YOU are Welcome Here!
We believe God calls us to...
Embody a forward-thinking, courageous, and diverse Christian community.
Follow the ways of Jesus the Christ as a grace-filled, spiritual congregation.
Practice affirming and radical hospitality.
Engage our local and global community with acts of love, mercy, peace, and justice.
Follow the ways of Jesus the Christ as a grace-filled, spiritual congregation.
Practice affirming and radical hospitality.
Engage our local and global community with acts of love, mercy, peace, and justice.
He was Despised and Rejected by Others
As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said,
“Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
(Acts 8:36-38)
“Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
(Acts 8:36-38)
About 1900 years before the first gay pride parade, comes this story in the Book of Acts of the Ethiopian eunuch being baptized by Philip the Evangelist. But then as now, recognition and validation of a gay man by religious authorities almost certainly had its intended effect.
This man, a black African, could even be viewed as the spiritual ancestor of all gay and trans people of color today . . . a man whom Philip saw no impediment to baptizing.
And yes, Philip almost certainly would have known that this earnest convert to Christianity was not a heterosexual man. Indeed, that is probably the major point of the story. It is as though the author of the Book of Acts is saying, “Look, even gay black men are worthy of the kingdom of heaven!”
As one commentator wrote, Philip’s answer to the eunuch’s request to be baptised “should be astonishing to anyone who still holds a prejudice against gay, lesbian, [trans], and bisexual believers.” (The Children Are Free, Rev. Jeff Miner, 2002, p. 44)
Of course, the eunuch’s actual sexual orientation is lost to the mists of time. We do know, however, that he was a member of a group widely associated with same-sex attraction. That is why men like him were entrusted to positions of authority in the quarters and courts of women in the first place. And in this particular man’s case, we know that he served as Treasurer to Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:27). Who better to give such intimate access to the queen than a gay or trans man with no interest in bedding her?
It is worth noting that when Philip first meets the eunuch on the road from Jerusalem, he finds the man reading the passages from Isaiah in which God’s anointed one is “despised and rejected by others . . . He was oppressed and he was afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:3, 7)
The eunuch’s interest in these verses make sense when we consider the strong possibility that he had just attempted to gain admission to the Temple in Jerusalem at which he, too, would have been “despised and rejected” on account of his status as a sexual minority (see Deuteronomy 23:1). But here is Philip, sweeping away this kind of senseless barrier to the man’s desire for conversion and salvation.
The passages in Isaiah that follow the account of the persecuted man’s treatment are, indeed, addressed to all eunuchs who keep God’s commandments:
“Do not let the eunuch say, ‘I am just a dry tree.’ For thus says the LORD: To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 56:3-5) The 7th verse of this chapter then movingly declares, “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
Today, as Gay Pride is celebrated in the U. S. and across the globe, my own most ardent hope is that ALL of God’s children will receive the gifts of that ancient promise.
Prayer: Creator God, as LOVE itself, forgive us for trying so senselessly to put your love in a box. Amen.
This man, a black African, could even be viewed as the spiritual ancestor of all gay and trans people of color today . . . a man whom Philip saw no impediment to baptizing.
And yes, Philip almost certainly would have known that this earnest convert to Christianity was not a heterosexual man. Indeed, that is probably the major point of the story. It is as though the author of the Book of Acts is saying, “Look, even gay black men are worthy of the kingdom of heaven!”
As one commentator wrote, Philip’s answer to the eunuch’s request to be baptised “should be astonishing to anyone who still holds a prejudice against gay, lesbian, [trans], and bisexual believers.” (The Children Are Free, Rev. Jeff Miner, 2002, p. 44)
Of course, the eunuch’s actual sexual orientation is lost to the mists of time. We do know, however, that he was a member of a group widely associated with same-sex attraction. That is why men like him were entrusted to positions of authority in the quarters and courts of women in the first place. And in this particular man’s case, we know that he served as Treasurer to Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:27). Who better to give such intimate access to the queen than a gay or trans man with no interest in bedding her?
It is worth noting that when Philip first meets the eunuch on the road from Jerusalem, he finds the man reading the passages from Isaiah in which God’s anointed one is “despised and rejected by others . . . He was oppressed and he was afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:3, 7)
The eunuch’s interest in these verses make sense when we consider the strong possibility that he had just attempted to gain admission to the Temple in Jerusalem at which he, too, would have been “despised and rejected” on account of his status as a sexual minority (see Deuteronomy 23:1). But here is Philip, sweeping away this kind of senseless barrier to the man’s desire for conversion and salvation.
The passages in Isaiah that follow the account of the persecuted man’s treatment are, indeed, addressed to all eunuchs who keep God’s commandments:
“Do not let the eunuch say, ‘I am just a dry tree.’ For thus says the LORD: To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 56:3-5) The 7th verse of this chapter then movingly declares, “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
Today, as Gay Pride is celebrated in the U. S. and across the globe, my own most ardent hope is that ALL of God’s children will receive the gifts of that ancient promise.
Prayer: Creator God, as LOVE itself, forgive us for trying so senselessly to put your love in a box. Amen.
In Person Services
- We are back to normal in person 10:30am worship. There is NO LONGER the need to register to worship. Of course, live streaming will happen at 10:30 and be available on YouTube for viewing after the service.
- We have lifted the 50 person limit, so come as you feel comfortable to attend in person.
- We will continue to ask you to use either the Red Doors or the handicapped entrance
- We have become mask-optional, which means if you have not been vaccinated, please wear a mask. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please do! If you are compromised in any way health-wise, please wear a mask.
- WE ARE TRULY ENCOURAGING VACCINATION! The truth is most of our congregation has been vaccinated and it is safe to return. We will have a section of the Sanctuary sectioned off for people who feel they still need more distancing. Masks will be required to sit in this area.
- The pew pads will be back in the pews and we ask everyone to sign to allow us to keep attendance.
- The CDC has not issued guidance regarding singing, so in an abundance of caution we ask if you wish to sing to please wear a mask while singing. We will update this as soon as more guidance is made available.
- There will still not be a Passing of Peace
- Offering plates will be placed on a table for offering; ushers will not be collecting offering.
Our Sunday Schedule (Online)
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The Gathering!
10:15 a.m. Remember back in the old days how, when we’d come to church, we’d spend some time simply greeting each other? Saying hello, how are you doing, that kind of thing? We have decided to have a brief time of “gathering” on Zoom before Sunday morning worship. We’ll gather from 10:15 - 10:30, just to say hi. At 10:30, those who’d like, can tune in to worship. Or you can stay and visit a little while.
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Sunday School
9:00 a.m. Sunday School: Summer Faith Exploration
Zoom meeting Sunday at 9:00am gathered in room E107 or from the comfort of your own home. June 20 presenter: Faith Cook Poem: "The Felt Sense Prayer", author unknown Sunday, June 27 will be the last in the series "God is still speaking through poetry". This will be the last meeting of Faith Formation for the remainder of the summer. Classes will resume the first Sunday after Labor Day - Sept 12th.
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Worship
LIVE STREAMING every Sunday on YouTube at 10:30 a.m.
Visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel and click on the LIVE button to watch the service.
For links to sermons from previous weeks visit the SERMONS page.
While we are following the state and local COVID-19 restrictions, it may be difficult to reach our office by phone. Please email admin@uccasheville.org if you need assistance. Thank you!
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