I had been planning the trip to the Philippines and India for several months, eagerly anticipating a firsthand encounter with people and churches that I knew only through impressions gleaned from books, articles and emails. As it turned out, however, local realities disrupted my international plans. Two days before my scheduled departure it became clear that my mother-in-law, Mattie Miller, was in her final stages of her life …

Harold Miller’s article “Membership Guidelines Allow Conversation” (February) is a great step forward in openness and dialogue on homosexuality. However, even a friendly discussion about homosexuality can be painful and draining for a homosexual person, since it involves defending their personal views, actions and beliefs …