By Rev. Roberto Ochoa
[The Apostle Peter asked] “So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don’t we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?”
There was dead silence. No one said a word. With the room quiet, Barnabas and Paul reported matter-of-factly on the miracles and wonders God had done among the other nations through their ministry. (Acts 15:10-12 – The Message)
Dear friends of the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ and beyond,
This promises to be a short reflection but an important nod to the good folks of Mitchell Congregational UCC, South Dakota that boasts the world’s only Corn Palace, that celebrated Worship and Pride in the Park last Sunday.
Mitchell UCC had come to my attention when I first arrived last year, as it has been the target of various acts of vandalism over the past several years for flying the Rainbow flag at their congregation. What I have learned from this resilient and determined congregation was that every time their flag was taken down or walls spray painted…their response was to find a bigger flag and installed rainbow-colored doors. Mitchell UCC’s determination to be a place of safety and refuge in a small town earned my respect.
And I was honored to be invited to worship with them for UCC’s Open and Affirming Sunday in a public open-air setting of a neighborhood park, where we sang, prayed, and listened to one another, followed by a joyous picnic style potluck. In true fashion, this was a family affair with a multigenerational presence of grandparents to young children celebrating that we are all members of the family of God.
Pride Celebrations across the country and the world from rural/small town settings to the extravaganza parades in urban settings, sends a message that the miracles and wonders of God can not be out-god by any religious, social, or political authority. In the Christian tradition, Jesus’ example of extravagant generosity to all, especially the marginalized, the outcasts, and the most vulnerable is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. The Open and Affirming ministries of the United Church of Christ began in 1985 to do exactly that in the Lesbian Gay Bi Transgendered Queer communities that often have been hurt, if not traumatized, in the name of God.
The greeters of Mitchell UCC were giving out a booklet authored by Watertown (SD) UCC Pastor, the Rev Dustin Bartlett entitled “What the Bible Really Says (and Doesn’t Say) About LGBTQ+ People”. His preface on why he wrote the book was a firsthand testament on what happened when he and Watertown UCC, an ONA congregation came to the aid of several local trans students harassed by a schoolteacher, who attempted to use scripture to diminish and deny their authentic selves. His letter of support to the students went viral on Facebook and was taken aback by both the support and hostility he received. I am so grateful to him and Watertown UCC for their courageous actions, as I am to all our congregations of the South Dakota Nebraska Iowa Conferences of the United Church of Christ that give so much of themselves towards working for a Just World for All.
Next week we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, that created a new nation called the United States of America. My wish for y’all is for a safe and happy holiday, and travel mercies to those traveling.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto