Next Congregational discussion: Sunday, November 11, 11 am

ONA Update: Second Congregational Discussion, October 14, 2012

by Anne Bouchard

Thirty of us gathered after worship for our second Congregational Open and Affirming (ONA) discussion. We viewed a video recording* of an October 4 presentation at Elmhurst College by The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson was ordained in 1973, and became the first openly gay person to be consecrated a bishop in the worldwide Anglican communion in 2003.Here is a brief summary of his remarks.

Bishop Robinson's talk contained at least five segments to think about:

1) The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement: history and place in time

2) Why religion plays an important role

3) What the Bible says - and doesn't say

4) How does this topic relate to other "ism's"

5) What might we do to change the climate

The Bishop spoke about societal change in the last 20-30 years and our heightened awareness about LGBT people, suggesting that for many people, personal experience has caused them to reconsider their point of view on this topic.He stated that the church should be taking a leadership role in this struggle for civil rights because much discrimination has been effected through religious teaching and religious people. Bishop Robinson stressed the importance of historical context when discussing Biblical references, as well as the inappropriateness of trying to force 21st century understanding on 2000 year old texts.He also cautioned that if we interpret one passage literally, we must interpret all passages literally, saying, "It's either all true, or it's all to be read in context."

Bishop Robinson compared the struggle for equality and acceptance by LGBT people to other civil rights movements. He articulated the concept of "heterosexism," whereby a system exists that allows the power of one group to prejudicially impact another.  He urged listeners to rethink "tolerance," stating that it just isn't enough to tolerate someone; rather, we need to recognize in each other the quality of being a child of God. He closed with these thoughts:

1) No one has all the truth

2) We must treat each other with infinite respect

3) We need less debate and more dialogue

4) We should sing our own song as best we can

5) Keep things in perspective and remember, in the end, we're each going to Heaven

Several themes were discussed following the video, including: gay marriage, what will change at our church if we become ONA, the need to focus on our similarities instead of our differences, what is the "other side" of ONA, the similarities to the civil rights movement of the 60's, standing up/speaking out, and the presence and impact of the Holy Spirit. 

Copies of the discussion agendas are posted on the ONA bulletin board and handouts are available on the rolling bookcase in the Parish Hall. An ONA suggestion box is also on the bookcase.  Previous articles about ONA have been included in By the Way and can be found on our website. Our next ONA discussion will be on Sunday, November 11, at 11am.I hope you can join us!

* You can watch the entire video by following this link:   

http://tiny.cc/eclectures. Scroll down until you find Bishop Robinson's presentation titled, "Justice and Compassion in an Age of Demonization."  

Bishop Robinson's story is featured in the 2007 feature length documentary, For the Bible Tells Me So, which our exploratory committee watched and a copy of which is available for viewing.  Bishop Robinson is also the subject of a new documentary film Love Free or Die: How the Bishop of New Hampshire is Changing the World, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2012.

ONA Exploratory Committee: Anne Bouchard, chairperson;

Carol Berger; Nancy Doerr; Kathy Haben; Ann McLaughlin; Marilyn Poole; Nancy Schatzeder; Jane Shelton; Suzanne & Wally Setlock

More information:

http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ona.html 

http://www.ucccoalition.org/  

A Viewpoint Against ONA

I am sorry to say that I am disappointed in our ONA committee. I believe that from the start, the majority of its members have come to this as advocates to enact ONA, rather than as unbiased fact finders on behalf of the congregation.

Many Christians view the adoption of ONA as an attempt to go against traditional biblical scripture. We all realize that bible interpretation has been going on for centuries, and people of good faith can come to different conclusions. I don't feel I am qualified to comment of scripture interpretation, but I can recognize political correctness run amuck.

I deem that ONA is just more liberal policies of the left. Everyone must be in a category, and all must be victims to some greater power of authority. I believe that in life you, "Talk the Talk or you Walk the Walk". I think that the Little Home Church has demonstrated its values in the latter. LHC has had an openly gay Interim Pastor; our current Minister of Music is openly gay; our custodian staff is Afro-American.

These hires were not done to show diversity in our employment practices. These individuals all proved to be highly qualified in their vocations, and demonstrated good Christian values in their personal lives. Their race, gender, or sexual orientation was not a factor in their obtaining LHC positions. They all were appraised on their personal merits and qualities. Isn't that the way we would all like to be evaluated?

I care deeply about our church, but the "uber-liberal" goals of the UCC association are my last priority. History has shown us that the church is not always right. Most fundamentally, the Reformation challenged the Papacy's claims of divine authorization and infallibility. Our founding fathers declared, that, "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator," not the UCC. We should not be so pompous to affirm anyone's rights.

In studying ONA churches I also have learned that almost all that adopt ONA, loose a number of families in the process. The LHC can't afford to loose anyone as we continue to endure these horrible economic times of the last four years. We are trying to grow our church membership in an effort to survive.

It offends me as a Christian that we might have some rainbow banner outside saying, "welcome gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans -genders...come in...we will not display bigotry towards you". Why not also, "Persons of color may worship as well?"

There should be only one sign outside our church... "All who enter in reverence to hear the word of God are welcome." If we fail to measure up to that reception statement, shame on us.

I welcome your comments,

Gary Estes, LHC membership 1984: geTriStar@aol.com