myChurch.org

[Dash]

Ok, so I haven't slept well in a couple days and that tends to make me all sappy and emotional, but I just want to say I love you all. Yes, I realize that I don't know any of you in person, but nonetheless, I have a fond affection for each of your voices and the avatars that peer kindly out at me from your posts.

After news stories and discussions that came out of the recent Episcopal Church USA general convention, I was feeling rather anti-Church. I was thinking that I might finally be done with it for good. Since then, I've been spending a bit more time "in the balcony" by myself here--watching and listening, but participating less. Yet, increasingly, I'm finding that you all have become my fellowship community...something that I haven't had in almost 4 years.

Is this a phenomenon of the 21st century? A true cyber-Church? In a world where there are so many people, yet so few real connections, is this a new thing from God? Is this the Holy Spirit reaching out and gathering us in? I don't know... But I do know that you are with me all the time, and I am comforted by the wisdom of your voices and generosity of spirit. You have become my fathers and mothers...my beloved siblings and my friends.

We are presently enduring a great deal of spiritual violence in our society as the people and governments of America transform hatred and bigotry into legislation of oppression. Who knows where these days will lead? Our time is uncertain and discomfiting. There may be many days of frustration and disappointment ahead, but I believe we will prevail. Adversity will not crush us; our opponents will not defeat us; lies will not separate us from the truth that nourishes us and shines brightly into the void. Our forefathers are those who have suffered for their faith and their identity. We are heirs with all who have stood firm against the advance of evil. We have inherited their noble ideals, the justice of their cause and their implacable strength. I believe that all things have been delivered unto us. I believe that though we may be given into their hands for a little while, our foes have no power over us. I rejoice in the great company with whom we travel. I am humbled and awed by the honor we have been given...that we should share in the great work of our forefathers who brought equality to women and blacks; who freed the slaves; who ended oppression; who led the people into a good country; who returned all that society would steal from the poor, the weak, the unwanted and the lost.

We are blessed in our journey. We are blessings to each other. You are my blessing and the encouragement that leads me onward.

So many that I see here all the time, and whose presence is a delight: Zerbie , Jennifer5, keltic63, NathanATX, Daniel, awediot, Jamie McDaniel, Vannessa White, Emproph, schoolboi, SolApollo, Joe Brummer, Mia14, tdogg, revtj, Lydia, pnggrad79, Liberal Crozier (and Spouse), Rick336, NonLemming, dewdrop_world, suzer1013, BruceChris, morningrob, Steven E. Webster, sbonser04, nowvoyager, Britt., LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT, kara speltz, episcopalian, MamimiFista, Vortex...

Thanks and love.

[Britt.]

Ok, so I haven't slept well in a couple days and that tends to make me all sappy and emotional, but I just want to say I love you all. Yes, I realize that I don't know any of you in person, but nonetheless, I have a fond affection for each of your voices and the avatars that peer kindly out at me from your posts.

AW. <3

Yet, increasingly, I'm finding that you all have become my fellowship community...something that I haven't had in almost 4 years.

With me, it was something like 10 years that I spent burned out on church. Thankfully, I've found an inclusive church recently, so my current experience w/ that is positive so far.

Is this a phenomenon of the 21st century? A true cyber-Church? In a world where there are so many people, yet so few real connections, is this a new thing from God? Is this the Holy Spirit reaching out and gathering us in?

Maybe. Really, I feel "church" can be anywhere you find a connection, whether that is in an actual church, here, on the sidewalk, wherever.

[Zerbie]

:D :D :D :D :D :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

Thank you, Dash!!!!!!

Me too. I often have to force myself to avoid ending every post here with "I love you guys!" :p

I've never been a church member. But this board fills a purpose for me that I think churches fill for many people. There is a sense that I can come here to this group and share nearly anything and get support, advice, whatever. And sometimes if I feel tempted to act in a way that I wouldn't be proud of you guys knowing about, thinking of you all makes me stop and re-evaluate:' what if I had to tell my SF friends how I'm behaving today? Would I still say/do this?' Seriously - you guys are so many things to me, a reality check, an advice column, a group that I laugh with, and most of all, an inspiration.

Thank you all so much for being your wonderful selves and for being here. I love you all too.

[Daniel]

Thank you Dash!

I don't think I've darkened the door to a church since January, at least not 'professionally' that is, from the choir loft. After 15 odd years singing in Episcopal churches here in NYC, I find I have a gimlet-eyed view on the 'doings' of the church, which may be why I, like you, have been feeling a sense of strain about the whole matter- I sincerely love a good many things about being 'in church', but must agree with you strongly that, whatever the meaning of our 'meeting here on the forum, I find myself humbled by the energy, time and thought that goes into what is posted here by others. In sum: I think we all care so damn much about these issues. And that's a truly wonderful thing.

Love is not dead. It is alive and shines through all that you write and circles right back to you.

[keltic63]

What a loving post, Dash! and one that I needed about now. I was over at another forum reading all the bashing, and the consequential justification of the bashing by folks who claim the name of Christ. So I stop by here, and I see your endearing (ok, sappy) post and it made me feel so good. Thanks.









now, let's all join hands and sing "Kum By Yah" ;)

[Dash]

Thanks for sending back the love, friends! :love:

[Jennifer5]

I know what you mean Dash... I'm exactly the same way.... I love this site so much... and I love all of you so much... you really do feel like family... (after all I know most of you better than I know my half brother)...like Zerbie, I often want to sign off with I love you.... especially when one of you is having a hard day, I don't know why I don't just say it...

For me I think it's only been 2 year since I really attended a church... but my experience is, you get a lot more out of friends/family here than you do at a church... you all mean so much to me, and I guess now... knowing that we all seem to feel the same way... I guess we could be signing off with I love you... after all hearing those words makes you feel really good and safe doesn't it?:love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

Thanks for sharing Dash... :love:

[dewdrop_world]

Really, I feel "church" can be anywhere you find a connection, whether that is in an actual church, here, on the sidewalk, wherever.
"Where two or three are gathered in My name..."

It's that phrase "my name" of course, as Awediot pointed out, that can be a sticking point for more traditional Christians. I personally think that people can gather in the spirit of Christ without using the five little letters J-E-S-U-S.

I'd have to add that it's very hard to keep up a prayer life or meditation practice without a flesh-and-blood community. It's also true that cyber communities contribute to the increasing bitterness in public debate. The support we give and receive here is real, but it's important also to take the strength gained here out into local communities (and "enemy territory" as well, CARM, even -- and it really bothers me that this thought comes to mind -- the UMC boards...).

Big (((HUGS))) to Dash -- if (((this))) is a hug, would )))this((( be a big squeezing bear hug? :D

James

[BruceChris]

Dash and friends: Do we call this a church, or would support group, or even therapy group be more appropriate? Hey, If ya feel better about life after you have visited this site, I call that theraputic! But then of course a church should be all of those things anyway. :love: :lol: :rolleyes: :weee: :good: :agree: :) :aparty: :rainbow: :weee:

Yes, I like all of the people on your laundry list,:love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

Zerbie , Jennifer5, keltic63, NathanATX, Daniel, awediot, Jamie McDaniel, Vannessa White, Emproph, schoolboi, SolApollo, Joe Brummer, Mia14, tdogg, revtj, Lydia, pnggrad79, Liberal Crozier (and Spouse), Rick336, NonLemming, dewdrop_world, suzer1013, BruceChris, morningrob, Steven E. Webster, sbonser04, nowvoyager, Britt., LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT, kara speltz, episcopalian, MamimiFista, Vortex.....And so many others.

And I appreciate your placing me on it.:D :D :D :D :D

I do very much enjoy coming here and reading what you guys have to say, and making an occasional comment. It is a constant reminder that there are so many wonderful people in the LGBT community, and that there are so many perfectly ordinary things in life that we are striving for. Maybe more later.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[Jennifer5]

Dash and friends: Do we call this a church, or would support group, or even therapy group be more appropriate? Hey, If ya feel better about life after you have visited this site, I call that theraputic! But then of course a church should be all of those things anyway. :love: :lol: :rolleyes: :weee: :good: :agree: :) :aparty: :rainbow: :weee:

I agree it's all of those things too...:love:

[Jennifer5]

Dash and friends: Do we call this a church, or would support group, or even therapy group be more appropriate? Hey, If ya feel better about life after you have visited this site, I call that theraputic! But then of course a church should be all of those things anyway. :love: :lol: :rolleyes: :weee: :good: :agree: :) :aparty: :rainbow: :weee:

I agree it's all of those things too...:love:

[SolApollo]

Thank you Dash and a very well written post. Yes, a church, like others have said, is not the building - but the people.

I'm a teacher, so ignore me if this is a rant... Anyway, here is a link with the associated meanings and definitions of church: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/church

Likewise, Luke 17:21 states "the Kingdom of God is in the midst (or within) you." Similarly, the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas says, "the kingdom of God is spread out among the earth, but men do not see it... Do not look in a place of stone, but look under a rock, and you will find it there..."

Ok, I'm getting a little mystical here, but I do believe the People are the Church, the Kingdom of God is already here...inside our souls.

[Jennifer5]

I do believe the People are the Church, the Kingdom of God is already here...inside our souls.I agree with that... but I almost feel that we're above what a church can offer... it almost feels like to low of a name... if that makes sense

[nowvoyager]

Wow, Dash :D :D :D Thanks to you all so much for that. I've been away from cyberspace for a bit, busy IRL, and I come back today to read your lovely post! I particularly valued your prophecy statement -- reckon I'll copy that to my desktop so I don't lose it, if that's ok..

I feel the same way, that this is a place of spiritual nourishment. Yours are all the voices crying out in the wilderness, loudly enough for me to hear them, all the way 'round the planet. And the time difference means I come to the board in my daylight, after you're all signed off and tucked up in bed, and read all of your posts, and bless you all while you're asleep. And I get ideas and challenges and inspiration I hope will lead me to try to be the change here, too.

So that's a church indeed, IMHO. Thanks, congregation :) :pray:

[Vanessa White]

As is the case with many times that I come to these threads, the timeliness of the messages is so powerful. First of all, Dash, thank you so much for those warm, heartfelt words, sappy or not, due to lack of sleep or not, I felt those words from your heart, and send them back to you tenfold!!! I love all of you as well, all those listed and those not listed, because it feels like community, family, congregation here. I am so glad that I looked "under this rock" because it inspires me to be among you, and to get to look through a different set, or several different sets of eyes about things that we all seem to be passionate about. Soulforce, and all of you, have awakened something in me that has been unattended in a very long time. Right now, my relationship with my partner has ended, we are working out the issues regarding custody of our daughter, and I am trying to find a place to live. In the midst of all of that, I have not been to church, mainly because my pastor knows the situation, and she has been offering personal guidance to my ex and our daughter. I feel guilty somehow, strange. However, until I am ready to return to that "fold", I feel comfort, understanding, love and compassion here every time I visit. Thank you to all of you, and what you bring here to share with all of us. Peace and love to you all today!!!!!!!!!!!! :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

[pnggrad79]

So many times I have passed through troubled waters after coming out, and I know this is a safe place to go where people accept you like you are, not for who they want you to be, and love you regardless. Thanks, Dash, for the sappy post, feel free anytime. We love you, too.:)

[Liberal Crozier]

Several days ago, upon hearing that the bishop who ordained him had advanced staging cancer, an ultraconservative homophobic priest decided to call him. Upon answering the telephone, I was unceremoniously dismissed as he asked to speak to my spouse. I swallowed hard, and decided to mirror the behaviour that Christ Himself would have asked of me, and without any further word, passed the phone to him. In retrospect, I should have also suggested that his health did not warrant a long, and possibly unsettling conversation. Do we know each other ? We sat side by side at major theological seminary, and were side-by-side on ordination day.

The priest, who is divorced and remarried, and had an adulterous affair before divorcing wife number one, and received compassionate but non-judgemental concern from Crozier ( I AM NOT THAT COMPASSIONATE ), indicated that he was praying not only for his physical health, but also for his metaphysical health and an end to our "behaviour".

I was not privy to Crozier's response, but suffice to say that I am sure that he thanked him for his prayers of recovery, and as to the other, told him that he would "risk his immortal soul" and God's judgement and remain loving his spouse and child.

No one is immune from becoming the "walking wounded" where homophobic sexual theology - in word and in deed, is concerned. To many, they end generations, no millenia of active membership in a faith community and the Body of Christ. Many adopt secular humanism, New Ageism, or Eastern Religions. Most remain cultural (name the denomination) and attend only compulsory family church events as the funeral of parents and siblings.

Many threads have discussed these issues, especially around Dr. White's video sermon of the "blessed assurance" of God's love for his LBGT children, or as they would have it, a conditional love based on denial of our own love and orientation.

[NathanATX]

My heart breaks for all of us and the wounds we have suffered.

I pray that you would have the courage to believe truth when attacked with a lie. I pray that you would have the strength to stand for justice when your heart is tired. I pray for your peace & protection. I pray for those who let evil & fear guide their words and actions, that they would be forgiven, healed and restored. I pray their attacks will be fruitless and victimless. Above all, I pray that each of you would truly grasp how close you are to the heart of Christ, especially when you are suffering. He knows your pain. He loves you immensely. Peace and freedom will come for you.

My pastor ends each service with this benediction...

"We have not just been to church, we ARE the church. And when the church is the church, it is nothing more, less, or other than the presence of Christ through people."

You are the church, my dear brothers & sisters, because the presence of Christ lives in you.

[Vanessa White]

Amen, Nate.

[Lydia]

Good thread.



Is this a phenomenon of the 21st century? A true cyber-Church? In a world where there are so many people, yet so few real connections, is this a new thing from God? Is this the Holy Spirit reaching out and gathering us in?

I think so, yes.

Cyber-church has an important role to play in many lives. I don't think acknowledging that fact in any way diminishes the equally important role that real-life churches also play.

It's sort of like icecream: just because you like rocky road doesn't mean that you can't also enjoy mint chocolate chip. ;)

[BruceChris]

I know I should be proud to say this, but it does hurt a little to be in the position to speak so lovingly about my own local (UCC, almost all GLBT) church, after hearing about so many bad experiences. Here in Minneapolis, we have so many warm, accepting and liberal churches! To all of you who have said that you have stayed so long in churches that did not have have much to offer you, that did not support you, or even were homophobic and judgmental I am truly sorry.

To say that the problem is not church, or religion, but the wrong church or religion, at least for you, does not help if the nearest place that you feel good about is just too far away. (I suspect that if I had grown up in a Red or Red-necked state, I wouldn't have a clue) :love: :pray: :love: :pray: :love: :pray:

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[Dash]

When I listen to all of you speak, I feel connected to those fledgling Christian communities of the 1st century.

We come here to our quiet, safe place...hidden away from the turmoil and anger that rages against us. This Church is not yet a proud building stretching its arms to the sky. It is a humble house, unmarked and unknown to those who swing their swords against us in the streets. Here we come to comfort and feed each other. Here we prepare one another for the rigorous trials of faith and debate that we will face when we step away from this house. Here we grow full in the certainty of our calling and the assurance of Divine love for us. Here we share the dark wine of our sorrows and the bread of our brokenness, and we know how close we lie to the heart of the One who knew the same kinds of sorrows and brokenness. Here we find special gifts and unique beauties that God breathes through us for the sake of those we love.

Here there is no need to justify our presence. There is no need to prove our worth, voice our creed or give a call sign. There are no books to record lineage or succession; no role call keeping expectation.

How sweet it is to recline upon Our Beloved’s breast and feel the beating of that faithful heart. How sweet it is to greet one another in love, and link arms around a loyal neck.

Look! There’s Vanessa, full of grace... and bright-eyed Zerbie, 30 posts shy of a thousand. That one’s Joe Brummer...he'll never let us stray from the true path. Sitting over there...the holy one and weak, with a lively twinkle in his eye...our Liberal Crozier with his dear Spouse, encouraging Nate in his path to ordination. And I see my friend Daniel too. I’d like to be like him someday.

Awediot and Emproph rush in like the wind, fresh and strong from the races. Soon they'll be off again running with horses and contending with angels. Ah...here comes SolApollo! He’s not the man he used to be. And, three women, strong in faith...victorious Tdogg...Lydia, always ready with a good word...and dear Mia with boundless joy. I say, have you ever met a man more patient in discourse than Dewdrop_world? Not I...

Have you seen Keltic’s children? Blessed are children with father like him.

Our friend Jamie McDaniel is guarding our back. I hear he’s planning for a wedding next year. And, Steven Webster is getting married soon as well! All our best hopes for them both! These impending nuptials don’t make me bitter one bit! Hah!

There goes Rick, a man of action and courage to lead us through the night. Nearby is Pnggrad, who knows how to live as a light in a dark place; and, Schoolboi, who is definitely on the move. His journey will take him far. There on the far side is nowvoyager. Her ship is filled with treasures. Now and then you'll see our new friend, LGBT_FLIGHT_ATTENDANT who is so kind to visit us when in town. And don't forget Morningrob, who will surely greet us at the feast of the dawn.

Revtj now...there's a true minister of God, if ever I knew one. Have you met Suzer yet? She has the soul of a gentle jurist. And BruceChris? I feel three times blessed that he is with us. He gives me hope. Then there is Sbonser whose gentle hands will never be empty of healing. And NonLemming, whom I bless every time he quotes Oliver Wendell Holmes. He'll find the right path, make no mistake! Britt says he's full of compassion, and I believe it; but I don't know where he'd fit it being so full as he seems to be with strength.

Ah...and, where would we be without our darling Jennifer5. She will be a powerful queen among women soon. That I do not doubt!

[Zerbie]

I am crying.

I am going to print out your post and keep it.

[Jennifer5]

I think I agree Zerbie I'll have to do the same... I knew I was in trouble when I saw your post and then had to read Dash's....

I don't know how to write such things... I can rarely find the words... I'll say I really do love everyone of the people here:love: and this place seems to be the only one that is always here...

I know everyone has there problems, me included... but when my family is all over the place and those friends that I think I have are gone... there's always someone here... I love you all:love:

Dash... keep posting... I think you have what it takes to really pull us all together:love: :love: :love:

I thank god of who ever it is every day for all of you... I've learned so much from all of you and feel like I gained a whole family in the process...

[Vanessa White]

Dash:







I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:love: :love: :love: :love: :love: