How Does a Queer Church Make Friends With Other Churches in the Midst of a Crisis?

"As MCC grew as a denomination, they tried to figure out if and how to relate to other churches. Would any befriend a queer church? And if so, would that friendship help other churches shift their perspective on homosexuality? These questions got harder as AIDS numbers grew-it made people more afraid yet friendship more vital. But sometimes friendship emerges in the most unlikely of places."

"Production credits: When We All Get to Heaven is produced by Eureka Street Productions. It is co-created by Lynne Gerber, Siri Colom, and Ariana Nedelman. Our story editor is Sayre Quevedo. Our sound designer is David Herman. Our managing producer is Krissy Clark. Tim Dillinger is our consulting producer and Betsy Towner Levine is our fact-checker. We had additional story editing help from Sarah Ventre, Arwen Nicks, Allison Behringer, and Krissy Clark. For a complete list of credits, please visit https://www.heavenpodcast.org/credits."

MCC grew as a denomination and sought to determine if and how to relate to other churches. Leaders questioned whether any church would befriend a queer congregation and whether such friendships could shift perspectives on homosexuality. The AIDS epidemic intensified fear while increasing the need for friendship and support. An unlikely friendship began when a children's choir visited an AIDS ward in San Francisco and sang for an MCC member. That encounter led to a lasting partnership between their churches and brought mutual change. Production and funding for the episode are credited to Eureka Street Productions and several foundations, with music drawn from MCC-SF's archive.

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