sunday morning

sitting in the front pew, i've got my camera in my hands, taking pictures sparingly. only of the pastor. no one else. i've been invited back to a GLBT church in topeka, last week when i arrived i hadn't met the pastor or anyone in the congregation. they didn't know me, nor i them. but this week was different. everyone knew my name and was greeted with hugs and not one sideways glance.

see i wanted to do this church justice. last week when i attended i was moved. the music, the compassion, emotion and acceptance the congregation emanated put me at ease. even though i wasn't able to make pictures, i sat there content to listen to the piano and contemplate the sermon. but also thinking, wow if i could just photograph these people, the closeness they share with one another while worshiping. taking communion with their partner or friends. so i knew i had to come back.

but it was tricky. a lot of the people who attend aren't out in one way or another, and being photographed for the paper could potentially harm someone. so i came back, and was able to photograph one couple taking communion. this act, communion, was the one thing, other than the music, that really stood out. groups of people walk up and sharing the experience, huddled with the pastor and praying. they seemed so peaceful. at home.

which to me is beautiful. to attend a church with doctrines stating you're to go to hell because of your sexual orientation would be devastating. some people have no other choice, or walk away from their religion entirely because of it. but not here.

too often people get caught up in what's 'right,' what people tell them to believe... distance themselves from what they do not understand. only if people would step back, and really see people for who they are.

...peace