join the next meeting of the
Pride in Action/LGBTQ+ Committee
at 11:30 on Sunday, February 15th, following morning Worship.
Grab a coffee or tea in Fellowship Hall, and come join in!
(We have snacks too!)
Location: Wesley Lounge
ALL are welcome—we look forward to seeing you!
We hold regular meetings each 3rd Sunday, monthly.
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UMATI: Transgender State of the Union
2025 was a momentous year for transgender inclusion. Over 1,000 pieces of anti-trans legislated were brought forth in 49 states across the country. At the same time, the United Methodist Church has become more inclusive of gender identities and sexual orientations than ever.
Please register and join UMATI (United Methodist Alliance for Transgender Inclusion) on January 27, 2026 at 4PM PST for a Transgender State address led by our newest out clergy, Rev Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf.
After her presentation, we will have time for community conversation.
A Zoom link will be sent out to registrants the morning of January 27th.
Reconciling Ministries Network
Campbell UMC is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), officially becoming a “Reconciling UMC” in 1997. Along with the RMN, we affirm the vision of the Methodist Church to be one of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. Campbell UMC is dedicated to working with RMN, the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, and other organizations at the UMC General Conference to affirm the official UMC stance to include LGBT clergy and candidates, and support (as well as perform the ceremonies of) marriage for all people.
Would you like to know more or become involved?
Please contact prideinaction[at]campbellunited[dot]org.
Also see the Campbell UMC Facebook Reconciling Page.
The Reconciling movement’s prayers and decades of organizing brought about a great denominational shift toward inclusion in 2024. The UMC General Conference eliminated wedding and ordination bans and lifted penalties against LGBTQ+ clergy and advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion. The Church made meaningful progress toward worldwide regionalization, and the Revised Social Principles eliminated the discriminatory language that LGBTQ+ people were “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
But this isn’t the end of the Reconciling movement. In fact, it’s merely the beginning of the rest of our work – until every church and every community is a place of unconditional welcome for all LGBTQ+ people.
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Church Coming Out
In the spirit of inclusivity, a team consisting of Campbell UMC and our sister South Bay Welcoming UMCs of Silicon Valley have created social media accounts for outreach and sharing.
Please find, like, and follow ChurchComingOut on Facebook and tag #ChurchComingOut – @ChurchComingOut on Instagram
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Resources for LGBTQIA+ Youth & Young Adults
OUTLET is a program of Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) existing to support the well-being of all teens, tweens, and young adults ages 5-25 in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. OUTLET’s mission is to empower LGBTQIA+ Youth and to build safe, accepting communities through support, education, and advocacy.
Find flyers about OUTLET Services & OUTLET Therapy & Support groups.
ACS’ network of skilled family therapists and professionally-led support groups are resources that youth and their families can rely on for help with life’s challenges, be they big or small.
QTBIPOC Support Group – Interest Form (now 18+)
Outlet of Adolescent Counseling Services and the San Mateo County Pride Center are looking to increase the number of spaces and amount of support provided for queer folks of color in San Mateo and beyond.
They are planning the next chapter of their QTBIPOC space—now for community members 18+—and they want to hear from you. If you or someone you know identifies as QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color), please share availability and interest here: https://qrco.de/QTBIPOCInterestForm
Previous EVENTS and NEWS:
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Silicon Valley Pride & Welcoming UMCs of Silicon Valley
See some of our photos from 2025 SV Pride!
On Sunday, August 31st, 2025, Silicon Valley Pride held its
50th Anniversary Festival themed,
“Unstoppable: 50 Years of Love, Legacy & Liberation.”
We, as a member of the Reconciling UMCs of Silicon Valley, again demonstrated our message of radical hospitality & love for all God’s creation by standing alongside our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ marching together in the parade (click for Facebook event & info).
This family-friendly event was a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with the LGBTQ+ community; now is the time for re-engagement, reconnecting, and healing. Support for this event is ever more critical as the LGBTQ+ community and especially those who are transgender face growing discrimination and dehumanizing treatment.
May they know we are Christians by our Love.
An inter-faith worship service was held immediately prior to the parade and
our churches also co-hosted a booth at the festival after the parade.
If you would like to be part of future planning or participating in any way, please
contact Pastor Alyss at pastoralyss[at]campbellunited[dot]org.
We welcome your support!
View Special Services:
View the August 31st, 2025 Pride Sunday Worship service with Rev. Theon Johnson III, preacher.
View the August 24th, 2025 Reconciling Sunday Worship service with Rev. Alyss Swanson, preacher.
View the August 18th, 2024 Reconciling Sunday Worship service with Rev. Alyss Swanson, preacher.
View the August 13th, 2023 Pride Sunday Worship service with Rev. Alyss Swanson, preacher.
View the August 21st, 2022 Pride Sunday Worship service with Dr. Randall Miller, guest speaker, and the Gift of Music: “This is Me” from Corey Liggans Miller, soloist from Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus.
View the August 29th, 2021 Pride Sunday Worship service with the message, “The Church’s Response to Pride Sunday,” and the Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus singing “The Greatest Love of All.”
View the August 30th, 2020 online worship – our Reconciling Ministries Sunday Celebration, in which some of our church family shared their personal stories. We also shared our Reconciling Ministries inclusion videos and were graced with the beautiful musings of the Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus, including “Glory.”
Join us for in-person worship, or watch the service streamed live at 10am on both our Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as posted later on the Coming Up in Worship page and the Sermons & Anthems page. You do not need an account to view the worship video. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel and Like our Facebook page, you will be notified of new videos. You can also view/hear previous worship services and anthems on the above-listed pages..
After the worship services, ALL are invited to join the Campbell UMC Fellowship & Coffee Hour.
We hope to see you there!
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February 9th, 2020
Sermon: LGBTQ Lives Through the Bible
Text: Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27
We continue the sermon series, inspired by Adam Hamilton’s book, Making Sense of the Bible, during which we examine some of the more perplexing, confusing, disturbing and challenging scriptures.
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Reconciling Ministries Anniversary Celebration: Sunday, October 27th, 2019
Text: Acts 8:26-40
Sermon: “All Are Welcome, but…”
— Rev. Israel (Izzy) Alvaran Listen to Sermon
We celebrated our 22nd Reconciling Anniversary with Israel (Izzy) Alvaran, Reconciling Processes & Western Regional
Organizer from the Reconciling Ministries Network, preached.
Pastor Alyss and Izzy gave a short presentation on the state of the church
leading into the 2020 UMC General Conference after the worship service.
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Watch An Act of Love – again!
On June 24th, 2016, Campbell UMC hosted a free community screening of the documentary, An Act of Love (which was newly released at the time). This compelling film tells the story of Rev. Frank Schaefer, who was initially defrocked & disciplined by The United Methodist Church for officiating his son’s same-sex marriage.The film was shown in partnership with Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), which hoped to inspire members of the United Methodist Church to work toward changing the Church’s official doctrine to fully include LGBTQ+ clergy and congregants. It is still most timely, as the Council of Bishops worked to find A Way Forward.
The film is available on Kanopy free for streaming!
If you were unable to attend our screening or would like to see it again, you are invited to watch this wonderful, yet still divisive story about the act that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister who risked it all for his gay son.
All means ALL! Watch the trailer.
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Silicon Valley Pride & Reconciling Churches of Silicon Valley
On Sunday, August 27th, 2023, Silicon Valley Pride will hold its annual Pride event in San Jose, and again, the Reconciling UMCs of Silicon Valley will demonstrate our message of radical hospitality & love for all God’s creation by standing alongside our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ
and marching together in the parade.
You are invited & encouraged to show your love & support by walking with us. The parade begins at 10:30am near Julian / Market Street and ends a short half-mile away at Plaza de César Chávez Park.
Click here for the informational flyer.
An inter-faith worship service will be held immediately prior to the parade at 8:45am outside the
San Jose Unitarian Church at 160 N 3rd Street (see the flyer).
Our churches will also co-host a booth at the festival after the parade –
to volunteer to help or at the booth, find the Parade & Volunteer Sign-up here.
Please join us in this important Ministry that not only
“Opens Hearts, Minds, and Doors, but also our Arms.”
We welcome your support!
SILICON VALLEY PRIDE PARADE & Celebration:
Sunday, August 25th, 2019; 10am – 5pm
You are invited to join our fellow Reconciling UMC Churches of Silicon Valley at the upcoming SV Pride Parade & Festival on Sunday, August 25th.
The parade is ~.5 mile long, starting at E. Julian Street and moves along Market Street to Cesar Chavez Park, where the Festival will be held. The parade begins at 10:00am, but to march with us, meet at the starting area (E. Julian x Market) at 9:30am.
District Superintendent Shinya Goto will lead worship following the parade (around 12pm) in Cesar Chavez park, near our UMC hospitality booth (Church Coming Out).
Everyone is encouraged to attend and show personal and congregational support for our LGBTQ+ siblings. If you are unable to join in the parade, you also have an opportunity to support this important ministry by visiting or volunteering to help at the festival booth.
If you have questions or can help at the booth, please contact Pastor Alyss at pastoralyss[at]campbellunited[dot]org.
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Silicon Valley Pride Parade & Celebration:
Sunday, August 26th, 2018; 10am – 5pm
See photos from Silicon Valley Pride 2018!
You’re invited to join our fellow Reconciling UMC Churches of Silicon Valley at the upcoming Pride Parade & Festival on Sunday, August 26th. The parade is ~.5 mile long, starting at E. Julian Street and moves along Market St. to Cezar Chavez Park, where the Festival will be held. The parade begins at 10:00am, but to march with us, meet at the starting area at 9:30am. A worship service will be held directly following the parade, at a location near the end of parade route. We’re hosting a hospitality booth at the Festival. If you are unable to join us for the parade, you also have an opportunity to support this important ministry by visiting or volunteering to help at the festival booth.
Additionally, all congregation members are invited to write a message in response to the prompt “Why our church needs you” to the Silicon Valley Pride attendees. Look for these sheets & write a message after church this Sunday.
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August 27, 2017 – Join United Methodist Churches at SV Pride
Join us on Sunday, August 27th, when we will be participating with our sister South Bay Reconciling Congregations in Silicon Valley Pride being held in San Jose. The Parade begins at 10AM, we’ll all meet at St. John Street near the corner of Market Street by 9:30am and march together._____________________________________
NEWS from General Conference:
Read the new Bishops’ Pastoral Response (dated 18 May 2016)
to “A Love Letter To Our Church From LGBTQI Religious Leaders” (dated 9 May 2016, prior to commencement of General Conf)
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We support the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, which has been active during the 2016 General Conference for United Methodists from all over the world. This important work continues…
Who is the Love Your Neighbor Coalition?
(from the website): “We are United Methodists committed to the embodiment of God’s love and justice within and through the people and mission of The United Methodist Church… to assure The United Methodist Church is fully open to the presence, love and grace of God offered to all people.”
They will remind delegates that our denomination is not yet fully welcoming to people from different race, cultures, physical abilities and sexual orientations.
If you would like to support the progressive work of the LYNC, make a check out to Campbell UMC with the memo, “Love Your Neighbor”; or, if giving cash, please also note “Love Your Neighbor” on the envelope. You may place your gift in the offering plates, send to or call the church office.
As we noted in our own Statement of Reconciliation, All means ALL!
Thank you for supporting this important work!
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When we say that we are Building Social Justice, what does this involve?
“We are doers, with a commitment to engage and serve people in the world beyond the church walls.
We help our church community develop the spiritual depth and learn the skills to live in a diverse world.
We are an invitational, welcoming community where inclusiveness is a core value.
We are a reconciling community, in which LGBTQ persons and their families are actively welcomed.
As individuals and as a church community, we will reach out with open minds and hearts to build social justice.”
At Campbell UMC, your friendship is valued and safeguarded. You are accepted for who you are. We consider ourselves all one church family, every leaf on the tree!
Being a Reconciling Congregation means we welcome all persons as Christ did regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, physical or mental health ability, family status, or financial circumstances.
We want all people, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families to feel welcome here and part of our family.
Would you like to know more or become involved?
Please contact the Reconciling Congregation Committee leader at reconciling@campbellunited.org
Also see the Campbell UMC Facebook Reconciling Page
Our Statement of Reconciliation
Campbell United Methodist Church
We are a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). Along with the RMN, we affirm the vision of the Methodist Church to be one of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.
Our vision is consistent with the mission statement of The United Methodist Church “to make disciples of Jesus Christ” and the direction of the Council of Bishops which adds “for the transformation of the world”.
As Reconciling United Methodists we can say “We are United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
For additional information about the
Reconciling Ministries Network, click on the link. 