Faith Communities Gathering
On Sunday, October 11, I participated in Faith Communities: Coming Out, Coming Together, a gathering in support of our gay, Lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning brothers and sisters. We began with a “faith walk” from First Congregational Church to Kofman Auditorium, where we gathered on the steps and on the plaza in front of the building. The area was decorated with colorful banners representing various faith communities. On the left side was a stained glass “Table of Tears” created by Donna Ivery, a disabled Methodist clergyperson. The table featured portraits of people excluded at various times for biblical reasons, and the hope and healing of the Holy Spirit.
At least one hundred people, representing many faith traditions, were gathered in the plaza, including Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists. Buddhists, Unitarians, and members of Temple Israel, the Native American community and other spiritual groups. Also present were members of the School Board and school administration and several Alameda teachers, who were celebrating the Board’s recent decision to allow teaching of acceptance of nontraditional families.
Prayers from the various traditions were offered, and several speakers talked of acceptance and rejection in their communities. An interfaith choir, in which I took part, sang songs of joy, hope and love. Native American drums added to the joyful sound.
It was a most joyful and inspiring afternoon, and I was happy to have been a part of it.
One year ago Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf Coast of Texas. Although not as many lives were lost as were taken by Hurricane Katrina a few years before, there was more property damage. Lutheran Disaster Response arrived in Houston and Galveston to help those who could not afford to put their lives back in order.