Walking With Integrity
Malcolm Johnson Oral History Released
This interview is LGBT-RAN's first from outside the U.S.--indicative of LGBT-RAN's commitment to preserve history of a wide diversity of LGBT religious movements. The Johnson interview--like all eleven interviews currently in LGBT-RAN's Oral History Project--can be either read or listened to. If you are aware of existent oral history interviews that could be added to LGBT-RAN's online collection, contact Mark Bowman.
Lambeth encounters strengthened relationships
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[Episcopal Life] How one perceives the outcome of the 2008 Lambeth
Conference depends in large part on what criteria are applied.
If the basis for discerning the success of the decennial gathering of
Anglican bishops is whether the bishops resolved the tensions pulling at the
communion, the answer would have to be no.
If, on the other hand, the basis of that discernment is whether the bishops
committed themselves to remaining in communion -- and communication --
with each other, then the answer would have to be yes.
In between those two extremes remain, as always, many shades of gray and
varying degrees of uncertainty as the communion's members face what will be
a year or more of meetings, conversations and predictions of lines drawn in
the sand.
snip
The section of the reflections document dealing with human sexuality
reiterates the disagreements and divisions facing the communion and lists
some possible solutions offered by the bishops.
They range from "decisive action" -- to live out Jesus' teaching in Matthew
5:29 that if your right eye causes you to sin, it ought to be torn out and thrown away -- to declaring a "Decade of Sharing and Generosity."
There is, the document says, a desire "from all quarters" to uphold Windsor
Report-recommended moratoria on ordinations of persons living in a
same-gender unions to the episcopate, on authorized public rites for
blessing same-gender unions, and on cross-border incursions by bishops.
However, it cautions that the moratoria "will be difficult to uphold."
There were also "many positive responses to the idea" of a proposed Anglican
covenant, the reflections document reports. Also reported is a "strong
sense" that the appendix of the current St. Andrew's Draft (called Framework
Procedures for the Resolution
of Covenant Disputes) "could be too legalistic, too difficult to implement
and too punitive."
The outcome of the Lambeth Conference will be discussed over the next months
in a series of meetings.
The Episcopal Church's House of Bishops is due to meet September 17-19 in
Salt Lake City.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81834_100393_ENG_HTM.htm
-------------
DON'T FORGET TO TALK TO YOU BISHOP ABOUT LAMBETH BEFORE SEPTEMBER 17TH!
VISIT http://www.integrityusa.org/AfterLambeth/index.htm FOR DETAILS!
Homosexuality, Ethics, and the Church
The summer issue of The Anglican Theological Review focus on homosexuality. Two sections can be read online...
- Editor's Notes by Ellen K. Wondra
- Introduction by W. Mark Richardson
Conservative Bloggers On Integrity Ad
Integrity's post-Lambeth ad in the September issue of Episcopal Life has been noticed...
Many Stories, One Voice Update
First of all, let me say again how grateful we are for your prayers and
understanding as we have been making plans to deal with Gustav. We also
return thanks to God for the fact that New Orleans seems to have been spared
and that things were not nearly as bad as expected along the Gulf Coast.
That, of course, is the most important news of the day.
We wanted to be in touch about a couple of pieces:
1. What to do next? We are convening a call with the Bishops and Elders
Council and other colleagues to explore all of our options. We will hope to
have some word by the beginning of next week as to what we plan to do. We
will keep you posted.
2. Registration fees. There are two options for folks:
a. You may wait with us as we determine if, when and where another Many
Stories, One Voice will be held
and apply your registration fees to that gathering. OR
b. You may ask for us to process a refund of your registration fees.
If you choose to have your registration refunded please email
Malvarado@thetaskforce.org.
Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we all went through a
difficult weekend. And thanks be to God that our friends and colleagues in
New Orleans have survived well.
Blessings,
Rebecca
Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
Institute for Welcoming Resources and Faith Work Director
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
810 W. 31st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612.821.4397
rvoelkel@theTaskForce.org
Rebecca@WelcomingResources.org
www.WelcomingResources.org
Ugandan Anglican leaders support president's speech on gay issue
===================================
FREDRICK NZWILI
ECUMENICAL NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Aug 21, 2008
[Nairobi] Some Ugandan Anglican church leaders have expressed support for a statement by President Yoweri Museveni in which he commended the denomination's bishops for resisting homosexuality.
"It was great of the president to speak about the issue," Anglican Bishop Stanley Ntagali of Masindi-Katara told Ecumenical News International on 20 August. "We have been inspired by the president's positive comments."
Uganda's New Vision newspaper on 17 August quoted Museveni as saying he saluted the bishops of Africa for resisting "disorientation" and a "decadent culture". The newspaper said the bishop had made his remarks when he spoke
at the consecration of Canon Patrick Gidudu as the Anglican bishop of Mbale
in eastern Uganda. During his address, Museveni said homosexuality was a result of "Western influence".
"Don't fear; resist and do not compromise on that. It is a danger not only to the believers but to the whole of Africa. It is bad if our children become complacent and think that people who are not in order are alright," Museveni was quoted as saying.
To read the rest of the story, please visit the Anglican Journal Web site,
http://www.anglicanjournal.com
A Prophet In His Own Land
The Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd's writings have been read by tens of thousands of people. 2008 marks the 85th birthday of this man who has worked much of his life to promote faith and understanding.
White Crane Books proudly announces its latest inspirational release: A Prophet in His Own Land: A Malcolm Boyd Reader, a compendium of five decades of his essays, poetry, prayers and interviews on faith & social justice.
Never before has such a wide-ranging collection of the Rev. Canon Boyd's writings been assembled under one cover. This book offers the gamut of the man's heart, mind and soul to first time readers or long time readers alike. With thirty books written and/or edited to his credit, this is the first to offer the true measure of the man.
Edited by Bo Young and Dan Vera, editors of White Crane, the collection begins with the first writings Boyd produced, reflecting presciently on his insider's knowledge and experience in the motion picture business and the American culture machine and span his coffeehouse years with comedian Dick Gregory and the early involvement as a Freedom Marcher with Dr. Martin Luther King.
Whether you a clergy and seek inspiration for your latest sermon, a librarian seeking a valued addition to your current collection on religion and social justice, or a theologian interested in addressing many of the issues facing faith in the 20th and 21st century, this book offers a wealth of inspiration.
Click here to order a copy via Integrity's Amazon portal!
Many Stories, One Voice Cancelled
Saturday, August 30, 6:00 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I ask for your prayers for our friends and colleagues in New Orleans, and to let you know that we are canceling Many Stories, One Voice: The North American Convocation of Pro-LGBT Christians.
As of this writing, Hurricane Gustav has been upgraded to a Category 4 and is still expected to make landfall near New Orleans. Additionally, the New Orleans airport will be closing at 6 pm tomorrow evening (Sunday) and we don't know when it is expected to re-open.
For these reasons and for the reason that we do not want to add any additional burdens to our already-overtaxed and traumatized colleagues in New Orleans, we do not want any more people going to New Orleans. Your safety and that of the folks in New Orleans is our utmost priority.
At this point, it is simply too early to tell what we will do in terms of another conference. We will be in touch as soon as we've had time to talk with all of our colleagues and confer.
Two items of information:
1. If you were scheduled to fly to New Orleans, check with your airlines about their inclement weather and hurricane clauses.
2. Please call +1 888 236-2427 or go online: http://www.marriott.com/ in order to cancel your hotel reservations. But please do not call the New Orleans Marriott as they are trying to make preparations for the storm.
I am deeply disappointed to have to write this. But, as I've heard from many of you in the last few days, God has called us into this ministry and will make use of all the faithful work that has gone into MSOV's planning. May we continue to pray for our colleagues, friends and family in the Gulf Coast region and may our call to embody God's extravagant welcome continue to embolden and sustain us.
In peace,
Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
Institute for Welcoming Resources and Faith Work Director
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
College Park church target of anti-gay threat - Southern Voice Atlanta
AUG. 29, 2008
Southern Voice
College Park police are investigating an anti-gay note left on the doors of St. John’s Episcopal Church as a "terroristic threat," according to a police report.
Father Troy Beecham, the first openly gay rector at the church, said a message stating, "homosexual priest in the pulpit in this church are an abomination! 666" was handwritten on a piece of cardboard and posted on the door for members to see when they came to church Aug. 24.
"It was found by a gay member when he unlocked the doors Sunday morning at 7 a.m. He was going to throw it away but another gay member said that I should see it," Beecham said. "I’m glad he did."
College Park is located south of downtown Atlanta near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and has a population of approximately 21,000."
Click here to read the entire article.
Faiths' beliefs on homosexuality vary
By BARBARA KARKABI
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Religion plays an important role in Americans' attitudes about homosexuality, but views are shifting. In Gallup's 2008 Values and Beliefs poll, Americans were evenly split on the morality of homosexual activity. In 2000, the majority said homosexuality was immoral.
The issue of gay clergy is hotly debated in many faith communities today. "Clearly we are on a journey," said the Rev. Susan Russell, president of Integrity USA, a national network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Episcopalians that supports gay ordination.
Integrity is one of a number of groups sponsoring Many Stories, One Voice, the first North American convocation of pro-LGBT Christians, meeting in New Orleans Sept. 4-7. Information: http://www.welcomingresources.org/.
Here is where some faiths stand on the issue:
• Episcopal Church of the USA: The Episcopal Church has been in a turmoil since the 2003 election of Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, an openly gay priest in a longtime relationship. Some U.S. churches have left over the issue of gay clergy, while leaders in other parts of the 77-million strong, worldwide Anglican Communion asked that the Episcopal Church be sanctioned or expelled. A moratorium on electing gay bishops has been in place since 2006. Ordination of celibate gay clergy is allowed, and some dioceses will ordain partnered gay clergy. That decision is left to the local diocesan bishop. The diocese of Texas does not ordain noncelibate gay clergy.
Click here to read the entire article!
Help Californians preserve equality for all of us!
In May the California Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution would not permit the state to treat same-sex couples any differently than anyone else—and therefore required the state to allow their marriages. Thousands of same-sex couples have since taken advantage of their new opportunity to solemnize civil marriages recognized by the state. It's been a bit of a "Love Rush."
In the November election, Proposition 8 would change the state constitution by outlawing same-sex marriage.
Like the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech, the freedom to marry is fundamental to our society. Marriage allows couples to make legal their lifetime commitment to one another, and gives couples the opportunity to fully take responsibility for each other.
Religious groups and clergy members have a constitutionally protected right to recognize or refuse to recognize religious marriages based on the tenets of their particular faith. That has not changed and will not change. But Proposition 8 would unfairly strip LGBT people of full civil rights.
Where's the Episcopal Church on this issue?
- General Convention 2006 in Columbus passed Resolution A095 that said, "Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the Episcopal Church's historical support of gay and lesbian persons as children of God and entitled to full civil rights; and be it further Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the 71st General Convention's action calling upon municipal council, state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples protection[s] such as: bereavement and family leave policies; health benefits; pension benefits; real-estate transfer tax benefits; and commitments to mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples and be it further Resolved, That the 75th General Convention oppose any state or federal constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions."
- After the decision affirming marriage equality under the state constitution, Bishop Marc Andrus of the Diocese of California called on his diocese to "walk a journey" that included "combating a ballot initiative this November that will attempt to take away the rights recently recognized by the California Supreme Court." Statements from other California bishops are expected shortly.
- If you live in California, visit http://noonprop8.com/action/ or http://www.cafaithforequality.org/act.html for a number of concrete actions you can take to defeat Proposition 8. For example, the campaign will be making thousands of phone calls to persuade voters to preserve fair treatment for all. You can volunteer to staff the phone bank at http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/volunteer.html.
- Wherever you live, you can help pay the costs of getting our message out. Donate to the campaign at https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall.
Polls show that this campaign to preserve full civil rights for LGBT people in California CAN be won at the ballot box—but only if we ALL help.
Faithfully,Jan Adams
CTB Field Organizer
jan@integrityusa.org
415-378-2050
Talk To Your Bishop About Lambeth!
Our bishops have returned from the Lambeth Conference. They've had important, moving conversations with their fellow bishops from around the world. Now they need to hear from us—the people in the pews of the churches in their own dioceses—before the House of Bishops meeting during September 17-19 in Salt Lake City.
The Archbishop of Canterbury tried to "spin" the bishops' indaba group reflections by insisting upon moratoria by The Episcopal Church [TEC] on ordinations of bishops in same-sex relationships and on the blessing of faithful, same-sex couples.
LGBT people were not able to speak for themselves during the bishops' cloistered meetings. The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson—the only Anglican bishop who openly lives in a faithful, same-sex relationship—was excluded. But in your own dioceses, on their home turf, it is much harder for bishops to exclude our voices.
Tell your bishop it's time for TEC to move beyond the self-imposed restrictions of B033 and move ahead on rites for blessing same-sex relationships. As Bishop Michael Ingham of the Church of Canada said at Lambeth, the church must not put itself "in the position of having to support and defend irrational prejudice and bigotry."
Write, e-mail, or call your bishop today! Tell her/him why full inclusion of all the baptized in all the rites and life of the church matters to you. You can find your bishop's contact information on your diocesan website. To find your diocesan website, click here. At the bottom of this message are some "talking points" you might want to consider and some tips for communicating effectively with your bishop.
Let us know you've contacted your bishop by clicking here to complete a brief survey.
Faithfully,
Jan Adams
CTB Field Organizer
jan@integrityusa.org
415-378-2050
Some thoughts you might want to develop...
- LGBT Christians can't be stuffed back in the closet. We are here in the pews and in the pulpits. TEC cannot pretend we are not already part of the church, faithfully walking our spiritual journey with Christ.
- It hurts, and it is morally wrong, when privileged people try to dictate "sacrifice" to disenfranchised people. Tell your own story of oppression and liberation.
- Endless quibbling over full inclusion of all the baptized by the church makes the Good News inaudible and inaccessible to most young people in the contemporary United States. By focusing on 7 passages in the Bible that are used to condemn homosexuality, we are drowning out the message of Jesus—the incarnate Word of God.
- As our Presiding Bishop has emphasized in her reflections after Lambeth, only the General Convention can commit TEC to national policies or a global Anglican covenant. The House of Bishops should not make any unilateral decisions about moratoria or the covenant in Salt Lake City.
- Opponents of LGBT equality are clearly planning to us an Anglican covenant as a tool to either control or exclude TEC. General Convention must carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of signing the final covenant.
Tips For Communicating Effectively With Your Bishop
- Be respectful. Even if you dislike or disagree with your bishop, treat him/her with the courtesy due his/her office.
- Do not make threats. Threatening to personally leave The Episcopal Church or withhold contributions is counterproductive.
- Share your personal story. Tell your bishop how you or a family member would be affected by the moratoria.
- Be brief. Bishops are busy people. A short, focused message will have more impact than a long, rambling one.
Internet Indigestion?
Integrity Recieves Grant From Haas Jr Fund!
MEDIA CONTACT:
Roberta Sklar, Communications Director
(Office) 646.358.1465
(Cell) 917.704.6358
rsklar@theTaskForce.org
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announces
$1.2 million grant from Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
to support pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender faith work
Unprecedented grant bolsters collaboration among
Institute for Welcoming Resources and five partner organizations
in expanding the number of welcoming and affirming churches
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation's Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR) and five partner organizations have been awarded a total of $1.2 million from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund to work jointly to expand the number of churches that are welcoming and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and to strengthen their internal capacities. This funding is significant not only because of its dollar amount, but also because it marks a breakthrough in secular foundation support for LGBT faith organizing efforts.
The recipients are the Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources, which works with the welcoming church movement in 30 Christian denominations; Integrity, which works within the Episcopal Church; Lutherans Concerned/North America, which works within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; More Light Presbyterians, which works within the Presbyterian Church (USA); Reconciling Ministries Network, which works within the United Methodist Church; and the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns.
The grant, which will be paid out over two years, will support a strategic, collaborative effort to expand pro-LGBT faith-based organizing efforts and allow the groups to fortify their respective infrastructures. Through the welcoming church movement, congregations decide — through a formal vote — to offer an unconditional welcome to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. To date, more than 3,100 congregations across the Christian spectrum have explicitly welcomed LGBT people to full inclusion in the life and ministry of their congregations. This is largely due to the longtime and tireless work of these organizations, most of which have worked together for years to build the strong foundation of the existing welcoming church movement.
"We are extremely grateful to the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund for generously supporting this important collaboration," says Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "The more than 2.5 million individuals in the 3,100 congregations supported by the Institute for Welcoming Resources and these partner organizations are some of our movement's most valuable advocates in promoting understanding, reclaiming what unfortunately has become a narrow view of 'moral values' espoused by those who seek to divide, and advancing LGBT equality. We thank the Haas, Jr. Fund for not only recognizing this, but for providing the critical resources to advance these pro-LGBT faith organizing efforts."
"We are excited that this grant will help the Institute for Welcoming Resources realize its vision to significantly increase the number of local congregations and parishes committed to the full inclusion of LGBT people," says Randall Miller, a program officer with the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. "We're convinced that this unique partnership among the Task Force's IWR program and denominational advocacy organizations holds the potential to transform the larger LGBT movement by greatly expanding its supporters and extending its reach."
A groundbreaking study titled David v. Goliath: A Report on Faith Groups Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality (and What They're Up Against), released in 2006 by the Task Force's National Religious Leadership Roundtable, found that conservative organizations and foundations such as Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family, Coors Foundation, American Enterprise Institute and the Scaife Family Foundation have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in faith-based organizing, while many centrist and liberal organizations have avoided any alliance with or funding of their progressive faith counterparts.
The report also found that organizations surveyed in the mainline Protestant and Catholic churches faced an average 8-to-1 disadvantage in funding compared to anti-LGBT organizations in their denominations. This grant will greatly help to balance those scales.
"A sea change is under way in faith communities across the country," says the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, director of the Institute for Welcoming Resources. "The day is fast approaching when people will hear the word 'Christian' and associate it with justice, equality and support for all, including LGBT people. This collaborative grant is one concrete way we're going to get there."
The collaboration's main goals are to strengthen the capacity, witness and voice of Christian organizations that support LGBT people and families, and to support the efforts of people within each denomination to increase the number of welcoming and affirming congregations.
What the five partner organizations are saying
"This is the kairos time, the opportune time when the church and the world are about to turn. While full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the Lutheran communion requires a marathon strategy, what we do in the next 12 months will be critical to the success of the mission of Lutherans Concerned/North America over the next 20 years," says Emily Eastwood, executive director of Lutherans Concerned/North America. "The timely and generous grant from the Haas, Jr. Fund will enable Lutherans Concerned/North America to maximize its strategic impact by increasing organizational and financial capacity, enhancing volunteer and leadership development at the grassroots, fostering continued expansion of our Reconciling in Christ program, and organizing for the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America synodical and churchwide assembly seasons where major decisions will be made about the full inclusion of LGBT people and families and pastors."
"Haas, Jr. was able to see the longtime activism and organizing in frontier territory provided by Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. RMN puts these monies to work immediately building infrastructure, training new leaders, creating networks in new regions and strengthening advocate teams across the United Methodist Church. Such strategic investment allows us to impact denominational change from the grassroots to the worldwide legislative sessions of the church," says the Rev. Troy Plummer, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network.
John Clinton Bradley, acting executive director of Integrity USA, says: "We are extremely thankful for this grant. It will enable us to move to the next level of programming and effectiveness as a faith-in-action organization. This includes developing and implementing a systematic process to help Episcopal parishes become more welcoming and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in their congregations and communities."
"The Haas, Jr. Fund helps the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns equip volunteers for our mission to educate and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies and to save lives by training people in suicide intervention," says the Rev. Ruth Garwood, executive director of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns. "Developing and vitalizing open and affirming churches that not only welcome LGBT people in, but also reach outside their congregations, makes a difference in both church and society. This investment from the Haas, Jr. Fund makes it possible for the coalition to build the internal systems that make more effective the hundreds of our volunteers who participate in the movement for LGBT rights."
"As a national grassroots movement working for LGBT equality in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and civil society since 1974, we have been able to accomplish much as a nearly all-volunteer network with one full-time staff person. The funding from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund allows More Light Presbyterians to build capacity and take our next steps as an organization and network by hiring additional staff," says Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., executive director and field organizer of More Light Presbyterians in Santa Fe, N.M. "We stand at the threshold of accomplishing policy change and ending discrimination against LGBT persons and their families in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as we enter a national campaign to ratify the recent legislative victory at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This grant makes it possible for More Light Presbyterians to create this national campaign."
Don't miss Many Stories, One Voice: The North American Convocation of Pro-LGBT Christians, a conference convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, on Sept. 4–7 in New Orleans, La. Pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians will converge on the Big Easy to strengthen the movement of Christian churches that are welcoming and affirming of LGBT people. The gathering will offer new tools and training in the areas of faith-based community organizing, media training, board development, fund-raising, research, biblical studies, theology, capacity-building and other concrete skills. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.manystoriesonevoice.org/.
–30–
The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We do this by training activists, equipping state and local organizations with the skills needed to organize broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement's premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge. © 2008 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. Phone 202.393.5177. Fax 202.393.2241. TTY 202.393.2284. theTaskForce@theTaskForce.org.
TransFaith Launches InterSections
We believe that nurturing the spiritual health of any community necessarily involves paying attention to issues of body, mind, and spirit. Due to the overwhelming risk factors faced by the transgender community, health and wholeness is truly a matter of life and death.
In our first installation of TransFaith Intersections, we are highlighting concerns about the rate of HIV and AIDS infection in the transgender community:
www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/hiv_and_aids/
We welcome the July/August 2008 issue of "Positively Aware" (http://positivelyaware.com/2008/08_04/index.html) which focused on the transgender community's status as "Invisible and At-Risk." However, in researching this topic, we were dismayed at how few other resources exist on-line addressing issues of HIV and AIDS among the transgender community.
While comprehensive data on the transgender community is not available, local assessments indicate that the transgender community has been one of the communities hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. There is a desperate need for more resources addressing the unique barriers faced by the transgender community in terms of sensitive prevention and health care resources.
TransFaith Online calls on the transgender people of faith and our allies to:
- become better educated about transgender HIV and AIDS
- make sure that your HIV and AIDS ministries are sensitive to the unique needs of transgender people
- include HIV and AIDS awareness as a part of your transgender advocacy efforts
- speak out about the way HIV and AIDS is impacting the transgender community
We are also eager for your assistance in further developing our TransFaith HIV and AIDS InterSection. Please contact Chris Paige (215-840-2858 or chris@transfaithonline.org) with your input, suggestions, and feedback.
TransFaith Launches InterSections
section of our website (http://www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/),
featuring information and resources relating to transgender health and
wholeness.
We believe that nurturing the spiritual health of any community necessarily
involves paying attention to issues of body, mind, and spirit. Due to the
overwhelming risk factors faced by the transgender community, health and
wholeness is truly a matter of life and death.
In our first installation of TransFaith Intersections, we are highlighting
concerns about the rate of HIV and AIDS infection in the transgender
community:
www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/hiv_and_aids/
We welcome the July/August 2008 issue of "Positively Aware"
(http://positivelyaware.com/2008/08_04/index.html) which focused on the
transgender community's status as "Invisible and At-Risk." However, in
researching this topic, we were dismayed at how few other resources exist
on-line addressing issues of HIV and AIDS among the transgender community.
While comprehensive data on the transgender community is not available,
local assessments indicate that the transgender community has been one of
the communities hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. There is a desperate need
for more resources addressing the unique barriers faced by the transgender
community in terms of sensitive prevention and health care resources.
TransFaith Online calls on the transgender people of faith and our allies
to:
* become better educated about transgender HIV and AIDS
* make sure that your HIV and AIDS ministries are sensitive to the unique
needs of transgender people
* include HIV and AIDS awareness as a part of your transgender advocacy
efforts
* speak out about the way HIV and AIDS is impacting the transgender
community
We are also eager for your assistance in further developing our TransFaith
HIV and AIDS InterSection. Please contact Chris Paige (215-840-2858 or
chris@transfaithonline.org) with your input, suggestions, and feedback.
Unfit For Purpose
Don't miss the Revd Canon Marilyn McCord Adams analysis of the proposed Anglican Covenant! Click here for the PDF!
Mid-summer "Weekly Witness"
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
It's been awhile since we sent out a "weekly witness" and while it'll be a while longer before we're back on a "regular" schedule I wanted to take a little break from vacation today to send out this update to note that there is indeed "Life After Lambeth" ... and to point to some of the good work going on even in the dead of summer.
So here goes:
On a personal note, thanks to all who sent cards, notes and prayers at the news of the passing of my mother, Betty Bundy Brown, who died on July 24th. My family and I felt so very supported by all your love and prayers. We had a wonderful celebration of her life in her hometown in Minnesota on August 12th. And I know one of the greatest tributes I can offer to her memory is to keep calling this church family of ours to live up to the family values she raised us to respect and honor in her own family: love, respect, tolerance and inclusion.
And there is still plenty of work to do on all of the above, as post-Lambeth reflections, post-mortems and critiques continue to come in.
Among the best was Jim Naughton's "The Archbishop's hands are tied, not ours."
His conclusion ...
"The politics of the church make Rowan Williams act against his beliefs on gay marriage. We don't have to do the same."
... is one that will frame our message as we move forward toward General Convention 2009 and beyond.
Other articles, essays and blogs of note:
Mark Harris' "The Tasks at Hand ..."
I believe we need to work hard at being who we are, The Episcopal Church, called to try to be inclusive as that inclusion relates to justice and the redress of injustice. We must acknowledge that we are not particularly good at this call but we are working on it, and we are doing so because we believe it is part of the call to the whole people of God. We have a vocation in the midst of the general vocation of all Christian peoples. We will work at including all the churches, and more locally all the Christian people, we can into our common life as they are moved to join us.In that context the Anglican Communion will be for us our guests, welcomed to our table. We are in communion, for our part, with all the churches of the Anglican Communion.
At the same time, I believe we must work constantly and with transparency to be with others in such a way that they will say to us, “Welcome here.” Again this will not be easy. Colonialism and rank imperialism, both secular and ecclesial, is often just beneath the surface. The Episcopal Church needs to work at being commendable to others, so that we are welcome into the homes of many who at first may be suspicious of us and our intentions. In this context the Anglican Communion is wherever we too are welcome as guests at table and in homes.
Tobias Haller's "Crumbs"
The church has shown itself to be remarkably flexible in its interpretation and application of any number of biblical injunctions and restrictions, down through the years, some of them even involving sex and marriage. It is not an earth-shaking abandonment of the gospel — the claims of some notwithstanding — to consider the possibility of recognizing and blessing the relationships of faithful partners in life, who wish to commit themselves to each other under that blessing and in that bond for life.
Those of us engaged in this patient and earnest appeal, though we be ignored, rebuffed, and labeled as less than worthy, less than human even, will not cease from mental toil, nor from prayer, nor from giving thanks for the scraps thus far cast in our general direction, nor from pleading our case, nor from claiming our blessing, though we must wrestle until dawn, and be put out of joint on its account.
And Clare Herbert's reflections on our Lambeth Conference presence: "Beyond the Fringe"
What is hard but essential to try to describe is that we were Church alongside everyone else being Church. We were not there only to protest, or to throw stones or to plead our special case as somehow outside looking in. We were ourselves "inside” living the life of the Church ourselves. When we read in John's Gospel every day how those on the fringes of successful society, - the servants, the compromised, the ill, the broken - often understood who Jesus was before the rest of his followers did we feel we were in the right place, bearing witness to the overwhelming love of God which we had seen and known in our own lives and which we were dying to tell others about.
And here's my own "reflecting on Lambeth" sermon from Sunday, August 10th: Walking on Water [Video link/Text link]
Upcoming Events:
Integrity Nat'l Board Meeting: September 2-4 (New Orleans)
Many Stories, One Voice: September 4-7 (New Orleans)
Inclusion Activism Workshop: September 12-13 (Minneapolis)
House of Bishops Meeting: September 17-19 (Salt Lake City)
