CHAPTER 22

Sunday, 5 Aug

John Carlyle came to the front of the chancel after completion of the responsive reading. “Rev. Jameson requested the choir perform Hymn 548, In Christ There is No East or West, as our special music for today. The choir asks the congregation to join with us in singing Verses 3 and 4.” He gave a soft chuckle. “The choir will end the performance with a special Amen.” He started to turn away, then reversed himself. “If you are willing and able, please join hands with your neighbors as we sing Verses 3 and 4.”

The choir proceeded through Verses 1 and 2; the congregation joined the choir as directed with Verse 3:

In Christ is neither Jew nor Greek, and

neither slave nor free; both male and female

heirs are made, and all are kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west, in

him meet south and north; all Christly souls are

one in him throughout the whole wide earth.

Many of the congregants in the almost filled pews held hands with their neighbors. Some people reached from pew to pew and across the central aisle to hold hands. Attendance at the morning services had increased steadily with Eric’s tenure. I wonder, he thought to himself, if we’ll have more or less people in the pews next Sunday?

Jackson Williams stepped to the small pulpit as the congregation finished singing. “Our Scripture for today comes from the Third Chapter of Galatians, Verses 26 through 29:

“Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.”

Jackson, evidencing no indication that his direct participation in the worship service offended a decreasingly small segment of the congregation, left the pulpit to sit beside Miz Lizbeth. Eric rose to deliver the sermon. “Being a minister often involves two major functions, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. I’m not here to afflict anyone today; yet, some of you will be uncomfortable with this sermon. Such discomfort often arises because of a profound misunderstanding about what Holy Scripture actually says concerning the subject of this sermon.

“Today’s bulletin gives the sermon title as, Welcoming Brothers and Sisters into the Community of Believers. A more pertinent sermon title is, Welcoming Homosexuals into the Community of Believers.” A stir of unease swept through the sanctuary. George Hannover glared at Eric. Raymond Taliaferro and Charles Thomas, seated on the second row, smiled at each other. “Recent events in our church life, especially the unfortunate appearance of Biblical ignoramuses at the crossing over services we held for Master Sergeant Phillip Rollins and, also, the events in court last week involving some of our brothers and sisters, compel me to speak out on this issue.

“I will not delve into a scientific discussion of homosexuality, its causes or a misleading Biblical rationale for treatment of what most psychiatrists consider a normal variation in human sexuality. My justification for welcoming homosexuals into our fellowship rests upon more straightforward Biblical principles. I will preach the Bible today while keeping in mind how our consideration of Holy Scripture requires application of the great gifts of intelligence and love God bestowed upon us.

“Much of the unfortunate Christian hostility against homosexuals arises from a mistaken view of Biblical Inerrancy. As typically postulated, Biblical Inerrancy postulates Holy Scripture exists without any error whatsoever - theological, historical, or scientific. Obviously, in view of our current understanding of science, we must be extraordinarily careful when invoking Biblical Inerrancy to explain all human knowledge and its application.

“I am well aware of Leviticus 20:13, which provides a false justification for condemnation of homosexuality: If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. A careful reading of Leviticus reveals the Levitical prohibitions against homosexuality were a Holiness Code originally pertaining only to the priestly class.

“When we delve deeper into Leviticus and other books of the Bible appearing to condemn homosexuality, these same books also contain prohibitions and extreme, even deadly, sanctions against behaviors now considered either acceptable, deserving of only mild punishment, or downright silly: Disobedient children, Sunday work, wives wearing coats made with cloth from two different types of threads, farmers planting more than one type of crop in a single field, women attending church services with uncovered heads, women speaking out or taking leadership roles in church, interracial marriage, birth control, discussing or naming a sexual organ, seeing our parents naked, and treatment of women as property.”

Miz Lizbeth said, “Preach the word, Rev. Eric! Peach the word!”

Eric went on. “While I’m on this roll call of Biblical imperatives we ignore, Holy Scripture not only allows, it insists upon sexual practices and societal conventions vastly different from our present understanding of normalcy and legality. To name a few:  Execution of non-virgin brides, adulterers, and married couples who have sex during the wives’ menstrual periods; a widow of a childless husband must have sequential intercourse with the husband’s brothers until she bears a male child to inherit the husband’s estate; sex with prostitutes for husbands, although not for wives; slavery and sex with slaves; and marriage of 11- 13 year old girls.” Eric shook his head. “Faith-based intellectual honesty requires us to observe all of these prohibitions and approved behaviors, if we’re going to accept homosexuality as a sin. The idea boggles the mind, doesn’t it?

“Let’s consider the sin of Sodom, which all too many people confuse with homosexuality. Yes, Sodom gives rises to sodomy, another term applied to homosexuality. The prophet Ezekiel precisely defined the sin of Sodom: This is the sin of Sodom; she and her suburbs had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not help or encourage the poor and needy. They were arrogant and this was abominable in God’s eyes. Ezekiel seems to inveigh against something other than homosexuality. Was he confused? I think not.

“The original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of Holy Scripture do not contain a word for homosexuality in the present context because the authors did not understand sexual orientation. The concept of sexual orientation did not develop until the late 19th Century. The word homosexuality appeared for the first time in an English translation of Holy Scripture in 1958.”

 Several people seemed to be enjoying the sermon in contrast to the resentment showing on a few faces. “All of the preceding ideas aside, the most important factor for us to consider about these Old Testament ideas comes straight from St. Paul. His epistles and those attributed to him, such as Hebrews, thoroughly explain a fundamental thought for Christians: The so-called Biblical Laws, commonly thought of as Leviticus Codes, do not apply to Christians, either as means to salvation or as directions for behavior. The sacrificial life and death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ negated these former rules for Christians, for those of us who accept Jesus as the Messiah. Remember, the observant Jew, St. Peter under direct orders from God, ate foods Leviticus forbade.”

A shout of “Praise God!” came from someone in the rear of the sanctuary. Eric pressed on. “I spoke a few minutes ago about intellectual honesty. Some of you surely must be waiting for me to explain away St. Paul’s prohibitions against homosexuality. His pronouncements on this subject seem to be straightforward condemnations. As I outlined for the Old Testament, if we accept St. Paul’s condemnation of homosexuality, we also must accept his other condemnations about behavior, issues like the role of women in our church affairs.” Eric looked directly at Allison and Mother Elizabeth, “Some of our female members will be glad to discuss the sins of women speaking out and participating in leadership roles in our church. Interestingly, I don’t see many of our female congregants wearing hats today as St. Paul commanded.

“Church scholars currently debate exactly what St. Paul meant with the Greek words typically translated as homosexuality. Some eminent heterosexual theologians believe St. Paul’s words, or at least how they have been translated, provide an example of Holy Scripture not saying exactly what it means. We don’t need to explore such linguistic concerns. We also don’t need to engage in a discussion of how St. Paul was a product of his time and how human society has evolved since then. We can use a much simpler approach. While St. Paul experienced the power of the risen Christ on the Damascus Road, the great evangelist had no direct personal contact with the living Christ of the Gospels. Why I do I emphasize this point? Certainly not to negate the great impact St. Paul had on our theology.

“Importantly, neither the Old Testament prophets nor the Jesus of the Gospels left any recorded words condemning homosexuality. Some persons believe the purported sin of homosexuality for Biblical Israel was so obvious that the condition required no comment. Obviousness, however, did not restrain the Prophets and Jesus from forcibly preaching against other sins. If homosexuality merits the extreme condemnation received today in some circles,” Eric paused for effect before continuing in a louder voice, “why didn’t the Prophets and Jesus rail against it?” He continued in his normal pulpit voice. “Furthermore, homosexuality does not appear in the Ten Commandments, which many people in this county proudly display on signs in their front yards.

“Our consideration of homosexuality should include what many people regard among Jesus’ most important words when asked to define the greatest Commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. I believe the New Testament meaning of neighbor includes heterosexuals and homosexuals, as well as prostitutes, tax collectors, and other sinners.

“From our beginning, the Community of Believers has welcomed all who profess belief in God as Parent, Son, and Holy Spirit, and who commit to living as best they can according to Jesus’ great commandment. All of us have sinned, homosexuals and heterosexuals alike; all are eligible for incorporation into the Community of Believers. No sin justifies exclusion or expulsion from the Community.”

Eric looked at his watch. “I must bring this sermon to a close. Some of you already are anxious about getting to Sweet Gum Barbeque and Fish Lodge before our Baptist and Holiness brothers and sisters. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

John Carlyle motioned for the choir and congregation to stand. “We will close with Verses 1 and 6 of Hymn 549, Where Charity and Love Prevail:”

Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found; brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound.

Love can exclude no race or creed if honored be God’s name; our common life embraces all whose Maker is the same.

Eric gave the benediction at front of the chancel and walked along the central aisle to the front of the church. “Jackson,” Miz Lizbeth said in a firm voice carrying across the sanctuary, “wheel me behind Rev. Eric. We must stand with him.” Jackson did as instructed. Allison, Joseph, Raymond Taliaferro, Charles Thomas, and several other congregants followed to stand with Eric at the front doors of the church.

What, Eric asked himself, a protective buffer or a show of solidarity? Same thing, he realized.

* * * * * *

Allison, Eric, and Joseph ate lunch in the On The Square Restaurant. From their table at the front window, they saw several people putting the final decorative touches on the gazebo in the City Park across the railroad tracks bisecting Vickery. Approximately one hundred folding chairs occupied most of the lawn in front of the gazebo. “Mr. Taliaferro sure knows how to organize things,” Joseph said. 

“Look at how many white carnations festoon the gazebo.”

“Festoon?” Allison asked. “In the sense of adorned?”

“My choice of descriptor seems more manly.”

“We should probably make our way to the gazebo,” Eric said. They crossed the railroad tracks and joined the several people milling about the park or already seated.

“Eric,” Allison said, “why don’t you find Raymond and Charles for last minute encouragement. Joseph and I will wait for Miz Lizbeth and Jackson.”

“Let’s stake out some seats on the front row,” Joseph said. “I’ll move a couple of chairs away from the aisle so Miz Lizbeth can sit with us.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Eric said. He saw Raymond and Charles enter the back of the gazebo. Eric walked to meet them as the string orchestra in the gazebo began Pachelbel’s Canon, often played at weddings. “You guys ready for the big event?” he asked Raymond and Charles.

“We are,” Raymond said.

Charles said, “Indeed.”

They sat together waiting for 2 o’clock, the stated time for beginning the ceremony. The District Superintendent and Bishop Jacob Lion came to the front row to shake hands with Miz Lizbeth and Jackson. The two Methodist officials sat across the aisle from Miz Lizbeth.

Exactly at the stated time, the orchestra and two trumpeters transitioned into Mendelssohn’s classical wedding march. When the music finished, Eric walked to the front of the gazebo. He touched a finger to the FM microphone on his lapel to make sure the sound system operated correctly. Satisfied with the result, he announced, “Friends, we gather together on this fine afternoon to witness the ceremony formally uniting Raymond Wilson Taliaferro and Charles Lawson Thomas. The commitment between Raymond and Charles transcends the present laws of church and state. Now, will Raymond and Charles please come forward to stand with me?”

Eric opened the ceremony he had adapted from the United Methodist Service of Christian Marriage. “Raymond and Charles come before us to give themselves to one another in what they and I believe is a holy relationship.” Eric looked from one side of the audience to the other. “By your presence, you also must believe in the holiness of this commitment.” He once again spoke to Raymond and Charles. “I ask the two of you in the presence of God and these friends to declare your relationship with one another through the grace of Jesus Christ, who calls you into relationship with himself as acknowledged in your baptism.

“Raymond, will you have Charles to be your beloved partner, to live together in a holy relationship of commitment? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”

Raymond said, “I will.”

Eric asked the same question of Charles and received an equally strong affirmative answer. Turning to the assembly, Eric invoked the people to approve the relationship. “Will all of you, by God’s grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for Raymond and Charles in their committed relationship?”

Following scripts the ushers had distributed, the congregation responded with, “We will.”

Raymond, in response to Eric’s nod, declared, “I, Raymond Wilson Taliaferro, take you, Charles Lawson Thomas, to be my life partner.”

“I, Charles Lawson Thomas, take you, Raymond Wilson Taliaferro, to be my life partner.”

Raymond and Charles spoke in unison, “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us. This is our solemn vow.”

Both men put expensive gold rings on each other’s fingers. Eric said, “These rings symbolize the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to us,” he swept his right hand across the assembled people, “the relationship between Jesus Christ and his church, and the holy relationship between Raymond and Charles.”

The people responded with “Amen.”

Eric brought the ceremony to a close. “You, Raymond and Charles, have declared your consent and vows before God and these people assembled here. May God confirm your covenant and may you be filled with God’s grace.” Eric lifted his hands skyward. “I declare Raymond and Charles to be life partners in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.”

“Amen,” came from the people.

Raymond and Charles embraced and exchanged a kiss. Eric said, “Mrs. Elizabeth Andrews, better known to most of you as Miz Lizbeth, will host a reception at her home for Raymond, Charles, and all in attendance here today. There will be food, libations of all kinds, music, and, if the Spirit so moves anyone, dancing. The festivities will begin as soon as we can gather at the Big House.”

* * * * * *

When Eric, Allison, and Joseph entered the Big House, they saw Sister Ruth, and Cathy talking with Miz Lizbeth in the great room. Cathy and Joseph immediately left the room together.  Big Al and Sister Ruth moved across the room to stand with Eric and Allison. “Miz Lizbeth,” Big Al said, “tells me Rev. Eric conducted a great commitment ceremony for Mr. Taliaferro and his partner.”

“I hope so,” Eric said.

Allison said, “He did a superb job, conducted a wonderful service.”

Big Al took a deep breath. “As you probably know, most of my black brothers and sisters don’t like the idea of homosexuality.”

“Not even the men who practice down low?” Eric asked.

Big Al shook his head. “I’m not as courageous as you with respect to homosexuality.”

“We need to choose our battles carefully. I’m not upset you didn’t make an appearance at the gazebo. Hey, you’re here at the reception.”

“Yes,” Sister Ruth said, “and, my husband shouldn’t worry so much. He can’t do any more than he can.”

“That’s all any of us should do,” Eric said.

Big Al said, “Thanks for your understanding.”

Allison asked Sister Ruth, “Did you see where your granddaughter and my son went?”

“Probably where they can be together without any direct adult supervision.”

“Joseph knows all of the good hiding spots on this property. Miz Lizbeth frequently invites him out here.”

Sister Ruth asked, “Do you have any reservations about Catherine and your son being so close?”

Allison shook her head. “I’ll give you two responses. If you mean any racial reservations, no, definitely not. If you mean am I worried about any sexual consequences, I have every reason to believe your granddaughter exercises great control over my sometimes impetuous son. I couldn’t be happier the two of them like each other so much. What about you?”

“We feel the same.”

Big Al said, “You, like so many single mothers in our community, have raised a fine young man. We love him.”

Sister Ruth said, pointing to Eric, “You’ll have some help during the oncoming teenage years.”

“Shall we go out to the deck and enjoy the late afternoon breeze?” Eric asked. The others followed his lead.

Allison said, “Look, Joseph and Cathy are fishing in the lake. I might have known.”

Big Al asked, “Does Joseph catch a lot of fish in the lake?”

“He does,” Allison said. “He fishes out here as often as he can.”

“Do you clean the fish he catches?” Sister Ruth asked.

“Miz Lizbeth makes him throw what he catches back into the lake. She says she’ll let him keep any trophy-sized fish he can land. So far, no trophies to hang on his bedroom wall, despite his unrelenting persistence.”

Sister Ruth asked, “Is Joseph allowed to fish from a boat. I wouldn’t like for Cathy to be out on the water alone with him.”

“Ruth,” Big Al said, “you know Cathy swims very well.”

“Miz Lizbeth,” Allison said, “absolutely prohibits Joseph from going out on the water without an adult present. He understands the rules and will obey them, if he wants to keep fishing in the lake.” She smiled. “Even so, I’ll caution him about the matter, tell him to stay on shore, with or without Cathy.”

Big Al asked, “Do you have a date for your wedding?”

“Soon,” Eric said. “I’ve contacted my best man. He will let me know tomorrow when he and his wife can be here. I impressed upon him, the sooner the better.”

Bishop Lyon and Rev. Wright, both holding drinks, joined the group. “Good to see all of you,” the District Superintendent said. “I hope you’re well.”

“Extraordinarily so,” Big Al answered.

“We haven’t met, Ms. Stevens,” Bishop Lyon extended his hand. “I am Bishop Jacob Lyon, and I’m glad to meet you.”

Allison shook hands with the Bishop. “A pleasure to meet you, Bishop.” She spoke to Rev. Wright. “You must be Eric’s district superintendent.” She offered her hand to Rev. Wright.

Rev. Wright shook hands with Allison. “We probably need a loose definition of ‘supervision’ in relation to Rev. Eric. I understand you’ve undertaken the task of taming him.”

“I want Eric to be a little wild and not boring.”

The District Superintendent laughed heartily. “He came close to stepping onto the wild side this afternoon. Thankfully, he remained on the reservation, even if at the border.”

Bishop Lyon said, “Your future husband struck exactly the right notes this afternoon. I particularly liked the way he used, ‘relationship’ rather than ‘union’ or ‘marriage’ in the ceremony.”

“Thanks,” Eric said.

“Do you expect any blowback from your congregation?”

“Some congregants will be unhappy. They may be the noise makers.”

“Did you ask your Staff Parish Relations Committee to approve your conducting the service?”

The District Superintendent said, “I’ll bet he didn’t. He prefers the approach of asking forgiveness after the fact rather seeking permission before the fact.” Rev. Wright turned to Big Al. “Rev. Eric did consult with me and I gave him the requisite bureaucratic cover.”

Bishop Lyon said, “Rev. Jameson, if the repercussions escalate, Paul and I have your back, so to speak. We support what you did and the way you did it.”

“Thanks for your support today and for your future support,” Eric said. “I hope the two of you won’t face any problems resulting from your presence at the ceremony.”

Bishop Lyon said, “Some controversy might be a good way to further the discussion on homosexuality. We assigned Rev. Jameson the task of bringing VUMC fully into the Twenty-First Century.” The Bishop spoke directly to Big Al. “ Our job will be to do the same with the larger church.”

Eric saw Big Al’s increasing discomfort with the direction and tenor of the conversation. “My glass is empty, as is yours Allison. Why don’t we all go back into Miz Lizbeth’s great room for refills and greet some of the other guests?”

The Bishop gave what Eric interpreted as a smile of approval. “Well-said. All this theological talk makes me thirsty.” He looked toward the pond. “Who are those two young people catching fish and throwing them back in the water?”

Sister Ruth said, “Our granddaughter, Catherine, and Allison’s son, Joseph.”

“Well, if they tear themselves away from the fish and come back to the house, maybe they’ll give me some pointers.”

Allison gave one of her warm chuckles. “Joseph knows food will be available in the Big House. The Hunger Monster probably will strike him before too much longer. As usual, he also will agitate for a taste of the aqua vitae.”

“Will you agree to let him have alcohol?” Sister Ruth asked.

“You have reservations about Cathy partaking at her young age?”

“I do.”

“I’ll put the quietus on my son. For your information, I seldom indulge him in most of his attempts to grow up too fast.”

 Big Al said, “Young people today do seem to be in an awful hurry to grow up.”

Allison spoke to the Bishop, “I’ll introduce you to Cathy and Joseph when they get here.” She gave a loud, thoroughly unladylike whistle to get Cathy and Joseph’s attention. She motioned for the two of them to come to the house. They reeled in their lines and left the lake. “Let’s hope,” Allison said, “they wash their hands before they join us.”

Sister Ruth said, “Catherine can be fastidious on occasion. She’ll probably see to the hygiene.”