MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
              COME TO THE WATERS: A Litany for Inclusiveness*
                               (New York Annual Conference, June 2000)
                                   Created by the Rev. Virginia C. Hoch


“And Jesus said, ‘Come to the waters...’” Nurtured in the healing waters of a womb; healed in the
cleansing waters of baptism; and baptized into the one body of Christ, we come to the waters of
hope, thirsty for a taste of your free-flowing Spirit.
“...Stand by my side...” Thank you, God, that you lead us with your arm firmly draped around our
shoulders; and that you invite us to share your journey of justice and your call to opened eyes and
hearts.
“...I know you are thirsty...” How dry are our Spirits, O God, when the waters of your Spirit are
diverted away from us and divided among us! God, heal us from being tight-lipped when we should
speak, and from fearing to sip the wine in new wineskins of life.
“...You won’t be denied...” Your words strike at the core of our humanity, for with you there is no
one left outside your circle of holy love. We long and pray for the dawning of that sacred moment
when we will all join in your Spirit-song and sing to all your children, ‘You won’t be denied.’”
“...I felt every teardrop...” Our tears flow into the cup of your salvation, where the bitterness of
anger and grief is mysteriously changed into the nectar of the world’s redemption in the presence of
the living Christ.
“...When in darkness you cried...” How often we feel so alone in the darkness of the soul’s nocturnal
hour! Yet you, O God, sustain us through our bleakest hours, and offer the moisture-reflective
shoulder of a true, caring friend. Help us to turn to you with all our fears and sadness, with all our
years of pain, that we may enter into life in Jesus’ name.
“...And I long to remind you...” Precious Jesus, your sacraments are all acts of remembrance. In this
sacred moment, re-member us, ‘til all are fully “membered” among your visibly remembered.
“...That for those tears I died.” We stand wounded at the foot of your cross, O Christ. We cry in
pain for all who suffer separation, exclusion, and loneliness. We hear your cries of agony over our
inability to grasp the length of your embracing arms or the depth of your compassionate heart. Move
us toward the day when all will feast at your banquet table, as equal co-inheritors of your eternal
grace.

*This litany/prayer may be done with the song phrases, holding each note of the phrase until the next
line is sung. The whole refrain may be sung in its entirety at the conclusion of the
litany.

         GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

Our focus is on how we can create safe havens for
LGBT youth in the community.  The Alliance will
continue community resource and education events like
movies, talks, and attending the True Colors Conference
in March.    

Everyone is welcome, please look for future meeting
notices!

If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in
contrasting values, we must recognize the whole
gamut of human potentialities, and so we weave a
less arbitrary social fabric,  one in which each
diverse human gift will find a fitting place.

----Margaret Mead
TEACH MINISTRIES
Stands for
To Educate About The
Consequences of Homophobia
Read about how the suicide of a child changed the
life of one mother.
www.teach-ministries.org
                   RESOURCES

True Colors,Inc.  Sexual Minority Youth and Family
Services is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that
combats homophobia, gender bias, and racism.  We
provide support, education, and advocacy to those
responsible for the health, education, and well-being of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Youth
and Families. Phone 888-565-5551  
www.ourtruecolors.org

True Colors Annual Conference
True Colors XV: A Global Perspective
Friday, March 14 and
Saturday,  March 15, 2008
University of Connecticut-Storrs, CT

OUTSPOKEN is Fairfield County's support group for
LGBT youth, ages 16-22. The group meets every
Sunday, from 4 to 6 P.M., at the Triangle Community
Center, 16 River Street, Norwalk. For further information
call Dan at 203-227-1755.

Center Youth is a weekly support and social group for
LGBTQI youth ages 16-21. Meetings are Tuesday
evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. at the New Haven Gay
and Lesbian Community Center, 50 Fitch Street, New
Haven.  For information, please contact the Community
Center at 203-387-2252.
   THE TREVOR PROJECT

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide,
around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline for gay and
questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves
lives though its free and confidential helpline, its website
and its educational services.
PFLAG - Parents, Families, and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays

www.PFLAG.org

PFLAG Greater New Haven/Shoreline
Help Line: (202-453-1395
Email:  greaternewhavenpflag@yahoo.com
The Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church Gay/Straight Alliance was formed in March 2004 with the
goal of letting people know that Mary Taylor is a church where everyone is welcome!  Churches that are
welcoming call themselves any one or a combination of the following; Inclusive, Welcoming, Open and Affirming,
or Reconciling.  While Reconciling is the chosen term of most Methodists, all of these descriptions mentioned are
positive and meaningful to those searching for a place to worship.

Mary Taylor Memorial UMC is affiliated with The Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). RMN is a national
network of United Methodists advocating for the full inclusion of persons of all sexual orientations and gender
identities into the life of the church. Founded in 1984, RMN consists of 195 United Methodist congregations, 26
campus ministries, and 20 Reconciling Communities and over 18,000 individuals.
168 Broad Street
Milford, CT 06460
203-874-1982
mtmumc@sbcglobal.net
Webmaster: Comments@mtm-umc.org
All rights reserved.