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Lesbian Couple Become Pastors of Historic Baptist Church

Veronica Neffinger

An historic Baptist church in Washington D.C. recently hired a lesbian couple to serve as the lead pastors of the congregation.

ChristianToday.com reports that Calvary Baptist Church announced the leadership of the couple this Sunday.

Sally Sarratt and Maria Swearingen are the married lesbian couple who will be taking on the roles as senior pastors of the 115-year-old church.Sarratt and Swearingen were both ordained in 2015. They will assume leadership of the church on February 26.

The couple is excited about their new roles: "We have found it so easy to fall in love with Calvary and its longstanding commitment to be a voice of justice and compassion for those who perpetually find the wholeness of their humanity disregarded and maligned,” they said.

"What gratitude we have for so many who have continued to walk with us and bless our journey together. Thanks be to God for all that lies ahead..." they added.

The church is also excited to have the couple leading the church.

"We were impressed by how their gifts, talents, and experience matched our ministry priorities—and we are thrilled about their upcoming pastorate and the versatility the co-pastor model will provide our congregation,” said Carol Blythe, chair of the church’s ministerial selection committee.

Calvary Baptist Church severed ties with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2012 over a number of issues, including same-sex marriage.

 

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: January 10, 2017