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Koinonia Hosts Two Women and a Poodle on a “Gay Into Straight America” journey

Feburary 10, 2006

We recently had the joy of hosting Dotti Berry, her spouse Robynne Sapp, and their big, gorgeous black poodle Rylee for a few days. They’re in the midst of a year-long journey that they call Gay into Straight America. Dotti and Roby are traveling across the USA in a 13-foot trailer, speaking with groups and churches and individuals, and having everyday interactions. They are “in search of authentic connections with diverse groups of individuals who are willing to sit with us, dine with us, and talk with us as we share our stories together.” Their intention is “to engage minds, not change minds, to create authentic connections that dissolve differences that separate us.”

After dinner one night, Dotti and Roby and 18 community members, community interns and visitors sat down to share and listen. The couple presented about their journey, the many interesting interactions that they have had with people along their route so far (they have been on the road since September 2005), etc. They cited Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., as inspirations and models for their work. They also call themselves “Christ followers,” as they are devoted to the teachings of Jesus.

Dotti and Roby impressed us as people who exemplify Jesus’ and others’ teachings to return love to fear. They shared many stories of the transformative power that love has over uninformed fear, including how they helped their new neighborhood to understand them as human beings: When they learned that a petition was being started by some neighbors to limit “gay activity,” Dotti gathered her courage and went door to door, inviting each family to dinner, with a rose and a written RSVP. The next Sunday, many neighbors came to their house—and the neighborhood was never the same. Now people talk with each other more and care for each other more, and it’s a much safer and friendlier place.

These two women avoid stereotyping those who disagree with them, or thinking of them as enemies. This respect and love helps them to engage with people who are wrestling with their understanding of GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender), queer and questioning people. They write, “We hope to dispel myths and fears that individuals have of GLBT persons and create a safe space for meaningful dialogue.”

The Koinonia community does not discriminate based on age, race, sex, creed, nationality, sexual orientation, or anything else that has been used to divide people. While we have many different opinions, beliefs, and backgrounds, we always seek to “welcome the stranger” and the old friend, too. Participants agreed that it was a joy to meet Dotti and Roby, prune grapevines together, share meals and devotions, share the Koinonia story with them, and hear their story. We were glad to hear Roby say near the end of their stay that they felt not only accepted, but celebrated, during their stay here.

For more about Dotti and Roby’s journey, visit their website, www.gayintostraightamerica.com.

What follows is from Dotti and Roby's journal:

On February 9, we arrived around 10 a.m. at Koinonia Community near Americus, GA. Not knowing the relationship of Koinonia to Habitat for Humanity is analogous to not knowing the relationship of Jackie Kennedy to Caroline and John Kennedy. Yes, Koinonia gave birth to Habitat for Humanity. Knowing about this important birthplace, Koinonia, is important because, without it, millions of lives would not be touched. Rylee

After spending only a day and a half there, there is no doubt in our mind that this stop was as important as any we will make on our trip. We give thanks to Ann, one of the hospitality directors, who contacted us with an open arms invitation to visit and speak. Watching the movie about the history of Koinonia sent chills down our spines. Clarence Jordan, a Southern Baptist Minister and author of “Cotton Patch Gospels,” founded the community. On our first day, after Ann’s tour of the farm, we shared lunch with the community in the dining room,

and announced that we would be sharing about our journey in the evening. In the afternoon, we pruned grape vines with Matt, a great guy from Minnesota. Rylee Joy really helped us!

in front of Rehoboth Church
The church that Clarence and his family attended, before being forced out.

A man ahead of his time, Clarence Jordan insisted back in the 40’s that blacks and whites come together in community, eating, working, playing, and worshipping side by side. What an amazing story of equality and justice. This is a man who clearly trusted the process of life, yet never lived to see the fruits of how many lives he touched, dying at the age of 57 from a heart attack. Our history books miss a great opportunity to educate us about the impact of this community that pre-dated the civil rights movement in the south. Fifteen years before Martin Luther King’s time, this community was setting a precedent for relationsi between races who had been segregated. That created an environment which caused them to be physically and verbally attacked on numerous occasions, as people accused them of being evil people and Communists. The reality is that they were living out the principles of Jesus, rather than talking about them. That threatened many in the surrounding Christian community, dotted with Southern Baptist Churches. The Ku Klux Klan regularly bombed and torched their buildings, shooting at both children and adults. That this community has continued to exist for over six decades is a testament to the non-violent principles and love and compassion of those involved. Clarence Jordan was a visionary, whose grasp of Greek, helped him to discern the Bible in ways to which people were unaccustomed. Rather than using the Bible to control and manipulate people, Clarence understood that its intent is to bring together of diversity together. That is what led to his writing of the Cotton Patch Gospels. The commitment of the community is:

Treat all human beings with dignity and justice
Choose love over violence.
Share all possessions and live simply.
Be stewards of the land and its natural resources

Their commitment rings true with the universal principles which guide our life:

We are all connected.
Who we are is enough.
There are enough resources of everything in the universe.
Non-judgement is essential.

There was a serendipitous event that happened before we spoke that evening. We were reading in our book, If Grace is True, having a few minutes to relax before dinner. Roby picked up the book, and begin to read:

"The Southern Baptist preacher Clarence Jordan wrote..."

We suddenly looked at one another. Could this possibly be the same Clarence Jordan? Indeed, it was!

We continued reading what Clarence wrote, shared in this book we were reading.

“I just cannot stick my God into a little time-space relationship here, hindered and always working against the impending physical death…Maybe God is in hot pursuit of us; we’ve been thinking of giving our heart to Christ. We’re thinking so hard on it we’re driving along and we don’t hear the whistle of a freight train. And bam…it just smashes us to pieces. And God said, “You know, I almost had him. That freight train beat me to him.” What kind of God is that? A God whose purposes can be voided by a freight train? I can’t fit that in.”

Phillip Gully and James Mulholland in their book, If Grace is True, reply

“Neither can I.”

All this talk about God…why is the conversation important? Whether you are a person of faith or not, it is important to understand that the fabric of God is being used as a weapon to diminish and attack our community by many (not all) in religious circles. Spritually violent teachings create an overall culture that leads to internal homophobia, creating shame within.

At Koinonia, about 20 people attended our informal sharing time after supper. It was the first time anyone had given a presentation on GLBT issues. Everyone was so supportive and very interested in our journey and our work for equality.

Ann asked what the community could to better to make sure GLBT people feel included and welcome. Dotti shared with the group that although it’s wonderful they mention “sexual orientation” on their website, it would be more inclusive if they added “gender identity and gender expression.” We felt so supported and celebrated by this amazing group of diverse people. Visit their website, Koinonia Partners. Consider a visit there in the future, and perhaps contributing to a place that are meant so much to our society in pointing the way toward justice and equality for ALL.

Before leaving Koinonia the next day, we spent our morning having conversations with different people and inviting visitors into our Scotty.

With group at Koinonia Many people were so interested in how we are living in a 13.5 ft. trailer! We enjoyed lunchwith the community beforewe packed up and left, headed for Columbia, SC. Before we left the area, we stopped in Americus, and toured the Habitat for Humanity Center. Their international village is an amazing visual on substandard housing around the world. Our Scotty looks like a palace compared to it. After viewing the unbelievable housing that serves as “home” for many people, we were then able to view homes in these areas can be built for anywhere from $2500 to $10,000.

Koinonia Partners - 1324 GA Hwy 49 S - Americus, GA 31709 - 229-924-0391

Koinonia is a Christian farm community founded in 1942 by Clarence Jordan,
author of the Cotton Patch Gospels. Birthplace of Habitat for Humanity