Uncategorized
In May 2013, Rev. Steve Heiss wrote to Bishop Mark Webb, the bishop of the Upper New York Conference, to explain why he officiated the same-sex wedding of his daughter and others. This letter prompted a formal complaint from a clergy colleague. This blog is Rev. Heiss’ reflection on his meeting with Bishop Webb and the minister who filed…
Read More
The Church at Mable Peabody’s is a queer church in Denton, Texas. While we are queer because of our various sexualities, expressions, and identities, we are also often considered queer due to our choice of love in a Texas culture dominated by hatred and vengeance. This is where that queer Jesus comes in. One of…
Read More
In the church, we often talk about how everyone has a certain set of gifts and talents. One person has the gift of coming up with quick solutions to immediate problems, while another person has the gift of processing information slowly over time and producing long-term solutions for deeper problems. Both are essential. One person…
Read More
I have my father’s hands. I feel a connection and affection for my dad every time I look at my fingers, the shape of my knuckles and nail beds. I feel much of who I am today is because of ways he guided and taught me. He is a good man and I could not…
Read More
Over the past couple of months, several young, same gender loving, successful, driven, caring and religious men have begun sharing with me their mental health statuses. In this process I have come to understand that same gender loving men (i.e. Black gay men) are dealing with an epidemic that our religious communities, as well as…
Read More
During an onboard interview on his flight back to Rome following World Youth Day, Pope Francis issued unexpected comments on his view of gay priests, and, many believe, gay people more broadly. He remarked: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Pope Francis’ comments on…
Read More
Last week, I went as an adult advisor to the sweltering Purdue University campus for Presbyterian Youth Triennium—a denominational conference for 5,000+ senior high students that comes with much anticipation every three years. Even with the travel and the lack of A/C in our dorm, the experience was a true gift, as I’ve come to…
Read More
There are many reasons I remain Baptist, despite having to always explain myself to those who fail to see the fit between my identifications as a queer person and a Baptist minister. “Well, I’m probably not the kind of Baptist you imagine,” I say. Then I get to explain to folks the kind of Baptist…
Read More
The play Corpus Christi is Terrence McNally’s visionary depiction of the Passion Play told through the lens of a young, gay Jesus. When I was cast in the role seven years ago, I was thrilled. As an actor I always love creating site-specific theatre, so the prospect of performing this play in a church was an…
Read More
When Alex and Jeremy got engaged in the spring of 2010 and set their wedding date for July 16, 2011, they had no idea their marriage could be legal in New York State on July 24, 2011. By example, Alex and Jeremy demonstrate the importance of living out our vision, our love, and our passion…
Read More