Subject: IWG Omaha Reconciling Congregations letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 1999 23:30:01 -0400 (EDT)

June 12, 1999

Omaha World-Herald
World-Herald Square
Omaha, NE  68102

Dear Editors:

	In his June 6 letter, Ray E. Sedivy suggests that
the United Methodist Church will be abandoned by its
members if the denomination allows same-sex unions to
be conducted by its clergy and/or in its churches. 
That is one possible outcome.  Indeed, some people
have already left the denomination or changed
congregations.  However, if church policy is to be
based on what may affect membership, as Mr. Sedivy
seems to suggest, then it should be noted that there
are United Methodist clergy in thriving congregations
who have performed may such services, plus single
congregations and entire denominations or sects in
other religious traditions that allow same-sex unions
and/or the ordination of sexual minorities. Allowing
same-sex unions may actually encourage growth in the
long run. We hope that delegates will vote for what
they think is right, arriving at a decision based on
justice, love, and inclusion. And we are thankful that
we live in a religiously-free country in which
religious bodies can settle issues of policy in
whatever manner they see fit, and individuals can
choose to support or not support religious bodies
according to the dictates of their own conscience.  

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and
organizations and 65 clergy from 15 religious traditions. 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.

-- 

Interfaith Working Group                Religious organizations, congregations
http://www.libertynet.org/iwg           and clergy supporting gay rights,
[email-masked]                      reproductive freedom, and the 
voice: 215-235-3050  fax: 232-0829      separation of church and state.