Source:  The Harvard Crimson

February 22, 2010

Alice E. M. Underwood

“All are welcome. We are not fancy. We especially welcome sinners,” proclaims the Web site of St. Martha’s Episcopal Church in Lexington, Ky., where the Reverend Timothy R. Fleck ’86 was made Clergy-in-Charge this past December.

While homosexuality is not considered a sin in the Episcopal Church, which is known for being more progressive than other denominations, Fleck said that he had his doubts about living with another man in an openly gay relationship when he was first invited to Kentucky.

“I had in my mind prejudiced ideas about eastern Kentucky and Appalachia, and I wasn’t sure my partner and I would be comfortable or even safe,” he said. “But I’ve found that the parish at St. Martha’s has been very friendly and accepting.”

Fleck said that he was looking for spiritual direction throughout his time at the College and joined the Episcopal Church after graduating. He came out during his senior year, though only to a handful of close friends.

“It’s amazing to me now to look back 25 years and know how difficult a thing it was to think about being out and just how terrifying it was,” he said. . .

Read the entire article here. 

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