MK O'Haver

MK O’Haver

United Methodist Church/United Church of Christ

Charleston, VW

MK received her call to ministry from God in 1993 and began her service to the Church in 1994 in Youth Ministry and Christian Education. In 2001 she began the candidacy process for ordination in the United Methodist Church and enrolled in seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio in 2003. In 2005, we began dating, and by 2007 we were engaged, graduated, and MK had been removed from the candidacy process for being a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual.” She now lives in an in-between place – a United Methodist living in a United Church of Christ world. Together we are planning a new church in Charleston, WV – Bridges of Grace UCC – where I am clergy and MK is laity.

MK chose this stole for donation to the shower of Stoles after an LGBT Pride event where we were drenched by rain. Removing from my shoulders my stole, with its bleeding colors, she said, “This is my story. God is still weeping for those who have been called, but kept out. The UCC would welcome me and ordain me, but I don’t think that is how she meant to fulfill the motto That They May All Be One.”

– Rev. Kay A. Albright,
MK’s wife and partner in life and ministry