Katherine Hawker is pastor at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Webster Groves, Missouri.
Writing in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last month, Hawker contrasted local mainline churches that celebrate World Communion Day to foster Christian unity and charity, with the religious-right lobbies and megachurches down the road that foster division and partisan vitriol within local communities.
I want to build on the unity that I share with others who recognize God’s kingdom as one of justice, peace and inclusive love, not those who use Jesus’ name to preach hate. I no longer trust that a container labeled “Christian” necessarily has contents that I’m willing to share.
Hat tip: Straight, Not Narrow
That’s a very inclusive UCC congregation with a lot of active LGBT members, including some connected with the nearby (1 mile) UCC seminary, Eden Sem.