"Why Do We Have to Do This?"
Thoughts on Becoming an Open and Affirming Church
Ann Vander Stoep
University Congregational Church
Seattle Washington
1990

(The following paragraphs are excerpted from a publication of the same title made available by the United Church of Christ Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns)

BACKGROUND
In the fall of 1987, fifteen University Church members met to discuss the call of General Synod XV (1985) for local congregations to become "Open and Affirming" i.e. to welcome gay, lesbian and bisexual people into the full life and ministry of the church. This gathering became the "ONA Task Force" in our congregation.

The call to be "Open and Affirming" raises many questions. In our congregation the most commonly asked question is, "Why do we have to do this?"... It is not an easy question to answer, particularly given the assumptions that underlie it. I have attempted to describe what has happened within our congregation and to me, in the course of responding to this question.

(In the complete publication, there are 6 challenging reasons that are shared. The following is just one reason.)

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BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR MIDST WHO ARE HURTING, WE MUST DO THIS.
Mary Dougherty a founding mother of our church's gay/lesbian roundtable writes:

Imaging listening in that most 'holy hour' to the idea that your child is an abomination in God's eye; that the loving relationship he has established with another man in 'inconsistent with Christian teaching.' Imaging your friends wanting to save him from perdition and change him to what he is not.
Imagine hearing that he has sold everything to move here to take a job as church organist only to be fired because...
Imagine living the rest of your life with the pain of your adolescent daughter's suicide because...
Imagine your church not being here for you as your talented young attorney son dies an agonizing death and even saying to your face it is God's punishment.
Imagine being told you and your daughter are not really welcome in this church because "we are a family church.' When did gays and lesbians, their parents and other kin cease to be family?

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The other questions addressed in the complete publication include:
"Because we want to help the church become a place for people to be themselves, we must do this."
"Because we are called to bring the Gospel to life, we must do this."
"Because we need to nurture the gifts of all children within our midst, we must do this."
"Because in taking risks, we open ourselves to God's Grace, we must do this."
"Because religion must embrace sexuality, we must do this."

Click here to go to the order form for the entire publication from the UCC Coalition.)