Hello from Seattle

[themattperry]

Hi everyone -- I'm Matt from Seattle, WA. I love what Soulforce does and really want to stay connected and support its work, especially as regards the Lutheran Church. I sometimes feel rather alone in my desire to stay connected to my faith tradition and at the same time remain relaistic and truthful about where we are at this time in history. It's great to see a growing community of people here who are willing to speak the truth and take action in a spirit of love and reconcilliation. Yay!

[keltic63]

Welcome to the forums Matt!

[Big-Cheese]

Moving on. Blessings

[Jennifer5]

Welcome...

[QuakerDad]

It takes courage, maturity and respect to do what SoulForce is doing, and it has been my experience that this is really the only way to go. Back in the 70s and 80s, we struggled quite a bit to get recognition and respect in our Quaker meetings in New England, and I was deeply involved in those contentious discussions. We got through it, though the struggle is not ever fully over. Although most of our meetings in New England support same sex marriage, there are still some that do not.

One of our larger Quaker umbrella organizations has a personnel policy that forbids intimate sexual relations between any staff member unless they are married, which is defined as being between a man and a woman. Our Yearly Meeting (independent regional association of Friends) has been struggling to speak our truth to this policy, for we are members of this larger, worldwide organization. It has exposed our remaining conflicts within New England as well.... and we are in the struggle again.

So, as one who has been there, Matt, you are right on in your assessment... that love, reconciliation and respect are the only means forward.

Eric

[rickolis]

Hey, I'm from Seattle, too! I'm so glad there are more and more people in the PacNW on the forums (=

Rick