Anglicans Extend Welcome to the LGBTQ Community

My church has been slow in opening the door wide to the gay community but is making as good start with our new priest Canon Erin Martin who ran a regular meeting with LBGTQ people in Newmarket, at her last posting in Sharon. They were widely attended pre-Covid. Now All Saints door in King city is wide open. Canon Erin- is holding an information session for our admittedly older congregation at All Saints King City to set the stage for more active

programs. I know the spirit will open all our hearts to complete loving acceptance of all with different sexual orientations.

There is absolutely no evidence that Jesus had anything to say about this community. Oft quoted references in Paul’s Epistles refer to the problem of men having relations with boys, not to loving couples. Jesus showed his love for prostitutes and others on the margins of his society. There is no reason for Christians not to accept LBGTQ

worshippers.

How things have changed. I remember vividly one day when I was the public affairs counselor at our embassy in Washington a clean suited young man arrived and announced himself as an RCMP officer. He

warned me that my new cultural officer was a “homosexual” – pronounced with distaste – and that while he was “in the closet”, I should be vigilant because he might be subject to blackmail by untrustworthy nations. I was gob smacked. Gays were in a box in those days. My officer, like many, had a girlfriend as cover. Afraid to show his

sexual preference openly. No longer. We’ve come a long way.

I look forward to Canon Erin officiating at our church’s first gay marriage. It’s about time.