Six “Room for All” rostered churches*, along with one additional RCA congregation, recently finalized a process to dual affiliate as The Reformed Association of the UCC New York Conference. Our response is layered with joy and sorrow:
We rejoice…
… that LGBTQ people in these congregations know beyond doubt that they belong, free to live, love, serve and stay;
…that dual affiliation provides a way for LGBTQ people to pursue a call to ministry without wondering if they need to find another church;
…that these seven congregations can maintain their cherished commitment to the RCA while being a fully inclusive community.
We lament…
…that dual affiliation should be necessary in order for such rejoicing to be possible;
… that the current state of the RCA leaves LGBTQ people wondering if they can call their church their home;
… that some don’t wonder — they already know the door is closed.
*Ft. Washington Collegiate, Middle Collegiate, Marble Collegiate, West End Collegiate, Greenpoint Brooklyn, St. Paul’s Babylon are RfA congregations. South Bushwick Reformed Church joined the new association.