tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post1567325908261652830..comments2024-03-23T18:50:32.902-04:00Comments on Telling Secrets: Integrity USA: "Time to let go"Elizabeth Kaetonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-8022461992279697262020-01-17T20:31:27.637-05:002020-01-17T20:31:27.637-05:00My church wants to take off references to BelieveO...My church wants to take off references to BelieveOutLoud and Integrity on the webpage because of the dysfunction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-1485046963402604952020-01-17T17:56:01.226-05:002020-01-17T17:56:01.226-05:00...I've been documenting.
Yes, that's what......I've been documenting.<br />Yes, that's what I call it too, and I love you so much right now for putting it in just those words. The difference between you and me is that you really have been documenting. I appreciate you laying it all out like this. You're a faithful friend to Louie and to Integrity too. <br /><br />My own experience with Integrity has mainly been as an outsider, albeit one who took comfort in its being there. I remember when I was just thinking about becoming an Episcopalian. I lived across the street from the Library of Congress and I'd tromp across the snowy street on many Saturday mornings to request articles from obscure journals about the homosexuals in the Episcopal Church. I have often said Ellen Barrett was the first Episcopalian I knew, but it is also true that Integrity is the first Episcopal organization I knew of. There was an Integrity chapter on DuPont Circle, if I'm remembering right, but for some reason I couldn't get to meetings very often. In fact, I think I went more often after I moved to California. But, it was there. I was watching and learning. Hoping that there really was a place in the church for me. After I'd moved out to California I heard about a thing called All Saints. Yes, THAT All Saints. They had Integrity too. But, it was a long drive from Laguna Beach up to Pasadena. I became active in a different group of gay Episcopalians. That group didn't have a name but it was closer to home. But Integrity was still there, in the background, giving reassurances and constancy. After we got the internet I joined Lightspeed. Remember that? And I learned so much from all of you there. That's probably where I met Ann, come to think of it. I am so grateful for Integrity being there, grateful to have listened in on so many discussions, learned so much about how to be gracious, forgiving, and even fierce. What to do when you've been wrong. I learned so much about the church. I learned all that by listening in on you guys. I hate to see Integrity in such shape because I guess that over the years I came to love it a little bit too. I remember one time Louie was speaking in Houston and when I read that he was coming to Texas I felt so overcome with gratitude that I drove over there to thank him for starting Integrity. I guess I was living in Austin at the time. I hate to see Integrity in this sorry state. I suspect that you are right about its time being over, though. At least this version of it. There is still a need, though. I think it needs to be there. It's a beacon, a hope. It was for me. And there is a need outside the USA. TEC likes to say that it's a global church, which is not really true, but what ever. But, there is a need for hope in a lot of places. I see the need. But, organizationally, when trust is lost and the vision is not clear... It's probably time. You are doing the right thing by helping to outwit down with dignity and, well, integrity. <br /><br />And keep "documenting."<br /><br />All love and respect,<br /><br />LindyLindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04662429826507775390noreply@blogger.com