This letter appeared in the July 1-2, 2006 edition of the Homepage, Christ Church's weekly bulletin insert.

My Dear Friends,

It has been a week to remember. The responses from all of you and from people all over the world (Italy, Brazil, Tunisia, Waxahachie?) have been so heartening. I have had to catch my breath. Thank you!

As I mentioned last week (please read here if you were absent) Christ Church cannot go in the direction of the Episcopal Church, therefore we have formally announced our intention to disassociate. But I feel led to say something at a pastoral level that will touch many families in our church…

This church will never ask you to make a choice between loving a friend or family member with a same-sex attraction and being a member of Christ Church. I will never ask you to pass judgment on the life of another person. I hope I never do so either.

All people are invited to this church. All people are welcomed to worship with us. But let me add this: All people should be challenged at this church to bring all areas of their life under the rule of God’s perfect plan. But this church can never bless what is not God’s best for people. God has shown us, through Scripture, His plan for human existence: heterosexual marriage or celibacy. That is His best for us.

It’s sad but true that people break celibate promises. Sometimes we fall. Sometimes marriages fail. Divorce is sadly common among many of us. Sometimes we are promiscuous. We are all sinful in one way or another. But we cannot look to the church for a blessing on these decisions or lifestyles. God sent his Son to offer forgiveness… not permission. That is the Good News.

As we move forward, I hope we can keep in mind the total picture. We have Good News to share … so let’s be sure we share it!

In Christ,

The Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry