Comments on: Rev. Sara Salomons: From the ECC to the UCC

By: Tim Stohlberg

Tim Stohlberg — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:43:00 +0000

I too stumbled badly on question #13 and remember my interiew with the Board of Ministry as a painful and unaffirming process. While candidates for ordination are encouraged to answer the questions with integrity and clarity, I am afraid many are shading their opinions and simply stating what the board wants to hear. When my dad was ordained, one of the questions he was asked was, “What is the Christian Hope?” How sad that we longer ask about someting as critical as eschatology, but rather foment pain, discord and dishonesty by asking questions we don’t really want to discuss.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Sara- I love hearing stories of “ecclesiastical discernment” like yours–I can really relate. I’m a chaplain & CPE supe at a large urban hospital. I was raised and ordained in the Assemblies of God. I think it’s easier to be eccliastically ambivelant as a chaplain…which is both a relief and a challenge to stay vital in ministry. I finally transferred my ordination to the ECC about 5 years ago and have really found a home. I’m probably on the ECC fringes related to Process, exegesis, Christology etc, but I am pleased to say there has been “room at the ECC table” for all that. I work hand-in-hand, and deeply value my 6 UCC colleagues, 2 of which are gay/lesbian. I am struggling with how to stay engaged with the ECC on this issue when my day-to-day experience with gay/lesbian colleagues, patients, and CPE students bumps against the ECC’s position on sexuality. Anyway…thanks for sharing your story. I’m home, but continuing to discern as well.

By: Crowther

Crowther — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:26:00 +0000

Sara- I loved reading this. Thanks for sharing. You have such a warm and captivating spirit to many of us. No doubt those words spoken on your last sunday are very true!! Thanks and I miss you!!
– your neighbor and fan. Meredith

By: Ralph W. Sturdy

Ralph W. Sturdy — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:32:00 +0000

Thank you Sara! Your article rings with the authenticity of courage and humility. When I was ordained in 1965 I remember no questions on human sexualty. Having served churches, mostly in the ECC and two in the UCC I continue to find myself exactly where you are. In the large UCC church here in Lincoln I served for a short time as Visitation Minister. On my final Saturday and Sunday I was given opportunity to “say something”. Here’s what I said, “In my 45 years as a pastor this church is the first church I served where, when you said ‘EVERYONE IS WELCOME’, you know some were saying … ‘EXCEPT GLBT PEOPLE.'” This where I worship and am active. I can do no other!

By: Rockykidd

Rockykidd — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing the story of your journey, Sara! I enjoyed it very much. Blessings to you and your family. May God continue to use you in the lives of those around you.

By: Sara Capen Salomons

Sara Capen Salomons — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:19:00 +0000

Thank you! Darlene, there was never a course offered on human sexuality during my time at NPTS. I do remember that a Professor of NT published a small booklet addressing the denomination’s position on sexuality while I was a student at NPTS. But, that’s about as far as it went. I certainly believe that it is something that should be offered.

By: Leahklug

Leahklug — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Sara, thank you for sharing your story!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:10:00 +0000

Sara, thanks for sharing your story. I am currently a student at NPTS and so far I have not seen any course offerings on the topic of human sexuality and am wondering if this has always been the case.