Alabama church elects lesbian pastor with a message of inclusion

The Rev. Jennifer Sanders, an openly lesbian community minister, has been elected as the new pastor of Beloved Community Church in Avondale.

Beloved is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, one of the more liberal mainline denominations.

“I’m a woman, a lesbian, a member of a progressive faith tradition,” Sanders said.

Beloved Church, founded in 2000, voted 34-0 to elect Sanders. The church has about 120 members on roll.