A Salute To Dash, The Virtual Verger Of The Soulforce Virtual Cathedral

[Liberal Crozier]

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

My spouse is writing this for me. I am forbidden to sit or lie back with computer or laptop for any purpose. However, he has printed out and has read me all of the Soulforce information, especially, and of course, the 1000 watt march blogging, which is the main focus of our organisation at this point in time. They have our prayers.


Dash has been an extremely thoughtful and compassionate Christian who has always differentiated between Churchianity and Christianity. He seeks the latter, and has avoided the Pharisees, Scribes, and Saduccees while seeking Christ Himself. His plight is real. Many LGBT Christians have local access to gay-affirming churches or parishes. Some are nationally gay-affirming in their official pronouncements; while others are either local exceptions, or local option exceptions. The majority of LGBT Christians in the USA are either wholly without or unaware of any such faith community within a reasonable radius of their home.

To many Christians, TV or now virtual church implies a betrayal of the local pastor and his church community while his local group financially and otherwise support national televangelists. This has also transferred into the several attempts at theocon virtual church annexes.

However, we feel that Dash has certainly both identified a need and described a solution that feeds his soul. Nathan and others have accurately defined " the Church " as WE, or whenever " two or more are gathered in My Name." Of course, the liturgical/sacramental churches have heard jokes referring to virtual Eucharists or virtual Reconciliation/Penance. At first, we laughed outloud. And yet, I wonder if both Word and Sacrament needs to translate into the 21st century way of communication and interaction?

Dash's contributions and others, not only make us emote in a true expression of love of neighbour, but make us aware that in daily blogging, we give credence to the fact that Christianity is a 24-7 proposition. There are no Christmas or Easter Christians on this blog..........not even Sunday only Christians.

Dash, as a Churchman, understands the role of the verger. Where my seat or cathedra is, there is the true definition of cathedral. To those whom my Succession is not theologically resonant, I am just " one of the guys." We are all called, however otherwise specifically, to be parts of the Body of Christ.

We often thought, before his illness, and after we felt " safe to disclose more" - that we would create such a virtual reality for the real LGBT Christian wishing to reconnect and graft again to the Faith Community where love and acceptance abounds. Inclusion rather than exclusion as Dr. White continually admonishes us to create.

Dash - we truly love you back....and truly believe that the Holy Spirit has used you as His instrument in providing us with both the need and the solution to serve Him regardless of where we live our lives.

[LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT]

Dash -

I love you too, man !! I also left organized religion a long long long long time ago. I was raised non-specific Protestant....whatever church was closest and had the best youth group. I guess that we went from Methodist to Presbyterian most of my growing up years.

I guess that my last attempts at anything but personal spirituality was when I came out. Why be a hypocrite when they absolutely hate me or "love me conditionally if I turn straight. Guess the bishop's idea is great

[Jennifer5]

Yes... we love you Dash

[NathanATX]

Dash is Deeelightful!

[Vanessa White]

Liberal's spouse's points are well taken. After all, I love you too, Dash, and really feel in awe and inspired by your faith and commitment. In addition, I love the point that spouse makes about the idea that there are no holy day or Sunday only Christians here among us, this is who we are, every day of our lives. Seeking the truth in God and Jesus Christ, and trying embrace and hold up one another, as well as embrace those who reject us, in a way that enlightens them, hopefully, as well as encourages them to walk the path of Christ, as it seems many of us here aspire to do. Although I don't know at what point many of us would be able to meet, as Zerbie says so sweetly, "in 3-D" someday, to have the real support in a virtual world, here with all of you, gets me through many difficult, as well as many joyful, days and nights. If there is such a thing as a virtual church and church community, I think we are building the foundation of it here and now. Peace, prayers and love to all of you, my friends, Vanessa

[Dash]

Aww, shucks...

I really haven't done anything except talk about what's already going on here. Ya'll...we all..have got this thing goin' and it makes me happy and inspires me. I'm kinda in awe of everyone here, and deeply grateful that I get to be here with you.

[Jennifer5]

know how you feel Dash... can't wait to meet people in 3-D