The
East Tennessee Episcopalian April
2000 |
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Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: Of course I wanted to attend Grace, but since I wasn't sure how long our service would last, I opted for another church that would significantly diminish my travel time and give me an opportunity to worship with people less familiar to me. The service was going along very nicely, which I hope is appropriate to say about an Ash Wednesday service. The clergy had just finished the imposition of ashes followed by the Litany of Penitence and the Peace was now being exchanged. Two friends I had made when I first moved to the Chattanooga area were in the pew in front of me, so I naturally exchanged the Peace with the two of them first. One of them asked me if I was still attending Grace, to which I obviously answered in the affirmative. What followed next was the last thing I would have ever expected. He then told me that they would "never step foot in that place (Grace) again. It is simply not an Episcopal church, it should be called Grace Fellowship Church, and you know it". He went on to say that he wished "that man (Father George Glazier, our Rector) would take his sandals and get of there". I was so stunned by what he just said to me that I stood there for a few seconds, able to say nothing. Of course there were other people around me to exchange the Peace with, and I did manage to do so pleasantly, somewhat shaken by what had just transpired. I know that this could have been viewed an isolated incident, and some of you might be wondering why I am making a big deal about it. To be honest, I actually sensed similar hostility when I attended our most recent diocesan convention in Kingsport. I suspect that there are brothers and sisters of mine (and maybe even clergy) within the diocese who regard Grace as a rogue church, one that they can never quite figure out. Perhaps some of you would add the words 'Rite II using, liturgy-experimenting, or even gay and lesbian welcoming to my friend's 'sandal wearing' assessment of Father George. To all these assessments or charges, I plead guilty. I plead guilty to belonging to a church that boldly allows the Holy Spirit to live and abide in all of its parishioners and to whoever chooses to visit and worship with us. I plead guilty to stepping out on faith by following a rector accused my some of being anti-Anglican. I plead guilty to not only being a gay man, but for believing in my heart that I am a Christian and can serve God in His church regardless of whom I chose to love and can do so in a church with others that feel the same way as I do. I plead guilty to serving on a Vestry that is willing to try new things and is consciously aware that although many people within the diocese think of us a rogue church, we know there is still plenty of room for growth and renewal. Does my letter call for those who think we are on the fringe to do anything unreasonable? If seeing the Christ in us is unreasonable, then perhaps I am asking too much. Perhaps our Baptismal Covenant should be written so that you can strive to seek Christ in all persons that use Rite I and are heterosexual. Please understand that my words are not spoken in anger, but in love. With that in mind, to my friend from Ash Wednesday and to anyone who doesn't accept Grace as part of our "one church", rest assured that I consider you part of our one church. As Episcopalians, most of us have received bruises from people from other denominations that consider us anything but Christian. Do we really need to beat each other up within our communion? In conclusion, these experiences and reflections call into question the validity of our Diocesan vision statement. I recall when I first heard it at last year's convention in Knoxville. I thought it had a powerful yet soothing quality about it. Perhaps it could be included in the liturgy just as the creed is. Maybe if we all said it enough, some of my concerns would disappear. For certainly if we truly were called to love in the name of Christ we would welcome and embrace each other, regardless of race, background or expression of worship and not just tolerate those who are different. I personally do not like the word tolerate because it sounds like you are simply putting up with someone who is different or that you allow them to occupy the same space as you but are not willing to honor them. If the first two parts of the vision statement are not practiced, the last two parts of the statement don't stand a chance. I seriously doubt that miracles will happen, and the God I love and worship wouldn't want to work through us. Thanks be to God that this vision statement was not designed to be fully realized the moment it was formed, though I certainly pray that it will be one day soon. Will Benson
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