Seasons for Change
Posted Monday, December 24 2007 @ 03:03 PM by MLP Admin
After growing up in southern Louisiana and grateful for its towering pine trees, I also revel in the changes of the seasons and the autumn colors. The changing of the seasons mark the passages of time and remind me of how grateful I am to serve with you as your National Field Organizer. MLP's vision in 1999 to hire and support a traveling educator, activist and grassroots organizer has translated into a kind of circuit-riding gay preacher/teacher going from church to church, place to place. Instead of by horse, I am grateful for planes, trains and rental cars.
Three field outreach trips this Fall Season hold special significance for each congregation, presbytery and the LGBT Equality Movement in our Church and country. Here is a glimpse into these remarkable trips and experiences.
Louisville, KY. It was an absolute joy and inspiration to participate in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville. Of particular significance is that nearly half of their existence is as a welcoming and affirming More Light Church. Pastors Ann Deibert and Mark Baridon offered a dialogue sermon in the midst of a drama offered by church members bringing to life each stage of challenge, opportunity and growth for the congregation and its ministries. Community mission, social justice, peacemaking, more light.... this is a profoundly healthy and happy congregation making a difference in its community and presbytery.
New Haven and Hartford, CT. Dick Hasbany and Ralph Jones planned a remarkable "More Light" outreach tour of affirming LGBT programs and outreach at Yale Divinity School, First Presbyterian Church, New Haven and First Presbyterian Church, Hartford. Adele Crawford, YDS student and seminary intern serving with FPC New Haven, created and led worship for the Sunday "More Light" evening roundtable conversation and chili supper. I also met with the leadership of Presbyterian Promise to discuss strategies for GA 2008. It was a joy to work with Presbyterian Promise, the Reformed/Presbyterian Student Group, The Coalition LGBT Student Group at YDS and pastors, Maria LaSala, Bill Goettler and Terry Davis.
Champaign/Urbana, IL. McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church and Foundation on the campus of the University of Illinois is celebrating its centennial this year. Working with Office of LGBT Resources at UIUC, Johnell Bentz, McKinley's More Light Committee Chair, along with Heidi Weatherford and Keith Harris, pastors, organized an incredible series of programs on campus and at the church.
Speaking as an out gay Christian at the National Coming Out Day Rally sponsored by the Office for LGBT Resources in front of the Student Union on the Quad was a wonderful experience and honor. I will not soon forget the faces of students when I told them that God makes everyone in God's image, gay and straight alike, and that God loves all of us unconditionally. Cheers erupted from the crowd when I told them that the Church had gotten it wrong about gays and it was up to the Church to get it right.
Showing of the film, "Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World," speaking on campus about being gay and Christian, and a luncheon forum on marriage equality, a dinner party with the More Light Committee and preaching at McKinley were all part of an extraordinary visit to Champaign. It was so powerful to be able to say at every event on campus that there is a place for you at McKinley as a More Light Church knowing that it was the truth. Special thanks to Heidi Weatherford and Johnell Bentz for putting it all together.
Your spiritual partnership and financial support made each of these field outreach trips possible. In a very real sense, you are with me on every field trip during these seasons for change.
with gratitude and hope,
Michael