In celebration - OTN Patron John Bell's reflection for LGBT+ History Month
John Bell is a member of the Iona Community, a dispersed Christian community working for peace, social justice, rebuilding community and renewal of worship. John is also a hymn-writer, Church of Scotland minister, broadcaster, and activist. He has published many collections of songs and reflections.
FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. We’ve asked our Patrons to share a reflection. Here our Patron John Bell shares a moment of appreciation, of affirmation and gratitude to God:
It is probably twenty or more years ago that a young volunteer working at Iona Abbey arranged an evening service which reflected the then disputatious issue of same-sex relationships. He himself was not gay, but felt called to celebrate the sexuality of others.
Most memorable in the liturgy was the moment at which members of the unsuspecting congregation were invited, as and when they wished, to stand and name someone who was gay or lesbian whose life had significantly enriched theirs. There was a hiatus, and then one by one names were mentioned with great fondness, and sometimes with tears.
It was not a protest, a slap in the face to biblical fundamentalists, or a point-scoring procedure. It was a moment of appreciation, of affirmation and gratitude to God for lives, many which had had their worth and giftedness eclipsed by a suspicion or condemnation of their sexuality. It was a moment in which straight people collectively valued their friends, relations, colleagues and mentors.
