A Remembrance by Integrity President Caro Hall
It was 2006, the first time I was a volunteer at General
Convention, that I met Louise. I was the main writer that year, and she was
head of the communications team, as she was in 2009 and 2012. Over the years we
became close friends. It was Louise who called me to ask if I would step in
when David Norgard had to resign before completing his full term as President;
it was Louise who kept me abreast of things I should know about in the national
and international church; it was Louise who kept pushing ahead and keeping us
on track.
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| Caro Hall and Louise Brooks in 2012 |
Her passion for LGBT rights and LGBT inclusion in the Church
has been an inspiration to me. I can’t imagine that she ever thought about much
else – she always had an idea of where Integrity should be going, how we should
be presenting our message, how we could do a better job. It will be impossible
to fill the huge space she leaves; Integrity will need to find two or three
people to pick up the work that she has done so faithfully, even when discouraged
and even when extremely ill.
Louise has left us a tangible legacy in the Voices of
Witness video series. The first one tells the story of same-gender couples
whose relationships are blessed by God and the Church; the second, filmed by
Cynthia Black and Katie Sherrod, gave voice to LGBT Christians in Africa; and
the third, released just a few months ago, Out of the Box, tells the experience
of transgender Episcopalians – in their own voices. We are so grateful that she
completed these projects in her competent and painstaking way – producing
material which has helped to move the Church towards greater and greater levels
of inclusion.
My heart goes out to her spouse Susan Russell, her brother
Fred, and the whole family as well as their church family at All Saints
Pasadena.
Into your hands, O
merciful Savior, we commend your servant Louise. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech
you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own
redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of
everlasting peace, and into glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
It was--to say the least--a full week! But it was one full not only with events, meetings and travel but with the abundant blessing of taking our gospel message of God's inclusive love to both allies and decision makers as we continue to call both our church and our nation to live up to their high calling to embrace all members--to empower all citizens--equally.
