tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55998560461525384422024-03-18T04:57:58.623-07:00On Being a Gay ParentThis is a blog site dedicated to issues concerning LGBTQ parents and our children, and LGBTQ children in our families, touching on issues of family, faith, and the culture in which we live.Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.comBlogger1092125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-19799700765146512017-12-23T12:43:00.001-08:002017-12-23T12:43:57.551-08:00Let's Do a Pilgrimage Retreat! <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pilgrimage Retreats with
Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Organizing Pastor,
Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Portland, OR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have
you and your church leaders had a hard time thinking about what you want your
next Session retreat, men's or women's retreat, all church retreat, or youth
group gathering to focus on, and are wanting something new, different, outside
the box and experiential, and yet of the Church? Consider a <b><i>Pilgrimage Retreat</i></b>,
an ancient practice for current times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
the last twenty-years I have been on and led pilgrimage around the
world with small and large groups - providing workshops on living an everyday pilgrimage life,
for all-church events, Session retreats, men's or women's groups
gatherings, youth retreats, and mission trips shaped as pilgrimage.
I have worked with churches and other faith organizations in Oregon, around the
country and abroad. Along with leading workshops, retreats and
actual pilgrimages, I've also published three books on pilgrimage that
I use for these sessions, the latest being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Practicing
Pilgrimage </i>(Wipf and Stock, 2016), and have many articles published on this
theme in both popular and church-related publications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reverends
Beth and Greg Neel of Westminster Presbyterian Church said of my leading their
all-church retreat at Rockaway Camp Grounds: </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Brett is a natural teacher and his winsome style is
laid on a foundation of deep spiritual practice and wide-ranging study of </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pilgrimage<span style="background: white;">. Brett engaged a
variety of ages in a variety of activities, so that all who participated came
away feeling as though they really had been on a meaningful </span>pilgrimage<span style="background: white;">” (Beth); and “Brett is gifted at assisting persons at
different places on their faith journey to be on </span>pilgrimage<span style="background: white;"> together. He connects faith to the present
and provides language that allows for questions, growth, and even possibly an ‘Aha!’
moment" (Gregg). Rev. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Del Burnett of First Presbyterian Church, Salem said this about
our time together at Suttle Lake on the men's retreat, “</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Everyday Pilgrim Retreat led by Brett was a
wonderful blending of biblical insight, personal experience and interactive
engagement for our men. The content was rooted in scripture and enriched
by a morning </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pilgrimage<span style="background: white;">, in
which we were able to experience the pilgrim spirit. Brett was a
marvelous guide for our weekend experience</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.”
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">And Rev. Sharon
Edwards of First Presbyterian Church, Corvallis said this of their church
leader retreat on pilgrimage at Mt. Angel Abbey said: “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brett's passionate and energetic presence helped
us use the lens of ‘</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pilgrimage<span style="background: white;">’ to examine the past, present and future of our
lives.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">So,
as you are thinking about a creative and out of the "box" experience
for your church's next retreat, please consider a pilgrimage-focused theme
and explore what it means to follow Jesus on our everyday pilgrimage lives
in this contemporary world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Feel free to
contact me, Brett Webb-Mitchell, <a href="mailto:brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com">brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com</a>;
or 919-444-9111. Fee scale is sliding, so let’s talk about you and your church,
and go on a pilgrimage!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-38816280202344588722017-07-25T15:06:00.000-07:002017-07-25T15:06:01.227-07:00Catching Up!So, since I last joined this blog, much has happened.<br />
<br />
1. I am no longer the only out gay Presbyterian pastor in a pulpit in OR. I left St. Andrew's on April 30, 2017.<br />
<br />
2. I am now (part time) the Spiritual Life Director of L'Arche Portland. This is a spiritual/religious community with or without people with intellectual disabilities;<br />
<br />
3. I am starting a new church of Presbyterians. It is either going to be called Community of Pilgrims/the Pilgrim, or Church of Pilgrims/the Pilgrim.<br />
<br />
Much more to come!<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BrettBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-46302254126526865632017-01-04T16:00:00.001-08:002017-01-04T16:00:23.232-08:00Youtube Clip and the book, Practicing Pilgrimage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bhpDTkv7-B0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bhpDTkv7-B0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Here's my youtube.com clip for Practicing Pilgrimage.<br />
<br />
Remember: this pilgrimage "thing" is the way I understood and understand the process of "coming out" of my or one's LGBT or Q closet: it is a process, a way of moving out of the confining closet of living as a closeted gay man, to living out free from these self-imposed and culture-imposed confines.<br />
<br />
Oh: and also please consider purchasing the book! https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Pilgrimage-Becoming-Pilgrim-People/dp/1620329484/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483574390&sr=1-1&keywords=practicing+pilgrimage<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BrettBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-78646041197099391782016-11-28T16:41:00.000-08:002016-11-28T16:41:49.526-08:00New Book: Practicing Pilgrimage! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn2.lybrary.com/practicing-pilgrimage-on-being-and-becoming-god-pilgrim-people-by-brett-webb-mitchell-1532614047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn2.lybrary.com/practicing-pilgrimage-on-being-and-becoming-god-pilgrim-people-by-brett-webb-mitchell-1532614047.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Dear Friends!<br />
<br />
I am celebrating the publication of my 10th book, PRACTICING PILGRIMAGE: BEING AND BECOMING GOD'S PILGRIM PEOPLE, published by Wipf and Stock in Eugene, OR: http://wipfandstock.com/practicing-pilgrimage.html<br />
<br />
In this book I explore both pilgrimage as a intense, actual event, say to a place like Santiago de Compestela, or in your backyard, rural fields, or urban setting, in which we live out our ordinary lives in extraordinary fashion. <br />
<br />
I also cover how "coming out" of one's gay/LGBTQ closet is a pilgrimage of sorts, in which we are always coming out.<br />
<br />
So click on the link, and buy a copy!<br />
<br />
Thanks for the support, friends!<br />
<br />
Brett<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-26733253278007515682016-07-28T16:16:00.000-07:002016-07-28T16:16:58.939-07:00I'm off, then...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mumbaieastwest.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1416913643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mumbaieastwest.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1416913643.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm off this Sunday for India and Nepal for pilgrimage.<br />
<br />
It is time for me to go on pilgrimage.<br />
<br />
The life of the openly gay Presbyterian pastor in Oregon needs some time to walk, reflect, think, and ruminate about life.<br />
<br />
Everything is well.<br />
<br />
It is just time.<br />
<br />
To walk.<br />
<br />
It is also time to learn. This is my continuing education. I am fascinated by the issues surrounding the universal nature of the Christ figure. What better way to explore it than going to India among my Hindu sisters and brothers, and Nepal and Buddhists.<br />
<br />
So I'm off then.<br />
<br />
Time to sojourn.<br />
<br />
To pilgrim.<br />
<br />
To be.<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-32892676019827372982016-06-22T17:07:00.003-07:002016-06-22T17:07:31.595-07:00At PCUSA General Assembly, Against Reparative/Conversion Therapy<br />
<br />
This is my testimony against reparative/conversion therapy, debated yesterday at General Assembly of the PCUSA:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Bill/Motion #11-23<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Psalm 139: 13-15, the Psalmist wrote, “For you yourself
created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank
you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body was not hidden from you,
while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These words from Ps. 139 are my touchstone as I came out of
the gay closet I lived in for forty years and realized that our Creator made
each of us: male, female and non-binary identity, lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, and intersex, and it was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowhere in this Psalm or any Scripture do we
read or hear that God didn’t make us as we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As one popular poster in the 1960s boasted proudly, “God don’t make
junk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Creator created us just as
the Creator wanted us to be in this world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This positive message of Holy Scripture has been
conveniently forgotten by many in our faith community who promote the misconception
that an individual can change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity
through what was erroneously titled “reparative” or “conversion” therapy, which
implies my being gay, or another person being lesbian, bisexual, transgender,
or non-binary, was a mistake by God, and thus human beings needed to “repair”
we who were created by the Creator. The research on such efforts has disproven
their efficacy, and also has indicated that a person who is a client for one
who practices reparative therapy may be harmed for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is one harmed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this supposedly “therapeutic” approach,
the LGBTQ person is filled with the societal prejudice and family rejection
that many of us experienced earlier in life. Indeed, the very architect of
reparative therapy, psychiatrist L. Spitzer has since denounced this very
practiced and has apologized for endorsing the practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I urge you to vote for #11-23 and against any motion that
comes to this committee or the floor of General Assembly that endorses this
rejected form of therapy. After all, the God who beheld my limbs, yet
unfinished in the womb, fashioned me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, I will thank God because I, as an out gay Presbyterian
pastor, am marvelously made (Ps. 139)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3228 SW Sunset Blvd., <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Portland, OR 97239<o:p></o:p></div>
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919-444-9111<o:p></o:p></div>
Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-37770319815092752812016-06-17T20:57:00.000-07:002016-06-17T20:57:19.283-07:00Happy General Assembly and Happy Pride!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.nikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Nike-BETRUE-Womens-T-Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.nikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Nike-BETRUE-Womens-T-Shirt.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There was a convergence today in my life that I never ever expected: when my being a Presbyterian met my being a gay man, and both are living relatively (yet still some times awkwardly) together.<br />
<br />
It doesn't happen often in life when we take two parts of who we are, which were, for a long time, at odds with one another, and bring them together and find peace.<br />
<br />
For years, I feared that my ordination, my "The Rev." would be revoked because I would be outed as a gay man, and censured or de-frocked for writing such publications as "On Being a Gay Parent." I was told by my former Presbyter Exec. that I should stay away from plate glass windows in my home and not be seen holding my partner's hand or kiss him in my home or on the streets of Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh.<br />
<br />
Today, I walked around the halls of the General Assembly and didn't care who knew that I was gay. I was a ministered, called to be an interim pastor at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and by being gay was not going to take that honor of serving the people here away.<br />
<br />
Nothing.<br />
<br />
Nada.<br />
<br />
Zilch.<br />
<br />
Zero.<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
B<br />
<br />
<br />Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-3350192854624362322016-06-15T16:13:00.000-07:002016-06-15T16:14:32.793-07:00Orlando, Guns, Vigils, and Churc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The Pulse Night Club attack came across my Facebook feed and Huffington Post as I prepared to preach on Sunday morning. At first, the report was 20 were killed, which was a horrific amount. By 9:30 am, it was 50, including the killer, Omar Mateen.<br />
<br />
I was shocked. Horrified. Stunned.<br />
<br />
I went into the pulpit to preach a sermon that I had eerily titled, "Healing a Broken Community". To say the least, it was easy to weave in the story of Orlando in the part of the sermon that covered the sense of "brokenness."<br />
<br />
But then I surprised myself toward the end of the sermon when I recounted that the gun violence towards gays/LGBTQ people is not isolated in Orlando, but also here in Portland, Oregon. There are some streets and areas of this city where I would not kiss a partner because of my fear of violence. And four years ago, I could not be ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) if I were an out LGBTQ person. In fact, I know that charges were being drawn against me by another ordained clergy person in New Hope Presbytery because I am out and gay and an ordained clergy person.<br />
<br />
Violence: my mom realized by the end of the sermon that I could be a victim of violence because I am gay and live in the USA, where guns and AR15 rifles can easily be purchased.<br />
<br />
Friends of mine are visiting from Australia. I asked them before the shooting if they thought we were a gun loving country and they laughed: "Of course! You have guns everywhere, don't you?"<br />
<br />
My friend Paul Fukui and I went to one of two vigils in downtown Portland, outside of Embers, an LGBTQ night club. 2,000 people were there.<br />
<br />
But there were no vigils near where I live and preach.<br />
<br />
So tonight there is a vigil at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. I bought the church's first rainbow flag. I expect 25-30 people to arrive. I touched base with the rabbi in the neighborhood and president of a nearby mosque, but haven't heard back from them.<br />
<br />
And I will pray.<br />
<br />
We will read the names.<br />
<br />
There is a sheet to give people an idea of what to do to curb gun violence.<br />
<br />
This is a solemn week.<br />
<br />
Prayers.<br />
<br />
Silence.<br />
<br />
Writing letters to representatives and senators.<br />
<br />
Action.<br />
<br />
God be with us.<br />
<br />
Pax! B<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-40021443051060478052016-05-27T12:13:00.000-07:002016-05-27T12:13:00.243-07:00NC humor<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
So my dentist in NC asked me how I was enjoying my short stay in NC. "It's going well!" "What have you done in NC while you've been here?" he asked. "I've gone into every women's bathroom in the state," I said. He laughed so hard he almost fell off his padded stool.<br />
<br />
Crazy times in NC.<br />
<br />
Hate-filled times in NC.<br />
<br />
Time to take the state back to the 21st century rather than the 1950s.<br />
<br />
Pax! BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-47635730229812515472016-05-10T14:00:00.002-07:002016-06-15T16:13:49.146-07:00Make NC Great Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even though I now live in the state of OR, I must confess that my heart aches for what is going on in the state politics that is NC. I'm not surprised. I am sad. I am not surprised because I remember watching when the General Assembly in 2010 pass a bill to amend the NC Constitution, to deny us marriage equality, watching Dems and Republicans alike sign on with it, knowing that then-Gov. Perdue couldn't veto it (not in her powers). I remember phone bank calls and attending rallies in RDU area, only to drive 10 miles out of the bubble of Chapel Hill to see the pro-Amendment 1 votes to deny us marriage equality. We were the last state in the South to enact something so vile. .<br />
<br />
Now we lead the nation in a more vile bill, HB2, that discriminates against a large minority group. The General Assembly Republicans know what they are doing: they are driving out their base voter for 2016. This is all about getting out the vote in 2016, driving out by rallies and phone calls, etc. But voting matters. This is how these men and women got into power: by the people who voted for them.<br />
<br />
So let's make NC great again.<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-91346440110686996832016-05-10T13:45:00.000-07:002016-05-11T15:19:10.871-07:00Welcome, UMC Folks who are LGBTQI and In and Out of the Closet!<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Dear LGBTQI United Methodist Pastors: As an out gay pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), serving St. Andrew’s in Portland, Oregon, and as a former faculty member of Duke Divinity School (a United Methodist Church seminary), welcome to Portland! There are many out LGBTQI clergy in the Portland area who are praying for a change in your Book of Discipline that will allow LGBTQI people to be out and ordained, or marry the one you love. Here, kissing on a city street is permitted. Here, unlike North Carolina, citizens can use public restrooms without being asked about their gender or gender identity. Here, you can go see a movie and hold hands with little fear of violence; go to a concert and put your arm around your date; and hug each other after a Portland Timbers or Thorns soccer game goal with no one staring. There are so many bars and restaurants that are LGBTQI friendly that going to a specific gay or lesbian bar is unnecessary to find community. If coming to a welcoming city is a new or unique experience, consider trying this: breathe. Set aside whatever remnant of your LGBTQI closet is holding you back from stepping out, and breathe. Go to one of our many beautiful parks and breathe. Walk. Run. Live. Love. Feel free to sing, dance, shout, and tell your story. Be the person our Creator created, and the one that Jesus loves unconditionally.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One last word as you make your case with allies for marriage equality and recognition of being who you are? Courage!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Pax, Brett</span>Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-80259161807727238752016-03-23T14:04:00.001-07:002016-03-23T14:04:47.919-07:00NC causes me pain as a man who is gay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
From afar I am watching the "going-ons" in NC, and I am sad and mad. Having lived in NC for 25 years "plus", I came to love the state for its then-progressive ways, the culture of storytelling, food, and the geography. Some of my family members still live in NC.<br />
<br />
Today, I am angry in the way that the hate-filled NC Republican and apparently some Democratic legislators are voting in the House in overturning Charlotte's action to practice non-discrimination when it comes to LGBTQ people. Currently the bill is before the NC Senate. I know the outcome already.<br />
<br />
From sitting in my office in Portland, OR, with a unisex bathroom or 2 down the hall, the actions of the legislature is hate-filled and seems crazy. Living in a state (OR) in which there is a more libertarian "live and let live" attitude, this incredible move to push NC backwards seems crazy. But, as one of my clergy friends said in a sermon years ago, "When the 1950s come back, NC will be all set for its return."<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-29717596828155078682016-03-11T14:52:00.003-08:002016-03-11T14:52:48.032-08:00Working on the only gay Presbyterian pastor in the state of OR article<br />
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<br />
Still working on the article...going to download it here first...stay tuned!<br />
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BrettBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-20854783415558427392016-01-26T16:55:00.000-08:002016-01-26T17:27:13.523-08:00Meeting More and More Gay Dads in Portland, OR<br />
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There is the presence of more gay dads in Portland than there were in NC. While I knew some closeted gay dads in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, I'm still overwhelmed (in a good way) by hearing the story of dads who are gay with kids spoken so, well, openly in Portland, OR.<br />
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<br />
It is all good.<br />
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Pax, BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-860608016080093302015-12-18T17:48:00.000-08:002015-12-19T11:06:05.819-08:00One Year Anniversary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
It has been one year since I left NC and moved to my new/old home state of OR. I was actually born in Brooklyn, NY and raised from ages 4-12 in Maplewood, NJ, but teenage years were in Portland and Beaverton.<br />
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After 25 years in Chapel Hill, it is good to be back in OR. Though I miss friends and family, the land, the culture, of NC, I do not miss the politics and the sense of "stickiness" in my life. I felt stuck and unable to grow any further. My sense of well-being was not advancing but slowing down mightily.<br />
<br />
Oregon has been a place where I have thrived because of family, friends, the work I do, the people I work with, and the surrounding culture, both land and the arts.<br />
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Thankful, I am, for the good people of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. While I am still the only out gay Presbyterian pastor in the state of OR, it is not so lonely here with great people, and a good group of gay men I hang out with from time to time.<br />
<br />
Living a life of gratitude.<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-35871274906405318272015-12-18T17:30:00.001-08:002015-12-18T17:35:22.427-08:00Family Tree Happiness! A Cousin (once removed/second) is Gay! <br />
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<br />
Silly feelings.<br />
<br />
Caught up in a flood of feelings.<br />
<br />
For the longest time, I thought I was the only gay person in my mom's or dad's family tree. None of my cousins on my mom's side of the family tree-Ferguson-were out and gay. They were either hiding or they are conservative and heterosexual for the most part. On my dad's side of the family, he had no sisters and brothers, so that was that.<br />
<br />
I just discovered today that my mom's brother's daughter's (my cousin's) son is gay. Out and gay. Fiercely so.<br />
<br />
There are two (2) of us in this crazy tree.<br />
<br />
It is biological, after all.<br />
<br />
Neither of my kids are gay.<br />
<br />
But a second cousin IS gay.<br />
<br />
Of course, no one talked about it openly. My second cousin was told by his mom, my first cousin, that I'm gay. She, my first cousin, has never talked to me about being gay. Heck: none of my cousins or aunts or uncles on my mom's side of the family have talked to me about being gay or if I'm gay or happy being gay or...you get the point.<br />
<br />
A second cousin is gay. And out.<br />
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Hallelujah!<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-88156384629976157512015-09-30T18:56:00.001-07:002015-09-30T18:56:19.775-07:00Kim Davis, the Pope, and Me<br />
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As a Presbyterian pastor who is gay, and a dad, let me quickly say that I am not surprised at all about the latest dust up regarding this Pope meeting with Kim Davis, of Rowan County, KY fame, who denies same sex couples marriage licenses whenever possible.<br />
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The reason I'm not surprised? The Pope, like his predecessors, is conservative and a traditionalist. He understands that marriage is only between a man and woman, for the purpose of pro-creation. It is natural law theology/philosophy, made part of the canon thanks to St. Aquinas.<br />
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His comment, "Who am I to judge?" was just a nicer packaging of the same old trope. <br />
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It is what it is.<br />
<br />
And I'm not a Roman Catholic.<br />
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Pax!<br />
<br />
B Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-67687865509587035382015-05-21T13:09:00.001-07:002015-05-21T13:09:15.457-07:00No Conversion Therapy/Reparative Therapy in OR<br />
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Again: a difference between NC and OR.<br />
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In OR, Gov. Kate Brown signed legislature that banned conversion or reparative therapy in the state of OR.<br />
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In NC, the legislature is still trying to find ways to restrict the rights of LGBTQ people from marrying.<br />
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What a difference.<br />
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Here's the article about the state government's actions:<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;"> http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/20/politics/oregon-outlaws-gay-conversion-therapy/</span></span><br />
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Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-27337840426057323762015-05-21T13:00:00.001-07:002015-05-21T13:04:59.236-07:00Welcoming ALL at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.<br />
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Lee Ellis and Tom Galey, two men who are deaf and happen to be gay, joined St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR, on April 12, 2015.<br />
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And more LGBTQ people are coming by and worshipping with us.<br />
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This is great!<br />
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You are ALL welcome.<br />
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Please say "hi" when dropping by. And stay around and visit in the Narthex afterward. <br />
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Pax! B<br />
<br />Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-28199223907060461002015-03-23T17:20:00.002-07:002015-05-21T13:00:45.621-07:00PCUSA Welcomes ALL Who Are Married or Wish to be Married<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The PCUSA opened up the definition of marriage to include BOTH same sex couples and the language of "traditional one man and one wife," though the pastor has discretion over whom she or he will marry, and the Session discretion over whether or not the space will accommodate a wedding of a same sex couple:<br />
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Here's the link to the story: <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/faith/2015/03/largest_presbyterian_denominat.html">http://www.oregonlive.com/faith/2015/03/largest_presbyterian_denominat.html</a><br />
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Pax, BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-89592463667010235852015-03-10T19:33:00.000-07:002015-03-10T19:33:00.413-07:00Difference Between NC and OR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The best way to say it? Get back to your closet.<br />
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The Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Carrboro area feels so constrictive compared to Portland/Multnomah County. I've enjoyed hanging around various places in Portland with no feeling of fear for being gay. I meet more LGBTQ daily in my life in Portland than I do in Chapel Hill or Durham. I feel accepted for who I am more in Portland than I did in the RDU area.<br />
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Just taking notice.<br />
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Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-18831074032263293162015-02-19T17:07:00.001-08:002015-02-19T17:07:08.690-08:00In Solidarity with Christ Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
In the last few days I've gotten to know Adam Philips and his wife, who with his church, Christ Church, an Evangelical Covenant Church plant in Portland, OR, has been kicked out of the denomination because of their support of LGBTQ people. Crazy buy true.<br />
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I've had the pleasure of getting to know Adam via emails, hope to have coffee with him next week, and read all about him in the mail. I support him as a pastor, regret that they have to find another space, lost the money from Evangelical Cov. Church, and will be with him and his church in terms of solidarity of support.<br />
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Pax!<br />
<br />
BBrett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-11490360718310828402015-02-17T16:23:00.001-08:002015-02-17T16:23:16.845-08:00Kathleen Saadat! In the Presence of Our Ongoing Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I was pleased and honored to hear Kathleen Saadat this morning.<br />
<br />
Historic.<br />
<br />
She is an out lesbian black activist in the Portland, OR area. From St. Louis, MO, she has been on the forefront of change in Portland, OR throughout the years.<br />
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Pax!<br />
<br />
B Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-59242389653302174692015-02-09T17:54:00.002-08:002015-02-09T17:54:37.094-08:00Portland Tribune Interview: All are welcome in this house of God!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Honored to be covered in the Portland Tribune for being at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR.<br />
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<br />
Here's a link to the article: <span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">http://portlandtribune.com/scc/122-neighbors/249243-116288-you-are-welcome-here</span></span><br />
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All are welcome--ALL--to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.<br />
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Pax!<br />
<br />
B <br />
<br />Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599856046152538442.post-59409156844170454252015-01-26T12:14:00.002-08:002015-01-26T12:14:56.463-08:00Reaching Out, Reaching In: Welcoming LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ People at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Rev. Jeremy Watson, Assoc. Pastor, preached. The first sermon illustration he used was the protest of the Westboro Baptist Church while he was attending the Gay Christian Network gathering a few weeks ago.<br />
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I smiled outwardly and inwardly. <b><i>I</i></b> wasn't preaching about it (though I used the reference earlier in the month): Jeremy was preaching about it.<br />
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There is something empowering when the two ministers--one gay and one not-gay--show solidarity in that preaching moment, talking about it slightly differently but nonetheless using the story as an affirmation of how we should follow Jesus.<br />
<br />
Powerful.<br />
<br />
Hopeful.<br />
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Love-filled.<br />
<br />
Pax!<br />
<br />
B<br />
<br />Brett Webb-Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028667599395619358noreply@blogger.com0