Christians for Equality: Human sexuality is not sinful — prejudice and bigotry are
On December 8, 2011, Christians for Equality held a press conference at Anchorage’s First Congregational Church in support of the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative. Among the prepared statements read at the press conference was that of Rev. Sara Gavit of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, which Bent Alaska presents here.
Rev. Sara Gavit is the Pastoral Minister at St. Mary’s. She was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal Church (United States) on June 4, 2011. The Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative is an April 2012 ballot measure by the One Anchorage campaign to offer the same legal protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people already offered to all other Anchorage residents.
Statement of Rev. Sara Gavit at Christians for Equality press conference, 8 Dec 2011
by Rev. Sara Gavit, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
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I am blessed to be a member of two vibrant, caring communities — the Christian faith community and the gay community.
It is my hope and prayer that the third community of which I am a citizen — the city of Anchorage — will come together in support of equality. That this community will step up and provide legal protection for all of us.
In my ministry, I comfort those who have been deeply wounded by discrimination –
our brothers and sisters in Christ — gay, lesbian, transgendered people — who have been rejected and mistreated and abused. Rejected and mistreated by their families, by churches, by civic leaders. People whose voices are not heard, whose relationships are discounted, and whose rights are not protected. Simply because we are honest about who we are.
Honesty is a Christian value. Integrity is a Christian value.
A man came to me and said that he doesn’t care that his son is gay, he isn’t fearful about who his son is. What scares this father is that his son will be attacked because of who he is. This father fears for his son’s safety.
As a Christian and as a spiritual leader, I am called to work toward creating a safe place for all people. To create a place where all people are treated with respect.
I am called, as a minister, to help people grow into wholeness. To be healthy and whole and to be open to God’s love and grace all around us.
As a mother and a grandmother, I have a responsibility to create a place where all children can thrive and grow and be who they are. A place where everyone is treated fairly.
It is not enough to tell our children that “it gets better”. We have to make this community better. That is my hope and prayer. That together, the citizens of this city will step up and make this community even better.
Human sexuality is not sinful. Prejudice and bigotry are.
The core teaching of our Christian faith is compassion, not condemnation.
When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, he said there are two commandments from which everything flows. Two mandates that guide our relationship with God and our relationships with each other. He said we are to love God with every ounce of our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
I am your neighbor.
The Rev. Sara Gavit
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Anchorage
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Tags: Christianity, Christians for Equality (Anchorage), One Anchorage, Proposition 5 Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative (2011-2012), Sara Gavit, St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Anchorage)
