No Outcasts: Ora Houston

We Who Were Once Excluded Will Exclude No One

Not Even Those Who Exclude Us

By Ora Houston 

Ora Houston

At the 76th General Convention, the triennial gathering of The Episcopal Church, some actions left Episcopalians--who have traditionally viewed the Church from positions of power and privilege--feeling marginalized and not heard—again. Faithful Christians described feelings of being pushed to the margins of the Church, and being fearful that the Church they love is changing. They feel forced to choose between the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

I empathize with everyone who is experiencing those feelings. The realities of being on the margins of the Diocese and the Church are not new for many Episcopalians. I love the Episcopal Church; it is the denomination where I choose to work out my salvation. During my 50 years in this church, like many Episcopalians, I have struggled to be accepted by the Church. When I learned the Church was silent during the Civil War (scripture was used to support slavery), I stayed. During the civil rights era of the 60s, when the Diocese was mute about my humanity and pleas for justice went unheard, I stayed. While on the margins we stay, we serve and we continue to send our money to a Church that, for decades, accepted our gifts without acknowledging our pain.

It was a privilege to represent all of the people of God in the Diocese. Anaheim provided me with a rare opportunity to develop relationships with fellow lay deputies from Texas. As one might expect, there were awkward moments in the beginning. Let’s be honest, I am different from them – I am not an attorney and I am not male! Our society does not provide opportunities to engage in meaningful conversation with faithful Christians who are in some way different. Perhaps the Diocese can be intentional about identifying safe places to develop relationships.

We each experience the love, mercy and grace of God, not because we are faithful, but because God is faithful. God is faithful to people at the center of power and to those gathered at the edges. As followers of Christ we are directed to love God and to love one another. That is an inclusive statement…no exceptions. I am confident that the Church is in good “hands”—God’s.

From Texas Episcopalian, here.