VOICE OF THE TURTLE Online - April 26-May 2, 2004
A Letter
to the Editor
From a W&A Pastor
Nine years ago, when I arrived in Ithaca to serve as the new minister at First Baptist Church, I brought with me the mind of a “welcoming and affirming” pastor. For me, the few verses in the Bible which seem to condemn homosexuality simply held no weight against the powerful message of inclusion, compassion, justice and liberation which filled the pages of Scripture. Throughout the thousands of years of history recorded in the Bible, God continually pushed people beyond their prejudices and into fellowship with one another. It has been my joy to have been brought into fellowship with those who attend First Baptist – heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and others not yet named on the map.
Nine years later, I have not only the head but the heart of a W&A minister. To say that the non-heterosexual members of my church are any less faithful would be to lie. To say that the committed relationships which exist between members of the same sex in my church are any less of a marriage than that which exists between my husband and myself would be to lie. Although I cannot claim to know the TRUTH at all times and in all situations, I speak the truth as best I understand it. The truth as I see it, is that marriage does not belong to any one of us to dole out as we see fit. Marriage belongs to humanity as a gift from God, and I for one offer my joyous support to any with the commitment, the courage, and the love to claim it in this lifetime.
In peace,
Rev. Wendy D. Fambro
First Baptist Church/DeWitt Park
Ithaca, NY
Reprinted
from The Ithaca Journal,
March 20, 2004
The Alliance of Baptists
Statement on Same Sex Marriage
April 17, 2004
Affirming that our federal and state constitutions exist to protect the rights of minorities from the tyranny of the majority and in the context of the current debate over same-sex marriage, we of the Alliance of Baptists decry the politicization of same-sex marriage in the current presidential contest and other races for public office. We specifically reject the proposed amendments to the constitution of the United States and state constitutions that would enshrine discrimination against sexual minorities and define marriage in such a way as to deny same-sex couples a legal framework in which to provide for one another and those entrusted to their care.
As Christians and as Baptists, we particularly lament the denigration of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender sisters and brothers in this debate by those who claim to speak for God. We affirm that the Alliance of Baptists supports the rights of all citizens to full marriage equality, and we affirm anew that the Alliance will "create places of refuge and renewal for those who are ignored by the church."
This Statement of Concern was adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Alliance of Baptists meeting at First Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio.