Although in alignment with orthodox Christianity, which affirms that God is not constrained by gender, the use of gender-inclusive language generated bitter debates that almost tore the denomination apart. For many who were raised to refer to God in masculine terms, the revision of language toward gender-neutral or feminine terms was a jarring disruption to faith. But for others, it was an opportunity to re-imagine God in more expansive terms and creatively engage classic texts in order to represent God in more varied ways.

Along with adapting and re-visioning the Christian tradition, MCCSF wanted to expand that tradition by including songs sacred to the gay and lesbian community in its formal worship. Song of the Soul, sung here on April 18, 1993, is an example. It was written by lesbian folk singer and descendent of Methodist tent preachers Cris Williamson, and was on her 1975 album The Changer and the Changed. The album is a classic of 1970s women’s music and the song became a staple at folk and women’s music festivals – a crowd favorite singalong. The congregation included it in its hymnal and sang it together in worship for many years.