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Community Corner

How Can People of Faith Welcome LGBTQ?

Three Katonah churches are sponsoring
an evening of film and discussion to help people of faith grapple with this
issue.  On Sunday, October 6,
Katonah United Methodist Church will host the evening by showing the film “For
the Bible Tells Me So.”  With honesty
and sensitivity, the film tells the story of four families and how they react when
one of their children announces they are LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, or Questioning). People of all faith traditions are welcome to participate. 

After the film, the Rev. Dr. Tom Ogletree, former dean of the Yale Divinity School, will speak about his experience of being brought up on charges by the United Methodist Church after officiating at his son’s wedding to another man.  According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, such actions are cause for dismissal from the clergy.


When asked why the Methodist Church was hosting the event, the Rev. Melissa Boyer, pastor of the Katonah Methodist Church replied, “People who use the Bible to exclude others have gotten a lot of media attention. Our churches want to spread the word that not all Christians are homophobic.  There are many of us who take the Bible seriously but not literally.  We’re sharing information and resources with people of faith who want to welcome our LGBT brothers and sisters, just as they are, as precious children of God.  We’ve been doing it quietly for years, but now we’re making a more prominent statement.”


Edward Biddle of Katonah, a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church commented on the film saying, “First, it is really a first-person narrative by four families, focusing on the parents and their children who are struggling with their homosexuality. This makes it an ideal conversation starter for parents, but maybe less ideal for minor children.”


“Second, it covers the scriptural basis of the commonly cited biblical objections to homosexuality.  This is a really interesting academic debate, so I would recommend it to anyone devoted to the study of scripture.”


“Third, it features a number of truly heroic figures, some well-known, like Bishop Desmond Tutu, and many lesser known. This part I found truly inspirational. We have too few heroes today, so anyone who needs a little juice to really give it a go should see this film.”


Attendees are invited to ask questions and offer their experiences during the discussion period.  Despite the fact that the film specifically addresses the question in a Christian context, people of all faith traditions are welcome to come and participate in this event.


The event will be held from 7 to 9 pm in the Katonah United Methodist Church Parish Hall at 44 Edgemont Road.  More information is available at www.katonahumc.wordpress.com or 

by calling the church at (914) 232-4094. 

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