A blog of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries, an open and affirming, progressive, United Methodist faith community dedicated to proclaiming the Good News of God's love with all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight persons.
The title for the blog comes from our congregation's first book study on a text by Elizabeth Stuart entitled "Religion Is A Queer Thing: A Guide to the Christian Faith for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Persons" (Pilgrim Press, 1998).
The General Board of Church and Society of our denomination just unveiled it's latest resource on the issue of homophobia and heterosexism. This site grew out of a mandate from General Conference, the global legislative body of our denomination. In 2008, the General Conference passed "Opposing Homophobia and Heterosexism" (#2043 in the Book of Resolutions) calling on the church to provide resources on how the denomination can eradicate homophobia and heterosexism.
Check out the stories and resources. Together we can create a fully inclusive church and society!
Last week I had the privilege to stand on the lawn of our nation’s capitol and watch from afar as the thousands upon thousands of equality marchers made their way down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Waiting at the dais, our small band of interfaith religious leaders stood silent as we caught the first glimpse of the marchers cresting the horizon of the avenue. The brilliant colors of their banners and flags announced their coming and if you strained your ears just enough you could hear the faint whisper of their joyful songs, chants and drums growing louder, step by step.
Looking around at my colleagues, there was not a dry eye to be found. For the sight of the march echoed a familiar hope for each one of us. Known and named differently in each of our traditions, our collective hope was embodied for a rare, brief moment before our eyes; echoed in footsteps of the marchers, given voice through their song and made real by their presence.
O God, freedom was coming…and we could see it now! How beautiful the feet of those who bring peace!
How beautiful indeed! Friends, that day on the lawn of the capitol, under the brilliant blue sky, in the light of the shining sun, we looked good! Mmmmm….we looked fierce! How beautiful, how fabulous, were the feet of those who marched that day!
As I stood there, I could not help but recall our texts for today, first in Isaiah and then again echoed in Romans. “How beautiful the feet of the messengers who announce peace…How beautiful the feet of those who bring good news!” I had to wonder if the vision of the prophets and of Paul induced that same strange warming of the heart that I felt as I witnessed the good news being brought to the very steps of the capitol.
Their context was different, but was the hope not the same?
In just a few short days, thousands of people will descend upon our nation's capitol to march for justice during the National Equality March. Fifty years after Stonewall and forty years after the first equality march on Washington, we will gather once again to advocate for civil rights, to cry out for justice and to march for equality.
Cambridge Welcoming Ministries will join in the festivities including participating in the service of prayer and thanksgiving for equal rights at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, the interfaith breakfast, and the march itself. Pastor Tiffany Steinwert has been invited to be one of 30 clergy from across the country to join in the interfaith invocation and blessing of the march led by Rev. Troy Perry.
Won't you join us as we march for equality?
For a complete list of United Methodist activities during the March for Equality, click here.
Cambridge Welcoming Ministries seeks to provide safe space for all people to encounter the love of God. Our congregation's blog is an LGBTQ safe space designed for sharing, mutual support and growing in discipleship.
