| Subject: Re: Rev. Stroud Coming Out Sermon (Short version) |
Author:
XOX
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Date Posted: 14:05:44 01/11/05 Tue
In reply to:
XOX
's message, "Rev. Stroud Coming Out Sermon" on 13:55:10 01/11/05 Tue
When I was a student at Bryn Mawr College, and I came to understand that I was a lesbian, it seemed for a while that I would have to choose between being true to myself and being a Christian. I knew that my sexual orientation was no more likely to change than the color of my eyes. So, quietly, I just stopped going to church, and dropped out of the campus fellowship group.
I thought I had developed a mature faith. But God had still more painful growth in mind.
And Jesus showed up there, in the midst of that life in New York. I finally learned how to pray again, not because I was trying to be pious but because my grief and anger dragged it out of me. I began what would become a lifelong discipline of praying the Scriptures, but for a long time the only part of the Bible I could stand to read was Psalm 102, because it was as relentlessly sad and angry as I felt.
Eventually, I signed up for seminary courses again, although I wasn't really sure why I was doing it.
I want to take that experience of the risen Christ out of the locked room, out of the closet, and into the world where everyone can see it. I want to walk in the light so that Christ might be revealed in my life.
I know that, by telling the truth about myself, I risk losing my credentials as an ordained United Methodist minister. And that would be a huge loss for me. But I have realized that not telling the whole truth about myself has been holding me back in my faith. I have come to a place where my discipleship, my walk with Christ, requires telling the whole truth, and paying whatever price truthfulness requires. I don't feel afraid. I feel that God is with me. I feel that I'm doing my best to follow Jesus, and to walk as he walked. I know that God will take care of me. I know that God will bless my truth-telling and my risk-taking as God has blessed my ministry. I believe that somehow, in my taking this step together with FUMCOG, the life and light of Christ will shine in the world. And that's what really matters to me.
As we enter into this time of risk and uncertainty together, there are a few things I want to tell you.
First of all, I want to tell you about a very important person that most of you haven't had a chance to know. That person is my partner, Chris Paige. Chris and I have lived together in a covenant relationship for two and a half years. More than anyone else in my life, Chris embodies grace and love and discipleship for me. Because of my relationship with her, I am a better, more faithful Christian. I am deeply grateful to her for the daily practice in loving and being loved, and forgiving and being forgiven, that constantly deepen who I am as a person of faith.
Chris is understandably nervous about becoming known as a "minister's wife." I have promised her that she doesn't have to wear a big hat unless she wants to.
Second, I want you to know that I am not all alone up here.
Seriously, though, as the situation develops it will be more important than ever for us all to be together, to break bread with one another, to slow down and listen to each other and really be a community. That's how we'll figure out how to be faithful to God and to one another. That's how we'll notice the risen Christ breaking into the midst of the fear and concern and anger, bringing hope and joy and new life right where we are.
After all, here I am, for this Sunday at least, and perhaps for many months to come, your openly lesbian, fully credentialed, United Methodist pastor. I am excited to be able to give you the gift of my whole self in the fullest expression of my ministry, for however much time we may have.
Celebrate with me. Jesus is alive. Look, here he is in our midst, even though the door was locked. Peace be with you.
Amen. //
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