From: UfmccHq@aol.com Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 12:51:57 EDT Subject: Rochester, NY Churches Issue Call for Rally for Truth & Justice NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: August 26, 1998 Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church Issues Call for Truth and Justice ROCHESTER, NY -- Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church is extending a call to people of all faiths to come together on Thursday, September 17, 1998 at 6:30 PM to support those who will be gathering for the commencement of the 5TH Annual Conference of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. This "Call for Truth and Justice" is a peaceful rally which will be held outside the Sheraton Four Points Hotel at 120 East Main Street in downtown Rochester, where participants will speak in one voice and pray for vital civil rights and greater social justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. The rally commences 30 minutes before Bishop Matthew H. Clark welcomes the conference participants. "This is a particularly important time for us to come together," said Rev. Ron Helms, pastor of Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church and organizer of the event. "We want to speak out and let our voices be heard, especially in light of what has been happening in our own city, at Corpus Christi Church. The reassignment of Father Jim Callan is a wake-up call to those of us in every faith community who believe that God's love and grace are available to all people, that we now need to let our voices be heard. We must let Bishop Matthew Clark know the full truth about our commitment to faith. We cannot sit back and allow certain members of the church to dictate who is and is not worthy to have a relationship with God. There is another viewpoint and we will be expressing it in support of the conference." Father Callan is being reassigned to another church because of repeated violations of Church law. Included are Corpus Christi's ministry to the gay and lesbian community, the presence of women in active leadership roles, and the practice of a Communion that is open to people of all faiths. Many of the church's four thousand members are taking action to oppose the decision of Bishop Matthew H. Clark to order the reassignment. Additionally, conservative members of the Roman Catholic community have severely criticized Bishop Clark for his support of ministry to gays and lesbians, and have applauded the reassignment of Father Callan. "We believe Jesus came to preach a gospel of inclusion and justice, and that is the example we are trying to follow," said Steve Johnson, Community Awareness Coordinator for Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church. "Even though Open Arms MCC is not a Catholic church, we feel the need to stand up in support of our brothers and sisters who are experiencing the consequences of working for a more just society. Anyone who supports justice issues is welcome to join us in support of the conference." Anyone who is interested in participating in "A Call For Truth And Justice" or would like more information may call the office of Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church at (716) 271-8478. (End) For More Information, Contact: Rev Ron Helms, Pastor, or Steve Johnson, Community Awareness Coordinator Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 175 Norris Drive Rochester, NY 14610 Tel. (716) 271-8478, office and fax E-mail: OAMCC NY@aol.com ADDENDUM: Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church is affiliated with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The UFMCC was founded in 1968 by the Reverend Troy Perry, and claims more than 42,000 members and adherents in over 300 congregations in 15 countries. This fellowship is the largest Christian denomination with a primary ministry to gay and lesbian people. Locally, Open Arms MCC has been in existence for seventeen years with ministry to the Greater Rochester Community.