The Methodist Church is celebrating 140 years in Bermuda, and while that might seem a glorious anniversary, the church continues to deal with issues that are not always easy to handle.

An interesting split occurred with the churches in Bermuda when five of the eight congregations chose to separate themselves from being affiliated with the United Church of Canada.

These five are now part of the United Methodist Church in the United States, making the decision to split over the issue of ordaining gay ministers.

Wesley, Ebenezer and Emmanuel Methodist Church are the three that still hold fast to the idea that "all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, who profess their faith in Jesus Christ are welcome to be or become members…"

This idea, quoted from United Church of Canada's website, seems to be backed by Rev. Calvin Stone of the Wesley Methodist Church.

He believes that a progressive revelation is happening, where you can recognise the value of people regardless of their sexual orientation.

A native of Saskatchewan, Calvin is no stranger to sociopolitical issues where tensions between the First Nations and European people have been a struggle for the church to overcome.

He even makes note of how his local church (then the Zion Chapel) was the first church to have integrated services.

"It was a progression," he remarks, "with the whites having their service in the morning and the blacks in the afternoon.

"Then the service got integrated, but the blacks sat in the back. From there the service was mixed, but still to this day, some people sit in the back because that's where their comfort zone is. The Methodist church has always been ahead in seeking human rights."

It is the proactive thinking that the Methodist church is proud to have as part of their history.

Rev. Stone is of the belief that the issue over ordaining gay ministers, and even accepting gay members, is simply another social issue that the church should overcome.

He comments that eventually, universal faith will get to the point that even the idea of having different denominations will seem silly. It should be noted that the topic of sexual orientation in the churches really began in the 1980s, and it is an issue that continues to be wrestled with in many denominations.

Here in Bermuda, Rev. Stone is proud of the legacy that his church has, and welcomes any and all who have an interest in getting closer to God to consider his church. "Our doors are open. People who sleep on the street come to our church. People appreciate that we don't judge or condemn them."

He laughs: "I've never seen such a busy congregation in my life!

"We have a very eclectic flock. I mean, we're black and white, young and old, custodians to lawyers, local and foreign — we cover the whole gambit! We're an urban congregation."

This church truly is one who recognises that they are a part of a global community.

In addition to assisting with local initiatives such as the women's shelter and BGIT (Bermuda Girls in Training), they actively support overseas missions such as an orphanage in Rwanda.

They raised money for relief in the Philippines while also maintaining active Sunday school programmes.

It is their mission to accept any person and lead them to Christ, and they have recognised their position of reaching out to those who might otherwise be left in the dark. Feel free to worship with them, as you will surely be accepted as you are.