Comments on: An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter

By: Joanne Berry Gailius

Joanne Berry Gailius — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:53:00 +0000

In reply to ACR. I've been following Coming out Covenant and am so grateful that there is a group of Covenanters coming together to challenge our church's stance on our LGBTQ family. A theologian friend recently said to me, "Isn't it a sad time when our government is leading our churches in compassion?" Has there been any response to your letter? I truly believe our church will come to the place of full inclusion and apology, perhaps not in that order.

By: george magnuson

george magnuson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:12:00 +0000

In reply to retpas. Andrew and Jim, I want to add my word of response to what Jim has written. I am fully confident that your grandfather Bill Freeman would be wonderfully proud of you in these days disappointment and hope. I interned with him at First Covenant Omaha a way back in about 1958-59. Pastor Freeman was a remarkably free, vital and intellectually courageous man. As you know, he was a progressive in his day and rose above the petty criticisms and controversies of the period in the Covenant Church. Although it was not his nature to be polemical not out spoken, he maintained an openness to new thinking and critical reflection in theology and biblical studies. I am taking opportunity to pay high tribute to him here as you have provided in you brave and right confession. What you have written here can call so many to examine conscience and possibly find their own voice so that the CC might find it impossible not to face up to these errors in theology, pastoral process, and exclusivity. These might well be a tipping point moment in the ECC. God grant you continued courage in the expression of your faithful conscience and loving spirit.

By: pastordt

pastordt — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:27:00 +0000

This is beautifully said, heartfelt and much-needed. Thank you for leading the way, for inviting ‘hard conversations.’ I am praying that our leadership will open themselves to those conversations, despite their fear, despite their worries about the future. The movement of the Holy Spirit is not to be feared and that sweet Spirit often brings change to the church. We need to open ourselves to the very real possibility that this is one of those times. Thank you so very much.

By: David Smith

David Smith — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 19:31:00 +0000

Someone will have to explain to me how the kingdom of God can grow by not listening. Is marginalizing people the fruit of the Spirit? Or is it a symptom of fear and the need for power and control? I am so grateful to you, Andrew, for writing this letter. It is the kind of personal truth that many people have never heard. I pray that more and more people will have the opportunity to hear the Spirit in your words.

By: rdhudgens

rdhudgens — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:17:00 +0000

Well done Andrew. Poignant and powerful.

Also, I had not heard of your mother’s passing. Condolences my friend.

By: Ken Lund

Ken Lund — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:38:00 +0000

This is a truly powerful and gracious letter. Thank you, Andrew.

By: Tyler Krumland

Tyler Krumland — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 17:57:00 +0000

Thank you so much for this Andrew. So articulate and thought provoking. So much of what you shared tugged at my heart as I can relate to the different pains and hurts you mentioned. I hope that one day the Covenant will be safe space. I have been saddened as my husband Stephen and I search for a church home that we’ve had to step away and distance ourselves from the ECC. From a history that has been so rich for me, where I came to know Christ, full of people I love! I pray that a chance is given for stories to be heard. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to be Christ and to live as your beautiful mother did. She lives on in you and is an inspiration, even to those not fortunate enough to meet her! Blessings.

By: Catherine Nelson

Catherine Nelson — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you for your thoughtful letter Andrew. I too have been deeply troubled by this issue and how the Covenant Church has chosen to approach the discussion. When we first stumbled upon the Covenant, your family were among the first people we met. We arrived having been hurt by our previous church and found a place of love, acceptance and healing. I especially remember learning of the church covenants, in particular that we wouldn’t break fellowship over doctrinal issues. I told everyone I met about an amazing denomination called the Covenant and encouraged friends near and far to seek out a Covenant Church near them. Our children grew up and thrived at Camp Squanto and CHIC and we all attended family camp at Pilgrim Pines. Now reading all of this, I wonder, how do I invite a stranger, in need of a loving God and the message of grace and forgiveness to join me a church that may not accept them. We need your leadership to help move us forward and I am sure your mom is very proud of you.

By: Cynthia Melander

Cynthia Melander — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 03:01:00 +0000

I watched Andrew grow in the church I have attended all my life. Being a life-long member of the Covenant church, I feel an intense loyalty. However, I also feel despair at the path I see the church taking, or not taking. I feel we are excluding some very valuable people, such an Andrew Freeman whom I have known since he was a child, as well as his wonderful family. I knew of a former member of our church who served in a prominent position. She left the church after a controversy developed after she came out as being gay. This was many years ago when attitudes were even less open than they are now. She wrote a letter to the congregation and I can quote part of it. She said, “Isn’t ironic that the church who loved me back into it, now knows all about me and sees fit to want me out.” I was devastated by that and just could not understand what was happening. I feel the same way about what is happening now. I thank God for Andrew and his wisdom and his courage in speaking out in the eloquent way he did. I pray that somehow healing within our church will take place, but I feel that can only happen if we become less exclusionary and more loving and welcoming — to everyone.

By: Eva Sullivan-Knoff

Eva Sullivan-Knoff — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 00:54:00 +0000

Andrew, this is beautifully expressed. Thank you for being vulnerable, for sharing your story, and for being willing to enter into this hard conversation. What you shared was Spirit filled and said in a spirit of love. We need to hear your voice and that of others from the LGBTQ community, as it has been missing. Thank you for modeling how to enter into this hard, but needed conversation. Your mom must be so proud of you and who you are. I greatly appreciate and respect you and am so grateful for your life, your witness, and your friendship. God bless you Andrew.