Julie DiMatteo's Dialogue Response

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