Monthly Meetings
Integrity/SAGA meets on the second Sunday of each month (except June). Our next meeting is:
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Join us - you may just be the missing piece that is needed in our community!
Who Are We?
Integrity/SAGA (Straight and Gay Alliance) is an inclusive, non-denominational, inter-faith community group, founded in 2000 by members of St. John's Episcopal Church, with a mission to advocate the dignity of human sexuality in all of its orientations, genders, and life-enriching relationships in the spirit of God's love.
"Let us be instruments of peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is sadness, joy. Where there is darkness, light." ~ St. Francis of Assisi
What is Different About Integrity/SAGA Than Other GLBTIQ+ Organizations?
1. Integrity/SAGA is a mainstream faith-based organization that believes God's love affirms everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
2. We strive to be a clearinghouse of information on organizations and resources for gays, lesbians, bi-sexual, transgendered and questioning people in our community.
3. Integrity/SAGA is a group of GLBTQ+ people and straight allies of all ages, working to provide a framework to learn from each other and educate others in faith-based and local communities on GLBTQ+ issues.
"Therefore, people must stop opposing homosexuality merely by quoting the Bible, because, taken on its own terms, the Bible simply does not support their case ... Sexuality means much more than physical arousal. Attached to a person's sexuality is the capacity to feel affection, to delight in someone else, to get emotionally close to another person, to be passionately committed to him or her." ~ Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
What Types of Things Does Integrity/SAGA Do?
Integrity/SAGA meets on the second Sunday of each month (except June) with invited guests and/or members sharing expertise or relevant experiences that have shaped their lives. SAGA initiated the first local professional conference on sexual identity, a GLBTQ friendly group, and maintains a resource center of books, magazines, DVDs and other educational material that is easily accessible at their meetings.
How Did Integrity/SAGA Begin?
SAGA had its first meeting in December 2000 with professional counselors and members of St. John's Episcopal Church. They desired a forum for candid, informed discussion on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, inquiring and questioning issues and for affirmation of life-enriching relationships with the hope of dispelling stereotypes and bias through education, outreach, and fellowship.
SAGA just recently(February 2018) partnered with Integrity, the national GLBTQ+ organization of the Episcopal Church to form a chapter within the diocese of West Virginia. Henceforth, we will be known as Integrity/SAGA at St. John's. If you desire to be a member of the Integrity chapter, the annual dues are: Individual membership is $50; Seniors, students and persons with low incomes is $30; Household is $75; while a Lifetime membership is $1,000. SAGA does NOT charge any dues, but relies solely on donations.
How Do I Take Part?
Join us at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV (corner of Quarrier Street and Leon Sullivan Way), on the second Sunday of each month (except June), from 12:00-1:30 PM for a light lunch, conversation, and fellowship. Come late or leave early as necessary. We meet in Room 209 on the second floor of the church's parish hall. There is no membership fee, although we do accept donations. Meetings are open to occasional visitors as well as regular attendees. You do not need to belong to any particular faith, or any faith at all, to join us in fellowship and discussion. You may be placed on our mailing and/or e-mail list if you so choose.
How Do I Contact Integrity/SAGA?
You may contact us at [email protected] or contact the church office at (304) 346-0359. You may find us on Facebook at:
SAGA Charleston WV.