Integrity in the Diocese of Indianapolis

Diocesan Coordinator John Steele
and his husband John Cutter

The Diocese of Indianapolis celebrated two events this weekend.

The new Diocesan Coordinator, John Steele, made Integrity's presence known at its second half convention (the dioceses held two half conventions this year). John is a Delegate to the Convention and a newlywed to John Cutter. At the convention, seven resolutions passed: review alcohol policies for church events, study parental leave issues, strengthen greater cooperation among dioceses, commit to greater study around racism, respond to the work of the church-wide task force on the study of marriage and their resources, engage in more Bible study, and commit to work toward food security issues in local communities.

Moreover, Integrity's newest chapter celebrated its inauguration at Trinity Church, Bloomington. Convenor Ed Brandon invited Province V Coordinator David Fleer to speak at Trinity's adult forum on Sunday, October 25. David spoke about Integrity's history and its future to a friendly audience of parishioners. He also stressed the grass roots nature of Integrity, emphasizing the importance of local initiative in directing the attention of Integrity on matters of interest to the church.

Join us in celebrating the ways Integrity proclaims God's inclusive love throughout the Church.

Statement from Integrity on Recent Legislation in Indiana

As Integrity's Coordinator for Province V, which encompasses 14 dioceses of the Episcopal Church in six Midwest states, I wish to express my deep sadness over the passage of legislation in Indiana that legitimizes discrimination against LGBTQ persons.

This law arose after the Supreme Court, on October 6, 2014, declined to hear an appeal of the Seventh Circuit Court's decision to end the ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana and four other states.

There are three reasons for my sorrow. Firstly, it is disgraceful to see elected officials enacting laws that provide legal cover to the behavior of individuals whose education or upbringing blind them to the equality of all persons as established by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution.

Secondly, I am distressed by these legislators' justification: that this law in some way "restores" religious "freedoms" that have somehow been lost. Supporters of this law are very careful not to articulate these "freedoms," for obvious reasons: they are the acts that express a moral or genetic superiority over an oppressed minority. Over the years many other groups have been discriminated against, denied equal treatment in housing, service, employment and law enforcement, and made to feel unwelcome in this country by others who are taught to feel somehow superior. As with the first point, this "freedom" to be bigoted is frankly un-American.

Finally, to claim a "right" to discriminate against others on religious grounds offends me. The supporters of this law claim, as I do, to be followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus disturbed the religious leadership of his time by prioritizing concern for people over regulations and traditions. His only command to us was "to love others as I have loved you". As Christians, we are called to reflect the compassion and mercy toward others that He showed us during His life on earth. The legislation that passed in Indiana serves a different god.

We hope that in the coming weeks and months, this odious law will be repealed or declared unconstitutional. In this regard, we encourage your action to "do Justice". Write your legislators. Recognize and celebrate diversity among our citizenry. As Scripture says, again and again, "Be not afraid".


David Fleer, Integrity Coordinator
Episcopal Province V

Requiescat in Pace: John Victor Larson 1939-2013

Integrity regrets to report the death on January 24th of John Victor Larson, who was instrumental in the 2007 revitalization of our Northern Illinois chapter. "John was the driving force behind the re-formation of our chapter in the Diocese of Chicago," said David Fleer, Integrity's Province V Coordinator, whose territory includes the Great Lakes region. "He was its treasurer until he moved to Pennsylvania to live closer to his sister as his health began to fail. He will be greatly missed."

Born in 1939 in Peoria, Ill., John attended the University of Illinois and worked as a nuclear engineer for Westinghouse. In addition to his work with Integrity, he was involved in other peace and justice organizations including P-FLAG. When the Gay Games took place in Illinois in 2008, John was instrumental in P-FLAG's efforts to bring the rowing competition to Crystal Lake.

While living in Illinois, John attended St. John the Evangelist: Lockport. In 2011, John relocated to the Pittsburgh area and attended St. Stephen's: McKeesport, where he will be remembered in a memorial service at noon on Saturday, March 2nd. He is preceded in death by his father Robert and his wife Bonnie, and survived by his mother Velma (who turns 104 in April), three sisters, two sons, eight grandchildren and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, 312 East 11th Street, Lockport, Ill. 60441 and/or PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois (where a scholarship fund is being established), P.O. Box 734, Elmhurst, Ill. 60126, and/or St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 220 Eighth Street, McKeesport, Penn. 15132.

Obituary and Photo - Windy City Times