Yesterday on Facebook I posted a message from Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ+ Interests about Bridgewater Church of the Brethren’s Associate Pastor, Chris Zepp;
“On [December 10, 2015], Mark Flory-Steury, acting district executive minister of the COB Shenandoah District, notified Pastors Chris Zepp and Jeff Carr of the Bridgewater COB, that the Shenandoah District Leadership Team had acted to remove Chris’ ordination for officiating at a same sex wedding, effective December 10, 2015. The congregation’s Executive Committee will be meeting to determine its next steps. Please express your support to Chris and the congregation, sending copies to your district, congregation, and to the General Secretary of the COB. Also, please contact the Shenandoah District and Mark Flory-Steury to let them know of your support for Chris and the congregation. Punitive actions like these enacted by the district are unattractive ineffective, and divisive; reflecting the fear that casts out love.
Strength and courage to you, Chris, and good people of Bridgewater COB!”
BMC asked that we write letters of support to Bridgewater and letters expressing support for Chris, Jeff and Bridgewater to the Shenandoah District Leadership Team and Church of the Brethren denomination leaders. Below is the letter I crafted and sent on behalf of Open Table. I encourage you to use it as a template or inspiration in writing your own letters of support.
Brothers and Sisters,
We are writing to express our support and appreciation for the ministry of Bridgewater Church of the Brethren and Pastors Chris Zepp and Jeff Carr. We believe that Jesus calls us to follow his example and teachings by offering love and welcome to all God’s children. The Bridgewater Church of the Brethren congregation and its Pastors have responded to this call with sound discernment as true followers of Jesus. The actions of Shenandoah District to punish the congregation and Chris is disappointing and contrary to our Brethren and Christian principles of living in relationship. Punitive actions are not the way for us to find continuity of mind and spirit. We are hurt and angered by the spiritual violence inflicted on members of our beloved body of Christ. The Open Table Cooperative board and staff are united in calling the District Leadership Teams of the Shenandoah District to reinstate the ordination of Pastor Chris Zepp. May the district response be an act of God’s love for a dedicated servant rather than an act of human politics.
Open Table Cooperative works to help the Church of the Brethren grow and move forward with a unified heart, continuing the work of Jesus in a spirit of bold, visionary, inclusive love. We envision our beloved church as a place where our diversity is celebrated and our unique gifts are honored. We stand with those on the margins and call for conversation and reconciliation as we seek to honor the diversity of voices within the church. Though we may not be of one mind we pray that we can be of one heart. Together, as the body of Christ, we are called to be an example of love to the world.
We, the board, staff, and community of Open Table Cooperative, offer our deepest prayers that through this most holy season of Christmas we might be able to reaffirm the miracle in the birth of Jesus. The miracle that changed the world with simple acts of love, welcome and invitation.
In Christ,
I sent letters to the addresses below. Thank you for your prayers and words of support for the Bridgewater congregation and its Pastors.
Bridgewater Church of the Brethren
420 College View Dr
Bridgewater, VA 22812
Shenandoah District
Church of the Brethren
P.O. Box 67
1453 Westview School Road
Weyers Cave, VA 24486
Stan Noffsinger
Church of the Brethren
General Offices
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120
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