Today, under a North Carolina sun pushing well past 90 degrees, hundreds gathered in downtown Chapel Hill for Pride. We assembled outside the town’s historic post office. Under tents, information about local LGBTQ organizations and resources was offered. Vendors handed…
Surprised by the breath of the Spirit
Sunday morning, I attended worship at a nearby church. The people were warm and gracious. The music was beautiful, led by a gifted musician who moved seamlessly between organ and piano. The service itself was carefully and thoughtfully choreographed —…
Listening to a bell that no longer rings
Saturday night, what was meant to be an evening of tradition and lightheartedness at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was instead interrupted by violence, reportedly the act of a lone shooter. Such an event is, in every sense, traumatic and…
AWAB praises court’s rejection of Obergefell review
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists praised a U.S. Supreme Court decision not to take up a challenge to the landmark 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. “In a time when the politics of our day bring overwhelmingly…
Supreme Court ruling on transgender care called partisan and flawed
The U.S. Supreme Court abandoned science, fairness and common sense in its June 18 decision upholding a state’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, civil rights and legal experts said. The 6-3 ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti found Tennessee’s…
‘Recommit to Pride,’ faith coalition urges
Faith-based organizations are pushing back against the increasing mistreatment of LGBTQ people by calling for renewed support for Pride Month celebrations. “The majority of religious people in America support full LGBTQ equality,” close to 20 groups say in a petition…
ABCUSA sends ‘cease and desist’ letter to AWAB
The president of the American Baptist Churches USA has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists demanding AWAB remove the ABCUSA logo from its website as well as any “partnership” language related to the denomination….
Speaker offers primer on LGBTQ words and how parents may affirm their kids
Parents can support the emotional and physical well-being of LGBTQ children by accepting the language and concepts they use to express their emerging gender identities, according to Hannah Edwards. Edwards — executive director of Transforming Families, a Minnesota-based, peer-led support…
Here’s what pastors said this Sunday in churches not celebrating the Supreme Court’s abortion decision
While conservative evangelical and Catholic churches across America celebrated Friday’s Supreme Court ruling rescinding a federal right to abortion care, sermons and prayers in other congregations ranged from lament to outrage to calls for simply getting along with each other….
Pennsylvania Baptist church licenses transgender man for ministry
A recent lay ministry licensing ceremony capped a multi-year ordeal for Joel Dugan, a 63-year-old transgender man who overcame the rejection of a Baptist association to live into his calling to serve his church and the LGBTQ community. The feeling…
Denver is sweeping away homeless encampments; two churches help open their own
While activists fight the city of Denver for sweeping away homeless encampments during a public health crisis, two Denver churches have set up camps on their property as an alternative. With local nonprofits, Denver Community Church and First Baptist Church…
25 years ago this week, five Baptist churches were booted for affirming gay members
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists will mark a pivotal moment in its history this week with an online celebration of five congregations booted from their regional associations a quarter century ago. Four of the American Baptist Churches USA…