Where are you taking me?

It was in the year 2004, that I was able to pull together St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church’s first service honoring National Coming Out Day.  As one who was always frustrated with Gay Pride celebrations, it seemed logical to choose this day which celebrates a transformation in an individual’s life, a time when a person is re-born into fullness, and authenticity, and to have a church available so that God could participate in this joyous celebration. There are three vivid memories which stand out from this very first service:

The first memory  surrounds the story of a gentleman who showed up at the door of the church who was once turned away by the parish, and felt ostracized for who he was. The reason he came back on to the church grounds was due to the ad we took out in a local GLBT Magazine, and out of curiosity, he could not believe that his former parish church had changed; yes, it had.  He later rejoined and became a vibrant member of the community.

The second memory is that of a women sitting in her car. As we were close to beginning the service she remained in her car. I went over to her to let her know that she was in the correct spot and the service would be starting soon. As I looked into her eyes I could tell she was nervous, and troubled. She thanked me and said she would like to remain in the car. I offered her water, or  a cup of coffee, but she refused. The was the one and only time I saw this person, and to this day, on October 11 I always think of her, and offer a prayer for her.

The last memory was the perfect choice of our officiant, Fr. Lee Walker, who had kept his orientation quite, but at this service, outed himself to the people in attendance.  When it came time for him to preach his homily, he removed his standard white liturgical stole, and replaced it with one adorned with Gay Pride colors.

National Coming Out Day is ripe for reaching out to all people of faith in terms of transition, and personal reconciliation.  I have found it incredulous that other churches who claim to open, and affirming have not latched on to this date as a perfect opportunity to spread the good news in all ways, not only founded in Christ’s open inclusiveness, but in terms of community outreach.

Memo to the wider church:

Wake Up! Part of our job is to participate in other people’s transformations, and do what we can to invite others in if just to say that as representatives of God’s global village, that we will be glad to participate in another person’s journey.  Move beyond safe grace and venture one’s vision outward to look beyond the parking lot. National Coming Out Day is perfect….embrace it, use it, welcome it, and like Jesus, invite and point the way.