From: UfmccHq@aol.com Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 15:08:08 EDT Subject: UFMCC: A Soulforce Response to the Sad News from Canterbury From the News Service of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches http://www.ufmcc.com A Soulforce Response to the Sad News from Canterbury Mel White, UFMCC Minister of Justice The truth about God's lesbian and gay children suffered a tragic (though temporary) setback this Wednesday, August 5, 1998. In Canterbury, England, bishops from 160 nations representing 70 million Anglicans worldwide (including the Episcopal Church in the U.S.) voted 526 to 70 (with 40 abstentions) that homosexual practice is incompatible with the Bible, that the churches will not endorse the blessing of same-sex marriage or the ordination of non-celibate gay men and lesbians. Our faithful friend, Bishop John Shelby Spong reacted with his usual candor and courage: "Once you take a prejudice and put it out in the clear light of day," he said, "the prejudice is finally doomed." Now, until that day, how do we respond to this latest triumph over truth by untruth? Before volunteering to work with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, my partner, Gary, and I were long time members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, a congregation that welcomes gays into full and unqualified membership. We thank God for all the individual bishops, clergy, and laity who are struggling to bring the truth in love relentlessly to the Anglican church. We know how painful this Lambeth decision must be to millions of Anglicans, especially to the people of Integrity (our lesbian sisters and gay brothers and their allies in the Episcopal church.) We promise them our prayerful support. Each person of faith must determine how he or she will respond to this tragic decision. But the Soulforce principles of relentless nonviolent resistance (as taught by Jesus, Gandhi, and King) make one thing clear. In Gandhi's words, "It is as much our moral obligation NOT to cooperate with evil as it is to cooperate with good." The Lambeth decision is evil. It lends credibility to the untruth that leads to suffering and death for God's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered children. We must not cooperate with that evil decision. We urge all people of faith to use this coming Sunday, August 9, 1998, as a day of mourning. Wear black arm bands to signal our grief that once again Christian leaders are supporting ignorance and intolerance as they did against Gandhi's people in India and South Africa and against King's people in the U.S. However, we must never forget the courageous Anglicans who took their stand against colonial brutality and the courageous Episcopalians who marched against slavery and segregation. Once again, we will see determined Anglican Christians taking their stand against untruth. I hope all people of faith will join them. I'm hoping that Episcopal clergy will either use this Sunday to preach the truth or to stand in silent protest, unwilling to preach, or pray, or serve the Eucharist. I'm hoping that Episcopal organists will refuse to play and that Episcopal choirs will refuse to sing. I'm hoping that Episcopal laity will withhold their tithes and offerings and send them instead to Integrity to help support their truth mission within the Episcopal church. I'm hoping that all people of faith, regardless of our religious affiliation, will not let this Sunday pass without registering our deep concern about the rising power of fundamentalism among us. How each of us responds is a deeply personal decision. But if we do NOT respond, if we let the forces of untruth triumph without protest, if we refuse to stand for truth, we will break the heart of Christ and our own souls will begin to die a little. For more Soulforce information see: www.melwhite.org or send us your e-mail address. (END) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT: James N. Birkitt, Jr. UFMCC Communications Department 8704 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069 Tel. (310) 360-8640 Fax: (310) 360-8680 E-mail: info@ufmcchq.com website: http://www.ufmcc.com ============================================================ From: UfmccHq@aol.com Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 14:50:12 EDT Subject: UFMCC Responds To Lambeth "Report On Sexuality" N E W S R E L E A S E The Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches Predominantly Gay Christian Denomination Responds To Lambeth "Resolution on Sexuality" [Note: The world-wide Anglican Communion has approved a conservative resolution on gays at its once-a-decade Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England. The resolution recognizes marriage solely between a man and a woman, rejects all homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture, rejects the blessing of same-sex couples, and recommends against the ordination of clergy who conduct same-sex weddings. The Lambeth Conference is composed of 600 Bishops who represent 73 million Anglicans in 160 countries.] STATEMENT BY REV. TROY D. PERRY: Thursday, August 6, 1998 I am today deeply saddened by the Lambeth Conference "Resolution on Sexuality." The resolution, adopted by a vote of 526-70, may be considered a victory for many of the conservative bishops of the Anglican Communion, especially those in Africa and Asia, but it represents continued pain and rejection for the millions of gay and lesbian Anglicans. For too long, organized religion has attempted to erect barriers between God and gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons. This is no longer acceptable. The action by the Lambeth Conference delegates is yet another sobering reminder that there is much unfinished work to be done to bring about spiritual justice for all God's people. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches will not cease in its calling to raise a bold, prophetic voice for an inclusive Christian spirituality. As we stand at the dawn of a new millennium, I continue to pray and work for the day when all people of faith recognize the giftedness and inherent dignity of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters. To the millions of gay and lesbian people of faith who seek a spiritual home within the Anglican Communion, I send the love, prayers and support of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. I further call upon all people of goodwill to join me in surrounding the Bishops of the Anglican Communion with prayers that they may embrace justice and inclusivity for all of God's diverse family, and in praying for God's peace and blessing upon our gay and lesbian Anglican brothers and sisters. (END) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT: James N. Birkitt, Jr. UFMCC Communications Department 8704 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069 Tel. (310) 360-8640 Fax: (310) 360-8680 E-mail: info@ufmcchq.com website: http://www.ufmcc.com