shannon beeby, Author at

In the short film RSVP, we are introduced to the character THOMAS, a Baptist Youth Pastor who was raised by a staunchly conservative father who served as the Pastor of his “mega” church in the deep south. When we leave THOMAS at the end of the film, there is a feeling that this is really the beginning for him. He has finally confronted the pain and injustice that had been wrought by his father’s choice to disown THOMAS’ older brother, STEPHEN.

I wrote the character of THOMAS, as a very personal hope for the future of religious communities, Christianity in particular. I saw him as a representation of a future church that cares for its whole community, the way Christ would himself. It is the ultimate answer to the question, “What Would Jesus Do?”. THOMAS recognizes how the prejudices of his father’s generation had been allowed to contaminate the objective of the Christian Church with a disproportionate focus being placed on judgement, and condemnation.

The message of Jesus Christ surpasses social construct, and our physical forms and asks each person, as a spiritual entity, to follow Jesus, with praise and joy, into the heart of God. I of course understand, that there are many others that may feel differently, which is why the congregations, Pastors, and leaders who are stepping forward and creating a space for people of all sexual orientations to celebrate their faith in a loving and affirming community, are my faith “heros”. Anything I can do to help make the path of acceptance and inclusion a bit more easy to tread, is a gift I gladly accept!

Below, is a list of organization that are leading this cause. For members of the LGBTQ community that felt as if their only option was to leave their faith community and worship on their own, please look into these wonderful organizations!

For members of the LGBTQ community that grew away from God because, they were told that God’s love did not extend to them based on harmful and translations of the teachings, please look into these wonderful organizations.

For members of the straight community that smothered their own spiritual life because they began to associate God with the voices of hate and condemnation that seemed to be the loudest, please look into these wonderful organizations.

For the Straight Christians who may have sat quietly, out of fear of being persecuted, and were forced to witness their brothers and sisters become ostracized from the church, please look into these wonderful organizations.

For the Straight Christians who may have listen to such sermons, and become infected with a misinterpreted view shaped by prejudice, instead of the boundlessness of God’s love, please look into these wonderful organizations.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST – Open and Affirming

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK

INTEGRITY USA

BELIEVE OUT LOUD

THE ASSOCIATION OF WELCOMING AND AFFIRMING BAPTISTS

THE GLAD ALLIANCE

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES

FAITH IN AMERICA

COVENANT NETWORK OF PRESBYTERIANS

M.I.N.D.- METHODISTS IN NEW DIRECTIONS

T.E.N.- THE EVANGELICAL NETWORK

DIGNITY USA – LGBTQ CATHOLICS

AUBURN SEMINARY

MANY VOICES – A Black Church Movement for Gay and Transgender Justice

WELCOMING COMMUNITY NETWORK

AFFIRM UNITED – The United Church Of Canada

ADVENTISTS FOR PROGRESS

CENTER FOR LESBIAN AND GAY STUDIES IN RELIGION AND MINISTRY

BREAKING THE SILENCE

NAZARENE ALLY

CHICAGO COALITION OF WELCOMING CHURCHES

PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE

CANYON WALKER CONNECTIONS

CHARTER FOR COMPASSION

THE CHRISTIAN LEFT

PATHEOS – PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN

PATHEOS – UN-FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN

CHRISTIAN FEMINISM TODAY

NON HARMING MINISTRIES

PROGRESSIVE EPISCOPAL

THE N.A.L.T. CHRISTIANS PROJECT

GAY CHURCH

WELCOMING RESOURCES

Bee Nest Films and Watergun Outlaw Productions had the recent pleasure of attending the Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival in Lafayette, Louisiana last week, as well as the honor of being the benefactor of a “Goujon Caille” (Golden Catfish) award for Bee Nest’s narrative short film, RSVP.

After the screening of RSVP, a talkback was held, wherein the audience’s reaction reinforced the small independent short film’s emotional impact. Mrs. Beeby spoke about her motivation for making RSVP, “I hope to share something that is unapologetically sincere. Sincerity can be a scary thing these days. It isn’t always the best way to get in with “the cool kids” But, I had to be honest with myself, and accept that I would rather be un-ironic or ‘uncool’ in favor of telling a story that is sincere and has the potential to heal and unify.“

BeeNest Films central storytelling goal is to use the art form of cinema to prompt a shift in perspective. This goal is also motivating BeeNest’s festival submission strategy. Executive Producer, Ryan Jonze shares the production companies approach, “RSVP has an ability to really resonate in areas that have a strong history and relationship with the Christian faith, for example, the South or more rural areas. This is because the pain caused by the friction between Conservative Christianity and the LGBTQ Communities is still very present. RSVP invites the viewer to confront and feel something that is still very difficult for a lot of communities in this country to explore in an empathetic way.”

At the Closing Night Ceremony for the Cinema On The Bayou Film Festival, the organizers, Rebecca Hudsmith and Pat Mire, awarded the RSVP Team with a beautiful “Goujon Caille” on behalf of the festival’s jury panel. The metal statuette is hand-made by cajun artist Andre Juneau, and evokes the whimsy and charm of Lafayette perfectly. After the ceremony, and as a Zydeco band played and everyone celebrated with beers and bourbons in hand, the 2016 Cinema On The Bayou Film Festival danced a rousing ‘good bye’ waltz into the night.

It’s also very much worth noting that the RSVP troupe had an amazing time in Lafayette, made even more special with their time spent at the eclectic cafe, TRIBE Collective. When not attending screenings at the Cinema on the Bayou film festival, lead actor, Lance R. Marshal, Mrs. Beeby and Mr. Jonze found themselves hanging out and eating the delicious, raw, vegan treats at TRIBE Collective. Co-Owner Melodie Carbuccia and Manager Walt Jamison opened their doors and their hearts and gave the RSVP team the gift of true Cajun kindness and hospitality, all served up in on a plate along side delicious whole and vibrant food. “The only thing missing”, said Marshall, “is the presence of our Producer, James Oxford and the rest of the RSVP team”.

And on that note, if you ever find yourself in Lafayette, Louisiana – whether for the Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival, the music scene or any other reason to visit Lafayette (there’s plenty!), you must do yourself a favor by stopping in at TRIBE Collective and trying as many of their mind-blowing raw treats as possible!