What Does It Mean?

This month’s reflection highlights new partnerships in the community and the desire to bring preparation and planning for the realities of life to everyone.

What Does It Mean?

In 1985 The Fifteenth General Synod of the United Church of Christ adopted the Resolution now titled “Calling On UCC Congregations to Covenant As Open and Affirming.”

In 1985 I attended a meeting where church members were considering severing their church’s relationship with the United Church of Christ.  A question was posed regarding the hiring of future pastors for the church if we severed the tie.  The Senior Pastor offered to field the question.  His response was, “If we request pastoral profiles from the UCC they may send us profiles that include those of homosexuals or women.”  Yes, he actually thought both groups unworthy of calling to ministry.

The congregation voted to divest from the United Church of Christ. I was sitting with my best friend, the music director, who happened to be gay (closeted) who turned to me and whispered,  “I guess I’m looking for a new church.”  My immediate response to him was, “So am I.”   The God of my understanding would never exclude anyone.

It’s nearly thirty years later and I (yes, a woman) am now the associate pastor of the United Church of Christ of Norwell which is an ONA church. Not hiding from controversy, it voted to welcome all people into every aspect of church life. That’s the kind of church I want to be part of.  I want to belong to a church that invites people in.

A church needs to offer extravagant hospitality.  A church shouldn’t just read the scriptures it needs to live the scriptures.  It feels wonderful to partner with SS Elder Services, Inc.  as we invite the LGTB community to participate in a two evening seminar on getting your affairs in order called “What if…?  on June 9th and 16th from 6:30 to 8:00pm.

I realize that it doesn’t redress untold years of injustice.  Nor does it make up for the moment of ignorance I witnessed 30 years ago.  But it warms my heart to know that I’ve found a place that celebrates diversity and in fact invites it in.

Rev. Deborah M. Spratley is the Associate Pastor of the United Church of Christ, Norwell.