Theologian in Residence Biography
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The Rev. Ermalou Roller |
Ermalou Roller will be the guest preacher for our Reconciling Ministries Anniversary Sunday, March 7. She is a retired pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference where she served United Methodist churches for 25 years. Ermalou graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. Being an early feminist, she challenged racial, gender and sexual orientation stereotypes as a pastor, superintendent and dean of the cabinet. She is the author of On Thundering Wings: Homosexuality, Love and the Church on Trial (coming in May), which connects directly to the flash point currently moving our nation and churches toward more progressive attitudes and laws regarding the LGBT community. Relevant parts of her history as a former wife of a closeted gay man, the mother of a gay son, pastor and D.S. of pastors are interwoven into each chapter. These stories reveal the collateral damage inflicted upon families by anti-LGBT attitudes. She knows the price as well as the joy of stepping out of culturally imposed boxes.
You won’t want to miss Ermalou’s sermon, “Prophets in the Pews” and the special music from some members of Resonance Women’s Chorus, a longtime favorite of our congregation. Please invite your family and friends to this inspirational
service.