Heather Reichgott lives in western Massachusetts with her wife and two-year-old daughter. She is a Candidate for Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and an All But Dissertation candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA.
How has your personal journey to marriage and parenting strengthened or challenged your faith?
My faith journey began at age 16 when, honestly, Jesus came and got me. I became more serious about being Christian. I felt my faith in Christ was in conflict with what was happening for me with attraction and falling in love with the woman to whom I am married now. I felt I had to fight against this attraction until I realized there was no conflict.
When I was seeking out the right church and receiving God’s call to ministry, I became more self-reliant. I felt I was alone with God more.
What is one of the defining moments in your life as a Christian?
There are a lot. The first time I gave a sermon was my junior year of high school. Our youth group led a service every year. I really wanted to preach, as I felt almost immediately called to ministry after my conversion. It was the first time I heard my own voice being the preacher’s voice — what a shock! In third grade I had a kind of stutter so I was worried that might be there but I got up there: No stutter. Preaching freed me from it and I haven’t had it in conversation since seminary. This was a glimpse of my vocation. I am the worship leader of a house church right now.
In your mind, what are the Biblical foundations for LGBT inclusion in the church?
The love of God means the inclusion of everyone. The great themes of the Bible like the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the people being the Body of Christ, the Holy Spirit present in the Sacraments — these are what make the church the church. We have no business tacking the word “except” to that message.
What upsets the idea that Christianity and GLBT are incompatible is the variety of families in the New Testament. None is a standard American nuclear family. Joseph is not Jesus’ father. Mary, Martha and Lazarus, His friends in Bethany, are family for Jesus. In Romans 16 Paul greets many different groups; not one is simply a straight married couple. Scripture challenges us to reassess our sense of family.
What would you say to those Christians who have a different view on inclusion?
There is a lot I do say. I challenge us to read the Bible together from cover to cover with attention to the kinds of family there and to the assumptions we bring to our reading. Let’s ask together, “What am I expecting the passage to tell us and what is it actually saying?” It was the college level study of the Bible that opened my eyes to a bigger perspective of Scripture.
What can we do to foster dialogue and build bridges with people with different views on inclusion?
We can go back to the things about the faith that are most important to us. Paul wrote over and over again about our temptation to think we are better than someone else, and to use religion to that end. Paul wrote over and over again that God has enough love for us and for the person sitting beside us. What the Gospel is about is what will get us through this.
Do you have a story of a person who embodies Christ’s teachings?
I think I have to say my mom.
She has a strong faith. She is always aware of the impact of her own actions on others. If she can make another life better, she does it. If she feels that she has made another unhappy, she worries. If she feels that God wants her to do something, she is there doing it. My mom is very loving and constant about being loving. Her community is very important to her.
Is there a prayer or meditation that helps you make it through trying times?
I feel great support from going to church, worshipping with a congregation. I love the hymns, Scripture and preaching. One hymn in particular comes to mind:
Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of they redeeming love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by thy great pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, I take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
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3 Responses to Conversation with Heather Reichgott
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Amazing conversation with Heather. I am struck by her statement,,,”We have no business tacking on the word “except” to that message.”
Heather”s teaching about the diversity of families and relationships in Scripture is insightful and helpful, too.
Thanks for this insightful blog and conversation.
Dear Janet and Heather:
I really like this idea:
” I challenge us to read the Bible together from cover to cover with attention to the kinds of family there and to the assumptions we bring to our reading. Let’s ask together, What am I expecting the passage to tell us and what is it actually saying?’”
This is so crucial for families and church families, everyone. Thank you -
Donna
Dear Donna and Michael,
Thank you both for highlighting some of Heather’s thoughts that provoked your reflection or agreement.
One of her comments that struck me most is the impact preaching had upon her childhood stutter. What an indication of how strongly God is calling her to the office of Word and Sacrament! And my experience of Heather as a worship leader confirms that as well.
I am so grateful to Heather for sharing of herself in her fullness with the church. I know it will hasten the day when the PCUSA will affirm God’s call to her and other gifted GLBT Presbyterians to ordained ministry.
Peace be with you both, Janet