News from the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance

Contents: March 2005

María Perez and Matthew Chastain Nominated to GLAD Council

The Nominating Committee has forwarded two highly qualified candidates for nomination to the GLAD Council: María Perez of Omaha NB and Matthew Chastain of Mercer Island WA.

The Nominating Committee, selected by the GLAD Council, included David Downing of Southern California, Chair; Gene Brink, Colorado; Patti Case, Indiana (member of GLAD Council); Laurie Rudel, Washington; and Casey Williams, Northern California (member of GLAD Council). Other members of the Human Resources and Nominating Ministry Support Team helped with the effort, including Wayne Bennett, Dick Miller, and Gordon Shepherd.

When selecting nominees, the Nominating Committee is limited by the requirements of the GLAD Design which calls for a gender balance and for lay representation on the Council. The team is also asked by the council to attend to other diversity issues including race, sexual orientation, and geography.

If the current nominees are elected at Portland the council will be evenly balanced with clergy and lay members, will include 6 LGBT and 2 affirming members, one Hispanic and 7 Anglo members, 4 youth, and a wide geographical representation.

You will find biographies of Matthew and María below. Many thanks to the Nominating Committee for their good work!

María Perez

María was born and raised under the warm sun of Puerto Rico. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Natural Science from La Universidad de Puerto Rico in 1977. She moved to New York City in 1982 and worked as a middle school teacher for 15 years. While working full time, she went to graduate school at night and earned two Masters Degrees, one in Bilingual Education and the other in Natural Science. She also graduated from the Hispanic Bible Institute in NYC in 1990.

María Perez

While in New York, she attended la Iglesia Cristiana La Hermosa. She was very active in the congregation, the Region, and the General life of the Christian Church. Some of the positions that she has held are: President of the Pastoral Commission and Hispanic Caucus, Vice-moderator of the Northeastern Region, President of La Convención del Noreste, and member of several regional and national committees and task forces. She is a member and former chair of the Division of Overseas Ministries and former Co-chair of the Common Global Ministries Board. María has also been very active ecumenically. She sang in the ecumenical choir, Cántico Nuevo and was their President for many years.

Currently, María lives in Omaha, Nebraska and shares her life with Nancy Brink, and her daughter, Hannah. She teaches Spanish at Iowa Western Community College. She is a member of North Side Christian Church, an Open and Affirming congregation, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Maria’s involvement with GLAD has been through attendance at several GLAD events, including the one in Kansas City, where she met her partner, Nancy. She is also a member of the Open and Affirming Ministry Team.

Maria would like to continue her involvement in GLAD as a member of the Council because it provides a platform and the means to be an agent of change for the larger community. As a Hispanic she brings a different perspective and point of view on the challenges that face us. She can also be an instrument to the Council to bridge the gap that exists between ethnic groups and the Gay community. Maria would also like to serve as a way of thanking all of those who have preceded her in the struggle for civil rights for GLBT.

Matthew Chastain

I was first introduced to the Christian faith when I was only a few days old. My parents took me to church a few days after I had arrived home from the hospital. That Sunday started me on my path of faith that continues today. I grew up in a large, non-denominational, and theologically conservative midwest church. I became a leader of my youth group and participated in outreach and mission programs in my own neighborhood and around the world. Eventually I chose to pursue an education at an affiliate Bible College and Seminary. It was during my time there that I finally came out to myself as a gay man. My coming out had variable and lasting effects. On one hand, never had I felt so connected to God. Being honest with my spirit opened the door to great blessings and healing. However, many of those around me began to reject me and I was asked to leave the Bible College, without credits.

Matthew Chastain

It took me many years (12, to be exact!) to reconcile that experience with my true passions and emotions. With new perspectives that time brings, I began to question why anyone has to experience this type of situation. It forced me to really question my faith and my view of the world and the role of Christ’s church. For a long time I did not belong to any congregation. Instead, I spent a lot of time studying and praying and healing. For the past couple of years now, I have been an active member of All Pilgrims Christian Church (Disciples and United Church of Christ) in Seattle. I many times wonder what those who kicked me out thought they were teaching me!

At All Pilgrims Christian Church I found a church family that I felt saw the world from a similar perspective. A world where we are all sisters and brothers no matter our faith system, our sex, our orientation, our education, our physical abilities or our financial situation. It was here that I found a voice for my passion for spiritual justice.

I first discovered GLAD while doing a search online. I have started the discernment process with several church leaders in the Seattle area and have a very strong desire to champion GLBT&Q issues and their reconciliation with the Church and vice versa. In other words, I feel called to a ministry in this area.

I attended the GLAD event at Drake University in the summer of 2004 and discovered a group of people and an organization that is dedicated to the complete inclusion of sexual minorities in the important work of the Christian Church. I was empowered by the programming and fellowship that week and returned to Seattle knowing I had found another outlet for my passion for spiritual justice.

I was quite surprised and honored to have received a nomination to join the GLAD council. After some thought, prayer, and several "question and answer" sessions with various GLAD members I have decided to accept the nomination. I would be honored to contribute with any and all abilities, talents or insights I have.