This is very upsetting

[wryter2000]

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-Episcopal-Bishop-outlaws-same-sex-marriage-13381964.php

I'm Episcopalian, even the senior warden in my church. One of the main reasons I decided I wanted to go back to church after a long separation was because the church was standing up for gay rights. Now, the bishop of Albany, NY had outlawed marriage equality in his diocese. Not only that, but he wrote a truly hateful "Pastoral Letter" outlining his reasons.

We have gay and lesbian families in our parish. And in December we were involved in a trans woman's ordination to the priesthood. Now, this.

[guillaumeb]

1. Unfortunate indeed.

Many churches in our area are open and affirming.

The Bishop needs to focus on the essential message of Jesus.

[redwitch]

2. Our school had planned a sports banquet at an episcopal retreat in the diocese.

Parents complained to the superintendent and the banquet has been moved to a different location. I am very pleased with our school.

[wryter2000]

3. I'm glad you did that

The man even claimed Satan was behind non-heterosexuality. He needs to join the 21st Century. In fact, he's stuck in early 20th Century.

[Freddie]

4. I would be upset too

I thought the Episcopalians were socially liberal and that the ones who disagreed had already left to form a more conservative branch. That’s what has happen to the ELCA. After eons of debating about it, the church adopted a resolution in 2009 to allow decisions about same-sex marriage and gay clergy up to each individual congregation. A fair number of ELCA churches left to form a more conservative Lutheran group. (Don’t let the door hit you on your way out, folks). But for the rest of us, it is up to the individual congregation and not the synod (region).
When same-sex marriage became legal in PA, every ELCA congregation was sent a letter requesting that the church’s council vote on the issue. I’m proud to say that my church’s council, of which I am still a member, voted unanimously to allow same-sex weddings in our church.

[wryter2000]

5. We've already had a wedding for two men who'd already been together for over 30 years

They got married in the middle of a regular Sunday service, and then we had an enormous feast afterward.

This has been a struggle within the church for years. The international church even sanctioned us, taking away some of our voting privileges. The national organization has stood firm throughout all this very painful process. We are going to be on the right side of history in this debate.