Let Us Sing in Harmony this Christmas

Merry Christmas to you! My deep Christmas wish is the same one expressed in the spring this year through the website Harmony In Church, a resource created to help Christians live together in harmony when we disagree on some things. Perhaps you remember that effort. When I looked back at Christmas reflections from years past, […]

When the Center Does Not Hold

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. […]

5 Signs of the Resurrection of the Mainline Church

Over many years, I have been in an on-again, off-again conversation online with a conservative Presbyterian named Joe. As long as I have known him, Joe has been lobbying for his congregation to leave my church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—to forsake the mainline for a more clearly conservative Presbyterian denomination. Joe insists that the days […]

My Christian Century Post: A remodeled house, not a new foundation

I recently presided at the wedding of two wonderful young men, and at that wedding, I had the opportunity to speak with the father of one of the grooms. He gracefully shared with me his struggle to rethink his stance toward LGBT people while also maintaining trust in the sturdiness of his faith’s foundations. After […]

My Believe Out Loud Piece: A Prayer Upon The Adoption Of “Marriage Between Two People”

Last week, my church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), reached a historic moment. Ten years after being put on trial by my church for presiding over the wedding of two women, I witnessed that same church embrace LGBT people and their families by affirming marriage as a “unique commitment between two people.” Though I am still […]

Building Gracious Space in the PCUSA: Shared Service

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) continues to engage in discussion and debate over marriage amendment 14F, seeking ways to common ground and gracious space. Might we already have a viable way forward? My volunteer work with other Presbyterians in New Orleans under the auspices of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance showed me how shared service can bring our […]

Building Gracious Space in the PCUSA: Getting to Wonder

As presbyteries continue to discuss marriage and Amendment 14F, the outline of God’s will for us together as church in the 21st century begins to take shape. I previously wrote about the experience of meeting with Marc Benton and the lessons forgiveness, and weeping, can teach us about building a gracious space. In the weeks […]

Building Gracious Space in the PCUSA: Trust through Kindness

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 […]

Building Gracious Space in the PCUSA: Weeping

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 […]

Building a Gracious Space Online: #GracePCUSA Twitter Chat

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has moved from the General Assembly in June, through a busy summer, and now turns toward church-wide consideration of the GA recommendation (14F) concerning section 4.9000 in the Directory for Worship on marriage. One of the special aspects of Presbyterianism is the opportunity given to every teaching elder and an equal […]