Date: Thu, 26 Oct 1995 15:49:31 -0400
From: SCNetwork@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Norma Sutton, The Supportive Congregations Network  (312) 244-6239

October 26, 1995

TWELVE CHURCHES PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THEIR WELCOME TO
GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE

Minneapolis, MN -- The Supportive Congregations Network (SCN) announces the
first twelve Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations to join the
network as =93publicly affirming=94 congregations.  SCN is a network of
Mennonite, General Conference Mennonite and Church of the Brethren 
congregations which welcome gay, lesbian and bisexual members.  Many 
congregations have joined the network in order to connect with other 
welcoming congregations in their denomination, and to provide prayer 
support and encouragement.

The network is designed so that congregations can join at a place which matches
their current level of dialogue. Publicly Affirming Congregations have adopted
a written, and public, statement of welcome of gay, lesbian and bisexual
people.

Accepting Congregations accept gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons as full
members.  Exploring Congregations are those churches which are discussing the
welcome of gay, lesbian and bisexual members. 

The twelve Publicly Affirming Congregations are:
   Ames Mennonite Church, Ames, Iowa
   Arvada Mennonite Church, Arvada, Colorado
   First Mennonite Church; San Francisco, California
   LaVerne Church of the Brethren; LaVerne, California
   Mennonite Congregation of Boston; Boston, Massachusetts
   Olive Branch Mennonite Church; Waterloo, Ontario
   Portland Peace Church of the Brethren; Portland, Oregon
   Rapha Mennonite Fellowship; Glendale, Arizona
   Skyridge Church of the Brethren; Kalamazoo, Michigan
   Spirit of Joy Fellowship Church of the Brethren; Denver, Colorado
   Springfield Church of the Brethren; Springfield, Oregon
   St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship; St. Paul, Minnesota

Twenty-seven additional Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations
are considered "Accepting" congregations.  These congregations join with 
over 420
other Untied Methodist, United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church
in
America, Disciples in Christ, American Baptist, Presbyterian, Unitarian-
Universalist, Episcopal, and United Church of Canada congregations in North
American which have made similar statements.

The first international meeting of the Supportive Congregations Network,
"Dancing at the Table: Re-Imagining the Church," will be held June 28 - 30,
1996
at Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana.  Congregations and
supportive
individuals are welcome to attend.

For more information about the Supportive Congregations Network, or to order
an SCN Resource Packet write to PO Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406.  Phone
(612) 305-0315.  Address e-mail requests to SCNetwork@aol.com.

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