DELIBERATELY DIVERSE | The Rev. Terry Pierce
Deliberately Diverse represents the thoughts and opinions of a group of Taylor friends who almost never completely agree about anything but enjoy diverse discussions in our beloved community.
I am often asked what it means and why St. James’ Episcopal Church in Taylor call ourselves an affirming church.
Affirming means we explicitly welcome LGBTQ+ members not just as attendees, but as full participants in every aspect of church life and ministry. We interpret Scripture and Jesus’ message to call for inclusion of all people.
Biblical texts are often cited as prohibiting LBGTQ+ relationships; however, when read in their historical context, these texts are prohibiting gang rape, ritual prostitution, pagan worship, exploitive relationships and nonconsensual or promiscuous behavior.
These behaviors we would all agree are not healthy for anyone, and don’t lead anyone into healthy relationships with other people or with God. The truth is these behaviors are present among both heterosexuals and homosexuals.
Jesus was asked, “‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus responded, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40) Jesus consistently preached radical inclusion and breaking down social barriers. We are neighbors all. That means we are called to ensure the safety, health and well-being of everyone in our community, just as the Good Samaritan did for the stranger on the road.
Calling ourselves affirming means that we embrace LGBTQ+ people as part of God’s diverse and divine creation.
In 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognized LGBTQ+ people as children of God with an equal claim to the pastoral care of the church and equal protection under the law.
In 1994, the General Convention amended the church’s canons to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, providing equal access to the rites and worship of the church, including ordination.
In 2015, the General Convention voted to amend the canons that regulate marriage, permitting any couple to have the rite of holy matrimony.
St. James’ affirms our belief that a community whose lives are centered in Jesus Christ and committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love is called to commit ourselves to the journey to make those promises a reality, in our church and in our community. With the LGBTQ+ community in Taylor, we remember the struggles, celebrate the joy, and give thanks for love and lives that refuse to be erased.
• We believe that God creates us in an amazing diversity of personalities, identities, orientations.
• We believe that God loves us all — no exceptions.
• We hope you will join us as we celebrate Taylor Pride.
The free Taylor PRIDE Music and Art Festival at Heritage Square Park, 400 N. Main St., is 4-10 p.m. June 28.
Pierce is the vicar of St. James’ Episcopal Church.
