ona sunday

Every church is free to decide its own course. (https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/06/12/for-gender-fluid-pope-enlightenment-has-soul-crushing-limits/IhTx2PER9Lxo8VfyubY0AN/story.html)

​One of the reasons why I am proud to be a member of the United Church of Christ is that it embraces Jesus' openness to all people, especially the ones most in need, the ones pushed to the side, the ones rejected in God's name.  There is an alternate and valid reading of Mark 1:41 that goes like this:  "Moved with anger, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched [the leper]" 

​Jesus' anger is directed against a religious system that would cause a person in desperate need to wonder if God were also disgusted with him.  Jesus doesn't only heal the leper, the man declared ritually unclean and unfit to be in God's presence, Jesus touches the person.  Jesus becomes unclean.  Jesus connects with the man and simultaneously destroys the notion that God rejects the ones we reject in His name.  This is the Jesus behind Open and Affirming.  ONA is not only "fashionable."  It is gospel.

The UCC celebrates "Open and Affirming Sunday" this year on June 30th.  I am not sure why this Sunday was chosen, but June 28, 1969 is the date of the Stonewall Inn riot in NYC, 50 years ago.  I imagine there must be a connection.  On this day we will celebrate Jesus' extravagant welcome of all God's people whoever they may be.  This is the course that the UCC has decided to follow.
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Rev. Randy