by The Reverend Maureen (Mo) Major
Here at St. Paul’s, you can find a lot of spiritual gems. These gems are not just in the beautiful religious art; they are the people and their service to God. I had the pleasure of talking to one of those gems whose ministry is hidden in plain sight. Steve Neff, an Ohio native, does not make a fuss about his extensive service, which can be found at St. Paul’s and other Episcopal churches.
Steve is an expert craftsman and makes beautiful metal crosses with recycled materials. These are not bland, generic crosses. They bear witness to Steve’s passion for LGBTQ+ inclusion and advocacy in the Christian church. He designs the crosses with inclusive symbolism—a small pink triangle—to remind us that the cross of Jesus Christ is inherently inclusive. Steve’s unique artistic take invites us into deeper conversations about healing from homophobia in the Church.
As an LGBTQ+ symbol reclaimed from Nazi Germany, the pink triangle on the cross acts as a sacramental of sorts—an outward sign of the inherent worth and dignity of LGBTQ+ people. It also serves as a reminder that, if we do not look at our own history with honest, repentant eyes, we may end up repeating our failures.
Steve’s beautiful cross reminds us of how far we have come, but how much further we still must go. Next time you’re in the lot by Coventry House, check out Steve’s beautiful artwork, and appreciate his service to the people of God!
