Thursday, August 6, 2009

A Welcoming Church

Many of you are probably aware of the story of Father Geoff Farrow, the Catholic priest who was kicked our of his California parish for supporting equality for LGBTs.

Last weekend, Father Geoff visited All Saints, Pasadena, the home church of the Rev. Susan Russell. He writes movingly of his experience there and reflects on what he heard about TEC's actions at General Convention:

When I said my first Mass at my last parish, the choir sang, “All are welcomed here.” I winced when I heard them sing that song, because my predecessor had informed me that they would send LGBT parishioners across the street to the Methodist Church, since they could not offer them services at St. Paul’s.

The choir did not sing, “All are welcomed here” at All Saints Episcopal, but the community silently proclaimed that invitation by their actions.


You can read it all here.

When the doomsayers talk about TEC losing members, I think of all the "Father Geoffs" I know, who have found a home in the Episcopal Church. I count myself among their number.

When the "outcasts" feel welcomed, we are preaching the Gospel.

12 comments:

IT said...

And can I hear a big "welcome" to the newest FoJ, Wormwood's Doxy?

IT said...

PS: you can count BP as one too, Doxy....and me after a fashion.

David said...

Of course you're an Episcopalian, IT. You're just a "modernist."

ROTFL... :D

Leonard said...

IT is riding ¨gunshot¨ on TEC Express!

Father Geoff Farrow is a courageous and honorable man, it´s good to have him visit us at TEC and hopefully he´ll come back and stay around for MORE (I mean if he´d like a ministry alive/filled with welcomed RC´s in the pews, where else would he find it?).

episcopalifem said...

Welcome Aboard Doxy!! Glad to have your voice with us!

Kay & Sarah said...

AMEN!

June Butler said...

Thanks for the link, Doxy. I left a comment at Fr. Geoff's blog.

Göran Koch-Swahne said...

What the others said!

Brad Evans said...

Yes, you get a lot of ex-catholics and fundies; unfortunately, you don't keep nearly as many of their children (or yours) as you need to to grow.

IT said...

Hey DOxy, maiden post picked up at The Lead.

June Butler said...

Hot Dawg, Doxy!

JCF said...

I trust that Fr Geoff will master proper "Episcopal"/"Episcopalian" usage, before he receives holy orders in TEC {hope, hope}! ;-)