Equal participants in the body of Christ LGBTQ members find spiritual home in ELCA congregations
By Sarah Carson When Tim Schannep’s husband, Tony Garcia,
was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the couple knew they had a battle ahead of them. What they hadn’t anticipated was how that journey would be complicated because of their sexuality. “We encountered all kinds of homophobia and
bigotry while he needed medical care,” Schannep said. “[Hospital staff] wouldn’t even get us a wheelchair, so I ended up picking up Tony and carrying him to the car.” For Schannep, like many ELCA members,
ensuring all people have the same rights and opportunities is a basic tenet of his faith—a response to Jesus’ call to “do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). When the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
adopted the “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” social statement and its accompanying “Recommendations for Ministry Policies” that recognized same-gender relationships in the ELCA, many LGBTQ Lutherans felt truly welcomed by their church for the first time. Today the work for full inclusion in the church
and communities continues, and many ELCA congregations and members are leading the charge to ensure that LGBTQ folks aren’t just welcome, but are equal participants in the body of Christ.
“Willing to listen” In their 22 years together, Schannep and Garcia had plenty of experience fighting for justice for the LGBTQ community. But as they looked forward to life together as seniors, they discovered a need that hit close to home. “When we turned 60, I started looking to see what kind of retirement or assisted living facilities were out there where we could be together and found the options were really limited,” Schannep said. As they began conversations with neighbors,
community groups and Chicago aldermen to develop LGBTQ senior living facilities, they found allies at Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston, Ill. “There were LGBTQ members at Grace prior to
Tim and Tony’s arrival, but [the couple] brought a courageous public witness to our ministry as we worked for full inclusion,” said Daniel Ruen, pastor of Grace. “Through our relationships with Tim
36 FEBRUARY 2017
Tim Schannep
and Tony, we were brought to a state of profound awareness about the need for safe, senior housing.” From writing letters to lawmakers to hosting
movie screenings, discussions and a fundraiser to support their efforts, the congregation wasn’t afraid to prayerfully enter into difficult discussions. “They were very willing to listen and be involved. For people to actually take time to listen and hear somebody’s story is really important,” Schannep said.
“Part of Christ’s body” Ensuring LGBTQ individuals are heard is an integral part of how Asher O’Callaghan understands his calling. “Any time we try to cover up or silence diversity, we lose part of Christ’s body,” he said. A lifelong Christian, O’Callaghan is all too
familiar with how difficult it can be for some members of Christ’s body to feel included. O’Callaghan, who is transgender, said that as a child attending a more fundamentalist Christian denomination, “I grew up being afraid that I was going to hell.” When he came out as bisexual at the campus
ministry he was attending, O’Callaghan said “the response was basically, ‘We love you and disagree with you. So you won’t be allowed to lead in any way.’ ” It wasn’t until O’Callaghan was invited by friends
to attend a service at House for All Sinners and Saints, a then new ELCA congregation in Denver, that he finally found a spiritual home. “I had never
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Photo: Sarah Carson
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