The genesis of this Lenten book choice came from several people approaching Fr. Tom and Rev. Shelly about issues around homosexuality and the church. These parishioners expressed sentiments like, "My brother is sending me all this information from Focus on the Family and I don't know how to answer him...are there other ways to think about the Bible?" and "I grew up in a church that taught one thing about gay people, but I know that they taught me other things that I no longer believe...but how can I talk about this? Have other people thought of ways to talk about this issue that are not what I grew up with?" and "Well, I'm not comfortable with homosexuality. But I don't want to be one of those old people who can't change their mind!"
We have gotten off to a great start. Last Sunday, 78 people came together in the parish hall to learn more about The Episcopal Church, questions about homosexuality, and each other. That is an amazing testament to our community, our fellowship, and our willingness to learn.
For those people who are interested and did not receive the handouts last week, the glossary can be found here.
The research study on Welcoming Congregations can be downloaded here.
Soon I will be posting a summary of last Sunday's work and conversational norms. Stay tuned!!!
I believe that this is the last social and civil right that we withhold from the masses, as a common people. We discriminated and segregated people based on their ethnicity in the past. Those walls have fallen, but what about the walls that attempt to keep homosexuals apart and seemingly as a lower class of citizen than heterosexuals?
ReplyDeleteI believe that God makes us as he sees fit. If I am to fall in love with another woman, I would require all of the things I require from a man, love, caring, understanding, patience, tenderness, support, encouragement. These are all things I get from my husband in our heterosexual marriage. To say that a homosexual relationship could not have these same things, nor seeks these same things is ignorance at its finest.
I am a married woman. Would not feel comfortable having a lesbian hit on me. I would also not feel comfortable having heterosexual man hit on me. I am in a relationship and I would want that respected, regardless of the gender of my partner or my sexual inclinations. I am in a relationship with a person, not their gender. In our relationships, regardless of the dynamic, we should acknowledge that we are partners. Working together throughout life to meet common goals and to bring joy into each others lives.
I feel that there is nothing wrong with any relationship that is based on love, understanding and if both partners feel safe in this relationship, I feel that outside influences should not have to be factored into the equation.
I hope to see this prejudice fall in my lifetime. I am working hard to educate my children to be accepting of all lifestyles that spring from a place of love and caring. Though I myself an not a lesbian, I would like to stand up for my right to be one. It is not right to see my brothers and sisters becoming a victim of prejudice and not advocate for them. It is my duty as a human being to make sure that all are loved, none are neglected and no one falls through the cracks.