The author of many groundbreaking works including Uncommon Calling – A Gay Christian’s Struggle to Serve the Church and Coming Out as Sacrament, Chris is one of the most prophetic voices in LBGTQ theology and spirituality today.

Come celebrate Chris’ ongoing ministry and the reception of the Glaser/Lazarus Project Archives into the Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies (CLGS) Archives at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.

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Our Scripture reading for this for this Sunday is Luke 7: 36-50. It is the story of a woman who crashed a dinner party Jesus was attending at the house of Simon, the Pharisee. We don’t know this interesting gal’s name – she is only described as “a woman in the city, who was a sinner.” I suspect, since Simon was a Pharisee, the dinner was somewhat dull. Imagine being invited to a party at the pastor’s house. Need I say more? But this unnamed woman surely livens things up a bit. Let’s see, she washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, and then kisses his feet before anointing them with perfume. Don’t ever think the Bible is boring. Simon is not happy one bit. Disgusted, he grumbles under his breath, “If Jesus really was a prophet, he would have known what type of woman was touching him.” Either Jesus is not a prophet, or there is something lacking in the way Simon perceives this woman. Simon is seeing but he is not really seeing. All he can see is a sinner. But when Jesus looks at this woman, he really sees her.So Jesus speaks up and tells Simon a parable:

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Imagine being buried alive in a tomb? In the time before “modern medicine,” that actually happened! People were buried alive! Fingernail marks have been found on the interiors of numerous coffins signifying that the person who was buried was actually buried alive!!! The custom of holding a “wake” was originally not an excuse to drown your sorrow in alcohol, but actually came from the need to have someone present with one who “had died” to see if there were any signs of them “awakening.”

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WHPC inspires me with its unapologetic diversity - lesbian couples and their kids, gay couples and their kids, and straight families, too, along with single straight people and single gay people and transgendered people, not to mention people of every color and age – ALL children of God worshipping together.  Every Sunday, I get a glimpse of a God [...]

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I first came to WHPC in the early 90s, and I’ve seen it change and grow–but from the very first it’s been a place of love and acceptance and welcoming. I always knew it was a place where I would find love and support. Now my daughter Emma is part of the church [...]

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When I first moved to California, I was looking for a church that would not only be welcoming but also give me the same vibes as my own church growing up.  After trying several churches this one finally gave me the nostalgic feeling I yearned for from my younger days and everyone was welcoming.  It [...]

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Sean and I were looking for a place to practice our faith.  In my search I looked up WHPC through a gay men’s support group that meets there weekly.   We attended once and since then it has been great.  Now, this is what we have to say about WHPC:  It is a place that accepts, [...]

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I initially visited WHPC with my partner as part of our search for a church home.  We ended our search immediately because we knew we had found a special place.  It’s been three years of wonderful Fellowship and learning.  We look forward to many more years of spiritual growth at WHPC

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Worshiping at WHPC has helped rid me of the desire to give in to my addictions, and instead has helped me find the courage to nurture what is good for me, like my relationship with my partner and friends.  WHPC is helping me to build a stronger foundation for the man that God wants me to be.

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When I landed in WHPC I not only felt welcomed, but I felt at home and closer than ever to God! Being able to share my gifts with the community fills my soul with joy and satisfaction.  I’m proud to be part of this church and thanks to Mark, our Pianist, every Sunday I feel [...]

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