A still from the film 'In My Father's Church'. A still image from the film 'In My Father's Church'. Photos by Laura Wulf.

In My Father’s Church

Charissa is a lesbian who wants a church wedding, but it does not seem to help that her dad is the pastor of the town’s United Methodist Church. While he has been quietly supportive of his daughter’s lesbian relationship, Charissa’s father knows he would put his career at risk if he chose to officiate at her marriage ceremony. In 1999, the Methodist church took a firm stand by suspending a pastor for officiating a same sex union and the clashes between clergy and gay couples have been making headlines ever since. Compelling and honest, In My Father’s Church is a poignant exploration of the intersection of homosexuality and religion, from the perspective of someone who has much at stake. Though disappointed by her father’s resistance to marry her, Charissa and her bride-to-be Kelly continue to make their wedding plans finding support in surprising places, and eventually are married by Charissa’s godparent. This emotionally charged story of one woman’s attempt to reconcile her love, faith and family brings to life the deep conflicts that gay marriage has caused in many churches and for many individuals trying to maintain their faith while preserving their own identities.

Ordering

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Trailer

Duration

49 minutes

Credits

Producer/Videographer/Editor
Charissa King-O’Brien
Production Format
Digital video and Super-8mm
Completed
2004
Screening Format
DVD/VHS (NTSC) BETA SP (NTSC) BETA (PAL)

Festivals

  • Austin International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
  • The F-Word (Feminist) Film Festival at UNC-Asheville, North Carolina
  • Fresno International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
  • Immaginaria International Women’s Film Festival
  • Michigan Womyns’ Music Festival
  • Modesto Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
  • Reel Attractions Arkansas LGBTQA Film Festival
  • Reel Queer Film Festival at Syracuse University
  • San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
  • Spokane Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Virginia Film Festival

Universities & other exhibitions

  • Boston Social Forum
  • Chicago Filmmakers
  • COLAGE-NYC at the Brooklyn Historical Society
  • Filmmakers Collaborative Open Studios, Waltham, MA
  • First Church Omaha, Nebraska
  • Hofstra University
  • ROUGH CUTS at Boston Film Video Foundation
  • UMASS Boston
  • Women’s Film Festival at Barton College

Quotes

“Must-see shows most painfully how one denomination’s anti-gay rules divide families, create a second class citizenry of gay and lesbian church members, and binds clergy to rules that exclude some from receiving the pastoral ministry of the church.”

Karen Oliveto, Ph.D.
Asst. Dean and Director of Contextual Ed., Pacific School of Religion

“A humorous and emotional journey of a daughter’s love, a father’s church, and a family’s celebration of a loving committed relationship between two women. A must see for anyone struggling with the difference between religious and civil marriage rights in America today.”

Valerie Fein-Zachary, MD
The Freedom to Marry Coalition of MA

“Deeply moving. A timely ongoing dialog that is deeply personal, radical and brave.”

Elizabeth York, PhD
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Utah State University

“Highly recommended. ideal for college and university libraries to support gay and lesbian, gender, psychology, religious and sociology studies programs.”

Educational Media Reviews Online