Calgary Church "Comes Out"

In a post I wrote yesterday titled, "Where Should GLBT Christians Go To Worship," the author of the article I linked to made the statement that churches seldom issued "engraved invitations" to GLBT people to come and visit their church. Oddly enough, thanks to PageOneQ, I ran across a story where a church in Calgary, Canada is practically doing just that.

Knox United, one of Calgary's oldest religious institutions, has opened its doors to the city's gay community.

The church will hold a special service Sunday (actually last Sunday) marking its decision to become an "affirming ministry."

Don Smith, chairman of Knox's affirming committee, said the decision to welcome the gay community was approved by a 98 per cent majority at a membership meeting in February.

"We decided this was something we needed to do for our soul," Smith said. "We're naming who we are."

About 80 to 120 people of Knox United's membership of about 800 are gay or lesbian, according to the church.

After moving to Calgary from Toronto, Marlene Hielema said she spent years searching for a supportive spiritual home before discovering Knox United.

This ceremony means a lot to me. It's one thing to have an understated acceptance, but quite another to come out publicly and say, 'This is where we stand,' " Hielema said.

Hielema said it's been harder coming out to the gay community that she is a Christian than being a lesbian within the Knox United congregation.

"A lot of gay people have really been emotionally wounded by organized religion," she said.
"There's been this constant feedback that how you live is wrong, it's a sin, you're excommunicated ... you name it."

God bless these enlightened folks up north. Congratulations for being strong in who you are and how you are led to worship God.