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According to Reuters, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has voted to ordain Gay clergy:
A majority of the 173 regions, or presbyteries, supported the long-debated change in the constitution of the 2.3-million member Presbyterian Church (USA) that will permit gay candidates to be ordained clergy, elders and deacons, church sources said.
Link to the Reuters article is HERE.
The article suggests that it is the fourth "Protestant" denomination to do so, after the United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Like so many wire service reports, of course, they get it wrong that the ECUSA is a Protestant church--many Anglicans, including this diarist, do not consider themselves to be Protestants, though some Episcopalians do. But that's a minor issue.
Follow me over the fold for a personal story about why I really celebrate this decision.
When I was a young organist, pretty much just out of college, I studied with a man who was working in a Presbyterian parish in Houston, Texas. I became his assistant, and when he died, I followed him as organist for a few months before moving on to another job.
Jim was highly talented. There was nothing he couldn't do, musically. Not only that, he was nice. He was divorced, with a daughter at the time, and a "husband" of some twenty years. Both of them served on the "Session", which is what a Vestry or Parish Council is called in Presbyterian polity.
Jim was HIV positive, and eventually developed full-blown AIDS. He died just months before the new "cocktail" became available. If he had lived just a few more months, and hadn't been so sick, I truly believe he would be alive today.
On his deathbed, he received the pastor of the Church where he was on staff. He told the pastor what the deal was. Without missing a beat, that son of a [redacted] told him "I'm so sorry, Jim, but I hope you know that you and your 'partner' are going to have to resign from the Session". On his freaking deathbed.
That was about 16 years ago. Since then, Grace has--thank goodness--enveloped the Presbyterian Church. They have gone, apparently, from being the "frozen Chosen", to being instruments of Grace that try to honor all of God's people. Even the ones God made gay.
I wonder what that pastor must think today. I hope he remembers what he told Jim. I hope today, he repents.
Religion, especially organized religion, has an admittedly checkered past. It is nice, however, when we see it moving forward.
A Preface for a Saint
For the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all your saints, who have been the chosen vessels of your grace, and the lights of the world in their generations.
(1979 Book of Common Prayer, US, pg 380).
Jim was a saint and a mentor, indeed. He was also a martyr to homophobia. Were it not for the opportunities he gave me and the doors he opened for me and the encouragement he showed me, I would not have had the career I have enjoyed.
This diary is dedicated to the memory of Jim, and all other victims of institutionalized homophobia in the Church.
Peace, Jim. I miss you.