Recently an inmate wrote to me from the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.  If get three or four letters a year from inmates, most of which are addressed to the pastor of the church — from men I have never met.

Apparently gay-oriented news publicaitons are either available or can be brought in to the prison.  The letter I received recently indicated that he had seen our congregation’s advertisement that LGBT people are welcome.

This is my response.  I am posting it in the hope that it can be of some help to someone else.

Dear [Gary],
I received your letter yesterday at Hollywood Lutheran Church. I am Rev. Dan Hooper, and have been the Pastor of the church for about three years.  I am happy that you have heard about our congregation. Since you have asked some questions, I will try to answer them.

Homosexuality is one variation of human sexuality. Our human sexuality is part of our human nature as God created us. Some people are homosexual, some are heterosexual, and a few are somewhere in between. But I am sure that God made us the way we are. You do not need to feel guilty about your sexual orientation, even though each of us should be responsible in how we express our sexual orientation.

Our congregation is completely supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. We have had same-sex couples exchange marriage vows in our church, and we honor all couples as true families united I love with the blessing of God. My partner and I have been together for many years, and Hollywood Lutheran Church called me to serve the church knowing that I am gay and in a permanent relationship.

Hollywood Lutheran Church is one of over 350 Lutheran congregations in the United States that have adopted a public “Affirmation of Welcome” addressed to gay and lesbian people. These churches are part of a larger welcoming program called “Reconciling in Christ.” I have included two brochures for you: one is about our congregation, and the other is about the Reconciling in Christ program. This program is run by a larger organization for GLBT people called Lutherans Concerned.

If you come to Hollywood when you are on parole, you do not need to be afraid of being rejected. We have a lot of gay and lesbian people who are members and who participate in all aspects of the church’s life. We also have several gay ex-convicts who participate in our church community and are welcomed like everyone else.

[1] Lutherans Concerned in Los Angeles is exploring whether to start a gay-friendly ministry to the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Our objective is to help parolees to make the transition back to life in the larger society. I have printed the news story about the plans for this ministry and included that also.

Please feel free to write back if you can. You may want to share more about yourself and why you are in the Men’s Colony and when your next parole hearing will be. In the meantime, I will remember you in my prayers. And I hope we will meet some day.

God bless you,

Pastor Dan Hooper