'I Will Not Keep Silent'

This Letter to the Editor appeared in the Washington Blade in September 1998.

Washington Blade readers have heard and continue to hear loud, conservative voices in the religious community saying things that are hurtful, condemning and excluding of you and the persons you love. We want to make sure you know that there are many church congregations that do not agree with those voices.

We echo both the activists who have recognized that "slience equals death" and the prophet who cries, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent..." (Isaiah 62:1a). We are a Christian congregation that welcomes Lesbian, Gay male, bisexual, and transgendered persons and their families in the full life of our community.

We feel compelled to speak out with a voice of love and welcome to counter the national media attention on "ex-Gay ministries" and the events of the last few months in our United Methodist denomination.

Know that you are welcomed in United Methodist churches that have chosen to call themselves Reconciling Congregations. Reconciling Congregations are part of a strong and growing network of Welcoming churches in denominations including: American Baptists, Disciples, Brethren-Mennonites, Lutherans, Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, United Methodist and Unitarian Universalists.

Know that we are ashamed of and ask forgiveness for the actions of our denomination, our bishops and our Judicial Council when the exclude you from the full ministry of our church. It is our desire to continue to educate, advocate and legislate in our denomination for the full inclusion of Lesbian, Gay male, bisexual, and transgendered persons and their families in the life and ministry of the church. We hear the voice of God announcing "Behold, I will do a new thing!" (Isaiah 4:29) in the United Methodist Church — and we invite you the join us in working toward the full acceptance and welcome of all people in the church.

The Rev. Mary E. Kraus, Pastor Michale Beard and the Rev. Kathryn Johnson, Administrative Council Co-Chairs, Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Washington DC