From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Charlotte Observer Letter Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 00:50:19 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 9 congregations and religious organizations and 38 clergy from 13 faiths and denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. We probably missed somebody in the laundry list. Let us know if we did, and please don't be too offended. April 2, 1997 The Charlotte Observer PO Box 2138 Charlotte, NC 28233 Dear Editors: Diane Hoefling's letter of April 2 mentions Courage and Exodus as ministries for "struggling homosexuals." Unlike Courage, Exodus does not recognize homosex- uality as a condition, but as a set of behaviors that can be cured. There are many ministries where homosexuals and bisexuals, "struggling" or not, are welcomed and recognized as the spiritual and moral equals of heterosexuals: Dignity (Catholic), Integrity (Episcopalian), Honesty (Southern Baptist), Affirmation (Mormon), Axios (Eastern Orthodox), SDA-Kinship International (Seventh Day Adventist), Emergence International (Christian Scientist), Metropolitan Community Churches, Unity Fellowship Churches, all Reconstructionist Jewish Congregations, many Reform Jewish Congregations, many Quaker meetings, and Unitarian-Universalist, Presbyterian (USA), Evangelical Lutheran, Mennonite, American Baptist, United Methodist and United Church of Christ congregations which refer to themselves as "Welcoming," "Welcoming and Affirming," "Open and Affirming," "More Light," "Reconciling" or "Reconciled in Christ." Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.