by Jim Komar ( St. James’) and Alex Sokalski (St. Mark’s)
Published in the Saskatchewan Anglican, January 2008, p. 3.
THE GAY ISSUE. “Come unto me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to them and dine with them, and they with me” (Rev. 3::20). These are the words of Jesus, the inspiration and challenge of the Gospel. In the case of GLBT Christians (that is, persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered), the challenge is difficult and divisive, raising questions of morality and social justice. Like previous challenges within the Anglican Communion which were also difficult and divisive, such as human slavery, divorce, and the ordination of women, the challenge of sexual orientation and gender identity touches upon our understanding of God, Scripture, Tradition, and the Church. Its resolution calls for prayer and dialogue in an atmosphere of humility and mutual respect. Silence and the status quo will resolve nothing and may result in schism.
INTEGRITY ADDRESSES THE ISSUE. This is where Integrity comes in. It is an independent organization within the Anglican Communion committed to addressing the challenges of the gay issue. Founded by Episcopalians, with chapters throughout Canada and the United States, Integrity advocates for the full and equal inclusion of GLBT people within our Church, much as the apostles Paul and Peter once advocated for the inclusion of Gentiles, who at first were not welcomed into the Church without circumcision and observance of the Law of Moses. Integrity is a ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit; it believes that God is love and that we, all of us, are one in Christ. It reaffirms justice as one of the cardinal virtues of the Christian faith, while it respects Scripture, tradition, reason, inclusivity, and of course dialogue as hallmarks of Anglicanism.
INTEGRITY SASKATOON. Integrity Saskatoon is a local chapter of Integrity. Since its inception in 2004, Integrity Saskatoon has met on the second Saturday of each month for worship at 7:00 pm; it currently meets at St. James’. All persons of good will are welcomed and affirmed at the meetings regardless of sexual orientation, which remains a private matter. Participation is at the level of personal comfort, and anonymity is protected. A coffee hour following the service offers further opportunities for spiritual growth through fellowship in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The average attendance is a dozen or so, men and women of various ages and walks of life, mostly but not exclusively Anglicans. Some of the attendees are church dropouts; some are heterosexuals with an interest in social justice. Considering how volatile the question of sexual orientation is for some in the Anglican Communion, Anglicans in Canada can be proud that their church provides a safe place for gay and gay-friendly Christians to worship openly with the Eucharist, the Scriptures, the liturgy, and an ordained priest. Such compassion and generosity of spirit bespeak a spiritual maturity in keeping with the finest traditions of the Anglican Communion: thy kingdom come!
SASKATOON CONTACTS. For further information, you are welcome to telephone any of the following people: Barbara and Lynn Clay (653-9179), John and Jim Komar (665-6913), Tom and Rose Rogers (373-5165), Alex Sokalski and Ken Bos (652-7637).
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