The April 6 article, “Fresno church leaders say leaving MB denomination is liberating,” accurately cites me quoting Mennonite Brethren leaders threatening, “Don’t think for a moment you won’t get kicked out of the conference,” if we [Willow Avenue Mennonite Church] were to pass a resolution of welcome and affirmation of LGBTQ people. Communication between the congregation and the conference has been open and frank; we have sought to be amicable. I regret that my use of quotation marks creates the false impression that my paraphrase quotes their words and that their response was uncharitable. I appreciate the charitable, forthright communication of MB conference leaders throughout the process and apologize for the unfortunate mischaracterization.

Lynn Jost, Fresno, Calif.
Jost is moderator of Willow Avenue Mennonite Church.