Chi Rho Press | Newsletter

Back in September 2002 we started soliciting our readers and authors to contribute essays for a series in the Chi Rho Connection in which people tell part of the story of their faith journeys. The title of this column, "The Journey is Our Home," comes from a wonderful contemporary hymn by Ruth Duck, called "Lead on, O Cloud of Yahweh." The whole second verse reads,

Lead on, O fiery pillar,

We follow yet with fears,

But we shall come rejoicing

Though joy be born of tears.

We are not lost, though wandering,

For by your light we come,

And we are still God's people,

The journey is our home.

We would like to resume this series, publishing a new faith story in each issue of the Chi Rho Connection. Our writers will be well known and not famous at all, clergy and lay people, LGBT people and non-gay people, people from all walks of life, and even Christians and non-Christians.

If you would like to contribute the story of your faith journey for inclusion in 'The Journey is Our Home,' please try to limit your story to 500 words. Write us at Connection@ChiRhoPress.com with your submission.

Here's a bit of the faith journey of my good friend, Father Jeremy, a retired Roman Catholic priest who lives in the "tundra," as he likes to call it, of New England. Fr. Jeremy offers us a reflection on silence today.

I've been sitting here in "the great silence alone" reflecting on just that, with the nearing and distancing purr of the lawn mower.

I read this today, "Each soul must meet the morning sun, the new, sweet earth, and the great silence alone."

-- Charles Alexander Eastman.

For me, reading these words recreates a period of my life when there was a goodly amount of silence in my daily life, oftentimes silence in community.

Interspersed throughout the day were the communal prayer times of chanting psalms, listening to readings and then sitting in silence, communally alone.

During the day starting with Vigils in early pre-dawn, at noontime, and again at Vespers/evening prayer we observed a half hour for this silent prayer, where we just sat in silence together, often without even the rustle of garments.

At the daily Eucharist, after all of us had been fed with the Body and Blood of the Lord, an action binding brothers and sisters more closely, we then sat in communal silence for about 20 minutes, allowing the Presence to penetrate, nourish, and draw into Unity our separate hearts and souls. We ended this with the final prayers of the Mass.

The entire day was blessed with this silence. Then after the final prayer-time (Compline) we entered into what was known as "the grand silence" which ended the next day after breakfast, during which time we didn't communicate, except if absolutely necessary.

To further aid this inner silence, there was the custom called "custody of the eyes" where we just didn't gawk around watching others and their comings and goings with nosey curiosity. The bodily outwardness enabled an inner openness of the heart, to God, to myself, to the whole world.

By our world's business, one would think such silence might engender anti-social or isolationist attitudes. It may have in some, I don't know. But I do know my experience brought me into a deep, deep relationship with my brothers and sisters, a bond so different from noisy nervous chatter and surface interaction. I was always surprised by the knowledge of one another we had, due to "the silent life."

And now in semi-retirement I live alone, with Chazz (Fr. Jeremy's beloved dog) of course, who is a good contemplative as he sits and observes the world about him. My life is blessed by this "great silence alone."

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2. Become a Guardian Angel of Chi Rho Press

As you may already know, all contributions to Chi Rho Press are fully tax deductible. If you are able to make a financial gift to this ministry, we would welcome your support. Gifts and contributions of any size are welcome and appreciated!

We are committed to reviving our Guardian Angel program. Our Guardian Angel Individual Sponsors program starts with a minimum gift of $150 a year and our Guardian Angels receive discounts on Press publications, free gifts during the year, and special other perks.

You may contribute on line, paying with your credit card at http://www.chirhopress.com/sponsor.html or send your check or money order to Chi Rho Press, P.O. Box 7864, Gaithersburg, MD 20898.

Thanks for your support!

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3. May We Suggest "Come Home"?

A loyal reader, Gary, writes, "I just finished reading the book this weekend. The book is very well written. Chris Glaser has many profound insights. I strongly recommend reading the book."

"Come Home! Reclaiming Spirituality and Community as Gay Men and Lesbians," second edition, by Chris Glaser. First published in 1990 by HarperCollins, the second edition was published in 1998 by Chi Rho Press with the addition of five new chapters to the original 20.

"Come Home!" is perhaps Chris Glaser's best book. It is divided into five sections, each with five chapters. The five sections are entitled, "Welcoming God's Acceptance," "Receiving Our Inheritance," "Discerning Our Call," "Making Our Witness," and "Declaring Our Vision."

Bishop John Shelby Spong called "Come Home!" "powerful, sensitive, and provocative. . . . Glaser stands inside his own humanity as a gay male and hears the word of God through the Bible. Christians, gay and straight, need this book if we are to be the body of Christ."

This is a brilliant and important book by perhaps the best-known Gay Christian writer in the U.S. today.

The Rev. Carter Heyward called "Come Home!" "an enthusiastic compelling testimony to the power of faith in the lives of many gay and lesbian Christians."

Virginia Ramey Mollenkott said, "If courage, honesty, and insight are beautiful, then this is one beautiful book. . . . I rejoice that in this book all the gay men and lesbian women who have been robbed of their spirituality are issued an urgent invitation: Come home!"

"Come Home!" by Chris Glaser offers a vision of faith, hope, and affirmation inviting gay men and lesbians to come home to their spirituality through Christian faith and community. Order your copy today!

"Come Home!" is available for $19.95 each, $14.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevComeHome.html

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4. Step Number 6: "Confront the Scripture Used Against You"

Step Number 6 in the "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse," by the Rev. Dr. Rembert Truluck, is to "Confront the Scripture Used Against You."

Here is the introductory material from chapter 11 of "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse," in which Dr. Truluck outlines the sixth step needed to recover from Bible abuse.

The Sixth Step: Confront the Scripture Used Against You. Learn the facts about homosexuality and the Bible.

The truth will set you free.

Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; but it is these that bear witness of me. . . . You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 5:39; 8:32).

Jesus frequently showed how the Bible had been used incorrectly to hurt people. In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus said that he had come to fulfill the Law, not that he had come to force you to keep the Law! In this passage Jesus corrected several mistakes in the Old Testament by saying repeatedly, "you have heard it said, but I say unto you." Things that Jesus corrected were based on quotations from the Bible. Jesus corrected mistakes in the Bible.

Jesus spent most of his time dealing with abusive and oppressive religion and showing how he had come to replace law with love. He taught his disciples to think objectively and logically about their relationships with God and with other people.

The burden of proof concerning Bible condemnation and rejection of gay people is upon those who use incorrectly translated and out-of-context passages to hurt people who were not intended in the original texts. Frequently I have been asked to prove that the Bible does not condemn homosexuals. That question is backwards.

No word for "homosexual" exists in biblical languages. No reference to sexual orientation exists in the Bible. Of the six Bible passages used against gays, three of them, Genesis 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9; and 1 Timothy 1:10 are translated incorrectly, and three, Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; and Romans 1:26-27 are taken out of their correct context of condemning idolatrous religious practices and applied incorrectly to people of the same sex who love each other. The Bible nowhere condemns love, affection, or sex between people who love each other. In fact, no word for "sex" exists in the Bible.

When the verses that are used to condemn people for their sexual orientation are examined carefully in their context and with the accepted methods of academic research and logic, there is no evidence that the Bible says that gay people are evil and hated and rejected by God. No evidence exists in the Bible to prove God's rejection of gay men and women. The case against gays and lesbians is dismissed for a lack of evidence.

Jesus never mentioned homosexuals or any issue related to sexual orientation. If you follow Jesus, you accept everyone equally. Jesus is proof that God loves and accepts all people, including you.

Author's note: This material on the Sixth Step was the most difficult part of the book to write. When the Rev. Chuck Larsen first invited me to begin research, writing, and teaching Bible studies for gays and lesbians at First Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Atlanta in 1988, he suggested that we look at the positive use of the Bible to help encourage and strengthen the spiritual life of our people and call the studies, "The Bible as the Friend of Lesbians and Gays," which was the first title of the material in this book.

Most of this book is about the positive use of the Bible as a guide to Jesus and the good news of God's love for all of us. Dealing with the abusive misuse of the Bible against gay people is necessary, however, because much of the oppression of gay men and lesbians springs from the errors and mistakes that have been read into the Bible in six obscure and questionable passages, and none of it comes from the life and message of Jesus. The basic problem in answering the verses that are used against us is that it is a negative task. We have to show what the passages do not say, partly because the six verses used against us do not make any reference to sexual orientation and partly because the verses all are relatively obscure and are usually used only as a weapon to attack gays.

Jesus said nothing against gay people, though homophobic legalists have looked long and hard trying to find something. The bottom line is that if Jesus is our true and only reliable guide to understanding the Bible, there is no evidence at all in the Bible to condemn us for our sexual orientation. Praise God!

Buy the complete book, "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse," on the Chi Rho Press Web site, at this link:

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevStepsToRecovery.html

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5. "Christian with a Twist"

Here is a selection from our second major book of reflections, "Christian with a Twist: Reflections on Scripture that are a bit more inclusive, a bit more relevant, and with a bit of a bite," by the late William Gaston.

"Christian with a Twist" is available for $19.95 each, $14.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling. You can read more about it and order it at

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm

As the subtitle suggests, Bill's writing has a bit of a bite, and we believe you will enjoy his sharp, but loving take on Scripture, life, and faith.

Here is a selection entitled "The Gifts of Wisdom" from the Pentecost and Ordinary Time section of "Christian with a Twist."

Please read Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

I love today's passage. It gives me a chance to vent about one of my pet peeves. Oh no, not again, you may be thinking. But seriously, I think that wisdom and understanding are too much ignored and even sometimes discouraged in our religious lives. Many people seem to park their brains outside the church door, and I wonder sometimes if they remember to pick them up on their way out.

That is harsh and negative, I know, but so much talk of religion these days is negative. Our religious institutions have to accept some of the responsibility for that. I do not understand the conflict between science and religion. What better way is there to honor God's Creation than to study the intricacies of it? And does not each new thing that we discover lead to even more awe and wonder about the complexity of what God has done?

Today's passage says that God created wisdom at the very beginning of Creation, that wisdom was there when each and every thing came into being. Of course we can never understand it all, but it is all real and all of it is knowable, if only to God.

There is a bit of God in each of us and we are each a part of all that is.

We consist of body, mind, and spirit. We have hospitals and health clubs to maintain our bodies. We have schools and libraries to enrich our minds. We have churches and scripture to support our spirits. We would not think of accepting the level of health care or education of Jesus' time, but somehow we think that the level of spiritual development that was good enough then should be good enough now.

Another of today's suggested readings is John 16:12-15 in which Jesus promises to send to us the Spirit of Truth that will teach us what he could not in his time and place. I think that the Spirit of Truth that Jesus promised is not unrelated to the Wisdom spoken of in Proverbs. I think that God desires that all of Creation be alive and growing, certainly our part of it which God created in God's own image.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm

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6. Sanctoral Cycle

As a regular feature in the Chi Rho Connection, we are offering up traditional saints listed in the 2006 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary from today until our next scheduled electronic newsletter.

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Sat., Aug. 26, St. Genesius of Arles (Patron saint: actors). Love of the church: All of the martyrs loved the church even to death and when persecution did its worst they were certain of their final victory. They teach us by their example that by love and confidence in the church's teachings, we are truly redeemed and have a place in heaven.

Diversity Date: Women's Equality Day

Sun., Aug. 27, St. Monica. Perseverance in prayer: It is impossible to say what persevering prayer can do because it can do everything! It gives us a share in the divine omnipotence. St. Augustine's soul was bound in the chains of false philosophy and an unhallowed love, both of which by long habit had grown inveterate. His mother's prayers broke both. "We should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1).

Mon., Aug. 28, St. Augustine of Hippo (Patron saint: brewers, theologians). The lives of saints: By reading about the lives of the saints you are gradually creating a society about you that in some measure will force you to raise the standard of your own daily life. "Ancient examples of faith, which both witness to God's grace and give strength, were set out in writing so that by the reading and remembering of them, God might be glorified and we strengthened." Passion of St. Perpetua and St. Felicity.

Tues., Aug. 29, Bd. Juvenal Ancina. Brotherly love: Bd. Juvenal was a living example of his master St. Philip's principle to think nothing of life or reputation when it was a question of converting a sinner or drawing a soul to Christ. Juvenal knew who his murderer was and every circumstance necessary to convict him, yet he forbade his name be mentioned. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Wed., Aug. 30, St. Philip Benizi. Last things: Act like you would wish to have acted when you stand before Christ on your judgment day. This is the rule of the saints and the only safe rule for all. "My God, the nearer I come to you the greater need have I to humble myself in the dust," St. Philip Benizi.

Thurs., Aug. 31, St. Aidan. Gentleness: It is the meek, the gentle, and the humble who spiritually conquer the world. The less we give way to impatience in our dealings with others, the more the spirit of God works in us and for us. We have to overcome inward feelings of pride and irritation as well as their outward expressions. "But the meek shall inherit the land and enjoy great peace" (Psalm 37:11).

Fri., Sept. 1, St. Giles (Patron saint: homeless, disabled). The riches of poverty: The finest of chains can hold a small bird captive and prevent it from flying away. We cannot fully enjoy the blessings nor love that God has for us as long as one tiny single tie binds our hearts to sin. "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians 6:10).

Diversity Dates: Hispanic Heritage Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Sat., Sept. 2, St. Stephen of Hungary. With God all plans come to fruition: Saint Stephen was a man with a mission. This mission he managed to accomplish in the course of his life and the reforms he instituted lasted for centuries to come. His most important contribution, though, was to bring Hungary to the status of a nation. Though small, this country would come to effect Europe in some very important ways in future centuries.

Sun., Sept. 3, St. Pius X. Simplicity of living: Simplicity of life and spirit, humbleness and gentleness, carried St. Pius X to all of the world's hearts and thus God glorified him to the world. "I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor," St. Pius X.

Mon., Sept. 4, St. Rose of Viterbo. Use of today: Rose died when she was seventeen but she died a saint. Many of us have lived much longer, yet with what result? Every minute of every day there is something we can do for God. Let us learn from St. Rose's example to be up and doing every single day. "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Tues., Sept. 5, St. Laurence Giustiniani. Seeking divine wisdom: "Why do you go about trying to satisfy your mind first with one thing and then another? Rest is to be found only in the boundless treasures of divine wisdom," St. Laurence Giustiniani.

Wed., Sept. 6, St. Symphorosa. Suffering: History shows that Hadrian threatened to burn St. Symphorosa alive as a sacrifice to his gods. She told him this was beyond his power, if she was burnt, she would be offered up, not to demons, but to Christ the Son of God, and the fire that consumed her body would add light to her crown. Her trial is an example to us that no matter what comes our way, it is a means of consecrating ourselves anew to Christ.

Thurs., Sept. 7, St. Tarbula. Guarding chastity: Whatever your state of life may be, you too are dedicated to Christ and bound to follow him in purity of body and soul. "But among you there must be not even a hint of sexual impurity, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people" (Ephesians 5:3).

Fri., Sept. 8, St. Poemen. Kind judgments: We can never arrive at true purity of heart until we believe ourselves to be more worthless than anybody else. This is not difficult, for even if we were to see a murderer we could say, "He has only killed one person, while I have put my soul to death many times by my sins." "If we pass over people's faults in silence, God also will hide ours, but if we divulge them, God will make known our own," St. Poemen.

Sat., Sept. 9, St. Peter Claver (Patron saint: African Americans). Our neighbor's needs: When we see someone in need, either for body or for soul, do not ask why someone else did not help, but be thankful for the opportunity to do it yourself. "Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"

(2 Corinthians 11:29).

Sun., Sept. 10, St. Nicholas of Tolentino. A good death: Would you die the death of the just? There is only one way of making sure of doing so. Live the life of the just. For it is impossible that one who has been faithful to God in life should make a bad or unhappy end. "I love life only because it leads quickly to death," St. Nicholas of Tolentino.

Mon., Sept. 11, Bd. Charles Spinola. Death for Christ: So deeply was Bd. Charles steeped in the wisdom of the cross that he not only welcomed suffering in every way and bore it when most crushing, but even in the prison of Omura, more terrible as he said, than death by fire, he imposed mortifications on himself. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

Tues., Sept. 12, St. Guy. Reverence for the house of God: Jesus was nine months in Mary's womb, three hours on the cross, and three days in the grave, but sacramentally, he is in the tabernacle always. Does our reverence before him bear witness to this blessed truth? "Zeal for your house will consume me!" (John 2:17).

Wed., Sept. 13, St. Francis di Girolamo. Attending to sermons: In spite of the wisdom and power with which St. Francis preached, his sermons were of no use to those who listened with hardened hearts. If we would hear preachers aright, we must examine our own conscience instead of criticizing what is being said. "They who hear the divine warning unmoved are not worthy to be healed," St. Augustine.

Thurs., Sept. 14, St. Speratus. Perseverance: Beg God for the gift of perseverance. Do not hesitate, do not look back, do not listen to suggestions against faith nor virtue. Go forward day by day along the road which you have chosen, to God who is your lover forever. "But they that stand firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

Fri., Sept. 15, St. Catherine of Genoa. Purgatory: St. Catherine said that the bitterness of the suffering of Purgatory could not be expressed or understood. Frequent reflection on Purgatory will help us to escape it, by avoiding the least imperfection that hinders our approach to God. "Yet God was merciful; and forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them" (Psalm 78:38).

Sat., Sept. 16, St. Cornelius. Compassion: The surest way of keeping our souls in God's grace is to have a humble compassion for those who have fallen, remembering our own sinfulness. "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7).

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Order the 2005-2006 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary, complete with the entire year's Sanctoral Cycle, at this link:

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa05_06.html

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7. Adam's Last Word

Summer wanders to it's close. I have been awash with social events, which has kept me very happy! July had two weddings and a funeral, two occasions for joy, and one for great sadness. August has featured barbeques, dinners, and lots of time with good friends. I hope that your summer (if you are one of our friends and readers here in the Northern Hemisphere, that is) has been filled with delight. I pray that the high temperatures over the last couple of months have not burdened you over much, and that the exorbitant price of gasoline has not caused too much financial suffering. It sure has beaten me soundly about the head and shoulders!

But most of all, I hope that summer has been a blessed time for you all. And for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, well, winter is surprisingly near for us. It will come sooner than we think, or like! And you will bask in the summer heat soon.

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Financial strain is a difficult thing to deal with and I have had my share this year. As you may recall, I was out of work full time for a few weeks in November and part time for most of December, as a result of a badly injured lower back. Workman's compensation, after first telling me they would pay for the hours I was unable to work after I went back to work part time at doctor's orders, later reneged and refused to pay me. I would have been better off not working at all!

As a result, I have fallen woefully behind on some credit card debts. The Press has had a slow year as well, so we are struggling on both fronts. I have talked to my excellent financial advisor, Ms. Renee Green at Ameriprise Financial Services, and she has helped me immensely. If you are in need of a financial advisor, may I recommend Renee to you? She is an out Lesbian and her company used to be American Express Financial Services. She has been doing this for a long time and she is excellent. Call her at 1-800/573-1759, no matter where you are in the US, or write her at Renee.L.Green@ampf.com. I strongly recommend her! And tell Renee that Adam sent you please!

Part of Renee's help has been to hook me up with Clearpoint Financial, who I am working with to have them take over my outstanding credit card debt, renegotiate interest rates, and make payments. Of course, I won't be able to use those credit cards any more, which will probably be a very good thing for me! But financial reverses being what they are, any contributions you may feel moved to make will be gratefully received. You may make financial gifts to me through Chi Rho Press on line at our Sponsors site at http://www.chirhopress.com/sponsor.html and note that the gift is for me! That way, anything you care to give to help out will be tax deductible.

Of course, the Press also needs your gifts, and more importantly your purchases!

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I really encourage you all to become Guardian Angels of Chi Rho Press. This will help us a lot as we prepare our next books for publication. Just $150 for a year will make you an important participant in this ministry.

*****

Gracia y paz,

R. Adam DeBaugh, Director, Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.

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For all e-mail correspondence, please write Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.

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Our telephone and fax number is 301/926-1208.

Customers outside the U.S. and especially our Canadian friends can order using credit cards on our Web page.

Some of our books are also available through our Canadian distributor, MAP Enterprises, Mary Ann Pearson, at her Web page, http://www.christiangays.com.

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