I've been out of commission for a couple of months, but wanted to share the following reflections on what I did on my May vacation. Be blessed!
Set Free for a Reason
A sermon preached at First Community Church, Medford, MA, June 5, 2011For the last three weeks, I have been on an amazing journey, both physically and spiritually. It all started when I got on an airplane for Washington, D.C. I’d like to tell you just a little bit about my trip this morning.
I went to Washington, D.C. for a couple of events that were co-sponsored by my denomination, the Metropolitan Community Churches. The first of these was the seventh biennial conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends, and Allies – P.A.D., or simply PAD, for short. It was my first experience of the PAD conference, and I came away with a new appreciation of this thing we call “church”.
The theme of the conference was “Loving Ourselves into Liberation”. The conference invitation had an additional line for friends and allies: “If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, let’s work together.” I was entirely ready to accept that invitation as an ally. Still, I was not sure whether I would feel comfortable at this gathering.
I went to Washington, D.C. for a couple of events that were co-sponsored by my denomination, the Metropolitan Community Churches. The first of these was the seventh biennial conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends, and Allies – P.A.D., or simply PAD, for short. It was my first experience of the PAD conference, and I came away with a new appreciation of this thing we call “church”.
The theme of the conference was “Loving Ourselves into Liberation”. The conference invitation had an additional line for friends and allies: “If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, let’s work together.” I was entirely ready to accept that invitation as an ally. Still, I was not sure whether I would feel comfortable at this gathering.
