Controversy about the Episcopal Washington National Cathedral’s stained glass windows caused a stir last year when the previous cathedral dean called for removal of windows marking the lives of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. But a small Episcopal congregation in North Dakota is making news this week with their own new LGBT window dedicated to the gay community.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Fargo dedicated a new window on Sunday featuring a rainbow and words from the denomination’s 1979 revision of the Book of Common Prayer: “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?”
Dubbed “Integrity Window” the installation also commemorates English writer St. Aelred of Rievaulx. Aelred authored the treatise “On Spiritual Friendship” and is claimed by some in the gay community for his own deep friendships with men. The window also features a quote from Galatians, a pride flag, the logo of Integrity USA (the unofficial LGBT caucus within the Episcopal Church) and a depiction of the parish’s rainbow-flag flying float from a local parade.
“Loving God, loving your neighbor as yourself, that’s really the basis for all Christian ministry as I see it and I think that’s the basis for how we see GLBTQ inclusion,” Parish Priest-in-Charge Jamie Parsley told local news station KVLY. The window is dedicated “in memory of those who died trying to be their authentic selves.”
According to statistics provided by the Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s is a relatively small congregation of fewer than 60 people on Sunday. It is one of two congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota which is affiliated with Integrity USA. In contrast, the diocese is regarded as relatively traditionalist and is one of a handful in the denomination that does not permit parishes to bless same-sex unions or solemnize same-sex marriages.
According to the church’s web site, St. Stephen’s operates under an accommodation known as Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight and is under the authority of another bishop, Carol Gallagher (Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Montana), so that it can celebrate same-sex marriage rites.
A short news segment about the window installation can be viewed here.
UPDATE [4/4/2017]: a 2015 news story about the congregation’s disagreement with the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota’s bishop can be viewed here.
Comment by Eternity Matters on April 3, 2017 at 6:40 pm
Typical God-mocking “Christian” Leftists. He’s just another false teacher who knows nothing of the real Jesus.
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Comment by T_Ford on April 3, 2017 at 8:42 pm
This is all fine and dandy if your trinity is me, myself and I.
Comment by Mike Ward on April 4, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Why don’t photographers ever take pictures at these churches on days when they are crowded?
Comment by Jeff Walton on April 5, 2017 at 9:57 am
Just the fact that Parsley has been there since 2008 but is priest-in-charge (rather than rector) indicates it is a smaller congregation. My understanding is that it is the liberal alternative to the more traditionalist cathedral across town.
Comment by bostic on April 5, 2017 at 10:35 am
This is probably a big Sunday for them! But they did get attention–which is all drama loving liberals want.
Comment by Robert Stowe on April 5, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Matthew 18:6
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
It would seem that the Episcopal Church, the PCUSA and the UCC are all doing exactly this by their stand on homosexual behavior and same-sex marriage and by extension so are their individual members.
Comment by Adeyinka on April 5, 2017 at 9:07 pm
This is mockery of christianity faith and God
Comment by JoeMudd on April 12, 2017 at 6:05 am
The window quotes Galatians as if the meaning of that awesome
scripture can be twisted to serve the LGBT agenda. Remember Galatians also hold the words “God is not mocked” and a price paid
is then promised.