The Canon's Blog: Out of the Ordinary
Louie Crew -- Sowing the Seeds of the Good News
I attended a celebration on Monday night hosted by Integrity, the leading public voice in the Episcopal Church for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. The celebration was a profound "thank you" to Louie Crew who in 1974 founded the organization based on the simple premise that the Church must be true to God's desire that all God's children are safe, welcomed, and affirmed regardless of sexual orientation. Louie accepted the accolades with the same humility that has marked his ministry from the very beginning. He noted: "It's not about me." Rather, his work has been about God, and helping this Church to fulfill God's intention for equality and full inclusion. As his partner of many years, Ernest Clay, proudly looked on, Louie gently reminded the gathered of the importance of being faithful to God's vision even in the midst of adversity.
It brought to my mind an incident on the floor of the House of Deputies in 2003, when a lay deputy in protest of the pending consent to the election of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, threw a measure of table salt at Louie as a symbolic condemnation of him and what he stood for. I recall as we gathered around Louie and prayed while laying our hands on him, that he was insistent that his supporters not engage in retaliation for what had happened. By example, Louie had sown the seeds of Christian charity in the midst of a highly-charged situation.
At the eucharist which followed Louie's reception, Gene Robinson, who is now 6 months from his retirement as bishop, remarked that everyone present is called to be an evangelist of the Good News of Inclusion. He proclaimed that this Monday was a wonderful day in the life of the church, referring to the House of Deputies joining with the House of Bishops in adding "gender expression and identity" to the list of prohibited discrimination in The Episcopal Church (Resolution D019). He recounted that the movement began with calls for the inclusion of gays and lesbians and later expanded its focus to include bisexual identity and now, incusion of transgendered persons. Not only did the Bishop's words cause us to reflect on just how far this Church has come in 38 years, but they also served as an exhoration to proclaim the Good News on behalf of those who remain marginalized.
And in that great celebratory throng sat Louie Crew who first sowed those seeds of the Good News back in 1974, now taking stock of the wonderful harvest that his vision and hard work had brought about and no doubt marvelling at how the Holy Spirit continues to surprise and bless.
Comments
Minor Correction
The "salt and battery" incident by an "orthodox" Episcopal priest was actually in Denver in 2000. It was his way of "exorcising" the demons from The DioNwk, the DioChicago and the DioElCaminoReal. He also placed salt at the entrance to the House of Deputies and under the podium and around the chair of the PHOD. We discovered the salt when it began to eat through the tape that held the wiring around the microphone and podium near our deputation. The odor of an electrical fire is a very terrible thing - it was slowly smoldering. Louie's response was classic: He asked for a short recess in the House so someone could to come and clean up the salt and tend to the fire and then led us all in singing, "Jesus loves me this I know." Before we knew it, someone from the offending clergy's deputation came and "confessed" to Louie what he knew of the actions of his fellow deputy. Word quickly spread through the House and suddenly, people were laying hands on the members of our deputation and singing praises to God, all led by Louie. As I said at the testimonial which preceded the Eucharist, Louie is the best Christian I know. We are honored and blessed to have him in our midst. Thanks for lifting him up and celebrating his life and ministry.
Vermont also got salt under
Vermont also got salt under its table. I have never sung in such a moving way, with about 500 of the 800 deputies holding hands in a huge circle on the perimeter of the House of Deputies while the salt was cleaned up and the wiring repaired. If I remember correctly, said priest also tried to do an exorcism in the House of Bishops. It was beyond bizarre; it was upsetting.
Thank you
Canon Jacobs, thank you for being a part of this event. It was my first time there, and I was completely overwhelmed by the number of straight allies who shared the celebration with us.
We in the NYC-Metro chapter of Integrity have been especially gifted by Louie's continued generosity with his time and quiet inspiration as we continue this work in the world.
God bless,
Christian Paolino
Diocesan Organizer (Newark)
IntegrityUSA
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