On Oct 21, 2015 ⋅ 2 comments
I have been pondering upon a lovely reception the other night where Parity, a faith-based LGBTQ-focused organization based in New York City, honored me with their Faithful Servant Award. They invited me to speak for three minutes after some very kind words about me from Ashley Birt, Director of Christian Education at Rutgers Presbyterian Church. […]
On Jun 18, 2015 ⋅ No comments
It has been some weeks now since 14F passed in the Pittsburgh Presbytery. I confess that that day, and the many leading up to it, have been a blur. I can hardly believe how far we have come as a community. And I cannot help but pray in thanks for the evidence that more and […]
On Nov 10, 2014 ⋅ No comments
How the Presbyterian Church (USA) can find common ground and a space for gracious conversation continues to occupy my thoughts and imagination. In my latest post for More Light Presbyterians, I recount lessons learned from the movement to ordain women and the Kenyon case – forgotten history, perhaps, for some, but a vivid memory for […]
On Nov 4, 2014 ⋅ No comments
In a follow up to my piece on forgiveness, I share with you my experience visiting Marc Benton in York. This was not easy to write. Below is a short excerpt from the piece, which you can find in full on MLP’s website. Some days have passed since then. As a slow feeler, I needed […]
On Sep 25, 2014 ⋅ 6 comments
I am blessed to be a volunteer for Equality Pennsylvania, which is working to bring anti-discrimination protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in my state. We are working especially hard to amplify the voices of people whose faith drives them to know that everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, their […]
On Aug 27, 2014 ⋅ One comment
I call this video, “The Story of a Reluctant Activist.” It’s also the public gift of recognition to a reluctant recipient. That’s me. In gratitude for the Three Rivers Community Foundation Champions of Change Award, I tell here some of my story. TRCF also announced that evening the creation of an LGBT Endowment Fund to […]
On Dec 6, 2013 ⋅ 20 comments
Welcome to this second in a series of conversations between Christians with differing ideas about the place of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the eyes of God and the church! Dave Carver is a pastor in a local Presbyterian Church; we have been colleagues in ministry in Pittsburgh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for more than twenty years. Dave and I don’t always agree, but I’m delighted that he decided to participate in this conversation and share his journey and understanding of faith and LGBT inclusion.
On Aug 19, 2013 ⋅ No comments
It’s an exciting day—Alex McNeill’s first as Executive Director of
More Light Presbyterians! Alex brings immense gifts and preparation to this call to inspire the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the world to embrace and proclaim in word and deed the Gospel of God’s love for all, especially for God’s LGBTQ children.
On Jan 18, 2013 ⋅ 7 comments
On December 16, 2012 my Uncle John died. It is only recently that I have slid comfortably into calling John “uncle.” John was, from before I was born, the beloved “friend” of my father’s oldest brother, my Uncle George. Uncle George passed away in 2000 at the age of 89. They lived in California, so growing up, I knew them only from visits to Pittsburgh – mostly in the fall to enjoy the change of seasons. I have spoken of them often, but not by name. As they have both gone on to Jesus, I think I can now.
On May 17, 2012 ⋅ 2 comments
Recently, I was invited to preach at Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, an open and affirming church up in Seattle, Washington. Unfortunately, when my husband got ill and needed to be hospitalized, I had to cancel my trip to Madrona at the last minute. In anticipation of my time at Madrona Grace, I had prepared a sermon and I want to share it with you here as the second part in a series of posts on the Biblical roots of why I stay in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
