David Callentine
David Luther Callentine
06 Apr 1950 - 30 Apr 1988
Clubs & Associations
Quick Facts
- founding members of the Ramblers, and attended the first IAGSDC Convention in Seattle, 1984.[1]
- member of the Portland Gay Men's Chorus.[2]
- by late 1986, moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to become pastor of the New Hope Metropolitan Community Church.[3]
In Their Own Words
John the Baptist wore Leather
By David Callentine
You might be asking yourself "What does John the Baptist's wearing leather have to do with I Corinthians 6ː9-10." This is one of my favorite passages to refute for it is a blatant case of inconsistent misinterpretation. The Greek word in question is Malakois. Correctly this means "Soft". It is used in only two passagesː Luke 7ː25 when Jesus is referring to John the Baptist, "What did you go out to see? A man in soft rainment?" However, when "Malakois" is translated in I Corinthians 6ː9-10, it is translated to everything from effeminates to homosexual offenders. If we are going to translate "Malakois" as homosexual then let's be consistent and have Jesus say, "What did you go out to see? A man in homosexual clothing?" Without meaning to sound sacreligious, let's remember that John the Baptist wore a leather girdle, ate a diet of locust and honey, and worked with water. As I like to say in membership classes, "John the Baptist was into leather, health food, and water sports."
When using the word "Malakois", Paul is really referring to people who are soft in their faith. People who one day consider themselves to be Christian and the next day wander off to the latest new cult or religious fad. Remember much of the English translations are really interpretations, and even they are not consistent.
Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), Milwaukee's New Hope meets Sundays at 6ː30p.m. at 2318 E. Kenwood, Milwaukee, across from the Student Union of UWM. For further information call (414) 442-7300.[4]
Obituary
Callentine, Rev. David
April 30, 1988, age 38 years. Father of Elizabeth Ann. Son of Donald and Vida (Loder) Callentine. Weiss Funeral Home, 276-5122 , Serving the Family.[5]
DAVID L CALLENTINE
Wisconsin Light wishes to express its deepest regret at the passing of Reverend David L. Callentine, 38, the pastor of Milwaukee's New Hope Metropolitan Community Church. Reverend Callentine died on Saturday, April 30, 1988 at 2ː00 a.m. at Milwaukee's Columbia hospital due to AIDS.
Reverend Callentine was a regular columnist for Wisconsin Light having written articles on religion for the paper since its founding.
Wisconsin Light expresses its sorrow to Reverend Callentine's spouse, Victor Reichmann, his family and his many friends. He will be greatly missed.[6]
Remembrances
MCC Saddened by Death of Pastor
The congregation of New Hope Metropolitan Community Church of Milwaukee, is deeply saddened by the death of our pastor, David Luther Callentine. David entered eternal life on Saturday, April 30, due to complications of AIDS.
David’s vision and commitment led to the formation of a congregation that attempts to minister to all people, but has a special ministry to the Gay and Lesbian community of Milwaukee. David believed and taught that God’s love included Gay and Lesbian people. David’s God celebrated committed, loving, emotional and sexual unions between same-sex couples. This same God has called us all — rich and poor, young and old, white and black, straight and Gay — to serve others who are hurting, and in the name of Jesus, help raise people beyond crippling labels to their status of children of God.
We will miss our pastor and friend, but David’s vision and hope for our congregation will not die. This space which has graciously been donated by the Publisher and Editor of the Wisconsin Light will continue to be used by New Hope M.C.C. to communicate the message of God’s love and power to all who will read it. The mission of New Hope congregation will live as David now lives with the Eternal! We are soon to begin the task of locating and calling another pastor to be our spiritual leader. We will continue to worship in the chapel of Kenwood United Methodist Church every Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Interim pastoral and spiritual leadership is being provided.
We will continue to meet to be empowered by God’s Word of hope and forgiveness. We will strive to remain open to the call of God to serve our brothers and sisters in the entire human community. We will continue to meet Christ in the communion meal and with Christ, the entire company of those who now reign with Christ, especially for us, David Luther Callentine. We will continue to invite and welcome everyone of you who desires to begin, renew, or grow in your relationship to God who loves you for who you are!
In tribute to David, we wish to share this poem written by one of our members:[7]
A Tribute to David Luther Callentine
He came out of nowhere, a sight to behold
So strong and virile with talents untold;
Determined to win at this game called life
Nothing could stop him, no matter the strife.
His attitude positive, his willingness true
He wanted to give to all that he knew.
His eyes were so sparkling, his smile so proud;
He started with nothing, but then drew a crowd.
He had a message he wanted to convey
to so many people, especially the gay.
He wanted to tell them to stand with pride,
“You are who you are, there’s no reason to hide.”
Homosexuals are people with desires and cares.
Stand up and be counted, if you would dare
And if you couldn't, in the open come out,
“You’re'still someone special, without any doubt.”
He passed ‘round the message of forgiveness and hope,
Many people who were trodden, began to cope.
They held their heads high as they began to see,
They could be themselves, they could be free.
He didn’t see his dream, totally fulfilled;
He laid the foundation, so others could build.
His energy waned, as an illness took hold;
AIDS racked his body, it become very bold.
With so much to offer, cut down in his prime;
Something had stopped him what a terrible crime.
A disease more powerful than all of mankind;
Leaves anger, sadness and frustration behind.
AIDS’ path is wide in its worldwide wake,
But it leaves behind goodness which death cannot take.
The memory of David is planted real deep,
His message lives on for us all to keep.
We cry at his passing, it’s a normal thing;
I can hear his laughter, in my ears it rings.
He no longer suffers, his faith was so strong;
So in our sadness, we honor him with song.
— Peggy Fernandez, April 30,1988.[8]
Memorial Panel
- 2UR | Rosetown Ramblers (surname on badge is incorrect)
Photos
La Sierra High (Carmichael, CA) yearbook portrait, 1970
Article (Wisconsin Light)
Obituary (Milwaukee Sentinel)
Obituary (Wisconsin Light)
Tribute (Wisconsin Light)
AIDS Memorial Quilt Block 0611
AIDS Memorial Quilt Block 1082
Sources
- ↑ Email from Rick Hawes, Sunday, 09 Jan 2022
- ↑ In Memoriam page from PGMC website ː accessed 08 Jan 2022
- ↑ History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin website ː accessed 16 Jan 2021
- ↑ Wisconsin Light (Milwaukee, WI) Friday, 11 Mar 1988 p.15 col.1
- ↑ Milwaukee Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) Monday, 02 May 1988, p.13 col.1
- ↑ Wisconsin Light (Milwaukee, WI) Friday, 13 May 1988, p.10
- ↑ Ibid., p.10
- ↑ Ibid., p.10
