Everyone said yes, as if Jesus’ prayer, “that they all may be one” had come true among us and within us. Suddenly, we knew freedom as peace beyond understanding filled our hearts, as justice overflowed in joyful streams of living water. Tears flowed freely among us and deep silence came upon us. After a year of intentional prayer, conversations of discernment and understanding, and listening we came to a place of unity so profound it took our breath away.
On June 26, our congregation voted to be “Open and Affirming.” We established a covenant that is expressed in a rainbow flag hanging outside on the front of our building near the cross. It goes like this: We covenant to be an accessible, open and affirming community of faith, committed to peace and justice, reaching out in healing love to all of creation. We exist to worship God and practice the gospel. We welcome all persons, including those of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, family structures, faith backgrounds, abilities and economic circumstances to fully share and participate in leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our church family.
Our mission statement says, “We welcome all people of good will.” We have learned being specific about what “all” means is important. Too many people have been left out, cut out, and denied under the banner of “all.” Our ancestors wrote that “all men are created equal” and we have grown steadily deeper into what that means. Freedom and equality for all challenged us to remove barriers against women and people of color. It calls us to widen the welcome over and over again.
Recently, I made my first trip to the Duluth airport. It is new and full of light, and on the second floor where people prepare to go through security there is a sculpture, a statue of Major Joseph P. Gomer of the Tuskegee Airmen—the 332 Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. Below his figure are etched his words: We are all Americans. That’s why we chose to fight. I’m as American as anybody. My black ancestors were brought over here against their will, to help build America. My German ancestors came over to build a new life. And my Cherokee ancestors were here to greet all the boats.
As I stood with the memory and truth of Major Gomer, I offered a prayer of thanks for all the courageous people who have dared to claim freedom and love, truth and justice, kindness and grace.
Scripture promises that God will gather us from the east and west, north and south, not to erase our differences, but to gather our uniqueness and beauty into one body. It is to be a body built in love. A body not tossed and torn apart by winds of trickery and falsehood. It is to be a body built of deep kindness and understanding, where we can see all the parts and how essential we are to each other. The apostle Paul said if we cut off part of the body we all suffer, and if one part finds joy we all will be blessed.
We have found deep joy in the blessing of yes and look forward to sharing that blessing with all who come. Thanks be to God!
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Reverend Beth Benson of the First Congregational Church – UCC in Grand Marais.
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