Closing Statement at Plymouth UCC

[Calvinist Basset]

A friend sent me the following comment that was spoken by Jim Gertmanian, the pastor of Plymouth UCC in Minneapolis. They are powerful words and warrant sharing.

"In my closing minutes, I want to address a few, more focused words to those in our congregation who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgendered and to yourfamily members and friends. A number of you have written or spoken to me in the last few days to say how dismayed you were to see amendments against gay marriage and, in some cases, even gay civil rights, being passed by large margins in eleven states. Some of you spoke of feeling frightened, imagining, as well you might, that a
new wave of hatred and fear is about to wash over you. You feel betrayed by a country that promised to value every human being equally … and perhaps even more damaging, you feel betrayed by representatives of a religion that claims love as its foundational value. I understand your fear. Many of us here at Plymouth do. But I want to remind you that this spasm of hatred is the lashing out of a dying dragon. This dragon, homophobia, is angry because it is dying. And it is frightened because
it is dying. And in its anger and its fear it may even seem stronger than it really is. But it is dying. What is being born is the love of God which will show forth in a time in which your God-given value will be recognized by all. In the meantime, though, I want you to know this: Whatever happens anywhere else, in this place, and in this family, you need not be afraid. Even if every state in the Union were to pass an amendment, these walls stand to protect you. This is a sanctuary where
your lives will be celebrated, and your loves blessed, and your
relationships honored. And from this place we will go out and fight together for human rights for all. That is a solemn covenant which we here make with one another. And woe to this church if it should ever break that covenant, for in so doing it will have broken its own heart."

[pk_du]

1. Man there's a pastor I would march to the gates of hell an back with

...why arent there more like him talking out?

[ruthg]

4. UCC

is a liberal Christian demonination......They rock .


I would be one were I a Christian..

but as I am not I am a Unitarian Universalist . My former minister was a UU married to a UCC minister. Interesting dinner conversations, I imagine.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. God Bless Rev. Gertmanian

Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. Sounds like the Plymouth UCC is following His commandment.

[pacalo]

3. Now that pastor knows the true meaning of Christianity.

It is through the love of God that we not judge each other, but aspire to love each other despite our differences & watch out for those who cannot fend for themselves.

[Maat]

5. I saved this!

Wow - now this is a man of God! I sent this to my pastor in the Church of Religious Science! Progressive religions rock! And this guy is the perfect example of a pastor who gets it!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. Plymouth Congregational Church not only has the right attitude,

they also support the arts and have a music series that attracts audiences from all over the area.

[Kat45]

7. I also belong to a UCC church, and it's great!

My pastor shares my opinion of bush and this administration. The theme of social justice often enters his sermons. Our church is undertaking a study to decide whether to become an "open and affirming" church. Many of us would like to do so, but there are some people who have a problem with it: the issue is more intense here because we're in Massachusetts, and (at the present time) gay marriage is legal here.

[kestrel91316]

8. My great-grandmother was a...........................

congregationalist, and knowing a bit about this church makes me very proud of her. She passed away over 25 years ago, but was a very progressive woman, and very caring about others in spite of her lifelong poverty. I understand her better now.

[davidinalameda]

9. amen!

I need to find a UU near my new place