Dear Editor;

I recently read the enclosed article in an issue of CONTACT, from Houston, Texas. As a longtime MCCer, I was able to empathize with what the author was trying to say, and as the pastor of the church for the gay community in Cleveland (not an MCC...yet), I looked at it from another viewpoint. What it says holds true, whether the church that is working in a community is an MCC or otherwise. We have a fine group of people coming together in this community, and they all felt strongly in agreement with Steve Childers. I only hope that you will reprint the article, and that the Cleveland gay community will read it with open minds. Fellowship Community Church needs the support of the Cleveland gay community if it is to be an active force for gay liberation and awareness. I hope more people and gay businesses will begin to support us, and when we too, join the ranks of the Universal Fellowship, that a good chunk of the community. will be proud of us.

Sincerely,

Rev. Art MacDonald Pastor, Fellowship Comm. Church

WE have reprinted the following with the permission of CONTACT newspaper, Houston Texas. We hope that what it says will help some of you, and that Rev. MacDonald's hopes will be fulfilled.

Editor

GAY MINISTER RETURNS

Reverend Arthur MacDonald, former pastor of Fellowship Community Church, has returned to Cleveland from New York City, after an abscence of three months. He has been reinstated as the pastor of F.C.C., and has instituted several programs to help the tiny church regain its position in the community, and its financial status. When Rev. MacDonald married, and moved, the pulpit of the church was given to Rev. Robert Murphy. He has since lost his license in F.C.C. and been fired as the pastor, for misconduct and mismanagement of funds. Rev. MacDonald was offered the pulpit, and has returned. Mr. Murphy formed the Corpus Christi Community Church, which has since disbanded. F.C.C. censured Mr. Murphy, but have not removed him from their membership rolls.

"He has caused a great deal of trouble in our community, and created a terrific strain among many friends. He did misuse our church funds, and does have some serious problems. But, he is still our brother in Faith, and in Love, and the basic premise of Christianity is to forgive. So we love Bob, and pray for him, and

hope he finds himself...soon,' says Rev. Mac

Donald.

NOTES ON RELIGION & GAYS

Dear Editor,

I wrote an article in 1973 that is a pretty heavy commentary about what it is like to be a member of MCC, and of the gay community. Unfortunately, I could have just as easily written it this year. In August, 1975, Dallas will be the hosts of the sixth annual General Conferences of the Metropolitian Community Churches, and I hope that by then, our quests will find that our community supports our church, even if there are those who, for some reason, will never join us as members.

You have my permission to print the article and to use my name.

In gay Christian love,

Steve Childers, Dallas

Its true! Gays are prejudiced, and they discriminate among themselves, and they aren't "camping" when they do. Its one thing to be attacked by the "anti-gay" heterosexuals; but to be attacked by your own brothers and sisters wella stab in the back couldn't be worse.

How do Gays discriminate because of prejudice? I'm a member of the MCC. I love my church and my religion. I also love the bars, and yes Virginia, even the baths. Contrary to widespread belief MCC doesn't preach hellfire and damnation; nor do we attack or condemn the baths or the bars; and yet, as an active member of MCC, I go into the bars wearing my cross and then the feeling of love and acceptance surrounds me.

"Well, have you convinced God that He's Gay yet?"

"Hey man, don't you know that you can't be Gay and Christian?"

"What is MCC just a bunch of queens playing church?"

"You mean you actually drink, smoke, have sex, and still go to church?"

In some bars, we, as members and friends of MCC, usually get preached at and condemned for what we believe. We believe in total love, not just partial love. We love the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of each individual. We are not criticised because we can love each other mentally and physically, but because we can love each other spiritually as well. We love, regardless of race, color, sexual preferance, religious affiliation (if any), or regardless if you care to smoke, drink, or how you relate sexually. We are not prejudice at MCC.

We don't walk into the bars or baths with a "holier than thou" attitude; and yet, some people, when they discover that we are from MCC, automatically assume we have a "holier than thou" attitude. When delivering our church paper, "The Channel," a bartender offered me and my friend a drink on the house. We thought that was a "right on" idea, but i was disappointed when we were served Coke. I wanted a scotch and water! The friendly bartender then gave us the usual interrogation as to how we could possibly be Christian and Gay. Then after the discussion had everybody's attention the stage was set, the lights went on us, and the resident bar personality walked up to me, carressed my leg and said: "Let's go home and ball." I can dig honesty; however, I deplore mockery. I said, "No." "Oh, but," he replied, "don't you love me?" I told him: "I don't even know you." "Oh, but don't you love me as a human being?" To which I replied: "Yes, I do." "Then why can't we go home and bail?" Well, all I could tell him was: "There isn't really anything that I could say that you want to hear, but I still love you as a human being."

Other people in M.C.C. could probably tell you how they have been "tested," ridiculed, or mocked. I feel it's a shame that our brothers and sisters can't accept us as we are. I know fully well what it feels like to be in the minority-maybe MCC members are really in the minority. But I know what's right for the majority hasn't always been right for me. I'm Gay, Proud, Healthy and Christian; and if thats Queer-yes I certainly am!

Bar owners and those who support M.C.C. regardless if they attend, know that I'm not preaching to them. I'm not treated like an outcast in every gay establishment. Maybe someday soon things will be different. After we remove the prejudice and discrimination out of the remaining heterosexual bigots, then we can rid the same among ourselves. You still don't believe it exists? What about the Gay Pride Parade? I marched proudly with my "I'm not prejudiced I like Heterosexuals." Why did I do it? Becuase I believe in gay liberation. MCC does too! We voted at a congregational meeting to again participate in the parade. Did our brothers and sisters congratulate us because we dared to march? I'm not talking about MCC's involvement. I'm referring to anyone who had the courage to stand up and say, "Yes, I'm Gay and Proud!" Well some of my best friends have stabbed me in the back because of it. I guess they were afraid that liberation rubs off; and they couldn't afford to be liberated because

of their job, family, etc. Well, the pioneers of any liberation movement are usually told to "shut up and don't get invloved." It would be easier for me to go straight and become an atheist. For some, that's whats right for them but it's not right for me.

Rev. Perry tells us that MCC will not be destroyed by the foxes that breed discontent in the gay community; it can only happen inside the church among ourselves. Well, I believe that. But I also believe that the gay community can never destroy each other among ourselves.

The theme of the Gay Pride Parade last year was: "United WE Stand, Divided WE Fall"-and I'll say amen to that.

BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM CONTACT...

THAT CERTAIN SUMMER by Burton Wohl. The poignant novel of a young boy who discovers his father is gay based on the most important and acclaimed TV drama in years. Bantam paperback, 139 pages, 95 cents.

BOB DAMRON'S ADDRESS BOOK '75. This is the original and by far the most accurate national gay guide published. It's considered the Bible among gay guides. More than just a listing of bars it has information about each bar, plus baths, hotels, restaurants, cruising areas, book stores, beaches, theaters, and information on which places to avoid. Paperback, 168 pages, $5. THE GAY WORLD by Dr. Martin Hoffman. The most provocative, revealing book ever written on male homosexuality in the U.S. Bantam paperback, 212 pages, $1.95.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD AND HE KNOWS I'M GAY by Rev. Troy Perry. The frank and inspiring autobiography of a crusading gay minister, the founder of the Metropolitian Community Church. Bantam paperback, 214 pages, $1.50.

Texas residents should add 4% to total for state sales tax. Allow two weeks for delivery. All books sent in sealed packages. Order from CONTACT, box 22104, Houston, TX 77027.