LGBT Resources > Supportive Faith Communities
Unity
Unity Church of Des Moines
414 31st St. (One block south of Grand and 31st)
Des Moines, IA
Performing same-sex unions—call for details
(515) 255-7757
Email: unitydesmoines@aol.com
Web site: http://unitychurchdesmoines.com
Unitarian Universalist
UU voted for non-discrimination in ministerial employment [for gays and lesbians] in 1980, and in support of the right to marry for same-sex couples in 1996. To find a welcoming congregation, go to: www.uua.org/lgbt/welcoming/program
First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
1800 Bell Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315-1027
(515) 244-8603
Email: dfa@ucdsm.org
Web site: www.ucdsm.org
UU Fellowship of Ames
1015 N Hyland Ave
Ames, IA 50014-4005
Phone: (515) 292-5960
Email: uufa@uufames.org
Web site: www.uufames.org
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
There is no hierarchy among Friends. The Des Moines meeting is in the "unprogrammed" Quaker tradition which means it is without human pastoral leadership or a prepared order of worship. Des Moines Valley Friends affirmed same-sex marriages in the early 1990s, and welcomes seekers of all orientations.
Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting
4211 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 274-4717
Web site: http://iymc.org/monthlymeetings
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
In 2009, the ELCA voted to allow gays and lesbians to be ordained. To find Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations, go to: www.reconcilingworks.org/ric/ric-congregations-list
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
2126 Gable Ln.
Ames , IA 50014
(515) 412-0565
Email: lordoflifeames@gmail.com
Web site: www.lordoflifeames.org
Presbyterian Church
In 2011, Presbyterians approved rules to ordain openly gay or lesbian clergy.
To find a Welcoming Church, go to: http://www.mlp.org/index.php?topic=churches
Collegiate Presbyterian Church
159 Sheldon Ave.
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 292-2063
Email: cpcames@cpcames.org
Web site: www.cpcames.org
Northminster Presbyterian
1416 20th St
Ames, IA 50010
515-233-2540
Email: office@amesnpc.org
Web site: www.amesnpc.org
Westminster Presbyterian Church
4114 Allison Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 274-1534
Email: info@westpres.org
Web site: www.westpres.org
United Church of Christ
UCC first ordained a gay man in 1972. UCC allows such ordinations by default since denomination-wide stances are recommendations, not doctrine. It has several resources for same-sex marriage, and encourages local faith-based conversation around marriage equality. To find Open and Affirming congregations, go to: http://www.ucccoalition.org/programs/ona
Ames UCC
217 6th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 232-9323
Email: office@amesucc.org
Web site: www.amesucc.org
Brochure: 2012 Fall Activities Brochure
Crossroads UCC
PO Box 811
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9370
Email: pastor@crossroadsucc.org
Web site: www.crossroadsucc.org
Urbandale UCC
3530 70th Street
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
(515) 276-0625
E-mail: staff@urbucc.org
Web site: http://www.urbucc.org
Plymouth UCC
4126 Ingersoll Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 255-3149
Plymouth GLBT Community:
E-mail: plymouthglbt@yahoo.com
Web site: www.plymouthchurch.com/
Episcopal Church
In 1996, the Episcopal Church first allowed gays and lesbians to become priests, and in 2012 voted to allow religious blessings for same-sex couples. To find Welcoming congregations, go to: http://www.integrityusa.org
St Andrew's Episcopal Church
5720 Urbandale Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 255-2101
Email: standrew@standrewsnet.net
Web site: standrewsnet.net
United Methodist Church
Despite many national discussions, the United Methodist Church officially denies ordination to "Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexuals" (unless they remain celibate). To find a Reconciling Congregation, go to www.rmnetwork.org/get-connected/find-a-church/
Collegiate UMC
2622 W Lincoln Way
Ames IA 50014
Call: (515) 292-6936
Email: scott@cwames.org
Web site: www.cumc-wf.org
Grace UMC - Des Moines
3700 Cottage Grove
Des Moines IA 50311
(515) 279-3096
Email: lindawyant@gracedesmoines.org
Web site: www.gracedesmoines.org
Trinity UMC of Des Moines
1548 8th St.
Des Moines IA 50311
(515) 288-4056
Email: info@trinityumcdm.org
Web site: www.trinityumcdm.org
Walnut Hills UMC
12321 Hickman Rd
Urbandale IA 50323
(515) 270-9226
Email: Denny@whumc.org
Web site: www.whumc.org
Congregations listed below have taken an action (such as a vote) to be supportive of gay and lesbian members. A church’s treatment of LGBTs is also reflected in their policies about pastors and gay marriage. A brief interpretation of national church policy on these two topics is included under denomination headings below. Individual congregations range widely in how they adopt those policies.
The number of supportive congregations has grown in recent years. Please notify us of any other congregations in central Iowa who are officially supportive at wcc@iowawcc.org.
(Click denomination for list of congregations below.)
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(Des Moine's MCC Church of the Holy Spirit disbanded in March 2014)