Church claims that she has “chosen to live in disobedience to the scriptures”…
When Kimberley Mills decided to come out and share that she was in a relationship with a woman, she knew it probably wouldn’t sit well with her church community. She just wasn’t prepared for the response she received from church leadership.
Mills has been a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Oshawa (east of Toronto) for the past three years, but after opening up to fellow parishioners about her same-sex relationship, she received a letter by registered mail informing her that she was being removed from the membership and was no longer welcome at church.
“It was brought to our attention that you have chosen to live in disobedience to the scriptures,” reads the letter signed by Deacon Chairman Tim Wagner. “Kim, we are exercising our responsibilities to follow biblical instructions toward the goal of your repentance and full restoration to walk with Christ and his church fellowship.”
Upon receipt of the letter, Mills decided to speak out and share her story on social media.
“My first reaction was kind of shock, then it went into hurt and then it went into needing to say something about this,” Mills told CTV Toronto.
Since opening up about her experience, Mills and her partner, Meghan Fowler, have received an outpouring of love and support and they’ve found another church that is ready and willing to welcome them both with open arms.
“The (new) reverend basically said, ‘Come as you are. We love you for who you are. God has designed you that way and you don’t have to change to be a part of our church family.’ That’s what I think Christianity is all about,” she said.
Watch Mills share her story with CTV Toronto.
JUMOL ROYES is a Toronto-based writer/PR & communications strategist with a keen interest in personal development and transformation. Follow him on Twitter @Jumol.
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