This week the General Synod of the Church of England met in London. They debated the recent Bishop's Report on 'Marriage and Same-sex Relationships'. Those attending Synod had to vote to 'take note' of the paper, or not. Without going in to the minute details of how it all works, overall it was decided that the paper would not be taken note of. The Bishop's now have to look at it again.
Anyway.. this last few days I have felt extremely sad. I have felt sad for my brothers and sisters in Christ, lay and ordained, who again and again have to fight their corner and try to make it clear that God loves them no less than anyone else.
I had many conversations during my years of training, and one or two since, with Christians and particularly Christian minister, who are against same-sex relationships generally and more so the idea of a gay couple marrying. This isn't about me saying what I believe one way or another, but I know that I do not believe in a God who would fail to bless a loving relationship of people he created.
I have a friend who is gay and he was once beaten while he was out socialising with friends. I will never forget the day when he said to me 'I would never have chosen this for myself. I am who I am and I have no choice'. He is very much part of God's creation and is so loved.
I knew an elderly couple who had been together 60 years and sadly both have died in the last few years. They were both female. A number of years ago when one of their brothers died and the church took his funeral, they were welcomed with open arms in to the family of the church. What I will never forget is when they said they had always wanted to come to the church and worship there, but they never knew that they would be welcome.
I have friends who have been in a relationship for most of their lives; they are more committed to each other and more in love than some heterosexual couples I have met. I cannot stand in front of them and believe that God doesn't bless their relationship. Not only does he do that, but he blesses me for knowing them.
None of this really gives any answers, I'm not trying to argue my point or make any statement, just putting somewhere that this stuff is real; it is painful; it is horribly sad sometimes.
A dear friend of mine spoke at Synod, she is black and was clear that when walking in to a room people can discriminate against her just by looking at her. She has nowhere to hide - not that she ever should! People can walk in to a room without anyone knowing their sexual orientation, unless they share it. Many people are too scared to share it in case of the backlash.
My church is signed up to 'Inclusive Church'. It is an organisation that says we are inclusive to all people, of all backgrounds, sexuality, gender etc etc etc. While this is great and people can look us up and know they are welcome, I find it dreadfully sad. The whole church should be inclusive of all people; the whole church should not discriminate; the whole church should love their neighbours as Jesus taught us to.
I have heard scripture thrown around in order to argue either side of this issue (and many issues in the church including the one about whether I should even be ordained as a woman!), but something that has stuck with me is from a sermon I heard just last week. We believe that Jesus is the Word of God; he should be the one we read. Not just picking up some of things he said in certain contexts and situations, but the whole person he was and is for us today. He told us to love one another as he loved us, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. That's good enough for me.
To those who feel hurt, betrayed, lonely and pushed out from the church; I'm sorry, but please remember and KNOW, you are loved.
Anyway.. this last few days I have felt extremely sad. I have felt sad for my brothers and sisters in Christ, lay and ordained, who again and again have to fight their corner and try to make it clear that God loves them no less than anyone else.
I had many conversations during my years of training, and one or two since, with Christians and particularly Christian minister, who are against same-sex relationships generally and more so the idea of a gay couple marrying. This isn't about me saying what I believe one way or another, but I know that I do not believe in a God who would fail to bless a loving relationship of people he created.
I have a friend who is gay and he was once beaten while he was out socialising with friends. I will never forget the day when he said to me 'I would never have chosen this for myself. I am who I am and I have no choice'. He is very much part of God's creation and is so loved.
I knew an elderly couple who had been together 60 years and sadly both have died in the last few years. They were both female. A number of years ago when one of their brothers died and the church took his funeral, they were welcomed with open arms in to the family of the church. What I will never forget is when they said they had always wanted to come to the church and worship there, but they never knew that they would be welcome.
I have friends who have been in a relationship for most of their lives; they are more committed to each other and more in love than some heterosexual couples I have met. I cannot stand in front of them and believe that God doesn't bless their relationship. Not only does he do that, but he blesses me for knowing them.
None of this really gives any answers, I'm not trying to argue my point or make any statement, just putting somewhere that this stuff is real; it is painful; it is horribly sad sometimes.
A dear friend of mine spoke at Synod, she is black and was clear that when walking in to a room people can discriminate against her just by looking at her. She has nowhere to hide - not that she ever should! People can walk in to a room without anyone knowing their sexual orientation, unless they share it. Many people are too scared to share it in case of the backlash.
My church is signed up to 'Inclusive Church'. It is an organisation that says we are inclusive to all people, of all backgrounds, sexuality, gender etc etc etc. While this is great and people can look us up and know they are welcome, I find it dreadfully sad. The whole church should be inclusive of all people; the whole church should not discriminate; the whole church should love their neighbours as Jesus taught us to.
I have heard scripture thrown around in order to argue either side of this issue (and many issues in the church including the one about whether I should even be ordained as a woman!), but something that has stuck with me is from a sermon I heard just last week. We believe that Jesus is the Word of God; he should be the one we read. Not just picking up some of things he said in certain contexts and situations, but the whole person he was and is for us today. He told us to love one another as he loved us, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. That's good enough for me.
To those who feel hurt, betrayed, lonely and pushed out from the church; I'm sorry, but please remember and KNOW, you are loved.