Langley United Methodist Church will celebrate the third anniversary of becoming a Reconciling Congregation on Sunday, Oct. 9.

In October 2008, the church council passed a resolution to invite and welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity into full participation in its congregational life.

Guest preacher for this special celebration will be the Rev. Dave Bieniek.

Rev. Bieniek began to pursue seminary studies in the denomination of his youth, but ultimately realized that his church would not allow him to serve as a partnered gay man. Ultimately he realized his dream of ministry when he was ordained by the Metropolitan Community Church in 2005.

Bieniek and his partner, Ervin Knezek, moved from Texas to Whidbey in 2010 and own a home in Coupeville, where he is employed by Whidbey General Hospital as spiritual services and volunteer coordinator in the Home Health Care and Hospice Department.

The Reconciling Sunday service will begin at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to this service, especially members of the South Whidbey LGBT community.