tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post2834450630058083062..comments2023-05-02T04:17:09.271-07:00Comments on [Un] Closeted Pastor: Blogging Lent 7: It Is What It IsCeciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812791378130572065noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post-17459392381138131032008-03-14T13:08:00.000-07:002008-03-14T13:08:00.000-07:00Cecelia: While my position in my church is dissimi...Cecelia: While my position in my church is dissimilar to that of a pastor -- I'm unpaid, and serve under the authority of the pastor -- I've gone through similar anxiety, even though I obviously have less to lose; my and FT's privacy, more than anything. While we're not "out" in a formal way, I can't imagine that anyone but the most naive people in the congregation don't know that FT and I are a couple. So far only one family seems to be uncomfortable with that, and so far they've only expressed that (in a passive-aggressive way) to us, not to the pastor or church council. I suppose I too keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but it seems like less of a potential crisis than it once did.LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post-81287689606880797932008-03-10T10:11:00.000-07:002008-03-10T10:11:00.000-07:00What would happen if you came out? Would the churc...What would happen if you came out? Would the church ask you to leave or force you to leave? How can you serve a church that would do something like that? I understand (as much as I am able) your fear but it seems such a heavy burden for you to carry and I can't see where it is doing anyone any good. I hope you find some peace.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08551314950473231190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post-83871462659104305392008-03-10T04:54:00.000-07:002008-03-10T04:54:00.000-07:00thank you for telling so eloquently about both you...thank you for telling so eloquently about both your experiences as a pastor and as a person. You ARE called.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post-72276231249772331622008-03-09T11:36:00.000-07:002008-03-09T11:36:00.000-07:00You describe this so eloquently, and yet, I think ...You describe this so eloquently, and yet, I think I held my breath almost all the way through your post. Thank you for your words.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I'm still attempting the "no sugar added" eating plan as well. I say attempting because it hasn't been perfect for me either. But still I try. :) I ate a lot less sugar than I would have had I not been trying.<BR/><BR/>Hang in there. I pray for you.daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03168831819807523569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post-78413680187108345382008-03-07T12:39:00.000-08:002008-03-07T12:39:00.000-08:00Cecelia, I'll echo your prayer. I understand how p...Cecelia, I'll echo your prayer. I understand how precarious that must feel to you (as someone who came out to a few people while I was still in seminary, and spent the rest of the time fretting about it, waiting to hear a shoe dropping to the pavement). <BR/><BR/>Try to hang on to the sense that this, too, is in God's hands...whatever happens next. It sounds to me as if you are really wonderful at your job (and the "last blanket at base camp" bit made me laugh out loud, having witnessed it any number of times--and probably BEEN that person, too...). I'm quite sure that your gifts will be put to good use in every one of your various contexts throughout your life. <BR/><BR/>Courage, grace and many blessings to you, Sister. :-)Choralgrrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06657324651887737580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538801849812784311.post-80149392443384626282008-03-07T12:23:00.000-08:002008-03-07T12:23:00.000-08:00You've made me think about what it was like, when ...You've made me think about what it was like, when I knew that my marriage was killing me, because I was thinking of killing my husband. Couldn't see another way out; and couldn't see what would happen besides he'd be gone.<BR/><BR/>We were one of the pillar families of our parish. I've attended there over 25 years now; he started as a child, almost 50 years ago. We both held part-time employment in the parish as well. And, there was no-one I could talk to. The minister wasn't solely or primarily my pastor, he was my boss, and my husband's, and my husband's friend. So was everyone else. I had this secret, and it was killing me to keep it, and I couldn't safely tell anyone.<BR/><BR/>When I started to tell, I was very careful. I have NEVER said a word about my husband or our marriage that would make anyone in our parish community think ill of him. I had to own my own part of the breakdown too.<BR/><BR/>And then you finished with the holy name of God, "I Am What I Am". A rocket went off in my head. If that is how God names God, and we are created in God's own image, then isn't it our responsibility and right to be able to stand up and say, "I Am What I Am"? <BR/><BR/>Oh, I need a lot of time with that. Thank you Cecelia, and may blessings rain upon you.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13210066840149891088noreply@blogger.com