St. John’s Shaughnessy, having ejected over 800 people from its former congregation, is finally seeing the fruit of its labours: one same-sex couple. It only took three years.
From here:
When I visited St. John’s, Shaughnessy for the first time I was immediately taken by how committed the congregation was to welcoming new worshippers and how committed everyone was to the mission of the church. Everyone shook my hand and asked me to come back. I eventually came back more often and now have chosen to become a parishioner at St John’s.
Eventually Douglas and I requested to have our marriage blessed at St. John’s, Shaughnessy. The Parish Council granted this permission and every parishioner that spoke to me about our Blessing Ceremony was encouraging, supportive and joyful for our happiness. As much as my rebirth as a Christian began before I attended St. John’s, this experience has given me deep conviction to the church and specifically to the ministry of St. John’s, Shaughnessy.
At our reception, after the Blessing Ceremony, a friend summed up my feeling more than I could say. He said that in our lifetime, as same-sex partners, we could never have imagined that we could ever legally marry. “And to have a Blessing Ceremony in a church is almost un-believable and to have this occur in a church that was so welcoming is just beyond my wildest dreams.” I felt like he had read my heart.
I am so grateful to everyone at St John’s for making me feel so welcome and allowing me to fully participate in Christian life without reservation because it allows me to feel God’s love and to love all of you.
Spite won’t pay the bills, however.
I have to wonder if this person has ever read a legitimate Holy Bible (The Authorized / King James Version Holy Bible) and not one of the abomination bibles (i.e. the New Revised Standard Version)? If he had then he would have seen in 1 Timothy 3 that there is no such thing as a sodomite marriage!
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada mentioned 3% and Kinsey mention 10% in the 50s either way is a small portion of the human population either way one looks at it.
In the Western Culture we’re independent individuals with equal rights.
The above is a Western way of thinking
I notice family oriented more in a Portuguese, Italian of Greek communities.
We’re more independent, individual and equal orientated.
Marriage as one’s right to have would mean to all.
We have the right not to marry as well.
We have the right to divorce too.
“Everyone shook my hand and asked me to come back.” with 4 or 5 people in the congregation it is easy for “everyone” to come and shake your hand
Yes, undoubtedly they felt welcomed. Satan is very crafty and there is no being more adapt to making one feel acceptable in his/her sin. You cannot bless what is clearly contrary to Scripture regardless of the shape or colour of your collar. I sincerely pray for your repentance and conversion as being a Christian requires full acceptance of the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.
These comments offer criticism, cynicism, and snide remarks for a gay person’s testimony of Christian welcome and committed love. Reminds me of the former SJS congregation, now departed.
Yes, the former SJS congregation have departed – more correctly were driven out of the building by the apostate diocese – but they continue to be fully committed to the Gospel at their new location. There is nothing whatever “snide” in the submissions made but only a quiet prayer for the people now meeting at SJS to return to the Gospel despite the diocese being led by one of the apostate bishops within the ACoC.