When I was in seminary in the late 1990’s I deeply struggled with the way our church excluded queer folks. Some of my classmates, who were deeply gifted and clearly called, had to choose. They had to keep secrets about who they were and who they loved. Or they had to leave their church and start a new. Some stayed and through their lives took on the oppressive systems to advocate for change, often at great personal and professional cost. I actually took a break from the church in response to my anguish at this mess.
We as a global church still exclude and discriminate and it breaks my heart at the harm done in the name of God. Yet I look around the Parish and I see lots of queer people. This community had lived out welcome and celebration despite the official rules. I am blessed to have shared the pulpit at the Trinity building with a trans woman. Our staff includes a woman married to a woman. Our Parish is full of diverse families and beloved people who shape our community with their love, wisdom, faith, and leadership. This, this is the kindom of God. Families, be they one person, 10 people, step-families, chosen families, families with 2 moms, or no moms, worship together, come together to share life.
We have more work to do, but I celebrate this moment. A moment that I wasn’t sure would ever come. It is so good for my soul to realize that the church I thought could be is here. Now I dream of a church where people of all abilities are welcome, and to that end we in the Parish are working on building accessibility. And we’re continuing our work on dismantling racism. Maybe one day the church here and the church universal will truly be the kindom of God on earth. We keep working, praying, and hoping for that day.
-Eilidh
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