Just the Basics

[justjeff]

Hi, My name is Jeff. I am a gay dad. I have a 24 y.o. son, whom I have adopted. He is gay as well, and is graduating from undergrad this spring and starting law school this fall. I have 2 biological children. My daughter is 15, incredibly beautiful and a voice student at a local Performing Arts High School in our area. My youngest son is 12. He's all boy. He loves animals, sports, riding his 4 - wheeler and girls ! He's a straight boy; every gay family needs one !! Keeps us humble !! LOL

I have joint custody of the 2 biological children, whom I have 3 days a week. All 3 of the kids are supportive of one another and of me as their dad. Being gay, has been a non issue for them at all. The younger two, probably are having an easier time adjusting, being their older brother is gay.

Since coming out 3 years ago, I have not been involved in church at all. I had such a conflict within, being I came from a very conservative background. However, since before Christmas, I decided to researching what the Bible really says about homosexuality and how particular denominations . I began attending a small neighborhood Episcopal Church on Christmas Eve and have been there ever since. I have had several conversations with the Rector and have researched the Denomination, and I am excited about being apart of a church who accepts me, for me.

[BenL]

Welcome to Soulforce. I belong to an Episcopal Church, too. I consider myself very lucky that my partner and I are members at All Saints. We're very active in the ministry there and belong to the Alliance, which is a group for GLBT people to worship together and socialize once a month. Unfortunately, not all churches in the ECUSA are as welcoming as yours and ours. Our prayer is for unity in diversity, an old Anglican principle expressed in modern language.

Join the conversation, Jeff. There are lots of good folks here.

BenL

[dsdrane]

I'm new here, too, and also a new Episcopalian.

Though we are apparently losing a number of parishes to the Diocese of Nigeria, I'm incredibly encouraged by how incredibly courageous the Episcopal Church in America has been in the last few years. Frankly, I think we should pre-emptively walk away from the Anglican Communion rather than wait to be booted out, but that's just me. I honestly think our departure will ultimately be more painful for them than our continued communion, but they won't know that until it actually happens.

There's a wonderful little book I was assigned in my church's Episcopal 101 class: Those Episkopals, by Rev. Dr. Dennis Maynard. It's a fast read and very informative about what exactly the denomination is all about. My favorite -- and the most germane part to folks like you and me -- is the "three-legged stool" of Episcopal theological/philosophical thought, with the third and all-important leg being REASON. Men -- and women -- were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write holy texts. They were not stenographers for God. To say that the holy texts are THE word of God is to leave out this huge filter.

Suffice it to say, this is a topic that interests me greatly.

But there's plenty of time for all that. For now, welcome!

Peace, David

[nmwolfboy]

i'm another new Episcopalian here at Soulforce. Please look around & join in - i've found the discussions to be among the best i've seen on the 'net.

Again, welcome!

-scott

[BruceChris]

I'm getting the impression that your situation is working fairly well. Sounds good.

Now and then, I seem to get the impression that if a person is not part of an alternative, nontraditional, extended, or blended family, they must be doing something wrong. Or at least be in a shrinking minority. I'll have to think about that one, some more.

Anyway, yours sounds like it's doing well.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Zerbie]

Welcome, Jeff.

It sounds like you have a truly wonderful family!!

Nice to have you.

[Daniel]

Jeff- Welcome! You've certainly found the place to find others of like mind, as well as answers to your questions about the bible and homosexuality. And you sound like a great guy- your kids are lucky. Peace to you.

[ctozrn]

We are from Greensboro as well! Wow, what a small world. My partner Jan and I have two children, my son is 15, my daughter is 13. We have been going to a United Methodist church here in Greensboro. It seems to be very welcoming so far.

So good to hear from someone at home!

Christine

[criselkins]

Hi, Jeff & Christine. I am also from Greensboro, NC. My partner of 32 years, Gene, and I left Virginia because of all the hateful, anti-gay laws and moved back to Greensboro. Note that the NC Episcopal Diocese meeting in Greensboro this past weekend formally apologized to gays.

From the News & Record: "One resolution apologizing to gays and lesbians for mistreatment by Christians and another acknowledging 'the sin of racism' were unanimously approved Saturday by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina."

Another member of Soulforce and the Greensboro community is Matt Hill Comer, a student at UNCG. Matt instigated the sit-in at the military recruiting station this past September in Greensboro and is also a member of the Soulforce Equality Ride 2007. It is Matt that is sponsoring the fundraiser in Greensboro for the Equality Ride that Christine mentioned in a previous post.

It would be nice if we could get together sometime and start our own local Soulforce support group. I have been part of Soulforce since 2000 and have been participated in most of the Soulforce actions. You can email me: criselkins@juno.com

Peace,
Cris Elkins