Comments for Coming out Covenant

Comment on Rev. Alden Johnson: “A Grandfather Speaks” by david condron

david condron — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 01:23:00 +0000

Hello Reverend Johnson,
I was guided in confirmation by you when you ministered at Haddam Neck Covenant Church in 1970. You were perceptive, patient and kind. I was an excitable and sensitive fellow, and though I was not fully aware at that time, I was having inklings that I was gay.
Now years later, my Mom, Jane, continues to be an active member of HNCC. She continues to live in the house I grew up in; a house within a short walk of church. Over the last 12 years (having moved to NYC) I’ve visited every 6-8 weeks and I join Mom at HNCC services. I have always only felt love, respect and acceptance from church members in this congregation and consider a number to be my friends.
Since college I’ve been an out gay man. I’ve come late to investigating where ECC stands on LGBT parishioners and clergy. I am deeply disturbed by the stance ECC has taken to actively exclude LGBT people. Though not a member, I’ve been a part of this church family since I was 4yo (and I’m now 59).
I question what to do about my dismay. Perhaps stop attending. I have talked to the last two minusters one-on-one. I am reminded that all my life I’ve known that for me, and others like me, the personal is the political. My years of civil rights, gay rights and HIV/AIDS activism kicks up; however, I also know this isn’t the place. These are kind and loving people and many, if not most, of these people would be dismayed by this stance by the church.
Yet the disservice I do to myself and others by attending in silent collusion rankles. But for now this is what I do.
I continue to be baffled by the citing of random scripture that casts gays as automatically sin-filled due to our sexuality. Accordingly scripture can be used to condone wife-beating: one odd example of a number where literal interpretation of scripture is just plain wrong.
Alden (weird to call you by your first name because I knew you as a teen-ager. Ha!), I appreciate your reflections on your own grasp of this situation. I am unsure of my own follow-through. I will pray with the knowingness that God loves me.
I wm grateful for your spiritual guidance,
Dave Condron
P.S. the chuch’s confirmation gift was a Bible. Your personal gift to me was the book JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL!!! I thanked you then and now. You saw me.

Comment on Rev. Alden Johnson: “A Grandfather Speaks” by Joanne Berry Gailius

Joanne Berry Gailius — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:12:00 +0000

I very much appreciate your words of compassion. My personal challenge is how can I continue to support and attend a Covenant Church that is homophobic? When our lesbian friends come to visit, they aren’t truly welcomed with us on Sunday…..how do we respond? It’s living within that discomfort, knowing deeply in my heart that Jesus would open his arms and hold them, us, all in a big warm, welcoming, inclusive hug.

Comment 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.

Comment on An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter 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.

Comment on An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter 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.

Comment on An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter 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.

Comment on An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter 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.

Comment on An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter by Ken Lund

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

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

Comment on Tony Campolo Advocates for Full Acceptance of Christian Gay Couples into the Church by Carl Gulick

Carl Gulick — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:54:00 +0000

The last will and testament of an apostate Christian leader.

Comment on An Open Letter to ECC President Gary Walter from a Gay Covenanter 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.