Iwill now describe and analyse two events which deal with the relationship between families and members of the congregation, both of which incorporated a strong element of ritual and performance. The first of these, dubbed ‘God's Show’ by its main organiser Pastor Moema, was a luncheon to which parents of HUMCC members were invited. The second was a thanksgiving service held for Reverend Thandekiso, attended by members of his own family. These two events, as we shall see, demonstrate some of the central problems and solutions in reconciling parents and their gay or lesbian children.

‘God's Show’ — The Parents’ Luncheon

At the time that the Lavender People's Convention was held, the HUMCC formed five church commissions. The formation of the commissions, each headed by a member of the church board, marked the growth of the HUMCC from an informal fellowship to a more organised structure. One of these, the five-member Diakonia Commission, was formed to address the welfare needs of the congregation, to assist the pastors in what was becoming an unmanageable task of tending to the spiritual and material needs of the congregation. As Reverend Thandekiso explained it: