Do you know what a liturgical stole is?

It's that cloth sash that clergy wear around their neck.

At this moment, there are dozens of liturgical stoles on display in my church.  Each one represents the life story of a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Trans-gendered person of faith.  Together, they represent an astonishing spectrum of human experience, from dizzying inspiration to heart-wrenching tragedy.  They are each profoundly moving.

I don't believe in God.

But that is MY church.

Three weeks ago I had the spne-tingling experience of watching two of the pastors, both openly gay, both women, discuss their doubts about the gospel.  That was the sermon. 

And it was so much more than novel.  The scope of each woman's knowledge and imagination was breathtaking.

I don't believe in the gospels.

But that is MY church.

Two weeks ago the sermon was given by a minister whom I would have described as developmentally disabled upon first hearing him speak.  I spent the first few moments of his sermon trying to decide whether or not he had downs syndrome.

By the end I was in tears and the whole room was shouting.  His sermon drew incredible parallels between St. Matthew,  Steinbeck, MLK, and others.  The other ministers called him the Prophet of Love. 

I don't believe in prophets. 

But that is MY church.    

MY church has welcomed parishioners and leaders of any sexual orientation for FIFTEEN YEARS.

MY church has a PROUDLY displayed library on climate Change.  MY church's leaders have demanded, loudly and publicly, that other religiously leaders break their silence and urge their congregations to combat climate change.  MY church has organized a religious coalition supporting environmental initiatives across my red state.    

MY church sends people to Oaxaca, Columbia, and many other places to do real work against tyranny and imperialism. 

I am not a Christian.
But that is MY church.

MY church is the UCC church.  It is the church of Senator Barack Obama.  It is the church of Reverend Jeremiah Wright.  

I wish more churches were just like it. 

What is your church like?