Editor, the News-Herald:

In regard to Mary Grace-Atkins’ letter in your Sept. 5th news, we wish to respond to her concern about the UCC Churches who have embraced sexual lifestyles against the bible’s teachings.

Please know Ms. Garner-Atkins, that there are many of us in the UCC churches who do not embrace the alternative sexual lifestyles.

It has nothing to do with bigotry-we are not bigots. It has nothing to do with hate-God teaches us to love all people and we must follow His teachings to love all people and we do. It has nothing to do with being judgmental. We are all sinners and have come short of the glory of god. We are saved by His grace, not our goodness.

What it does have to do with is God’s redemptive love being available to us. Our repentance and His redemption are sadly ignored more and more in today’s society. But, according to His Word, repentance and redemption are absolute necessities; and we who claim Christ as our Lord and Savior must never, ever forget this.

I close with this scripture reference: I Corinthians 6:18-19. &uot;Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so dearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?&uot; NLT

Any version we read tells us pretty much the same. And there are numerous other scriptures addressing sexual sins.

We thank you for your words of concern. Many of us have them. May we all continue to live for Him and serve Him-our Lord and Savior. May God give us all direction as we seek to follow Him and His will for our lives in these troubled times.

Rev. and Mrs. Dolan Talbert

Suffolk