[Uucf-bible] churches that are welcoming to same-sex couples

[NanJim Cavenaugh]

In my work as a volunteer chaplain I was asked by some inmates where they
could go with their partner. By going to http://www.ucc.org/find/  I was
able to find UCC churches that are Open and  Affirming (ONA), and  I knew
that any Metropolitan Community Church is welcoming to all GLBT Christians.
Both of these  are good  ways to find other Christians who believe all are
children of God regardless of sexual orientation
Jim
Harrisburg, PA 


-----Original Message-----
From: uucf-bible-bounces+nanjim65=verizon.net at lists.uua.org
[mailto:uucf-bible-bounces+nanjim65=verizon.net at lists.uua.org] On Behalf Of
Jim Tarvid
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 10:03 PM
To: biblical conversation, study, and spirituality
Subject: Re: [Uucf-bible] introduction

This is not "my" group. If it belongs to anybody, it belongs to Ron
Robinson. As I have come to know Ron and this list, I will risk the
assertion that love, respect and inclusiveness as Christians are among its
guiding principles. Besides, it is clear you wished to reach out. I welcome
you.

UUs can be a little frightening because they insist we think, love and feel
for ourselves with little homage to a particular dogma. This happens to be a
"Christian" group not because we ask for confessional adherence but because
we are driven by the love Jesus personified (and deified).

I have been married to the same lady for 48 years but I realize sex is a
thread in all our lives and the fabric we weave is a bit lumpy if not
twisted. Masturbation has its own treatment in the Bible and I am not sure I
know a male who has not indulged at least once. All have sinned and those
who separate homosexuality for special condemnation are, in my mind,
mean-spirited and not very Jesus like.

Even in the harsh terms of Leviticus, "abomination" is mistranslated. The
Hebrew is "toevah" which at most means ritualistically impure. The early
Christians may have been more concerned with the common practice of the use
of young boys by adult men. I remain unsure of Paul's issues with sexuality
and gender preferences but he clearly stated "In Christ there is neither
Greek nor Jew, male and female, slave nor free".

Ecclesiastes advises that two are better than one, if one falls down, the
other can help him up and when two lie down together there is heat, how can
one stay warm alone. Loving committed relationships are a miracle and are to
be cherished and respected.

There is an LBGT UU list but the traffic is low and this list rarely
addresses this particular matter either. I hope I am wrong. If you search
Progressive Christian on Facebook (or me) I am sure you can find dozens to
explore this issue with you.

Wishing you Love, Peace and Happiness

Jim



On Mon, Nov 29, 2010 at 8:07 PM, Thomas Maxwell
<thomasmaxwell66 at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Greetings to all,
>
>                I am a 44 yr old male living in central New York state.  
> I currently am a member of a Baptist church.  I am a christian and 
> love the Lord with all my heart.  A co-worker brought me to a 
> Unitarian Universalist church
> yesterday.  I enjoyed it.   I won't lie it was a little frightening.... :
-
> )
> But, I believe it was spirit led that I go there with her.
>
>                 I have same sex attraction and find it difficult to 
> reconcile this with my faith.  I believe the Bible but , I also know I 
> can't stop who I am ....  I have prayed with more than mustard seed 
> faith and I still am a homosexual.  Don't get me wrong I don't 
> practice I have been celibate since 2003.  But, I get depression 
> sometimes because I get really down that I can't be perfect.....  My 
> co-worker has been going through a spiritual quest of her own and we 
> share with one another. (She goes to UU church in the AM and a Baptist 
> church in the evenings on Sundays)
>
>                 Perhaps this is inappropriate for this discussion 
> group if so please let me know and I will not post anymore.  I am 
> looking forward to dialouge.
>
>
>
>  Tom
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Uucf-bible mailing list
> Uucf-bible at lists.uua.org
> http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uucf-bible
>



--
Rev. Jim Tarvid, PCA
Galax, Virginia
http://ls.net
http://drupal.ls.net
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