Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

By Sue Laurie (G-E, '95)

THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER
(Paragraph 1) The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

Eternal Father, when nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea. Their children you brought through the Jordan to the land which you promised.

Sing to the Lord, All the earth. Tell of God's mercy.

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I remember my baptism. I was 14 and preparing to join the church with a large confirmation class. My parents stood with five of us ~ red-headed Laurie kids, ages 2 to 14 ~ as we were baptized. My grandparents came from out of town. Our church family, who had taught us the faith though story, music, art and service projects was there. With them were the unconditional love and promises of those God stories.

After seminary, I was serving as a pastoral assistant many miles away. I felt at home in the Gothic sanctuary that reminded me of the place where I was baptized. Some folks were not convinced that I should be in leadership as a Christian who is lesbian. One of them, with great integrity, had come to talk with me about her discomfort.

The conversation was nervous at first. Then we discovered a common ground of not only faith, but family ~ we had both been baptized at the same place! We shared our experiences, years apart, but with the same love and promises.

Her last question was about my rainbow scapular that I wore in worship. She had learned that it was a "sign for gays" and it felt "in your face." Again, I found common ground in our faith story ~ that the rainbow is a sign of God's promise and love for all people~ that since childhood every time we saw a rainbow, in the sky or in a picture, we felt joy. And yes, for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community it was especially dear, reminding us that we are not less than others and that God will lead us to freedom even as God led the Israelites through the Jordan. We prayed together that day and this woman became one of my best supporters, inviting others to get to know me. I thank God for the rainbow and the promise of freedom as we continue the journey toward the Promised Land.