[Steven E. Webster]

Rev. TJ,

Thanks for the admission about the UCC. I'm sorry to hear there is no "promised land" out there, but those of us affiliated with more oppressive denominations often hear triumphalistic claims from the UCC. Or when we complain about our denomination we are told "why don't you join the UCC?"

What bothers me even more, though, are the folks (often homophobic) who say, "why don't you start your own church." I just can't agree with that ecclesiology, or lack thereof. I do sincerely believe in the "mystical unity" of Christ's church--and I believe churchs that think they can turn Christ's church in to their church with their rules including their friends and excluding the people they are prejudiced against are betraying Christ.

I believe the Metropolitan Community Church is an expression of the Holy Spirit incuding LGBT people in Christ's church despite what other denominations are doing--but ultimately there must be a recognition that MCC is also a member of Christ's Church and should be welcomed into the ecumenical bodies and their members and clergy recognized to be as good as any other denominations.

Finally, I do like the message of the UCC's latest ad campaign--the UCC is speaking the truth that there are congregations that have "ejection pews" (figuratively speaking). I suppose there are some UCC congregations that have "ejection pews" too, but I still appreciate the message from the denomination, and hope that every local congregation would seek to live up to it.

I hope that my own United Methodist Church will one day live up to its motto of "Open hearts, open minds, open doors."

Steven Webster