Nearly
20 years ago, the First United
Lutheran Church, a San Francisco-based congregation,
ordained openly gay pastor Jeff Johnson. Even though the Lutheran Church
disapproved of such an action, First United stood by its decision, ultimately
leading to the
congregation’s suspension in 1990 and formal expulsion from the church in 1995.
This came in the same year as the expulsion of another San Francisco
congregation for its support of two lesbian pastors.
But on Sunday, the church’s
17-year-long schism came to an end when First
United voted to rejoin the Lutheran Church. The decision
came approximately three years after the Lutheran Church voted to accept gay
and lesbian pastors as members of the clergy. According to the San Francisco Examiner,
this prompted the church to send a letter of apology to both First United and St. Francis,
the other congregation that had been expelled.
Although
St.
Francis accepted the invitation to rejoin the Lutheran
Church, First United was more cautious. Opinion within the congregation was
quite divided, with some eager to rejoin and some still needing time for their
wounds to heal. But after years of discussion, the congregation finally arrived
at a decision. First United voted unanimously for the reunion.
The
two congregations will now join a larger group of 200 Lutheran churches throughout
Northern California, known as the Sierra
Pacific Synod. The synod’s bishop, Rev.
Mark W. Holmerud recently commented on the contributions
of First United and St. Francis to the greater Lutheran community:
“There’s
been an acknowledgment that these two congregations were forward-thinking and
committed to their ministry,” Holmerud noted. “They took a stand, paid the
consequences, […] and we’re all better for it.”
Take Action:
The experiences of First United and St. Francis prove that you can be a person
of faith, loyal to your religion’s teachings, and someone who supports their LGBT
friends and family. Want to learn how? Well be not afraid. Help is on the way!
It’s the new Straight
For Equality in Faith Communities publication—be not afraid: help is on the way! Straight
for Equality in Faith Communities—that will have everyone talking! Download
your free copy here. Still have concerns? We’ll do our best
to help. Browse our website at www.straightforequality.org,
check out us on Facebook,
or follow us on Twitter.
Creating change is not always easy. But with a network of supportive PFLAGers
by your side, everything is possible!
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