From: Julie DiMatteo
Subject: response to having a publicly open church
To: VickI and Bo Gordy-Stith
Date: Monday, January 26, 2009
1. I like the detailed description of accepting everyone. As someone who searched for an openly accepting church, language is very important. Many places say they do not discriminate...however it is very different than stating you accept people whatever their sexual orientation is or gender identity. Also I like the second part of the new mission statement because it says that Skyline is not only accepting but willing to let you serve the body of Christ no matter what identity or orientation. In some places they might accept you but you cannot serve. They want to claim to be accepting totally, but their acceptance comes with terms of hiddenness. This mission statement says we accept and we will use your gifts for the Glory of Christ.
2. I would like the church to adopt it. I have many people who ask me about Skyline because they know my sexual orientation and say "it is not publicly accepting". I believe making our mission statement public lets people who are seeking a Jesus-Centered Accepting Church Community easier to try it out. I believe the fear of not knowing can hold back people from trying Skyline (as it did for me for several months).
3. It would impact my family in a tremendous way. I want to be a part of a community that is accepting and I chose to have my son baptized at skyline because it is. I want my sons to grow up knowing it is okay to be who God made you to be. I want them to develop spiritually at a place that does not judge their mother based on her sexuality but holds her accountable because of the spiritual fruit in her life. I want my sons to be around families who love Jesus...whether they are gay, straight, bi, or transgender. I want them to know God's unconditional love through a church community. There is enough hatred, ignorance, and pain in our world towards people who are LGBT, it should not be in the House of God. As someone who has experienced the above emotions from the world and the church, I do not want my sons experience that in the Church. That is why we go to Skyline. That is why we have chosen it as our spiritual home. I am proud to be part of a congregation that is loving and accepting. Making it official takes a stand against the prejudice, ignorance, and politics that are discouraging and heartbreaking to LGBT Christians. I come to Skyline because it challenges, encourages, and directs me to be a stronger Christian so I may serve Jesus as called.
4. As a member of the LGBT community I believe that God is calling me to behave toward an LGBT person no differently than to someone who is straight. I do believe I am called to show God's love and introduce them to a congregation that doesn't label them but loves, encourages, and directs them. I often get shocked responses when I say I go to church, because most people in the LGBT community have had negative experiences in churches. So I believe part of my calling is to be out and open about my sexual orientation and help others in the LGBT community know God's Love.
Julie DiMatteo
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Angela Stamis' Dialogue Response
From: Angela Stamis
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
To: Bo and Vicki Gordy-Stith
Subject: My Statement
I think the new mission statement is awesome. It's about time a church stood up to the plate and welcomed everyone. I don't remember reading anywhere in the bible where Jesus said 'no, you are not allowed to worship my father'. How absurd is it that so many churches get on a high horse and deny people? Why are churches turning away people who want Jesus in their life? I would never turn away someone who wanted to learn more about God. It's absolute blasphemy!
I myself am Gay and very proud of who I am. It wasn't until I came out that I finally felt "normal". Being around other gays made me feel at home. I didn't chose this life. I didn't wake up one morning and say 'how can I make my life harder...that's it! I think I'll be gay!" There is no man that will make me "go straight" God made me this way. Anyone who has a problem with me sexual orientation should go talk to the maker! God loves me. He speaks to me often and I've actually heard him say 'you are still my child. I have not left you' I believe God made me this way so that I could better relate to those who are discriminated against. It makes me only stronger and I find that I'm more willing to stand up not only for myself but for others.
I was at another church before Skyline. It also was a Methodist church. I wanted to become a member although I did not feel led to do it. I had actually been feeling led towards skyline. Anyway, I was going through the process and at the end pulled the minister aside and spoke to him about my orientation. He said because of who I was I could not be a member. He also said that I would have to go through counseling so that I would not act out on my urges before I could become a member. I remember looking him right in the eye with my fiancee by my side. I said "I will NEVER be a member of this church." I still attended the church for a little while till I heard God call me to Skyline.
Skyline is all about the love and acceptance of others. It's the kind of church Jesus would come to and kick up his feet and say 'this is what I was talking about!' To change your mission statement only proves how much love and acceptance this church has. It's a step in the right direction. It's a church I'm proud to say I attend. I 100% back up the church. It will show others that they are welcome and that God loves them. Good for you for doing God's work...as God would say "good work my faithful servant"
Angela
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
To: Bo and Vicki Gordy-Stith
Subject: My Statement
I think the new mission statement is awesome. It's about time a church stood up to the plate and welcomed everyone. I don't remember reading anywhere in the bible where Jesus said 'no, you are not allowed to worship my father'. How absurd is it that so many churches get on a high horse and deny people? Why are churches turning away people who want Jesus in their life? I would never turn away someone who wanted to learn more about God. It's absolute blasphemy!
I myself am Gay and very proud of who I am. It wasn't until I came out that I finally felt "normal". Being around other gays made me feel at home. I didn't chose this life. I didn't wake up one morning and say 'how can I make my life harder...that's it! I think I'll be gay!" There is no man that will make me "go straight" God made me this way. Anyone who has a problem with me sexual orientation should go talk to the maker! God loves me. He speaks to me often and I've actually heard him say 'you are still my child. I have not left you' I believe God made me this way so that I could better relate to those who are discriminated against. It makes me only stronger and I find that I'm more willing to stand up not only for myself but for others.
I was at another church before Skyline. It also was a Methodist church. I wanted to become a member although I did not feel led to do it. I had actually been feeling led towards skyline. Anyway, I was going through the process and at the end pulled the minister aside and spoke to him about my orientation. He said because of who I was I could not be a member. He also said that I would have to go through counseling so that I would not act out on my urges before I could become a member. I remember looking him right in the eye with my fiancee by my side. I said "I will NEVER be a member of this church." I still attended the church for a little while till I heard God call me to Skyline.
Skyline is all about the love and acceptance of others. It's the kind of church Jesus would come to and kick up his feet and say 'this is what I was talking about!' To change your mission statement only proves how much love and acceptance this church has. It's a step in the right direction. It's a church I'm proud to say I attend. I 100% back up the church. It will show others that they are welcome and that God loves them. Good for you for doing God's work...as God would say "good work my faithful servant"
Angela
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Janet Yabroff's Dialogue Response
From: Janet Yabroff
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009
To: Bo and Vicki Gordy-Stith
Subject: response to dialogue invitation
Bo and Vicki, here are some reflections on your questions, with permission given to publish, and use my name
1+2) I feel quite positive about the new mission statement. Skyline's courage in living boldly into Jesus' call, is what drew us here. The biblical call "Ho, everyone that thirsts, come to the waters, without cost......." has motivated me for decades. Jesus put no conditions on who could belong in his community, and our intentions should match his.
3) Although diversity is not always easy to live with, it can lead to more understanding, richness, and harmony. It is a true picture of God's kingdom, more importantly.
4) God calls me to behave toward varying gender-preferences the same way I relate to all seekers, with a welcome so warm and genuine that it's irresistible, drawing them into our faith family, where the heart finds its home.
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009
To: Bo and Vicki Gordy-Stith
Subject: response to dialogue invitation
Bo and Vicki, here are some reflections on your questions, with permission given to publish, and use my name
1+2) I feel quite positive about the new mission statement. Skyline's courage in living boldly into Jesus' call, is what drew us here. The biblical call "Ho, everyone that thirsts, come to the waters, without cost......." has motivated me for decades. Jesus put no conditions on who could belong in his community, and our intentions should match his.
3) Although diversity is not always easy to live with, it can lead to more understanding, richness, and harmony. It is a true picture of God's kingdom, more importantly.
4) God calls me to behave toward varying gender-preferences the same way I relate to all seekers, with a welcome so warm and genuine that it's irresistible, drawing them into our faith family, where the heart finds its home.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Dennis Nantais' Dialogue Response
Received written submission in pastors’ inbox January 1, 2009 from Dennis Nantais
Dear Pastors Bo and Vicki,
I believe in the new mission statement, that everyone should be welcome in the church. I will support this mission and the members of the church in any way I can.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dennis Nantais
Dear Pastors Bo and Vicki,
I believe in the new mission statement, that everyone should be welcome in the church. I will support this mission and the members of the church in any way I can.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dennis Nantais
Curt Lawson's Dialogue Response
From: Curtis Lawson
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
To: Bo & Vicki Gordy-Stith and Ivan M Turner, Jr.
Subject: Skyline UMC Mission Statement
1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
I think the existing mission statement adequately communicates the mission of Skyline----ALL are welcome if they seek a deeper relationship with God. I see no need to revise the existing mission statement.
2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?
I feel that the proposed revision to the Skyline UMC mission statement is too “legalistic” in trying to define the specific groups who are welcomed at Skyline. In Jesus’ time, it would certainly have kept the Pharisees busy debating about what group should or should not be included in the statement. The bottom line is that ALL are welcomed at Skyline, and I see no need to try to come up with a list of specific groups for which this applies.
3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?
The revised mission statement is obviously written to be “politically correct” in identifying all the various groups that are welcomed at Skyline, and I’m sure there are some additional groups that have not been included, and will probably need to be added in the future (political affiliation, veterans, cigarette smokers, and dog lovers, to name a few). If someone is searching the web to find a church, I think that the legalistic nature of the revised mission statement would turn away more people than it would bring in.
We need to grow our congregation so we can adequately support and expand our mission and outreach programs to serve and reach out to others in the community in Christ’s name. I do not believe the revised mission statement is the way to accomplish this.
In practice, actions speak louder than words. It is really how an individual feels he or she is being treated by the individual members of Skyline that is the ultimate test of the welcoming nature of our church. This type of Christian welcome comes from the hearts of the individual congregation members, not from a mission statement.
4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?
No different than I behave toward any other seekers and followers of Jesus. If a person is committed to Jesus Christ and willing to use his or her spiritual, physical, and/or financial gifts to serve the church and reach out to others in Christ’s name, then he or she is indeed welcome at Skyline UMC.
Submitted by: Curt Lawson, 30 December 2008 (Male, 50’s, Skyline member 8 yrs)
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
To: Bo & Vicki Gordy-Stith and Ivan M Turner, Jr.
Subject: Skyline UMC Mission Statement
1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
I think the existing mission statement adequately communicates the mission of Skyline----ALL are welcome if they seek a deeper relationship with God. I see no need to revise the existing mission statement.
2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?
I feel that the proposed revision to the Skyline UMC mission statement is too “legalistic” in trying to define the specific groups who are welcomed at Skyline. In Jesus’ time, it would certainly have kept the Pharisees busy debating about what group should or should not be included in the statement. The bottom line is that ALL are welcomed at Skyline, and I see no need to try to come up with a list of specific groups for which this applies.
3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?
The revised mission statement is obviously written to be “politically correct” in identifying all the various groups that are welcomed at Skyline, and I’m sure there are some additional groups that have not been included, and will probably need to be added in the future (political affiliation, veterans, cigarette smokers, and dog lovers, to name a few). If someone is searching the web to find a church, I think that the legalistic nature of the revised mission statement would turn away more people than it would bring in.
We need to grow our congregation so we can adequately support and expand our mission and outreach programs to serve and reach out to others in the community in Christ’s name. I do not believe the revised mission statement is the way to accomplish this.
In practice, actions speak louder than words. It is really how an individual feels he or she is being treated by the individual members of Skyline that is the ultimate test of the welcoming nature of our church. This type of Christian welcome comes from the hearts of the individual congregation members, not from a mission statement.
4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?
No different than I behave toward any other seekers and followers of Jesus. If a person is committed to Jesus Christ and willing to use his or her spiritual, physical, and/or financial gifts to serve the church and reach out to others in Christ’s name, then he or she is indeed welcome at Skyline UMC.
Submitted by: Curt Lawson, 30 December 2008 (Male, 50’s, Skyline member 8 yrs)
Cathy Falcone's and Michelle Jackson's Dialogue Response
From: Cathy Falcone and Michelle Jackson
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008
To: Vicki and Bo Gordy-Stith
Subject: Mission statement proposed revision
We both like the use of the following:
"To Reach out to all people seeking a deeper relationship with God, Welcome them into a community of followers of Jesus who freely choose to worship, serve, and live together prayerfully and in peace following a Methodist understanding of God’s gift of grace, Equip them to live as the Holy Spirit gifts and guides, and Send them to serve and reach out to all people in Christ's name."
It is our feeling that if the word "all" is used, then everything after that ("regardless of age, racial, ethnic or national origin, physical or mental ability, marital status, religious experience, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status"), is redundant. "All" is a superlative, and it's literal meaning taken for what it is. Using "all", then going on to itemize accepted groups disregards the meaning of "all" and actually says, parenthetically - this is who we mean by all; thereby effectively excluding anyone not on that list.If we begin listing groups, then we risk having to revise the mission statement again when the next excluded group comes up. Not that periodic review and revision are bad. As the Constitution used "all", it was dynamic, allowing itself to conform to changing times; not needing rewording to express inclusion for any particular group or groups. If, as it would appear, Skyline is attempting to roll with the changing times by revising the mission statement, then we, too can be dynamic by following that example. Why not change it in such a way that it is always true, and always faithful.
We don't want to become known as an LGBT church. As believers, Christ is first, and who we are in Him takes priority over what communities we identify with inside the community of believers. The mission statement wording should not be what draws people to Skyline. It should be the attitude and hearts of the membership, and above all, the wooing of the Holy Spirit. We know we were led to Skyline by the Holy Spirit. The people at Skyline made us feel welcome and part of this family. We were welcomed into this church without the benefit of particular wording in the mission statement. We appreciate the diversity of this congregation, and that INCLUDES those who may not approve of us or our sexual orientations. It would be sad, if in our attempt to level the playing field, we unintentionally exclude those who are perhaps tolerant, but may not agree with us. We don't want to see wording marginalize others even as we try to de-marginalize certain groups of people.
We read one member's comment about not wanting the focus of Skyline taken from Jesus. We have been to churches who formally state their inclusions, and we've found their focus to be not on Jesus, but on an LGBT lifestyle. We too, are concerned that we could lose our focus.
We believe God calls us to encourage all who seek relationship with him, regardless of sexual orientation. It is also our feeling that Skyline does this very well - currently - and we testify to that in our membership in this church.
Cathy Falcone and Michelle Jackson
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008
To: Vicki and Bo Gordy-Stith
Subject: Mission statement proposed revision
We both like the use of the following:
"To Reach out to all people seeking a deeper relationship with God, Welcome them into a community of followers of Jesus who freely choose to worship, serve, and live together prayerfully and in peace following a Methodist understanding of God’s gift of grace, Equip them to live as the Holy Spirit gifts and guides, and Send them to serve and reach out to all people in Christ's name."
It is our feeling that if the word "all" is used, then everything after that ("regardless of age, racial, ethnic or national origin, physical or mental ability, marital status, religious experience, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status"), is redundant. "All" is a superlative, and it's literal meaning taken for what it is. Using "all", then going on to itemize accepted groups disregards the meaning of "all" and actually says, parenthetically - this is who we mean by all; thereby effectively excluding anyone not on that list.If we begin listing groups, then we risk having to revise the mission statement again when the next excluded group comes up. Not that periodic review and revision are bad. As the Constitution used "all", it was dynamic, allowing itself to conform to changing times; not needing rewording to express inclusion for any particular group or groups. If, as it would appear, Skyline is attempting to roll with the changing times by revising the mission statement, then we, too can be dynamic by following that example. Why not change it in such a way that it is always true, and always faithful.
We don't want to become known as an LGBT church. As believers, Christ is first, and who we are in Him takes priority over what communities we identify with inside the community of believers. The mission statement wording should not be what draws people to Skyline. It should be the attitude and hearts of the membership, and above all, the wooing of the Holy Spirit. We know we were led to Skyline by the Holy Spirit. The people at Skyline made us feel welcome and part of this family. We were welcomed into this church without the benefit of particular wording in the mission statement. We appreciate the diversity of this congregation, and that INCLUDES those who may not approve of us or our sexual orientations. It would be sad, if in our attempt to level the playing field, we unintentionally exclude those who are perhaps tolerant, but may not agree with us. We don't want to see wording marginalize others even as we try to de-marginalize certain groups of people.
We read one member's comment about not wanting the focus of Skyline taken from Jesus. We have been to churches who formally state their inclusions, and we've found their focus to be not on Jesus, but on an LGBT lifestyle. We too, are concerned that we could lose our focus.
We believe God calls us to encourage all who seek relationship with him, regardless of sexual orientation. It is also our feeling that Skyline does this very well - currently - and we testify to that in our membership in this church.
Cathy Falcone and Michelle Jackson
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