Second Time Shame On Me

I have had faith in God all my life. Decades though separated my active participation in organized religion. The separation was an outcome of my being excommunicated from the Mormon Church for being a lesbian. It was a huge loss. I missed being a part of a faith community. A part of me felt like it was missing.

A little over five years ago I started attending the United Methodist Church. It has added so much to my life. I have come to love so many wonderful people. I feel blessed. My faith has challenged me. It has moved me to be a better person. It has changed me.

The UMC won’t excommunicate me for being a lesbian - they just won’t allow me full participation. The UMC just thinks that I am is incompatible with Christian teaching.

There are thousands and thousands who disagree with the UMC stance on homosexuality. There are thousands and thousands who do agree with the UMC stance though. Sadder, there are thousands and thousands in the UMC who stand on the sideline and don’t take a stand.

Why do I stay? Wasn’t it enough to belong to one church that could not embrace and celebrate who I am? What does it say about me that I have allowed it to happen again?

Shakespeare’s words ‘to thine own self be true’ mean a great deal to me. I am not sure anymore if I know how to make them alive in my life.