Testimonies by Curtis Moran and Charles Roth

Good morning, Incarnation.

How would two Catholic boys end up as Episcopalians? Of course, each one of us has a story about how we got here. We are eager to hear yours.

I’m Curtis Moran. But first, let me introduce my husband, Dr. Charles Roth, married eight years now—ever since we moved to Santa Rosa.

As a child psychologist, Charles practiced until an early morning blackout resulted in a traumatic brain injury (coming up on three years). He had said he wanted to retire! Or as my mother would be tempted to say: “it sure knocked some sense into him.” That’s also when he realized he wanted to come back to the Episcopal Church. Well, it took a couple of years.

[Charles…]

I’m from Philadelphia and grew up in Catholic schools, including a Jesuit university, St. Joseph’s. In college I decided to visit the Episcopal church, and I loved the service, the compassion, and intelligence.

In my twenties, I even considered becoming an Episcopal priest, but instead, went into psychology. I appreciated that the Episcopal church encourages thinking, without forcing a rigid interpretation of dogma.

The rector in my Episcopal parish in Philadelphia posted a notice on a board at the entry: Welcome to Saint Luke and the Epiphany. Don’t check your brain at the door! And I never heard anything negative or sinful about being gay. By the way I want to publicly acknowledge my husband’s ever-faithful loyalty to caring for me through the years of recovery.

[Curtis]

Thank you, Charles. So, we’ve both been married for over thirty years and are fathers. My dear friend and former wife are pleased parents of fraternal twin sons (now forty-eight years old). In my case, both my wife and I believed I was just going through a phase—this gay thing—but it is more an assignment or lifelong phase. I certainly didn’t choose it. When I finally accepted all this, my wife and my sons were happy for me, and no one was surprised. However, one devout Christian friend as well as one sister preferred, I keep up appearances, quoting favorite out-of-context biblical passages (like Job’s friends telling him he needed to repent).

But here in the Incarnation, I feel a connection to the culture of the great traditions of Christian faith. And music—thank you Jun! Also, especially important, I appreciate the thoughtful, intelligent community with sermons and bible study that resonate with my high-school seminary training and years in Jesuit colleges. Even the reception to my book, Lost & Found, in the Welcome Center, which Charles helped with his perspectives from years of dealing with family court and child custody cases.

This is such a reaffirming congregation that helps the healing ministry we as community can offer individuals and families looking for God’s presence in our crazy world—or as Fr. Shaver said of a world with “very divergent views.”

So, there you have it! Thank you for being here. This is why we contribute financially. We look forward to hearing from you.