Delaware's Gay Straight Christian Alliance began in the summer of 2001 over breakfast. Layperson Scott Yant and Pastor
Warren Campbell-Gaston met together one June morning to share their common concerns over harsh anti-gay rhetoric coming from
many Christian churches. As Christians, they wanted to voice an alternative Biblical interpretation to that of fundamentalist
dogma. As Christians, they believed it is wrong to condemn GLBT people in the name of a religion whose primary teaching is
to love thy neighbor. And so the Delaware Gay Straight Christian Alliance was formed.
In 2003, Pastor Campbell-Gaston
moved from Delaware, Ohio, but Scott remains with the organization and served as its chairperson until August 2006. DGSCA
offers worship events in the fall, winter and spring hosted at rotating local churches. Worship is alternated with social
events sponsored by the group. Although time has passed, our resolve remains strong.
Currently, DGSCA members are also members of a number of area churches, including Asbury United Methodist Church, First
Presbyterian Church, Zion United Church of Christ, William Street United Methodist Church, the Delaware Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship, and the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation (in Lewis Center). Several members are also affiliated with
the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Ohio Wesleyan University.
We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ who
fought for justice and never condemned a person for the way they were born. We pray for the day when we can live in a society
that does not discriminate against its citizens on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Our past worship services have included:
October 22, 2008 Taize Service
Ohio Wesleyan University
August 17, 2008 Called to Community
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Hosted groups from central Ohio
June 22, 2008 Living Spirit, Living Faith
William Street United Methodist Church
April 27, 2008 You Raise Me Up
Zion United Church of Christ
Feb. 13, 2008 At-One-Ment: Living in the Heart of Grace
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Dec. 2, 2007 God With Us: Embodied Love
Ohio Wesleyan University
Oct. 14, 2007 In the Beginning
Asbury United Methodist Church
April 15, 2007 And Now for Something Completely Different
First Presbyterian Church
Feb. 11, 2007 A Love That Knows Your Name
Ohio Wesleyan University, Benes Hall
Oct. 22, 2006 Gather Us
In
Zion United Church of Christ
April 30, 2006 Radical Hospitality: Why Gay Equality Matters to Us
Asbury United Methodist Church
Feb. 26, 2006 Family Matters
North Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Oct. 23, 2005 Managing the Divide: How to Deal with Those Who Oppose You
First Presbyterian Church
May 15, 2005 Dem Bones Gonna Rise Again
Asbury United Methodist Church
Feb. 20, 2005 Finding God's Healing for My Wounded Soul
Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Sept. 26, 2004 Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are
First Presbyterian Church
May 16, 2004 Shining God's Light into a Darkened Church
Asbury United Methodist Church
Feb. 15, 2004 Unconditional Love in Conditional Times
First Presbyterian Church
Sept. 7, 2003 Shower of Stoles
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
May 18, 2003 Welcoming Worship Service and Flower Celebration
Asbury United Methodist Church
Feb. 9, 2003 Cairn Building Worship Service
First Presbyterian Church
Oct. 13, 2002 Celebrate God's Universal Love
Asbury United Methodist Church
In addition, we have sponsored these events:
- A booth at the Knox County Fair, co-sponsored with Equality Ohio and the Knox County Gay Straight Alliance.
- On Feb. 28, 2008, we co-sponsored (with Equality Ohio) a showing of "For the Bible Tells Me So" at Asbury United Methodist Church.
- On March 3, 2007, we sponsored a free showing of "All Aboard: Rosie's Family Cruise" at the Strand Theatre in Delaware.
- "Family of Choice" Thanksgiving Dinner, Andrews House (Held on the Saturday 12 days before Thanksgiving, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008)
- Delaware County Fair Booth (September 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
- Summer Picnic (July 2004, July 2005 and August 2006)
- Spaghetti Dinner (April 4, 2004) First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall
- Social Event (Nov. 6, 2003) Andrews House
