This week, one of our own, Brian Murphy, is leading a significant project that I want you to know about so that you can show your support. The project is called "Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights" and it's being put on by Soulforce NYC, a faith-based organization that is working to create equality and justice and to end discrimination against gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
One of the things that many of you say that you like most about Marble is that we're a "welcoming" community. When we say that, many of us mean that we welcome people of any sexual identity to join our church as full, unapologetic members. We don't think it's a sin to be gay.
It's nice to be part of a church like this (especially since many of us grew up in churches that were... um... different!). It makes us feel good. We believe that we're on the right side of justice and that we're doing what Jesus would do.
But it's not enough to come to church. In our society, homophobia and discrimination against gay and lesbian people is still legal. In many states in our country, gay and lesbian people are actively discriminated against. In many parts of this country, you are not physically safe if you are honest and "out."
Seven Straight Nights is about getting straight people (you know who you are) to stand up and decide that's it's not enough to be on the "right side." It's not enough to have a gay friend or a lesbian aunt. What God needs us to do is work alongside our sisters and brothers who are gay and lesbian to ensure that there are full civil rights. Those rights are God's gift--but it is up to us to make them a reality.
I hope you will come out on Wednesday to Madison Square Park to join Brian and Soulforce NYC at 4:30 PM. I want to invite you to stand up for equal rights; then come and worship at Marble at 6 PM, when we will ask God to bless and strengthen us in this sacred work. |