Open and Affirming Task Force

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Statement from the Chair

On February 13, 2005, during the worship services, Sue Becker gave a "Moment for Mission" from the Open and Affirming Task Force. Many people responded favorably to her remarks and asked for a copy.

Those of us on the Open and Affirming Task Force have all been approached by a number of people in our congregation. These conversations tend toward one of the following categories.

"I'm so glad you're doing something about this. It's about time." It turns out that there are a fair number of people sitting in our pews who have adult children who are gay or lesbian. It is significant that we don't often see those children next to their parents in the pews.

We also hear from people who say, "Enough! I'm tired of hearing about this gay stuff. Every time I turn around someone is talking about it." Sometimes it continues like this: "Union Church is already open and welcoming—why do you keep hitting us over the head with it anyway?"

Well, it turns out that I'm tired of talking about it, too, but as a faith community we need to address how we treat the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons—all God's children—among us. No matter how difficult or uncomfortable, we need to grapple with what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves. Every time we say that the topic is too controversial or divisive we are telling our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, or their parents, that we can't be bothered with their pain. And the part about Union Church already being open and welcoming to all—the problem there is that we, as a congregation, don't get to to be the ones who decide that we're welcoming. That decision is made by those on the outside, those who visit and look at us and yet do not feel affirmed and

accepted. Or those who are already here and yet are fearful of revealing a part of themselves that goes to the very core of their being.

It has been a controversial time politically and culturally regarding issues of sexual orientation. There seem to be news stories almost every day, whether a politician's child coming out of the closet or some litigation aimed at limiting or expanding justice for gays and lesbians. Recently a character on "The Simpsons" came out and the town of Springfield struggled with its first same sex wedding. This stuff is not going to go away.

The Open and Affirming Task Force will continue to bring programs to Union Church—which may make some of us uncomfortable. This is an important religious and justice issue for our faith community. We hope you will partake of some of these events, opening your hearts and minds to what it might mean for us to be an Open and Affirming congregation.