Janice Lymburner, member since 1990

SURROUNDED WITH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

After joining the church in 1990, I was asked to serve as an Elder and eventually learned that a self-affirming lesbian or gay man is not allowed to be ordained in the PCUSA. I had a very difficult time confessing to the session that I needed to resign and why. However, to my surprise after a short while they decided not to fill my position and to study the issue. After another couple of hard years talking more publicly in the church and even in the Northeast Georgia Presbytery, as well as many other church events, I began to feel overwhelmingly supported by the NPC community.

NPC elected me to serve, and I believe a lesbian or gay person will now continue to be considered. This has been quite a journey for us all. The church stood up for me and my partner Priscilla many times and surrounded us with unconditional love. Now it does my heart good to see so many others coming to our church to be held in the loving arms of this wonderful community. I will always call NPC my home.