South Carolina Presbyterian church hires transgender minister in Anderson
A small, struggling Presbyterian church in Anderson, South Carolina, has taken the bold step of hiring an openly transgender woman as its new pastor. North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian (NACCP), a member congregation of the mainline denomination, Presbyterian Church (USA), has hired the Rev. Laura Bethany Buchleiter as its stated supply pastor (a temporary minister…
Myers Park church replaces ‘Baptist’ with ‘Covenant’
What’s in a name? Sometimes, nothing; sometimes, everything. That applies to churches as well. Since the 1980s, the trend has been for churches to drop denominational identifiers from their names. For example, in the South Carolina Upstate region, New Covenant Church has a significant presence. It is a Presbyterian congregation with ties to the Presbyterian…
Our People: Amanda Weatherspoon
Nestled in East Charlotte, there’s a kitten-loving optimist who is consistently “working towards bringing more love into the world.” From social worker to clergy member, Amanda Weatherspoon is a self-love enthusiast who lives a life defined by running an organization with the hope of finding things that make her heart sing. Originally hailing from Tennessee,…
Fun for June: let’s go to Ronda, NC for ‘Faith, Family and Freedom Month’
The small town of Ronda, North Carolina (population 400), is getting heavy coverage from conservative-slanted news because town commissioner Kevin Reece announced June 5 he will put forth a resolution to officially designate June as “Faith, Family and Freedom Month.” The move comes in direct opposition to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which was officially recognized in…
Out in Print: ‘Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself’
So just make up your mind already. The decision is very much in your control – or, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be. It’ll be your future, your path, and seizing it may not just be necessary, but mandatory. It’s your life, and no one can live it for you. As in the…
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Gunman killed after opening fire outside Asheville gay bar
Quick action by staff and patrons at an Asheville gay bar helped prevent injuries after a man returned to the business with a firearm and opened fire early Wednesday morning. Officers with the Asheville Police Department responded around 1:57 a.m. July 16 to reports of an active shooter outside Shakey’s, a longtime LGBTQ+ bar in…
