anything but quiet.  "You're that Lesbian  Author Christina Lampi.  They had a page about you in the Oregonian".

"Yes I am" says Christina softly. "They gave my new book a great review."

Arnie observes this exchange, and flashes a big smile at Christina

Pia bustles off and is immediately  nose to nose with Little Annie.
"How dare you bring that sort of a woman into God's Church!"

"How dare you think that you can speak for God" answers Annie, " and What 'sort' of a woman are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about bringing a lesbian into our church" thunders Pia   "The Bible says that this sort of a person is an abomination to the Lord…"

"The sixth chapter of proverbs Lists a number of abominations." replies Annie.  "A Proud look, A lying tongue, a person with wicked imaginations, and a person that is quick to sow discord among ones friends, are among a few, none of which lists being a lesbian author.  On the other hand I can think of a lot of people in this church that fit into those other categories."

"God destroyed Sodom, because they were queer." Stammers Pia

Annie is nose to nose with Pia and snarls "If you really knew your Bible, you would know that God destroyed Sodom and Gemorrah because their inhabitants had turned their back on God, they were nasty, depraved, and greedy.  Jesus said that it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gemorrah in the last days then it will be for a lot of your other hard hearted people.   Their sexual preferences had nothing to do with it.  They were not kind to strangers, and they certainly did not show God's love.   Do you think that people choose to be Gay?"

"Yes I do" replies Pia

"Then you're an idiot" explodes Annie. People just don't sit around a table and say "Wow Wouldn't it be great to be gay." It does not happen that way.  Why would someone want to be gay?  Why would they want to enjoy job discrimination, bad jokes, social ostracism, stupid laws and embarrassing outbursts made by unfeeling people intent on ruining my wedding…"

"Ladies, ladies, please."  says the pastor who has just entered the room.
"This is God's church, and it is open to all.  God loves both saint and sinner, in Jesus Christ there is neither Jew or Greek, male or female, God's love is for all, and all are welcome here."

He turns to Christina. "I've read your book, and I think it's marvelous.  I am so glad that you are here. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a wedding to rehearse, and Sulo and Anna Marie have vows to exchange…"

Arnie walks over to Christiana and says, "I had no idea you weren't born here.  Are you from Beirut?"

Weddings are often life changing events and the Lahti wedding did much to touch and enrich the lives of those around them.

If you ever drive down highway 30 on your way to the coast and pass through Clatskanie, consider stopping; and if you ever come on a Sunday, you might want to join in worship.  There are a number of friendly little churches there, and I know of one in particular, where strangers are certainly welcome.