The Park Avenue Christian Church

Kamer...

2011-03-25T19:37:00.002-04:00

On March 19th, The Park had the pleasure of hosting Kamer...,

a Latvian choir that is one of the world's most acclaimed volunteer choirs.

2011 Heschel-King Interfaith Service

2011-01-27T10:59:00.001-05:00

The 14th Annual Heschel-King Interfaith Service was a fitting tribute to the friendship of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The evening was especially warm and intimate, with the combined choirs of The Park and Congregation Da'at Elohim leading us in prayer.

Rev. Dr. Jon M. Walton, Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, received the 8th Annual Heschel-King Award for Interfaith Activism. His sermon, "Is there only one God, and is ours the right one?" was a paen to interfaith acceptance and cooperation.

Like A Bird Up In The Sky

2011-01-13T10:32:00.002-05:00

Paul Vasile, our beloved Minister of Music, reminded me after having attended the New Year's Eve Watch Night Service at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, of the song, I Wish I Knew How to be Free.

It became one of the anthems of the Civil Rights movement written by Billy Taylor, jazz pianist and composer who died this past December and was memorialized at the Riverside Church this past Monday. Taylor wrote the song in 1967 for the iconic Nina Simone.

I have been humming it for the past few weeks. It has become in many ways my theme song for the new year -- particularly so in light of the tragedy in Tucson.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: History of the Park

2011-01-06T13:43:00.003-05:00

The tour concludes back where it started at the Park Avenue Christian Church on east 85th street. In 1945 the congregation moved to its current location at 1010 Park Avenue. It was constructed the Old South Dutch Reform Church whose history goes back to the 1600s. Rev. Payne discusses at length the significance of the church’s unique completely gothic architecture and how the congregation has come to truly appreciate its current home.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Central Christian Church

2011-01-06T13:42:00.000-05:00

As we pass through the 56th street church we move to the 81st street location of the Central Christian Church. On the way passengers on the bus break into song about the Central Christian. This church was home to the Chinese Bible School, which began at 56th street location in 1899 and was there for over a decade before moving to 81st street.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Disciples Community House

2011-01-06T13:40:00.000-05:00

We travel to Second Avenue at 10th street where Rev. Payne discusses the Disciples Community House. This center served thousands of people per year, yet it was short-lived because the financing supporting the community house was cut due to the depression.

The Disciples Meeting House & Urban C. Brewer

2011-01-06T13:38:00.001-05:00

Rev. Payne discusses the history of “the Disciples Meeting House”. He comments on Silas Shepard, the congregation’s first full-time pastor, and Urban C. Brewer, a strong supporter of the abolitionist movement.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: 80 Greene Street and Mr. Parmley

2011-01-06T13:35:00.004-05:00

Rev. Payne discusses the congregation’s move to 80 Greene Street in modern day SoHo at a facility built on the property of one of its members, Eleazor Parmley. He also talks about the state of New York during this time period.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: St. John's Lane

2011-01-06T13:32:00.003-05:00

We travel to St. John’s Lane where the congregation met as the “Primitive Christian Church of the Disciples” from 1831 to 1837.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Chinese Bible School

2011-01-06T13:30:00.002-05:00

Rev. Payne talks about the inception of the Chinese Bible School, a major program of the church, and tells an anecdote about the boys of the school.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: The Watch House

2011-01-06T13:08:00.005-05:00

Rev. Payne gives background information to the second meeting place of the disciples, the watch house, which is located at present day ground zero. The watch house used to be used by the city’s volunteer police department.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: A Little Town Called Greenwich

2011-01-06T12:59:00.008-05:00

Rev. Payne talks about the origins of the Disciples of Christ and their first meeting place at the home of members William and Sarah Ovington in present day Greenwich Village. It was at this location that the early members started the congregation in October of 1810.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Rev. Payne's Introduction to the Trip

2011-01-06T12:57:00.004-05:00

Rev. John Wade Payne talks to descendants of original Disciple members and gives an introduction to the bus tour that will span the congregation’s past locations in New York City.

Pastor Jackson on ABC World News

2010-09-29T21:25:00.004-04:00

Pastor Alvin Jackson contributed to a report, "Christian by Choice: How Do We Choose Religion?" that was broadcast on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer on September 29.

Chamber Opera and Chamber Music at The Park

2010-09-18T07:11:00.007-04:00

On September 24 and 25, we'll be hosting the world premiere of Blood Rose, a new chamber opera by Hannah Lash. The performance features The JACK Quartet, a modern chamber music ensemble.

This short video shows the virtuoso talent and spirit that the quartet brings to the evening.

Tickets on sale here.

On September 30, we welcome New York Philomusica, the Rockland County chamber music ensemble enjoying their 39th season. NYP presents works by Bach, Haydn, and Schubert at 8 pm. A special "meet the artist" session begins at 7:30.

Tickets on sale here.

The Park Avenue Youth Chorale

2010-08-29T18:23:00.003-04:00

We're so proud of our Youth Chorale. Here is a short video showing a rehearsal session during their recent summer music camp.

Making a Difference in the Lives of Pakistanis

2010-08-25T14:05:00.003-04:00

How much more can the people of Pakistan handle? We can practically hear them crying out, "How long, O Lord, how long?" The flooding in Pakistan has been absolutely devastating; beyond what anyone anticipated. The scope of the flooding, as illustrated by this video, is incredible, and the damage done by the rising waters will take years-if not decades-from which to recover. Our hearts ache for our sisters and brothers in Pakistan.

As always, Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, is there -- thanks to you. Your gifts are already at work in Pakistan, channeled through our ecumenical partner organizations, Church World Service and the member agencies of the ACT Alliance, doing all we can to respond to this overwhelming disaster. And we will continue to work non-stop to provide aid to those in need. Our colleagues in the CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan Office have produced this short video highlighting the needs in Pakistan so you might get a closer look at the situation on the ground:

We invite you to continue to help us make a difference in the lives of the people of Pakistan. Please partner with us to make a difference. 100% of your designated gift to Pakistan flood relief will be immediately directed to relief efforts there.

Pakistan faces a desperate situation. Your partnership, your faith, your Courageous Compassion go a long way in helping the healing begin. Thank you so much for your support!

Pastor J's 60/40 Celebration

2010-07-20T09:32:00.007-04:00

Last Thursday evening, we celebrated two very significant milestones in the life of Pastor Alvin Jackson -- his 60th birthday (which was on July 10th) and the 40th anniversary of his call to ministry (while a student at Chapman University in 1970, Pastor J sensed his calling and began a journey that was completed in 1976 with his ordination after seminary at Duke University.)

We had a fun evening of music, food, stories, and two special guests from Tougaloo College -- president Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan and board member Isaac K. Byrd, Jr.

Special thanks to all those who made donations -- in honor of Pastor Jackson -- to the Clyde Cullen Jackson Scholarship Fund at Tougalee College. The fund, in memory of Pastor Jackson's father, has raised over $20,000.

The Ordination of Rev. Luis-Alfredo Cartagena-Zayas

2010-05-27T10:04:00.002-04:00

This beautiful service -- held on Pentecost Sunday -- celebrated the ordination of Rev. Luis-Alfredo Cartagena in the Christian ministry. Rev. Luis-Alfredo's story is a remarkable one, and we are blessed to have him (and his wonderful wife, Rev. Dr. Evelyn DeJesus-Cartagena) as part of our ministry team.

Week of Compassion's efforts in Haiti

2010-02-04T13:08:00.004-05:00

Rev. Amy Gopp, executive director of the Disciple's Week of Compassion, reports on our relief efforts in Haiti.

Ruth Messinger Receives the Heschel-King Award

2010-01-21T15:04:00.002-05:00

On January 18th, in an interfaith service conducted by the Park Avenue Christian Church and Congregation Da'at Elohim, Ruth Messinger received the Heschel-King Award for Interfaith Activism.

Her acceptance speech follows in four parts.

Children's Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T22:42:00.001-05:00

Highlights of The Park's special family service held on Christmas Eve.

Hark! The Park Christmas Concert

2009-12-23T12:30:00.005-05:00

This first video is a "highlight reel" of the beautiful voices and magnificent music by the Park Avenue Christian Church choir and instrumental ensembles that inspired us on December 22.

The Gospel Choir.

The Park Avenue Youth Chorale.

The finale, with everyone joining in and singing.

"A Christmas Carol" with Gerald Charles Dickens

2009-12-06T14:34:00.003-05:00

On December 4th and 5th, Gerald Charles Dickens -- the great-great-grandson of author Charles Dickens -- performed "A Christmas Carol" in our gothic sanctuary. As we process the video and still photographs, we present an interview with Mr. Dickens conducted by WNYC's Kerry Nolan.

Family Harvest Costume Party

2009-11-03T18:51:00.002-05:00

The Park opened its doors on October 31 to local families for arts 'n crafts, storytelling, and a sing-along in the organ loft!

Thanks to minister of music Paul Vasile and storyteller Lily Nass and all the families that joined us for some wholesome fun.

Eric Lamb

2009-10-26T11:05:00.002-04:00

This video shows Eric Lamb playing Mozart's G-major flute concerto in a rehearsal with the Polish Chamber Orchester (extract), Andreas Hotz conducting in September 2006.

Eric is appearing in concert at The Park on Sunday, November 1 at 3:00 pm.

Kinan Azmeh at The Park on Oct. 28

2009-10-21T13:58:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday, October 28 at 8 pm, join us for an evening of original compositions and inspiring improvisations with the Kinan Azmah Quartet. The ensemble features Kinan Azmeh, clarinet, composer, Kyle Sanna, guitar, John Hadfield, percussion, and Josh Myers, double bass.

Described as “engagingly flamboyant” by the L.A Times and “a virtuosic, unique sound” by the Daily Star, Kinan Azmeh is one of Syria’s rising stars. Combining classical training from Juilliard with a deep understanding of diverse musical traditions, Kinan’s unique compositions bridge Classical, Jazz, Electronica and Arabic genres.

Tickets are available for $15 through SmartTix.com

Who are the "Disciples?"

2009-10-06T13:56:00.002-04:00

This short video, A Movement for Wholeness, is a look at the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as told through its members.

The video explains the Church's identity statement and its four priorities of witness and work.

The Blessing of the Animals

2009-09-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

We welcomed many new friends to The Park on September 27, 2009 to honor the special relationship between all of God's creatures.

William J. Vila sings the National Anthem

2009-09-10T17:50:00.002-04:00

The Park is made up of many awesome people sharing their talents and love. Church choir and men's club member William J. Vila sang the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the WNBA New York Liberty game on September 8th.

Bishop John Shelby Spong

2009-09-03T20:53:00.007-04:00

Bishop John Shelby Spong will be speaking at The Park Avenue Christian Church on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm. Click here for free tickets and more information about his lecture.

Here are two videos with excerpts from his recent talks.

"If God is the source of life, then the only way to worship God is by living fully."

"Salvation... [is about] enhancing your humanity, rather than rescuing you from it."

Easter Sunday 2009

2009-04-12T15:41:00.002-04:00

Visit the Park Avenue Christian Church

Christmas Eve 2008

2008-12-25T03:00:00.006-05:00

Rev. Katherine Kinnamon gives a tour of Christmas preparations.

The Sanctuary Choir, under the direction of Paul Vasile, Minister of Music, performs an opening carol.

"A Long Time Ago in Bethlehem," performed by the Sanctuary Choir.

Pastor Jackson begins his Christmas message, "The Gift of Presence."

The second part of "The Gift of Presence."

A very moving candlelit "Silent Night," led by the Sanctuary Choir closed the service.

2009 Heschel-King Interfaith Service

2008-11-20T14:16:00.001-05:00

The video above presents highlights of the first half of the service.
The video below shows the second half, including the awarding of the
Heschel-King Award for Interfaith Activism to Dr. Akbar Ahmed.

The following is a photo slide show of the entire service.

Visit The Park Avenue Christian Church and

The Temple of Universal Judaism

2008 Heschel-King Interfaith Service

2008-01-12T12:51:00.002-05:00

The congregations of both the Park Avenue Christian Church and the Temple of Universal Judaism joined together for a service honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his trusted colleague and friend Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel both fought for civil rights in America and interfaith relations internationally.

The 5th Annual Heschel-King Award for Interfaith Activism was awarded to Rabbi David Saperstein, the head of the Center for Religious Action of Reform Judaism in Washington, DC., on January 18, 2008.

We were treated to readings of the words of Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel, the music of Reggis Harris and Rabbi Jonathan Kligler, and a call to action from Rabbi Saperstein. A special treat was a new musical work, "In Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." by Karl Jenkins, performed by Laurie Singer on cello and Andrew Adams on the church's magnificent organ.

The congregants, led by Reggie Harris and Rabbi Kligler, ended the service by joining together in a rousing rendition of "We Shall Overcome."

Rabbi Saperstein, Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor of TUJ, and Rev. Dr. Alvin O'Neal Jackson joined the congregants in the Idleman Parlor for fellowship after the service.

Visit The Park Avenue Christian Church and

The Temple of Universal Judaism

Visit to a Los Angeles Mosque with Dr. Akbar Ahmed

2008-01-06T13:10:00.001-05:00

Dr. Akbar Ahmed, former ambassador to Great Britain from Pakistan and an Islamic scholar and leader, has been touring the United States to spread a message of interfaith understanding and peace. This video, made by the students accompanying Dr. Ahmed, is from his recent visit to a Los Angeles mosque.

Dr. Ahmed will be receiving the Heschel-King Award for Interfaith Activism from the Park Avenue Christian Church and the Temple of Universal Judaism during a joint interfaith service on January 19th in New York City.

Visit The Park Avenue Christian Church and

The Temple of Universal Judaism

Being Faithful to Scripture AND Open and Affirming

2007-12-11T13:42:00.000-05:00

by Richard E. Sturm, January 4, 2009

The following are notes that Rev. Sturm made for his Sunday Forum appearances at the Park Avenue Christian Church in January and February 2009.

At our Northeast Regional Assembly, Sept 13, 2008, countering statements Judith Wray and I had just made in support of a pro-Open and Affirming (O&A) resolution PACC was sponsoring, a young woman won the debate against our proposal with her conclusion: “In my Bible it says homosexuality is an abomination.”

This reading is widespread. Nearly all of us old enough to remember the King James Version (KJV) grew up with it, and a large majority of church-going Christians in this country today still believe this is the only possible interpretation. To think otherwise, they contend, is to twist the scriptures at the hands of liberal permissiveness. Indeed, many (if not most) liberals who are O&A in outlook assume that in the case of homosexuality, the Bible simply has to be set aside.

Nearly twenty years ago, our congregation became “Open and Affirming.” After Bible Study led by our Elders, we came to a different conclusion. We contend that the O&A position welcoming gays and lesbians into the church and all its privileges and responsibilities (like being baptized, partaking of communion, and becoming ordained) is actually more faithful to Scripture than the old, conventional approach.

MAIN PROBLEMS

I see three main problems here: (1) definition of terms (like “homosexuality,” “unnatural,” and “abomination”); (2) interpretation of specific Old Testament (OT) & New Testament (NT) passages (like Gen 19, Lev 18, and Rom 1:26-27); and (3) the nature and function of biblical authority (the way Scripture is being approached and used with regard to faith).

I would like to look briefly at each of these three problems and then draw some conclusions regarding the significance of the topic for our culture and our church. We may want or need to explore these problems at greater length at a Sunday Forum later this winter.

If there is interest, I also have a bibliography of many of the important texts on this topic in Biblical Studies and the Church, but two works were most helpful for me in this Forum: Willard M. Swartley’s Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women (Herald, 1983), an excellent resource for hearing how devout Christians in the early 1800s argued biblically in favor of slavery; and Jack Rogers’ Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church (Westminster/John Knox, 2008), especially helpful for presenting unbiased exegesis of problematic passages in the Bible, as well as sensitivity to the pastoral concerns and enormous harm in the Church’s conventional approach to this topic.

(1) Definition of terms.

“Homosexual/homosexuality” is a modern term and conception, first appearing in 1892, in C. G. Chaddock’s translation of a German phrase in Krafft-Ebing’s Psychopatheia Sexualis 3:255, referring to a patient who “had been free from homo-sexual inclinations.” (Rogers 138, n 23).

A large percentage (the majority?) of Americans continue to assume the term refers to a mental disorder or moral perversion, despite the conclusion of the American Psychiatric Association in 1973 and the American Psychological Association in 1975 that homosexuality is neither.

In 1994, both scientific bodies confirmed their earlier conclusion: “The research on homosexuality is very clear. Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity. It is simply the way a minority of our population expresses human love and sexuality. Study after study documents the mental health of gay men and lesbians. Studies of judgment, stability, reliability, and social and vocational adaptiveness all show that gay men and lesbians function every bit as well as heterosexuals” (Rogers 98).

This understanding goes one step further in a position statement on the treatment of homosexual patients in 1997: “Same-gender sexual orientation cannot be assumed to represent a deficit in personality development or the expression of psychopathology. As with any societal prejudice, anti-homosexual bias negatively affects mental health, contributing to an enduring sense of stigma and pervasive self-criticism in people of same-gender sexual orientation through the internalization of such prejudice” (Rogers 99).

The scientific community of psychiatrists and psychologists define homosexuality as an orientation (N.B., not a “lifestyle”), an instinctual attraction to persons of one’s own gender. Therefore, it is no more ethical or unethical than heterosexuality—like left-handedness, simply the characteristic of a minority. But when homosexuality is assumed to be equivalent to a psychological and moral disease, as so many in our society still do, the consequences can become deadly.

I think of the terrible statistics on teen suicides and the youth growing up in congregations where preachers perpetuate the definition of homosexuality as a sin or abomination. At the Regional Assembly, I questioned whether such “Christian” education, sanctifying a popular prejudice, is not really a sin against the Holy Spirit, if, as O & A congregations affirm, God has created us all in God’s image. Our Pastor refers to this understanding of Creation as the “divinity of diversity.”

If the word, “homosexual” has only been around 106 years, what are the biblical (Greek and Hebrew) words that have been translated or related to homosexuality?

“Unnatural” = para physin (vs. kata physin, “according to nature”) [Rom 1]

Arsenokoitai—and malakoi = “sodomites” (KJV), child molesters, perverts?—and “catamites,” effeminates [1 Cor 6]

“Abomination” = toevah ב ע ת [bdelygma, βδελύγμα] (ritually unclean, dirty, impure, unjewish)—like pork, shellfish, cheeseburgers, leprosy, or any parent-cursing child. [Lev 18; 20]

(2) Interpretation of eight specific OT and NT passages.

There is not time in this Forum to explore any of these passages in depth, which we may want or need to do in another session. But it should prove helpful simply to get an overview of the troublesome texts. [Evidence of irrational bias here? Sins of greed and economic injustice have hundreds and hundreds of references; “Homosexuality,” even if that is what the Bible is talking about, is a minor concern.]

Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:1-29; Jude 5-7); cf. Rape of the Levite’s Concubine (Judg 19:1-30). In OT, references to the sins of Sodom = inhospitality (as in Mt 10:15, Lk 10:12), greed, injustice, excess wealth, indifference to the poor, general wickedness. Only later rabbinic and Christian texts does the emphasis shift to same sex violation. [Originally, concern seems focused on improper intermingling of what God wants to be kept separate—namely, human beings and heavenly beings, angels (see Gen 6:1ff). Note also the evidence in these texts of uncritical sexism, the devaluing of women. Finally, note the need for ancient Israelites and Jews to be distinct from pagan neighbors.]

Holiness Code Commandments (Lev 18:22; 20:13), “lying with a man as with a woman.” Proscribed punishment = death by stoning. [Note evidence of bias again? Is anyone arguing for capital punishment of rebellious children? There seems to be selective literalism and sexual obsession at play here.]

Vice Lists (1 Cor 6:9; 1 Tim 1:10), sexual exploitation, (cultic) prostitution. [Note the sexism evident here, i.e., men abhorring being considered womanly. There is no awareness or consideration of sexual orientation and attraction or relationships of love.]

Natural Order (Rom 1:26-27), idolatry, degrading passions, acc to contemporary Jewish righteousness. [Again, Paul shows no awareness of sexual orientation and same sex attraction in the natural world. Moreover, most readers fail to recognize Paul’s line of argument, evident in Rom 2:1 and 3:21-26, in which (Jewish Christian) judgmentalism against (Gentile) lawlessness is also condemned. Paul reminds all Christians in Rome that human beings cannot be differentiated with regard to sin, whereby some fall short and some do not—all are saved only by the grace of Christ Jesus’ death on the cross.]

Other texts are sometimes mentioned: 2 Pet 2:6 and (KJV) Dt 23:17; 1 Kgs 14:24; 15:12, 22:47; and 2 Kgs 23:7. [Note the way translations, reflecting the bias of their day, can perpetuate discrimination.]

(3) Nature and Function of Biblical Authority.

We know that Scripture can fall under the power of Sin, so that the Bible is used to sanctify prejudice and evil. For centuries racist readings of Scripture upheld the institution of slavery, and for many a sexist reading continues to deny that women are made in the image of God equally to men, prohibiting them from ordination and other ministries. The Church has been similarly divided over such “sins” as divorce, smoking, dancing, or drinking, sometimes making certain practices/works pre-requisites for ordination.

O & A churches see the sin of heterosexism or homophobia at play in the conventional interpretation of passages supposedly dealing with “homosexuality.” A sexual orientation is not inherently sinful, but it is as sinful for heterosexuals to claim that only their experience of sexual attraction is “clean” as it would be for right-handed people to force left-handed people to use their hands the way they do.

Once a sin or prejudice is recognized, it is humbling but liberating to read the scriptures anew. This is happening for more and more of us in biblical interpretation, but as our last Regional Assembly showed, the pace seems much too slow.

There’s something about this last expression of prejudice, related to racism and sexism, that people, especially men, in power cannot be open to dialogue or change. Like the Pharisees of the NT, they would rather see one or two individuals perish, to preserve the nation. Obsessive concern for purity sees grace as blasphemous.

BRINGING ABOUT CHANGE

What approach to Scripture can help to bring about change? Let me offer a few guidelines in terms of being faithful to Scripture:

(1) Beware of bibliolatry, making an idol of (a reading of) Scripture. If our faith affirms Christ Jesus as fully human as well as divine, Scripture must not rank above Christ, as only divine. The Bible has a human and historical context that must be considered and explored.

(2) Read individual passages of the Bible with the whole canon in mind. The rest of Scripture may provide a dynamic contrast or even corrective to what is found in one passage.

(3) Read with the great themes of Scripture in mind, like justice, mercy, hope, and love. These may positively affect understanding of passages on righteousness and judgment. If our interpretation of any passage does not strengthen the great commandments to love God and neighbor, or if our judgment is always pointed out against others, we need to keep reading.

(4) Read with the heart and mind of Christ. Without the Spirit of Christ, Scripture can become a letter that kills, rather then the bearer of life.

(5) Invite as many as possible to the table of interpretation. One person’s reading of a passage can change our appreciation of a text for a lifetime.

A story told me years ago by a NT scholar and colleague, Sharon Ringe, illustrates this point. During a summer when she was teaching Bible in a peasant villages in Costa Rica, a little girl asked her a question that in all of Sharon’s years of NT research had never before occurred to her.

The text was Luke 15, the so-called Prodigal Son parable. The girl asked, “At the end, when there was all the rejoicing, did the servants get to join in the feast?” Luke is silent here, although Gospel images of the messianic banquet indicate an inclusive welcome. But it may take a peasant child, someone who has known only a life of serving feasts for other wealthy patrons, to ask new questions of familiar texts.

Sharon said, and I testify for myself as well, that she can no longer read the parable of the Loving Father without that girl’s question in mind. At the table of biblical interpretation, we need to welcome all, especially those with difficult questions. Reading Scripture faithfully means reading the Bible through as many eyes as we can, whatever a person’s race or ethnic background, gender, class, age, physical ability, family configuration, or sexual orientation.]