Letters to the Editor

When I read the Rev. William McElvaney's quote (Quote of the week on war and peace, Faith in Action, June 20), I realized that as they seemed to change, I have lost connection with our country's values. I'm not even sure what they are anymore.

When we went to war I thought perhaps personal and national safety were greatest. Watching our government and people over the last few decades I'm pretty sure one of our deepest values is profit. Is "me first" one of them?

Watching the film "Invisible Children," I realize that caring for our young may be one of my deepest values, but not our country's.

Please, what are "our country's deepest values"?

—Tom Sartwell, Chester, California

I am compelled to voice my reaction to “the elephant in the room," the so-called gay issue of our denomination. My pastor expressed his “deep disappointment that the denomination has once again chosen to repudiate homosexuality within the clergy and, by inference, among the laity as well.” He offered a long list of the good works done by our church.

All these are valid and true. My mind, however, goes back to the Bible and the story of the good shepherd. He leaves the whole flock to find the one sheep that has somehow been separated in order to bring it back to the safety of the flock.

I am addressing our denominational ministry when I say that all the good works are not enough if we do not seek out our gay brothers and sisters to be in community with us. The exclusion of gay people from the ranks of clergy is a half step from denying them membership in the church or communion. It is saying that you are not good enough, pure enough, holy enough to be one of us.

All the good works are not enough if we do not seek out our gay brothers and sisters to be in community with us.

I say no to that thinking. “God so loved the world that He gave his only Son ... ”

We all receive God’s Grace because God loves us, not because we deserve it or can earn it. The exclusion of gay people is blatant, illegal discrimination in this country. The Declaration of Independence stated, “All men are created equal with certain inalienable rights.” That document does not state: except for gays, blacks or non-Christians.

We have argued and even fought to make sure all people, even women, are included in that covenant. Can we possibly imagine God would be less welcoming than what we mere human beings attempt to be?

Jim Winkler in his article about General Conference ("Robert's Rules and holy conferencing," Word from Winkler, <i>Faith in Action,</i> May 9) counts on “another generation” to reverse the injustice toward gays within our church. I say another generation is too long! As we stand up for religious freedom, equality under the law, and all the other principles, we must, in good conscience, stand up and shout over and over again that we will not accept this status quo. It is not right. It is not just.

Further, I maintain that this situation is un-Christian! Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees as to which was the greatest commandment of all. His response was that he would only add one commandment to the ten which had been given to Moses. Christ’s response was, “Love one another.”

I maintain that this situation is un-Christian!

We are not following Christ’s teachings when we do not love one another, when we do not respect each other in our differences, when we do not accept that love exists in many forms. We are leaving that lone lamb out in the wilderness to an unknown fate. Our congregation has seen for itself that people die from that loneliness and sense of isolation.

We should be on fire to denounce the General Conference’s continuing discrimination and alienation of our brothers and sisters. I don’t know what to do about membership in a corporate church with such discriminatory practices. I cannot stay quiet about this matter. The discrimination is wrong. The rules are wrong.

Someway, somehow we need to find justice and a spiritual home for our gay brothers and sisters by following Christ’s commandment to love one another.

 — Cheryl Lasher,  Albany, NY