Kevin

Rev. Kevin Downer

Metropolitan Community Church

Chicago, IL

I am the founding pastor of aChurch4Me? MCC, a new community and church where love is a blessing, diversity is a gift, worship a celebration, and life a journey!

I grew up in a small, rural New England farming village, attending a Congregational Church/UCC and felt called to ministry at an early age. A patriarch of the congregation confirmed this calling in my late teens, though by then I was sure that I could not be gay and Christian, let alone serve the church. I became a business consultant and busied myself for many years, avoiding faith and spirituality all together – until I wandered into an MCC. That first worship celebration changed my life and my journey, and slowly I reconciled my relationship with myself and my God, and the Spirit of God resurrected my calling.

This stole was created by a Lay Leader at the first church that I served, MCC San Antonio. I am reminded of the communion of saints who have gone before us who have (and continue to) courageously heard the still small voice and responded, “Here I am, send me.” In their courageous witness, LGBTQ people like me are able to serve as our Maker gifts, calls, and sends us. This stole also remains a powerful reminder of the many callings never resurrected, and the untold needs that go unmet.