Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Reverend Brad Schmeling, Rev. Darin Easler and the people of St. John’s Lutheran Church:
I am writing on behalf of the congregation of Gentle Spirit Christian Church and the faithful of this community, to offer this letter of affirmation and support to you and your community who now feel the pain and sorrow caused by outdated polity and oppressive and hypocritical acts of discrimination.
The people of Gentle Spirit stand firmly in faithful prayer and active support with you gentle folks in Christ, and extend to you our hand of friendship and unconditional love. We share deep empathy for the pain caused by the ELCA choice to bring to trial one of God’s greatest gifts: LOVE. As the 21st century dawns we take note of the irony of a denomination whose beginnings had as one of its thesis their ministers not being celibate. As we observe just this small piece of history we can see no legitimate justification for traditions that come out of ancient ignorance, prejudice and fears. If we are to take seriously the Gospel of Jesus the Christ who came to serve and love all and if we take seriously the call of the prophet Micah, who said “But God already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.” Then we must “walk the talk” and live the Gospel – Be the Gospel. If not, can we say that we really are following the Christian path? The decision to bring this good and decent pastor of God to trial for his expression of God’s greatest gift to us all as a crime against the church is not Christian. In fact it brings to our mind the statement of Jesus when he said concerning the leadership of his day, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” Surely, we believe that in this most hypocritical act by ELCA leadership, Jesus would not say anything less.
We offer to Reverend Brad Schmeling, Rev. Darin Easler and the community of St. John’s Lutheran Church sanctuary in the event that the ELCA chooses to un-do God’s call of your ministerial leadership, remove either of you from ordained status or take action to suspend your parish membership. We make this offer without regret or conditions. We make this offer out of love and the recognition of the day arriving when we all truly need to be apart of a Church without walls.
As you now prepare for the journey to come, know that we will stand with you, pray for you and proclaim you as the good, decent and holy people of God that has been placed in our midst for the proclamation of the Gospel.
We offer this prayer of Vienna Cobb Anderson for the community of St. John:
You have created us to live in community,
O God of love;
bless our friends who provide us
with the grace and love of an extended family.
Endow them with the riches of your blessings:
good health, sight, and mobility,
that they may enjoy the wonders of your creation
and share their delight with others.
Bless them with keen minds and compassionate hearts
that they may create a better life for all.
Guard them from injustice, oppression, and evil
that they may know freedom and hope lifelong.
In their waking and in their sleeping,
in their laughter and in their tears,
surround them with your love
until the end of their days;
and so bring them to eternal life in peace.
Through Jesus the Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
God Bless,
Rev. Paul M. Turner
On behalf of the congregation of Gentle Spirit Christian Church
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