Volume 3 Issue 2 ~~Srping 1998
Integrity/Calgary
Support for gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians & friends
EASTER
Easter this year falls on one of our normal Integrity nights. I expect that, given the long weekend, family commitments, etc, the Easter service will be a small one. But in a community like ours, small can often be special, even magical. We may even wear Easter bonnets!
Easter is the feast of death and resurrection, the season of new hope. What does this mean for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered? The stone was rolled away from the mouth of Jesus' tomb, and I can't help thinking of the opening of the closet door. The tomb is damp, dark, and unhealthy. Open the door to let the butterfly dry her wings in the sun! What did Jesus do as a first expression of his own Resurrection life? He went to his friends, waiting in a locked room, in fear. Another closet--or we could say, 'ghetto'. They are sticking together for comfort. Jesus stands beside them, offering them peace and self-esteem. And in that new self-assurance he sends them OUT, to bring peace to other fearful people.
Rainbow people are Easter people. Let's live it!
Annual B-B-Q
Our Annual will be held Saturday July 4 1998 Please RSVP ahead by calling Jim at 270-9661 or Stew before July 3.
Donations Appreciated
On our behalf, St. Stephen's Church has kindly agreed to issue tax deductible receipts for donations of $35. These donations to St. Stephen's are in lieu of rent. Become a supporter. If you would like to do this please speak to Tim. You can reach Tim at 686-1127.JP
Love with Integrity, not guilt or shame....
Dennis Altman observes: Like the black, the homosexual suffers a self-fulfilling stereotype. Tell people long enough that they are inferior, and they will come to believe it. Most of us are niggers because we believe that we are in large part what society constantly brands us as; in response we come to exhibit the characteristics that justify our stigma.There are a large number of neurotic, unhappy, compulsively promiscuous homosexuals whom on might regard as "pathological." This pathology is however, the result of social pressures and the way they have internalised these, not of homosexuality itself. If people are led to feel guilty about an essential part of their own identity, they will in all likelihood experience considerable psychological pressures......The insistence on the objective sinfulness of all homosexual relationships is precisely the type of moral thinking that psychologically destroys the ability of many homosexuals to enter into a permanent and fruitful relationship. The only certain substantive conclusion that follows from the scientific data is the terrible cost in terms of human suffering and degradation that has followed on the mistaken moral judgments and prejudices of the past which are still invoked to support the prejudices of the present.
(John McNeill, The Church and the homosexual 4th ed. p.112-113)
(Ken Hanes, The Gay Guys Guide to Life, p.72)
Responses to the Bishop's Visit to Integrity
The Archbishop's Visit
I'm not a very religious man. Spiritual and caring, I hope, but not too interested in the specifics of or differences between various Christian denominations or for that matter between different religions. I'm convinced the positives from any would serve well as an guide to living a "good" life. Yet historically, in the name of religion, so much harm and cruelty has been perpetrated and so much continues to occur. In my own limited experience I've seen more than enough. Personally, I lacked a significant religious upbringing. This leaves me at a distinct disadvantage in discussions of church matters, but on the other hand, grateful I don't carry the associated burden of discrimination and rejection evident in so many gays and lesbians.
So, I wasn't particularly excited to learn that Bishop Curtis was coming to deliver a sermon and possibly talk with our Integrity group afterwards. However, being a faithful supporter of the group, I of course, planned to attend and with Pastor Jim's encouragement got out my phone list to call other members and suggest they also attend. My mistake, no doubt, was in subsequently discussing with Jim my response to the Bishop's visit. A message on my answering machine to the effect "Would You consider writing about it?" was my reward. And, here I sit at the computer on a day off, instead of preparing food for our groups monthly social evening tonight at my place.
What did Jim and I talk about? Inspiration, I guess. Not a word I use that often. But, Damn it! I was inspired. How, you ask? I'll attempt to explain. In his sermon Bishop Curtis addressed injustices the church has been party to in the past, wisely not focusing on our narrow concerns as gays and lesbians. Without denying past injustice, he challenged us, and in a broader context the church, not to be so burdened with the past or fearful of the future that we are unable to live and act in the present. Not bad advice, I'd say, for the homosexual community, the church and each of us as individuals.
Following the service, I was truly impressed and appreciative that the Bishop would be willing to sit in a circle with 25 or 30 of us to discuss and very obviously listen to our concerns. I stayed late, for me, and left feeling uplifted, even inspired. He was honest and forthright, describing his position, probably by most standards very much middle-of-the-road, with no promises for what the future holds. But, if only indirectly, encouraging us to be seen! be "out"! and be heard! Challenging us to get on with living and acting in the present in the positive ways we can. He showed us respect, offered encouragement and presented a challenge from which we can all benefit.
Thanks, Archbishop Curtis!!!
Stew Clark
March 14, 1998
March 15, 1998
On March, 8, 1998, Barry Curtis, Anglican Bishop of Calgary and area, preached at our Integrity service at St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Calgary. About thirty five Integrity members and their friends were present. I felt that the presence of the Bishop was an honour to me and our group and I found what he had to say to our "little congregation in the ghetto" very meaningful.
I especially enjoyed the informal get together after the service, where Bishop Curtis sat down with us, in a circle (as part of the circle, I was glad to see) and talked with us, listened closely to our concerns and answered our questions to him. I may have incorrectly read the bishop, as I don't know him, but I felt he was a little ill at ease talking about some of the things we wanted to talk about, Assuming I was correct in my judgment, I thank him for over-coming his discomfort and dealing with the issues we presented to him.
I was anxious and ill at ease at first about meeting with Bishop Curtis, although not for what would be, perhaps, the obvious reason. My reason was that I am, in fact, not an Anglican, but a Catholic (of the Roman variety) and I questioned the rightness of my arguing or discussing the matters at hand with a leader of another church. However, just as Integrity itself has from the start welcomed me and made me feel at home, so did the Bishop, and I thank him for that.
The main things I remember hearing Bishop Curtis saying were the following:
1) Attitudes and beliefs have changed and are changing within the church, but that changes in beliefs and principles which have been held for many centuries, take time. I believe him, that changes have taken place within the church, just as they have society. The church can't change successfully in a vacuum. As for taking time, of course this is true. It is a given. However I'm sure Bishop Curtis would agree that for those working for and waiting for the changes, change never comes fast enough.
2) The wrongs of previous generations shouldn't be blamed on the succeeding generations, but we can collectively make amends to those who were hurt by the wrongs. Bishop Curtis mentioned slavery and native residential schools as two examples. There are, of course, many more, including the wrongs done and the hurt inflicted on homosexual people throughout the ages, with the full backing of various religions.
I mentioned making amends to those who were harmed. From my experience in twelve step programs, making amends is a pivotal point in a persons recovery. As I was led to believe in twelve step programs, making amends is more than just apologising to whomever you have hurt. It is also changing the behaviour, and attitudes which caused the hurt in the first place. Without the change in behaviour, the apology is without meaning. The Church needs to make amends to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people, and this means change in beliefs, attitudes and behaviours within the Church.
The one idea I tried to get across to Bishop Curtis, was that the churches, including the Anglican Church, need to actively and openly minister to the "non-straight" in their midst, to insure they feel welcome and whole and valuable within their church. Otherwise, many more will feel compelled to leave, thus cutting themselves off from what should have been and could have been, a welcoming and nurturing faith community.
I was and am encouraged by what transpired on the evening of March 8. When I stand back and look at our little group that night, I realise that I have to see it as a small flame in a large sometimes very cold city. However, the fires of change concerning the attitudes toward the treatment of "us'" by society, have been growing for a number of years. I believe that our little flame helps the fire burn brighter.
Once again, I would like to thank Bishop Curtis for visiting Integrity and speaking to us and with us. I look forward to another time when we can take things further.
Tim Gray Hofmann
The Archbishop's Visit
March 8 was booked as the day for the Archbishop to visit Integrity. I was excited, but aware of lots of anxieties. From some of the clergy, 'I hope this won't be used for politicking' (whatever that means). From some of our members, 'I hope people won't stay away. Fear and anticipation go hand in hand when we break new ground.
The event exceeded all expectations. The Eucharist was well-attended, and in many respects very ordinary. The Archbishop presided and preached, and was clearly at ease. His homily addressed the wounded child in us, the need to let go of past hurts and future anxieties, the power of finding God in the present: 'Today and tomorrow I go my way....' By evoking the sad saga of native residential schools, he seemed to be suggesting our need to find commonality with other oppressed groups, and to take heart that the church can recognize its errors. Some were impressed more than anything by the throw-away introductory remark about a difficult Genesis fragment, 'I don't know what this means!' As one member put it, 'In my church, if the preacher didn't know he would make it up. They could never admit that they didn't know the meaning of every detail of Scripture.'
The Eucharist was followed by a dialogue with the Archbishop in the hot seat. We spoke about the statement of the House of Bishops on Human Sexuality, about human rights, about gay people feeling value and dignity (or not) within the church. We were challenged to be open to the possibility that 'the other side' could have valid concerns. We were listened to, we felt heard, and I think our Archbishop acted with wisdom as a true spiritual guide, suggesting tools for handling life's dilemmas, and pointing us to some of the deeper questions within our questions.
It was nearly ten o'clock before some of us realised how quickly the time had gone! Many thanks to Archbishop Barry, and to all who participated in the service and the dialogue.jp
O God, reform, renew and preserve us!
We are participating in the continual reformation of the Church. We are called to be true to the Word and the one Gospel. Let us grasp from the hand of Satan the Bible verses he has used against us. Let us restore their true meaning and so bring reformation and renewal. So that in the Church truth may reign in love and not the hate of lies. Let us remember God is our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Created us, gay and straight, male and female, of a rainbow of colors of skin. Christ redeems us through His glorious resurrection to take away our sin, not our sexuality. And the Holy Spirit Sustains and renews us. May She bring illumination to the Church, as we strive together in love. We know the truth of God's love, and in that I shall live, and so I hope you will as well.df
Truth
Truth never looks at me crookedly
but always straight on.
Sometimes in my small humanness
I try to turn my gaze.
Truth maybe too bright,
too garish,
without pity.
Sometimes truth seems to be not beautiful.
But more and more
with the passage of years
I find that I can turn my gaze
directly into the face of truth.
And more and more
I perceive with quaint surprise
that the truth I thought to be ugly
is more beautiful than the lie
that I feared was true.
-Charles Doss
Source of Pride
"Gay Pride Day began as a celebration of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, Named for a bar, the Stone Wall Club, in Greenwich Village. Patrons of the bar, after refusing to further endure anti-gay brutality that was being liberally dispensed by New York's police, poured out onto Christopher Street where they were joined by two thousand brothers and sisters. What happened then was something extraordinary. Homosexuals united and created a full scale riot, outmanoeuvring the tyrannical police who had long deserved to be embarrassed. The result was an enlightenment of many local politicians who thereafter rapidly retreated from their old policies of automatically endorsing the official abuse of homosexuals!" (Rev. Troy Perry, Don't Be Afraid Anymore, p. 77).df
Calgary's 1998 Pride Week is June 13 - 21.
Our Pride Eucharist is June 14, 7.30 pm.
Drop us a line
Do you have a story, article or idea you wish to share? All articles must include name address and phone number. Names will not be published upon request.
Integrity /Calgary
P.O. Box 23093
Connaught Postal Outlet
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2S 3B1
(403) 270-9661
Mailing lists for Integrity/Calgary are strictly confidential. Inclusion or receipt of this newsletter or membership in Integrity/Calgary does not imply sexual orientation.
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