Loading...Why I pledge –
When thinking about my speech for today, I reflected on how St. James’ changed everything for me (in a good way). I remember my meeting to discuss baptism, with Reverend Debbie, like it was yesterday. I was meeting with her to discuss being baptized as an adult. The very first question that Revered Debbie asked me was “why now?” my answer to her is below:
I started out my church journey going to church with my grandparents; at the first Christian church of Hanover. My grandparents were highly religious people; my grandfather was a deacon in the church, and my grandma often volunteered to teach Sunday school, and vacation bible school (my grandfather has since passed, but you will sometimes see my grandmother appear and come to church with me – I know that some of you have had her delicious rolls!).
At the first Christian Church of Hanover, baptism is something that is done as an adult once you are ready and therefore, I had not been baptized as a child. I was considered by most the most likely to become a preacher as I was able to recite many verses in the Bible and was really into learning more about the Bible. When I was a teenager, I attended the “teen night” service that my grandparents church offered – off and on. There was even a contest when I was a teenager to see who could find the shortest verse of the Bible. I did not win. BUT I did spend countless hours trying to find that pesky verse. Anyone know what it is?? “Jesus wept.”
It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started to grow away from church. I stopped going with my grandparents unless I stayed the night with them, or we went with them as a family on Easter Sunday. During college I really began to avoid the church as I saw how it was being weaponized in mainstream media – I don’t know if you all know but I am gay, and seeing religion being the weapon that was being used to prevent me and my fellow LGBTQIA+ community members from being able to get married and being accepted into many church congregations really pissed me off.
I’ll keep things short. I later met Tommy, and religion was a big thing for him. Tommy grew up Catholic. I was adamant that we were not going to a Catholic church – mostly because I was scared to go! So, when we started to look for a church community to join, I went to the Oldham County Grapevine page on Facebook and asked about LGTB Q affirming churches. Tina, who Tommy has known for 25 years, mentioned St. James’. Then more and more people started posting about St. James’. Tommy and I decided to check out St. James’ since so many people were talking about how awesome of a place it was, and that LGBTQ folks were allowed to attend and not have to sit and listen to “you are going to Hell” being thrown down our throat. I remember my first sermon with a priest (the very first one was a prayer service due to there being no priest that day), we got to learn about Botox Jesus and the frat boys. It was also a very welcome change to see a gay priest!
Ever since that day, the people of St. James’ have welcomed me unconditionally and allowed me to jump headfirst into a variety of projects and truly made me feel like a member of the family. Had it not been for St. James I do not know that I would have continued to attend a church.
I find the theme this year to be truly fitting – a new beginning – St. James’ was a new Beginning for me, we have a new priest, and we are starting a new year! I am proud to be a member of St James’ and truly live the mission – Loving people (and their pets), Serving people (and their pets!).
