Jay McCarty
Biography
Several hundred persons filled the sanctuary of Trinity U.M. Church in Kansas
City on July 6, 1994, for "A Service of Joy and Thanksgiving for the Life of
James 'Jay' McCarty," long-time Reconciling Congregation activist and board
member. The celebration recognized Jay as a "lover of tradition and challenger
of convention." The breadth of Jay's Christian faith was evident in the variety
of music, scriptures and prayers. Stories reminded friends and family members of
Jay's witty, self-deprecating humor; his impeccable dress; his love of fine
restaurants and travel; his eloquent and earthy speech; his compassion for
others, especially those alone or in distress; and his life-long love for the
Church and his refusal to let the Church be any less than what he envisioned it
to be.
Jay was born on May 18, 1945, and raised in several small towns in Kansas and
Missouri. An education career brought him to Kansas City in 1978 where he worked
as a special education teacher in the public schools. Jay's activism in The
United Methodist Church led to his involvement with Affirmation: United
Methodists for Lesbian & Gay Concerns. After prodding his congregation,
Kairos U.M. Church, to become a Reconciling Congregation in 1987, Jay became a
leader in the national Reconciling movement, first on the Advisory Committee and
then as one of the original board members in 1990. His volunteer service also
encompassed the Board of Church and Society and other activities in the Missouri
West Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving on the boards of
two local AIDS organizations and nurturing other Kansas City congregations to
become Reconciling Congregations.
Jay's exuberant love of life, his often baudy storytelling and his strong
sense of Christian responsibility touched many lives. We thank God for the
unique and unrepeatable gift of Jay McCarty. Jay is survived by his
partner, Dale Allen.
(This memorial tribute to Jay McCarty was written by Mark Bowman and
published in the Reconciling Congregation Program newsletter.)
Biography Date: January, 2004
Tags
Methodist (UMC, United Methodist Church) | Affirmation (United Methodist) | Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program) | Activist (religious institutions) | Kansas City | Missouri
Citation
“Jay McCarty | Profile”, LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed April 18, 2024, https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/jay-mccarty.
Remembrances