A United States soldier processed the flag of the United States of America in to our sanctuary as we stood at attention singing “God Bless America.” The veterans in our midst were honored as we sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” proceeded the pastor’s fiery sermon on the coming destruction of our beloved nation if we “…did not turn from our wicked ways.” Somehow gays, abortion and popular culture always made it into these services…but... Read more
Jeff & Phillip. My sons. God formed you to be perfect in the queerness of your being. Even though you have now traveled three years since your formation, perfection is still there. Learn to live into your being. For, in the queerness of your being is your perfection…and the perfection of the God who created you. In this journey called life, God is within you. Your stunning hunger for knowledge is from God. Don’t let anyone tell you where... Read more
*This is a conversation between my newly arrived summer intern Christian Parks and I. Christian is a Mennonite and a senior at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Identifying as queer, I met Christian a few months back when he was censored and not allowed to direct the play Corpus Christi at his school. Christian will travel throughout the summer with me on my The Courage to Be Queer Tour. J: Christian, I feel so blessed that you are here.... Read more
Nightmares follow me or maybe I follow them. I was tossing and turning in a foreign bed. The road is often unkind to me. Event after event leaves me weary. I saw Emily torn to shreds by the bullets of the police. I knew the consequences of standing with Jesus. How did this happen? I rushed to Emily’s side and in the midst of her final breaths, I shot up and opened my eyes. The strange scent of... Read more
“Good Evening. My name is the Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood. I serve as the Minister of Social Justice for Hope for Peace and Justice, the social justice ministry of the Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. I am here representing a rainbow people. When Grapevine Police Officer Robert Clark murdered Rubén García, we were reminded that police brutality can strike anyone at anytime. We must unite the rainbow of humanity to push back and get these killer cops... Read more
The images haunt me. The sounds reverberate in my ears. The video plays over and over in my head. While investigating a false burglar alarm, Grapevine Police Officer Robert Clark came across Rubén García sitting in his parked car. Perhaps due to some combination of his undocumented immigration status, intoxication and standard fear of the police, García fled. Officer Clark chased García for a few minutes. When García finally pulled over, he got out of the car and... Read more
In Matthew 25, Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me (or you didn’t).” Through these piercing words, Jesus declares that he is with and in those who are in prison regardless of their guilt or innocence. With the trial of mass murderer James Holmes underway in Colorado, Christians must decide if they believe the words of Jesus or not. Though Holmes’ crimes were heinous, I believe what Jesus said. When we take communion today around the... Read more
The Quiet noise noise noise i feel it i read it i hear it i know it then it stops i am lonely again The Things Above thud! the walls are closing in help! there is no way out stop! tomorrow is gone leave! the judgment is here look to the things above you say what about all the destruction today you say compassion they say condemnation you say kindness... Read more
“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Throughout my ministry, I have often wondered back to this scene from my favorite childhood books. During... Read more
According to the Pew Research Center, the Christian population in the United States has declined steadily from 78.4% to 70.6% since 2007. Throughout social media, prognosticators and pundits have raced to explain why the church is dying and how it can be saved. The frenzy of it all has been very informative for me. Everyone wants to freak out about the decline yet no one wants to analyze why this information makes us freak out in the first place.... Read more
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