From 1988, Fear and Anger at the Institution and Its Representatives
I have resisted the invitation to participate in Iridesce. After 35 years of ministry and on the cusp of retirement, I am surprised at...
I was told I would go to hell for saying God loved us all
I was there in 1988 and I remember the anger, the challenges, the disrespect on both sides of the issue. I did not leave the United...
Context does not justify wrongs
As I read the stories, I learned about a part of church history of which I had very little knowledge. While I was present for the...
A worry about the apology
Dear United Church, I worry that this Iridesce apology project may not adequately reach sufficient people to result in a total convincing...
Small “a” affirming?
I used to think that when the United Church accepted gay/lesbian ordained ministers, and our local congregation agreed to/and did perform...
“We the United Church of Canada extend our sincerest apology to…”
I was there in McLeod-Stewarton United Church in downtown Ottawa when people congregated in the sanctuary to argue about the issue of gay...
I think that when *we* apologize…
Dear United Church, I think that when we apologize, we need very much to go beyond saying we are sorry for overt acts of exclusion, for...
Like many people of my generation
My story is probably a lot like many people of my generation. I am 71. Having been raised to believe that anything other than...
I learned love and faith were always okay and beautiful
I wasn’t alive in the 1980s when the United Church went through the process of accepting the LGBTQ+ community, but I have felt the...
Seeing the Rainbow Colours
Today I learned about the decision made in 1988 regarding the United Church of Canada and LGBTQ people. I found myself shocked yet...
