Hello, my name is....

[tim]

Tim

I am a former minister of the ELCA and left when I came out. I have been in a partnered relationship now for nine years. I look forward to making new friends and hearing about what you all are doing to further glbt equality in your circles/congregations/fellowships.

I have two boys of whom I am very proud.

Looking forward to conversation, etc.

[Zerbie]

Welcome Tim. :)

ELCA. Is that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America??

I just organized the Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights event in Phoenix, and one of our straight ally speakers at the press conference was a young pastor out of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Is that typically NOT a very gay-friendly organization?

Singing, dancing, playing the piano - you're in the majority here. :D

I sing opera, dance (amateurishly!, and not ballroom, haven't learned it yet,) and I used to play the piano very well. Not so well anymore. :p

[paul]

Hi Tim,

Welcome to Soulforce :wave:.

I'm sorry you had to leave when you came out. There's something weird about having to leave a church because you are honest. I imagine you would be welcome if you lied and remained in the closet. wwjd?

Glad you are here, if you stick around and participate, you will make some new and wonderful friends. Hope you can get your hubby to join in also. And you'll find a few fathers here as well. My boys are brilliant. :D

paul

[dsdrane]

Hi, Tim!

I'm an Episcopalian, whose former priest (one of them...back in Florida from where I recently moved) left the ELCA because of the gay issue. He's out and partnered and now is an Episcopal priest. From what he tells me (and what I myself have learned over time), our bishop (Bishop Frade, Diocese of SE Florida) has been incredibly supportive of him, other gay clergy in the diocese, and the issue nationally.

Have you considered such a move?

Regardless, it's good to have you with us. Thanks for taking time to say hello. I look forward to hearing more from you.

:)

[Gennee]

Hi Tim and welcome to Soulforce. I attend a Christian college and will graduate in June. I am transgender and am involved with the LGBT community.

I'm sorry about your leaving the ministry. Have you considered returning? I will become a teacher and will be dealing with LGBT students. I am concerned about how the church and education system will deal with this issue.

Welcome once again and look forward to more correspondence.

Gennee

:wave::love:

[u-dog]

Hey Tim,

Welcome. I hate that you had to leave the ministry in order to be who you are. I remain in the closet because I too would have to find another line of work if I was honest. I am out to my wife and SHE accepts me for who I am. The church has more invested in my sexuality than my WIFE how? how does that work again? Sheesh :disagree: Glad you are with us. Please jump in to the conversations where ever you feel led!

U-dog

[Dumbledore]

Hey Tim,

Welcome. I hate that you had to leave the ministry in order to be who you are. I remain in the closet because I too would have to find another line of work if I was honest. I am out to my wife and SHE accepts me for who I am. The church has more invested in my sexuality than my WIFE how? how does that work again? Sheesh :disagree: Glad you are with us. Please jump in to the conversations where ever you feel led!

U-dog

There are so many of unemployed reverends on this forum...we should all get together and revolutionize the world LOL

[antiochian]

Hi! I was born and raised in the ELCA. It is probably the most liberal of Lutheran churches, wheras the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods are pretty darn exclusive. But the ELCA, like other mainline churches such as UMC, has yet to totally get with the program and accept all of God's lesbian, gay, transgendered, bisexual, children for who they are. The episcopal or metropolitan community church may very well be a good alternative

[Jennifer5]

Welcome Tim, glad to have you here :)