Our Strangely Warmed Hearts

As John Wesley discovered his true spiritual identity, he experienced a
strangely warmed heart. Through poignant stories and well-reasoned
principles, Karen Oliveto discloses why and how spiritual renewal and a
personal call to ministry emerge in the strangely warmed hearts of
lesbian and gay Christians.

In The United Methodist Church (and
other Christian denominations), it is difficult or impossible for
lesbian, gay, transsexual, and bisexual clergy or laity to become a
visible and outward channel for God’s saving grace. This book traces the
history of the church’s struggle with homosexuality, highlighting
critical incidents in the culture and church polity which shape the
church’s response. The issues are deeply rooted in the way God’s people understand
scriptures, which are interpreted as a means of grace for some and as a
rule-book for others. This book includes first-person
narratives of LGBTQ persons faithfully serving in a denomination that
denies their calls and—in some cases—their presence. These stories will
show how the coming out process is deeply spiritual as one grows into an
authentic, God-created and graced self.

“You are the one who created my innermost parts;
you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb.
I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart.
Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.”
Psalm 139:13-14 (CEB)

“Our Strangely Warmed Hearts
is a breath of fresh air in the study of the United Methodist struggle
and intense debate regarding human sexuality. Karen Oliveto lives in
faithful witness and serves people with the heart of Christian
leadership."—Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Wisconsin Conference of the United
Methodist Church.

“Karen Oliveto offers a compelling window into
the steadfast faith and the resilience of the LGBTQ Christian movement
in the United States. After offering an extraordinary history of the
LGBTQ equality movement in our society and in The United Methodist
Church, she rightly asks, 'Is there any other group that we would
marginalize in this way?' I wholeheartedly recommend Karen Oliveto's
new book to everyone who is affected by the debate over the sacred worth
and place of LGBTQ people in our lives and churches. This book inspires
hope.” —Michael J. Adee, Ph.D., Director, Global Faith and Justice
Project, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA

“Bishop
Oliveto's story mirrors the experience of many LGBTQ ministers who are
serving the Body of Christ openly, and not in the shadows. The
integrity, courage, and deep faith of God’s LGBTQ people who are called
into ministry have enriched the church and encouraged the outsiders who
were always welcome at Jesus' table.”–Andy Lang, Executive Director,
Open and Affirming Coalition, United Church of Christ

“I loved
it! It drew me in immediately and kept me strapped in on what I knew
would be a roller coaster of painful history, sprinkled triumphs, and
then stories that broke my heart, gave me cheer, and brought tears to my
eyes. Bishop Oliveto takes readers on a fascinating trip through LGBTQ
history, and into the often contentious collision with mainstream
religion…and then brings it all together through the personal stories
that make our past and present come alive! I applaud Bishop Oliveto’s
book and will highly recommend it to the faithful and faith curious of
all religions.”–The Reverend Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director,
Parity

"[Bishop Karen Oliveto] is sharing the love of Jesus, and
meeting people where they are, no matter who they are, and no matter
what they think about her. She loves them." —Kent Ingram, senior pastor
of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.