My Iowa Heart

Every June it seems that the political heat warms up about as fast as the summer heat here in Memphis. I am delighted to say on June 1st, Shelby County passed a watered down version of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance first imagined by leaders of our GLBT community. For now the resolution reads, no one can be discriminated against as a Shelby County employee based on anything other than merit. It is a giant step for a Tennessee County, and a small step for the glbt community. Naturally, the failure to oust California's proposition 8 prohibiting same-sex marriage; and then the victory over equal marriage rights now given to all people in Iowa, has brought these hot button issues to the front page again. While I sat with a member of our church in the final hearing of the Shelby County NDO, she shared with me her plans for celebrating her union with her long-time partner of nearly 17 years. This year, for their anniversary they are going to Iowa to get married. I thought, Iowa?! God, you gotta' love Iowa, who would have thought those fair minded hawkeyes would ever have gone for that? But, when I began to reflect more on the Iowans, I know, even my cousins who live in Iowa, I thought about how civil and good people they are. Iowa has rememebered the American ideal of "e pluribus unum"--"though many we are one." Yet over this past month as I listened to the public discourse for or against a non discrimination ordinance in Shelby County, I was astounded at the level of ignorance and hatred amongst my neighbors. They qualified their arguments mainly on religious grounds.

It is the same tired ol' arguments that have been used for centuries to deny people equal rights in the "public square". These defenders of the status quo, often citing biblical passages, religious hearsay, outrageous fears fueled by clergy, ultimately fail to grasp the basic concept of "separation of church and state." An outspoken majority seek to keep people of color, women, Jews, whomever they wish to maintain privilege over by using religious arguments. People may say whatever they want in their living rooms, but I think there should be an expectation of civility within the pluralistic public sphere. We have lost what it means to have a public civility, and respect for a private sphere. As public and private continue to become muddled, the less bright among us cannot tell the difference between the two. Our failure to remember history condemns us to repeat it, I'm afraid. The very basics of the American tradition of separation of church and state have to be learned all over again. In my most humble opinion, the state needs to get out of the marrying business and the church [religion] needs to get out of the civil contract business. All unions between consenting adults (including hetero ones) should be civil unions for benefit of the pluralistic public square and marriages, covenants, holy unions, sacred trysts--whatever you want to call them can exist in the religious sphere. The religious folk can define these unions until they're blue in the face. It should be my option as a free man to have a civil union with my mutually consenting adult partner in the public square. And I do not have to go to the Roman Catholic/ Southern Baptist Church for it to be blessed or defined by their biblical/papal taliban judiciary. After awhile it gets to be absolute nonsense. In actual fact you can see that I do not support gay marriage either in the public square. Semantically speaking, I would love to see civil unions come to the forefront of the state's understanding of domestic unions. This issue is not merely a discussion of glbt rights, it is the last bastion of church/state cooperation in this country. On this issue, the founding forefather's were right on target. Let's call it what it is, marriage as defined by most states in the U.S. is nothing more than discrimination based on religion.

Now, for my sisters who are celebrating a big anniversary by finally being able to marry in the courthouse. I say, God grant you many years and God bless Iowa!

When Justice Arrives On Your Doorstep

Now is the time that we need all those good Christian folks who say they are our friends. I hope some of my well-meaning and supportive buddies on the Memphis Ministerial Alliance will help! I keep hoping that the decency of loving followers of Jesus will out-voice the Christians who use the glbt community as fear fodder. Yep, it is clear that there are different Christianities and on most subjects we see the world quite differently. Sadly, alot of folks in Tennessee like to think the Christian voice is summed up in being saved and conforming to evangelical interpretations of our common faith. In other words, a "fear-factor-Christianity" that is used to serve the status quo, seeks privilege and keeps faith-maturity at a fifth grade level seems to be the dominant and loudest voice. WE really need all the folks who see a diverse creation, who confess a faith that expands our world view and who know a redemptive life is a life of gratitude, to step up to the plate!

Holy Trinity Church has had a remarkable history of providing refuge for gay,lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and progressive Christians in the Mid-South for nearly two decades. Over these years we have seen more and more opportunities for the rainbow community to live and work more fully in the larger community due to our witness. As you all know, hiding in a covered parking lot, existing in unmarked buildings, avoiding the media spotlight and hiding our light under a bushel would not have pleaded our case for fairness. Holy Trinity over these years has at times walked a tight rope between being a safe haven for exiles and being a prophetic voice for our brilliantly diverse community. While we have had seasons of solitude for healing and restoration, we have had seasons for confrontation and advocacy. An opportune time has arisen for advocacy in these next few weeks. Again, we must share our dream of a Shelby County that respects all people.

Last week I had the opportunity of joining with our friends from the Tennessee Equality Project and Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center to help introduce a non-discrimination ordinance to the Shelby County Commission. Who would have imagined that we would be at this place where Shelby County would be willing to hear and consider adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to the present non-discrimination ordinance? This would be a first for the whole state of Tennessee. I wonder if it would set off a chain reaction like dominoes across the state making our Tennessee cities more egalitarian? The greatest opposition will be from right-wing politically active Christians. It is imperative that our county commissioners hear from people of faith in favor of including glbt people in the non-discrimination ordinance. Justice has arrived on our doorstep, I hope we have the oil and lamps ready to make the journey!

Easter Days

Wow, I came back from a wonderful spring break and found the warm temperatures more closer to Summer than the beginning of Spring. My beloved Virginia was in full bloom and was a feast to behold with its Easter flora and fauna in the mountains. I came home late last night from a wonderful tour of Virginia which began at the head waters of the James River and following the river we traversed all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. While there I was able to see my parents, visit Jodi and Lois and enjoy Williamsburg with dear friends. A break I must confess, I badly needed.
I returned to church this morning excited about my sermon and looking forward to seeing everybody. I came back to Memphis re-energized and ready to get back in the rodeo. I attended Sunday School (God Talk) this morning and was so proud of that group, their earnest faith and honest relationships with God. Wayne Vaughn had cooked a beautiful breakfast and Dutch Warren did an excellent job leading the group through deep spiritual water. I heard not only from two people how much Holy Trinity has meant to them. Closing in prayer the group thanked God for "being with them in the beauty of their humanity and the nasty trials of their broken humanity." It was another fine Easter Sunday.

Good Friday

Mark 14: 66-72
Philippians 2: 5-11

66While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed.

During the past week while cavorting with my precious daughter through the North Georgia mountains, we came across a most delightful German bakery for lunch. True to its ethnic heritage the bakery had rows of hot crossed buns, various pretzels, some savory and others sweet reminding visitors of Holy Week traditions. I was preoccupied by the display of wondrous baked goods and looked at each and remembered the meaning of various shapes and flavors. They all remind us of the bittersweet days of Holy Week. My gaze at the beautiful glass case containing these goodies was interrupted by a conversation behind the counter. It is so true what Soren Kirkegaard (1813-55) the Danish theologian/philosopher said about conversations overheard. I'm paraphrasing, the conversations we most intently listen to are those we overhear. Two young bakery employees were talking. One of them gazing at the calendar on the wall asked, "what is Good Friday?" The other self-assured responded, "well, that is something Catholics do." Keeping my eyes fixed on the raspberry linzer torte surrounded with lace doilies, I struggled with keeping my mouth shut. The initial questioner then said, "Well, I guess it doesn't matter, I don't get that day off anyway." My politeness gave way to an admission that I was listening to their conversation and I knew that I had no intention of buying a linzer torte. I looked up, fixed my eyes on the young face and said, "that is the day Jesus Christ was executed, murdered, crucified." Silently, I thanked God that I didn't look like a clergyman, or at least I don't think she clocked me as one of them. Dressed in stressed jeans, muddy boots, polo short and a rain jacket I smiled as if I wasn't meaning to correct anyone and asked about ordering a hot crossed bun with my hot tea. I didn't say another word. The young clerk looked at me and furrowed her brow and said, "oh yeah, that makes sense." The other customers in the small shop identified me as "one who knows." Some sheepishly smiled at me claiming me, while others kept a painfully polite non-committal. God knows I hate religious types talking down to me, but I wanted these young clerks to know it wasn't solely a Catholic thing, it was a Christian thing...it was a human thing. I am not sure I accomplished my goal. When I got to our table I asked Jordan my daughter, if I came off condescending. Softly she smiled and said, "no, you came off as a dad who was interested in what they were saying." I hope so. Jordan and I walked out of the bakery with a warm smile and thank you. Under my breath I said,"Spirit of God, please move me out of the way and do your work." As the hymn in Philippians reads, Have this mind among yourselves: God emptied God's being taking on the form of a servant. Being born in the likeness of humanity... (paraphrased) . -- TMM

A Godly Bishop

What a week this has been! I am still on a high after the wonderful visit of Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the Bishop Friday afternoon at the Memphis Lesbian and Gay Community Center where we posed with a painting of Marilyn Monroe. He left me with a few quotables that I want to share with you as we continue on our Lenten journey toward Easter. Perhaps most meaningful about his visit was the refreshing way in which he communicated God's love. It warms my heart to see a gay man so overwrought with a sense of gratitude for God's faithfulness. OK, so here is what he said, "We are not called to be admirers of Christ, but we are called to be followers of Christ." The context for that statement came when he was talking about how everybody likes Jesus, admires what Jesus taught and see him as a great teacher or prophet. He explained that there are few who want to go where Jesus goes. The other quotable, which there were many, was in response to the question, "Are you saved?" He clearly stated that this is a very good question, "one with which we ought to struggle and it ought to create discomfort." He framed the hard look into salvation language with a transparency about what it means to be loved by God and to love as God loves. He encouraged us to say "Yes, I am saved and have I got a story for you." He became very personable in his sermon that Friday afternoon, telling his story and how God's love was always upon him. He drew comparisons of what it is like to be viewed as the unsaved. In Jesus' construct of the realm of God, salvation doesn't come until we are all included in the temple. He encouraged us to do what we can and quit focusing on what we can't. "That all of us must get up and dance, pray, sing and shout into the temple of God."

On another encounter with Bishop Robinson, after introductions and placing who I was and where I serve, the Bishop exclaimed, "You go girl!" I busted out in blushing laughter as he joined me in a big chuckle. I shared with him, that was the first time any bishop has ever called me a girl to my face! He then shot back, "Well, that may be so but they were saying it everywhere else and behind your back!" When we greeted each other the next day, the Bishop responded with a big hug and handshake when I referred to him as my "girlfriend." What a moment of healing laughter and freedom in the temple of God! I drove home Friday night thinking, this is a Bishop and he is truly a man of God.

Lent Central

"I will not fail you or forsake you" Deuteronomy 31: 6; Joshua 1: 5

I was walking downtown the other day and saw a sign in front of the restaurant "The Flying Fish." The sign read, "Lent Central " indicating this is the place to keep a dietary Lent. I wondered how many people understood what that sign means? Then I thought why so many people would know what it means, smack dab on the busiest street in downtown Memphis. No matter how near or far any of us are from a faith community, it seems the message of our faith is all around us. I tend to do different things personally to observe a holy Lent, not worrying too much about eating meat this year. But I am intrigued that the old tradition of our faith appears on the front windows of a fish restaurant near bluesy Beale Street.

Over and over again I am reminded of God's pursuit of us. No matter where we are in life or whatever it is we are going through, God is faithful working in seen and unseen ways. The scripture quoted above comes from two sources spoken to Joshua. Moses was first giving counsel to Joshua who was taking the reigns of leadership for the people of God. The second time it seems to be flowing straight out of the mouth of God, certainly coming as a reminder to God's people and to Joshua. Another time it appears in the book of Hebrews (13:5) when the writer of the epistle is trying to reach third generation Jewish-Christians who were thinking of leaving the way of Christ.

I received an email from my good buddy Dean out in San Diego this week. I love hearing from Dean. He is sort of like an adopted son who is ten years younger, but seems like an old buddy too. We've been friends for a long time now. Seen each other through relocations, broken hearts and broken toys. He wrecked my aqua green Geo Storm back in 1993 while cruising some "hot man" walking down Peachtree Street. When he pulled up in the drive way and I saw the hood of the car bent in two, I knew that Dean had a great explanation for the new body job on my Geo. As years have flown by and our lives took us to different cities, we have shared broken dreams and spirits like we did those broken toys back in the day. Not that our lives have been all broken up into somber and trying pieces, quite the contrary. It is during those times that we seem to have the most to say to each other.

Nowadays Dean has taken a dive into Christian spirituality. Long way from the days of being angry about his abusive fundamentalist upbringing. It used to be that I could hardly get Dean to go to church, let alone admit anything wonderful about his Christian faith. California has brought Dean to claim a Christian faith unlike the faith of his rural South Carolina upbringing. At first appearance Dean is one of those guys that you think must have everything going for him. Like most of us, he is as genuine as they come and he has had some hard knocks in life. A couple of years ago he called me with emotional news that he "met Christ again for the very first time" while attending an inclusive and traditional Episcopal church. Today I got an email from Dean who said he was looking at the explorefaith.com web site. He wrote, "Memphis is the place to be for Lent. I am so envious that you have John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, Bishop Gene Robinson, etc. coming there. You have to write me what it was like for you to listen to and to meet them." I nearly fell off my chair to read such words coming from my old friend. I replied, yes, Memphis has some hidden gems that seem to shine brightest during Lent.

I hope all of you are remembering your journey, reconnecting and holding fast to the faith which has been proclaimed to you. If you have wandered off, now is the time to check back in and find the Christ who has been with you all along. Afterall, it appears that we live in Lent Central and the doors are open beckoning us to feed and nurture our faith.

St. Stephen's Day --Prayer to a Guardian Angel

I had to share this for St. Stephen's Day (December 26, the second day of Christmas) when we remember the poor, the oppressed, the outcast, people living in the terror of war, disease and famine, people who are dealing with foreclosure, bankruptcy and unemployment. St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. It is where we get "boxing Day" from in British commnwealth nations and "Good King Wenceslas" who reached out to the disenfranchised. Particularly, I think of my own tribe of Lavander People, GLBT folks who are walking into a new year. With the recent spate of violence in Memphis toward the trans-community I call upon this angel. An Orthodox friend sent this to me and I found the iconography and prayer beautiful from the blogsite: http://jn1034.blogspot.com/2008/12/prayer-to-guardian-angel-of-human-life.html

Prayer to the Guardian Angel of Human Life

for protection from homophobes.

lHoly guardian angel, interceding for our souls and our passionate lives, neither forsake us nor leave us for our intemperance of mind, flesh, and heart. Give no place for the subtle demons of homophobia to harm us through the violence of their evils of thoughts, words, and deeds. Strengthen our poor and fragile hearts, and guide us in the ways of our Holy Tradition and the love of the Gospel. Holy angel of God, guardian and protector of our tender bodies and souls, protect us during the present evening and day, and guard us from every evil of those ensnared by the demons of homophobia. Release homophobes from their darkness of self-hate and misanthropy, and lead them to the glorious light of God's way, truth, and life. Pray for us that we're made worthy by the grace and mercy of the All-Holy Trinity.
+ Through the prayers of our holy mothers and fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.