Church displays stoles of clergy kicked out because of sexual orientation

[bobbolink]

Church displays stoles of clergy kicked out because of sexual orientation


SantaFeNewMexican.com
Church displays stoles of clergy kicked out because of sexual orientation
10/12/2007

(snip)
Friday, women of the church set up an ironing board in front of the altar and began placing the stoles on wooden hangars. Some were made from silk or satin, others were woven in rainbow colors, and one was fashioned from a psychedelic velvet fabric.

On the back of each stole is the story of a person who gave it up because of sexual preference. "We want people to walk into the sanctuary and feel the presence of these people," said Beverly Larzelere, wife of the Rev. Ben Larzelere as she unpacked the stoles.

The display will coincide with training that will be offered next week to about 30 people from Lutheran churches that wish to become Reconciling in Christ congregations by publicly proclaiming their welcome to members of the homosexual community.

Christ Lutheran has been a Reconciling in Christ church since 1993. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the more liberal branch of the Lutheran Church.
(snip)
Contact Anne Constable at 986-3022.


partial link... sorry, can't get the link to copy right...
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/SantaFeNorthernNM/_Com...
niyad

[niyad]

1. try it again

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/SantaFeNorthernNM/_Compassion__for_all

[niyad]

2. it works for me

[bobbolink]

3. Thanks! I'm glad you got the link!

I just can't copy it.

Danged library computers! :(

Which means I can't post the photos, either.

sigh...

[niyad]

4. I know--probably that damned filtering software libraries are required to use.

I loved the signs in the riverside county libraries years ago "Parents, we are NOT babysitters, it is NOT OUR responsibility to keep track of what your children do on the internet."

[Lochloosa]

16. Here you go...

[bobbolink]

18. aw, thanx for posting those!

It really is a beautiful idea.... remembering those who lost out because of hatred and idiocy!

Thanks!

[bobbolink]

21. kick for the pics

:kick:

:)

[Richard Steele]

5. That link works! K&R

[bobbolink]

11. Thanks for the recommend! This is a good, uplifting story that needs to be seen.

The big banner they have as you walk into the church is a great welcome statement:

Affirmation of Welcome

(Adopted by the Parish Council, Sunday, April 2, 2006. Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe has been a Reconciling in Christ Congregation since the Fall of 1993. This updated Affirmation of Welcome replaces the Affirmation adopted in 1993.)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness.

Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28)

Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share the worth that comes from
being unique individuals created by God;

that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the
membership of this congregation upon making a common, public Affirmation of faith; and

that as members of this congregation, people of all sexual orientations and
gender identities are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental
and general life of this congregation.

[YDogg]

6. I love Santa Fe

Thanks for the link.

[xchrom]

7. nice image. n/t

[undeterred]

8. ...

...

[libnnc]

9. What does that have to do with the OP?

[bobbolink]

10. The opportunity to bash a church.

Never mind that it's a different denomination, and never mind that they are giving STRONG support to gay folk.

:eyes:

Thanks, libnnc. :hi:

[undeterred]

12. my mistake

:blush:

[bobbolink]

13. .

:pals:

[bobbolink]

14. kick for a saturday evening

[bobbolink]

15. last kick for saturday

[Kurovski]

17. The Evangelical Lutheran Church runs the town I live in!

By which I mean to say, the local animal shelter and the food bank! And the dude heading it all up is a bleached-blonde "motorcycle daddy".

EL's walk the walk, so far as I can see.

[bobbolink]

19. Some do, indeed, "walk the walk".

There is certainly a high level of social consciousness.

Unfortunately, the understanding of homelessness in ALL denominations, and liberals in general, is low. :(

[knitter4democracy]

20. My mentor prof in college is now a pastor in the ELCA.

She rocks, and she's all about really walking the Christian walk. Her one sermon in chapel was her last because she spoke the truth. *sigh* I should call her and see how she's doing.