by Ben Gerardy, GLAD Council Member
First Christian Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, will be hosting a concert on November 10th with Dr. Jessie Sneed. Dr. Sneed is a well known concert pianist with a wide variety of musical talent. Having written over 85 hymns and church anthems as well as contatas, he has a fascinating story to tell.
After completing his PhD. in Music, Dr. Sneed became a music teacher in the Stokes County School System. He attended and joined a local church and became their choir director and pianist. A few months later the church hired a new minister and after a few weeks called Dr. Sneed in for a meeting. He was told "We don't need or want your kind in our church because we believe you to be gay."
Jessie left and did not attend any church for a few weeks, when someone said, "You ought to go to First Christian in Walnut Cove, they accept everyone with open arms." Reluctantly Jessie attended and was made to feel very much at home. He later joined and is the pianist at that church and is deeply loved. Many of his friends now go there and the church has warmly accepted them.
Dr. Sneed is a two time cancer survivor and has a deep and abiding faith. His concerts are fun for people of all ages and backgrounds. Though his degree is in classical piano, his concerts are a good mix of church music, classical, show tunes, jazz and modern music. Children love him and tell all their friends they have the best music teacher anywhere.
When Dr. Sneed called me recently he said, "Ben, it is obvious to everyone I'm gay and proud of it. Is that going to be a problem with anyone in your congregation?" I shared this comment with the leadership and they said, "Why would that be a problem?"
Walnut Cove Church and First Christian, both O & A congregations are looking forward to a great concert.
| GLAD Alliance Inc. P.O. Box 44400 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0400 |
glad@gladalliance.org | return to www.gladalliance.org |