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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1992)
)«•* out T m arcii 1 M 2 ▼ 9 liturgy; and they must assimilate into a regularly scheduled parish liturgy. S l Philip Neri Parish, a welcoming and reconciling congregation, invited Dignity to join their worship. Dignity decided to retain their identity by holding a weekly liturgy on Friday evenings at 7:30 pm at S l Philip Neri Parish in the upstairs of the Old Church/Parish Center, located at southeast 16th and Division. First Congregation “open and affirming” The city’s second-oldest church has decided officially to become an “open and affirming” congregation which invites all people to join regardless of sexual orientation. The members of First Congregational Church took the action at its January 26, 1992 annual meeting. Members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution. “Nowhere in the Ten Commandments or in the teachings of Jesus Christ is homosexuality even mentioned,“ said the Rev. John M. Rogers, Senior Minister of First Congregational Church. “If it was important enough to be prohibited by moral sanction, it surely would have been mentioned th e re .” Rogers — — ^ — ■ adds, “First Con- greg ational Church began in 1851- th e sam e year Portland was founded as a city- and it has long been open to members regard- less of sexual persuasion. In light of the growing atmosphere of persecution of gay mep and lesbi ans that is highlighted by ne Oregon Citizens Alliance’s petition drive to remove their minority status, the church felt it was important to publicly declare its long-standing position.” ■ National Council of Churches dialogues with UFMCC “I am pleased and encouraged that the Na tional Council of Churches is continuing to dia logue with us, despite pressure to break off rela tions,” said the Rev. Elder Troy Perry, founder and moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, after the NCC General Board received a report on the dialogue. The report marks the 10-year anniversary of the UFMCC’s application for membership in the NCC. Controversy arose because the UFMCC affirms lesbian and gay people, and the applica tion was never approved. In the report, the NCC admits for the First time that “the issue of homo sexuality appears to be firmly entrenched within the lives of many (NCC) member communions.” Second Stone Dignity/Portland forced out Welcoming churches total 225 In December 1991 the pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish notified Dignity/Portland that the archbishop of Portland, William Levada, would no longer allow Dignity to meet at St. Francis. In dialogue with the archbishop, Dignity was in formed that they could no longer worship at St. Francis; they could not have their own Sunday There are now over 225 local churches in the United States and Canada that have made a public declaration that they welcome lesbians and gay m e n -15 percent more than a year ago, reports the Reconciling Congregation Program. • The programs represented at the meeting and their number of churches are More Light (Presby- terian)-46; Open and Affirming (United Church o f Christ)-63; Reconciling Congregations (United Methodist)-49; Reconciled-in-Christ (Luther an)- 69; Supportive (Brethren/Mennonite)-new. Second Stone Eastern Oregon Episcopal HIV/AIDS work started McMinnville Baptists support gays The First Baptist Church in McMinnville has started a lesbian and gay support group for lesbi ans and gay men, family and friends and to pro vide support for people with HIV disease and AIDS. Pastor Bemie Turner has been supportive of lesbians and gays from his pulpit for some time, reports one member of the church. There are several families with gay children in the congre gation. On Dec. 1,1991 (World AIDS Day), the HIV/ AIDS Task Force of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon was formalized. The task force consists of lay, clergy and HIV positive people and is funded through the diocese. The goals of the task force include educational workshops throughout the rural parishes of eastern Oregon, Members of Christian Lesbians Out Together and helping to set up local referral lists of services * (CLOUT) had their first nationwide conference, available for people affected by HIV disease. As “A CLOUT of Witnesses.” It’s been one year a first sign and step towards support and solidar since 10 women met in New York to discuss what ity, a diocese’s banner entitled “ For All Living it means to be out of the closet and be a Christian. With HIV/AIDS” has been created and is moving Within three months o f that initial meeting, from church to church. The task force has also CLOUT had been formed and 113 women from applied for membership in the National Episcopal 14 denominations had already signed a Statement AIDS Coalition based in Washington, D.C. of Commitment. CLOUT was conceived as an intercultural, multiracial, solidarity coalition of “out” lesbian Christians. Its primary purpose is to empower lesbian Christians and to challenge the churches to which members belong. The CLOUT Statement of Commitment calls on lesbian Chris “ Lesbian and Gay People and Catholicism: tians to come out of the closet, whenever and The State of the Question” is the title of the third wherever possible, and to help empower and national symposium put on by New Ways M inis celebrate one another in taking this courageous try. The symposium is designed for Catholic step. CLOUT emphasizes the development of Church leadership. Nationally known speakers justice-based theologies and spiritual resources such as John Boswell, author o f Christianity, that grow from the lesbian Christian experience Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, Thomas and the exploration o f new understandings of Gumbleton; and Rosemary Radford Ruether will sexuality and commitment and encourages net be presenting. The symposium is being held in working with organizations of other marginalized Chicago from March 27 to 29. For more informa women and men. tion contact New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th Street, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. Compiled by Matthew Nelson, an ordained minister o f the United Church o f Christ Clout gathers National Catholic symposium Don't You Deserve the Best in Portable Spas? The Hot Spring Advantage: ■ Luxury Jet Systems ■ Stylish Design ■ Deep Comfortable Seating ■ Easy-care Low Maintenance features ■ Local Delivery, Set-up and Service ■ 5 year warranty Please mention this ad. 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