Date: Mon, 9 Jan 1995 19:01:56 -0600 (CST)
From: Kevyn Jacobs <kevyn@ksu.edu>
Subject: KC: Regional Lutherans In Solidarity With Gays Service


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 9,1995

Five years ago, St. Francis and First United Lutheran Churches of San 
Francisco, California, both congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, called an openly lesbian couple and an openly gay
man as pastors, for which they were later suspended by an ELCA discipline
committee.  On Saturday, January 21, a celebration of the ministry of these
pastors and the two congregations will be held in San Francisco, under the
theme, "Proclaim the Year of God's Favor."

At 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 22, 1995, Lutherans and others from around 
Kansas City will gather for a worship service in solidarity with St. Francis
and First United.  The service of Holy Communion will be held at Abiding Peace
Lutheran Church (5090 NE Chouteau Trafficway) and will be followed at 5:30 PM
by a "Minnesota Hotdish Supper" to which all are invited.

Two groups are sponsoring this Kansas City area service of solidarity:
Lutherans Concerned/KC and the Kansas City area members of "The Network," 
both organizations committed to the full inclusion of all people without 
regard to sexual orientation.  The Network, begun in 1992, was founded
largely in response to the ELCA's reactions to the San Francisco 
congregations, and seeks to break down the barriers within the church 
regarding sexual orientation -- especially the barrier to ordination.

Three ELCA congregations in Kansas City -- Abiding Peace, Fountain of Hope, 
and St. Mark's (KCMO) -- are designated as "Reconciled in Christ", because
they have adopted a formal affirmation of welcome to gays, lesbians, and
bisexuals.  The worship leaders for the service will be the pastors of these
Reconciled in Christ congregations and other members of Lutherans Concerned
and the Network.  Rev. Peter Rehwaldt of Ruskin Heights Lutheran Church has
written a hymn for this service, which will also be used at the service in
San Francisco.  The service will also feature brief statements of faith from
members of St. Francis, taken from their recently published cookbook "Those
People at That Church" (which will be available at the service).

All who wish to show their support for these congregations and the stand they
have taken are invited to share in this celebration.

                                -30-

Editor: For more information please contact:
        Rev. Peter Rehwaldt      761-6815 (w) or 459-7904 (h)
        Rev. Jane Ralph Rehwaldt 931-0027 (w) or 459-7904 (h)
        Janice Bassford 734-8850 (h)
        Tim Feiertag    531-7477 (h)
        Mahrya Monson   299-8297 (h)