Strange Bedfellows???

[mortensen_jon]

I have a question regarding the open and affirming process within my congregation, and another church.

First, we're a United Church of Christ congregation with quite a few open gay and lesbian members (not to mention the closeted ones, as well). Even the pastor's son (who now lives in Dallas) is openly gay. FYI, I'm the director of music (WHAT? A gay church musician???? )

I think it's fair to say that we'll overwhelmingly vote to become open and affirming, though we may lose a family or two. One family left immediately when the process started, but I suspect that the gay issue hit a little too close to home for the husband, if you get my drift.

Here's the real problem (or is it?):

We rent our facilities, for a ridiculously nominal fee, to a Slavic Baptist Church. Between the two congregations, scout troups, 12-step programs, geneological societies, yada-yada, our building is constantly in use.

Do we, as a members of the ONA committee, need to consider possible consequences and ramifications of the Slavics in response to an open and affirming vote? Given the Slavic Baptist's intolerance of gays and lesbians, what possible consequences might there be? As you know, there has been name-calling, intolerance, spitting (public humiliation), and more by the Slavics toward gays/lesbians in this country and world-wide.

We're not in the business of renting the facility because we need the money. We don't need the money; we rent to them in a spirit of community/religious fellowship. If the worst case scenario was for them to pack up their things and leave, we could certainly deal with it.

I'm just curious if anyone else thinks I should keep this issue in mind, or if it's one of those "let it go" things.

Thanks!
jon

[BruceChris]

Well, so let me ask the obvious question. Why not have a well liked and respected member of your committee or congregation, who is a good communicator, just quietly get together with key members of the groups concerned, and ask them? If they want to get all huffy about it, they're only oppressing themselves.

P&L, BC