(Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
By REV. JULIE G. OLMSTED
Recently, Trinitarian Congregational Church joined the over 500 churches in the United Church of Christ who have officially taken on the mantle of an ONA church. ONA churches are churches that have declared themselves open to and affirming of the LGBTQ community. Having been informed and educated on the science of their biological and psychological make-up, as well as all the ways members of this community have been hurt and marginalized in the church, we are also affirming and welcoming of their sexual orientation or gender identification. We do not secretly or openly hope to change them.
This springs from the understanding that the Holy Bible is filled with timeless truths and priceless wisdom, but also a limited (and patriarchal) understanding of these matters back in the time of Jesus and Moses. This understanding does not invalidate or diminish the admonitions against promiscuity, drunkenness, or careless and indiscriminate behavior. But we consider ourselves capable of discernment vis-à-vis human sexuality and cultural norms, as compared to the timeless truths found in Scripture, which we try to practice: acceptance, honesty, generosity, forgiveness, compassion and grace.
We encourage all people to “come out” as who they really are, or as how they think they might be, whatever that is, and we believe that the church should be a safe place in which to discover that, a safe place to be open, broken, unguarded and to make mistakes. We further believe that we are here to learn to love and care for each other, not to change or shame or suppress another of God’s beloved people.
We leave judgment of others and the parsing out of who is “saved” and who is in danger, to God. We tell the truth about ourselves, that we are flawed in our motives and perception, and that it is not up to us to separate “the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32). To us, this is not only the truth of our role as God’s people (Psalm 100: It is God who has made us and not we ourselves.), but a relief that frees us to focus on what is important: caring for our neighbors, the world’s children, and God’s creation (see UCC’s “Three great loves,” ucc.org).
We do not believe that a person should try to change their sexuality, or anything else fundamental to a person’s sense of themselves, for that matter. Rather, we hold that with openness to God’s grace and acceptance of God’s forgiveness and guidance, a person will be transformed into God’s likeness, as found and observed in the behavior and compassionate nature of the one we follow, Jesus of Nazareth.
And so, October 28th was a great day of self-discovery for us, and a great day to celebrate the gifts of all of God’s people. The creativity, beauty and worth that all of us have is to be acknowledged and appreciated, lifted up to the sky and celebrated, humbly accepted and fiercely protected. This, to us, is the Christian Way, as it was originally designed and is continually renewed. The joyful acceptance of all of God’s children, in a spirit of welcome and non-judgment, is at the forefront of our faith. Hallelujah, amen!
Trinitarian Congregational Church is a small, open and accepting church that seeks to love and honor all of God’s people. Traditional service is at 10 a.m. on Sundays, followed by a coffee hour. We have a church school program for kids on Tuesdays called the Bible Dig, 5:30 to 7 p.m. A light supper is served, as well as crafts, songs, Bible stories and more. Bible study and Centering Prayer happen at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, after which adults are invited to socialize at Cameron’s Winery at 4 p.m. Our missions are local, regional, national and worldwide. Serve God. Have joy. Smile.