Guest guest Posted July 7, 2006 Report Share Posted July 7, 2006 : Thank you for your post. There is no need to apologize, because I realize that those who follow the life and words of that wonderful, Jewish prophet are more about love and hate. The interesting thing about this whole journey is the spiritual awakening that happened as a result. At KSSF, Gity talks about the transformation of mind, body and spirit. For me, all three have been transformed. At one point, Gity asked some of us longer-term post- ops: " You've worked on your mind, you've worked on your body, but what have you done about your spirit? " At that point, I began to attend a church where " No matter where you come from or who you are, you are always welcome here. " It is a church that primarily serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities, but there are a few straight people who belong as well. The thing that this person didn't see is that these people in my church are amazing. We partner with a school to provide " read aloud " time and music instruction. We also sponsor a class and provide all the school supplies (so that the teacher doesn't have to). We support an AIDS orphanage in Zimbabwe, where children with AIDS (who have lost their whole families to AIDS) can be given food, shelter and love. My congregation alone raised $11,000 one Sunday so that the medical center could be built in that orphanage. My church also provides needle exchanges and bag lunches (without judgement) to people to use interveinous drugs to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. There is also a program called " Ladies Night " for prostitutes to educate them on protecting themselves, and to provide social services references to help them get off the streets. My church also sponsors a meal program to feed the hungry, and it goes on and on. So often the gay community is portrayed, particulary in some religious circles, as one driven by baser desires. However, that is not my experience. Through my involvement with my church, I have come to love a community of some of the most dedicated, hard-working, generous and loving people I've ever known. I'm so lucky to be a part of that. I'm so lucky to be part of this community too. We all have our differences here, but the struggle to be healthy is something that links our different life experiences together. A great example of this is my bond with . Our lives couldn't be more different, but she and I are WLS twins. We understand each other like no one else, it seems, and our journies have had some really amazing parallels. I hope your brother has support and love in his life like I am lucky enough to have in mine. Francisco Francisco, > I'm so sorry I missed your birthday! Congratulations! You're a huge > inspiration to me, and I really appreciate all the encouragement and > love you send to each of us! > > As for the fellow you ran into in the Safeway, I'm sorry you had to > deal with that. I don't understand how anyone can presume to speak for > an all-knowing and all-loving God and make such hateful and > judgemental statements. . . > > Cathy C. > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2006 Report Share Posted July 7, 2006 Thank-you Francisco for your wonderful letter. My brother is the pastor of an Open Door church down in Long Beach, which welcomes gay and lesbian as well as anyone else wishing to attend a loving group of people. He is the light of this family. He is very much supported. It is just so sad for people to sit in judgement, because someone is different than they might be. I believe that we were put here to do just the things you and your congregation are doing. After all, isn't that what Jesus did? He was condemned and judged by the Jews and everyone else because he ate with the malcontents. Who is going to give these hope if not us, being His hands. Again thanks, I so appreciate your giving spirit. , : Thank you for your post. There is no need to apologize, because I realize that those who follow the life and words of that wonderful, Jewish prophet are more about love and hate. The interesting thing about this whole journey is the spiritual awakening that happened as a result. At KSSF, Gity talks about the transformation of mind, body and spirit. For me, all three have been transformed. At one point, Gity asked some of us longer-term post- ops: "You've worked on your mind, you've worked on your body, but what have you done about your spirit?" At that point, I began to attend a church where "No matter where you come from or who you are, you are always welcome here." It is a church that primarily serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities, but there are a few straight people who belong as well. The thing that this person didn't see is that these people in my church are amazing. We partner with a school to provide "read aloud" time and music instruction. We also sponsor a class and provide all the school supplies (so that the teacher doesn't have to). We support an AIDS orphanage in Zimbabwe, where children with AIDS (who have lost their whole families to AIDS) can be given food, shelter and love. My congregation alone raised $11,000 one Sunday so that the medical center could be built in that orphanage. My church also provides needle exchanges and bag lunches (without judgement) to people to use interveinous drugs to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. There is also a program called "Ladies Night" for prostitutes to educate them on protecting themselves, and to provide social services references to help them get off the streets. My church also sponsors a meal program to feed the hungry, and it goes on and on. So often the gay community is portrayed, particulary in some religious circles, as one driven by baser desires. However, that is not my experience. Through my involvement with my church, I have come to love a community of some of the most dedicated, hard-working, generous and loving people I've ever known. I'm so lucky to be a part of that. I'm so lucky to be part of this community too. We all have our differences here, but the struggle to be healthy is something that links our different life experiences together. A great example of this is my bond with . Our lives couldn't be more different, but she and I are WLS twins. We understand each other like no one else, it seems, and our journies have had some really amazing parallels. I hope your brother has support and love in his life like I am lucky enough to have in mine. Francisco Francisco, > I'm so sorry I missed your birthday! Congratulations! You're a huge > inspiration to me, and I really appreciate all the encouragement and > love you send to each of us! > > As for the fellow you ran into in the Safeway, I'm sorry you had to > deal with that. I don't understand how anyone can presume to speak for > an all-knowing and all-loving God and make such hateful and > judgemental statements. . . > > Cathy C. > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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