By Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell
On Friday, June 17, 2005, Rev. Norman J. Kansfield, the President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey, the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America deposed him from the office of General Synod Professor of Theology, suspended him from the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament and removed him as President of the Seminary.
Why? On June 19, 2004, Kansfield presided over the marriage of his daughter to another woman. The marriage took place in Massachusetts, a state that has declared same-gender couples have a right to marry.
I read of the above and on Father's Day, June 19, 2005 I wrote another one of my unsolicited e-mails that I titled; "A Father's Day Connection; To Whom It May Concern and To All Who Ought To Be Concerned." (This e-mail is one of my writings that has been included in "Something Within, Words By Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell", published by the Church Within A Church Movement. Available by Googling, Church Within A Church).
This week I spoke with Norman Kansfield via phone. Grace and I now live in New Jersey and since we make frequent trips to New Brunswick to care for our grandchild, I wanted to give a copy of Something Within with my article, to the New Brunswick Theological School Library. I thought it best to contact Norman Kansfield to alert him of my article and my intent, and he and I had some wonderful moments of phone conversation. He is now teaching at another Seminary and I look forward to other conversations with him.
From whence comes my Father-to-Father concern? I participated in the marriage of my son who is the father of our grandchild. The marriage took place in New Brunswick and I as a United Methodist Minister was neither deposed or suspended from ministry because of my participation. My son's marriage is considered "traditional", while the same gender marriage of Norman Kansfield's daughter is viewed as being "nontraditional" and "incompatible with Christian teaching".(The Reformed Church in America version).
I wrote this in my article; "I have been told there is something 'extra special' about the chemistry of relationship between father and daughter. As a father of sons, I have not experienced that, but as the grandfather of a little girl, I have discovered there is something special about girls and their relationship with their father (my son) and with their grandfather, (me)"
How will the Church; United Methodist or Reformed, atone for their prohibitions against their clergy participating in marriages (or civil unions), when two persons of the same gender, want to publicly declare that the love that is of God; expressed in Jesus Christ, is the source of the love that they offer to and share with each other?
Grandpa Gil
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
At the Dawn of Lent
by Peter L. DeGroote
Salt is good (and salty)—if salt becomes bland, with what will your renew it?
Mark 9:50a See also: Matthew 5:13; Luke 14:34.
1. This saying thrills serious students of Jesus' teachings. All three synoptic gospels report it. Short and pithy, it was remembered and passed on in the early oral tradition before any gospels were written. The minor differences in context only serve to emphasize its central focus on personal and group disciplines.
2. As all gospels agree on the need for disciplines, comment on some elements of the saying is worthwhile at the dawn of the Lenten season.
3. We are presented with a stark challenge: If we, either individually or communally, have lost the values and way of life that Jesus taught, of what use are we? A worthy question as we contemplate the disciplines of Lent.
Posted in Author: Peter DeGroote, Biblical Commentary, Spirituality | Permalink | Comments (0)
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