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Archive for October, 2012

Oct 31

RobbGwaltney

Are There Any Others Out There?

We are grateful for this reflection on how far we’ve come from Rev. Robb Gwaltney, who was a seminary friend of David Sindt’s and has been serving the church for many years. He gives us a long perspective on our progress.

When I looked around the Exhibit Hall at the 1974 General Assembly in Louisville, it didn’t even cross my mind that at some point in my lifetime that as a denomination we would be in the position of considering what to do now that we have full inclusion in the church orders. At that moment I saw a lonely young man holding a sign that read “Are there any others out there.” I knew that man, David Sindt. Read more

Oct 30

LaurieMcNeill

Rev. Laurie McNeill Not Guilty for Marrying Partner Says GAPJC

Charges were filed against Rev. Laurie McNeill for marrying her partner Lisa Lynn Gollihue in October, 2009. The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of Newark (PPJC) and the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Northeast (SPJC) found her not guilty and the decision was appealed to the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC). We rejoice with Rev. McNeill that the GAPJC sustained the decision of the SPJC. Read more

Oct 29

LoveFreeOrDie

Love Free or Die on PBS Tonight

More Light Presbyterians screened Love Free or Die at the 220th General Assembly, a film about Bishop Gene Robinson directed by Macky Alston. If you have not had an opportunity to watch the film, it airs on PBS tonight. Check your local PBS listings for the exact time. Read more

Oct 26

Macky_Alston_headshot-200x300

Love Your Neighbor; Everything Else Is Secondary

More Light Presbyterians screened Love Free or Die at the 220th General Assembly, a film about Bishop Gene Robinson directed by Macky Alston. In addition to being a documentary filmmaker, Macky serves as senior director at Auburn Media, a program at Auburn Seminary that helps faith leaders committed to justice speak out powerfully in the media. He is also a descendent of three generations of Presbyterian ministers. Read more

Oct 25

TAMFS

Help and Referral Line for LGBT Persons in the PC(USA)

Our friends at That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS) are focusing a large part of their mission on serving as chaplains to the LGBT community in the Presbyterian Church (USA). “We want to make sure that when anyone, anywhere who is LGBT/Q in the PC(USA) needs help,” writes TAMFS Minister Evangelist Ray Bagnuolo, “that there is always someone on the other end of the line: to be there; to listen; ready to help; and to make sure they know God loves them and they are not alone.” The phone number is 1-877-TAMFS-64 (1-877-826-3764). Read more

Oct 24

JamieAnn

Till Death Do Us Part

JamieAnn Meyers met her wife in high school before living into her gender identity as a woman. In a Huffington Post article she describes the heart of marriage, “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do part.” These marriage vows were put to the test when she came out to her wife as female. As they struggled together to honor God’s creation, the true nature of marriage revealed itself. Read more

Oct 23

Wilhelmina Perry

LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent Tell Their Stories

A new Gallup survey found that  in the U.S., people of color are more likely to identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) than Caucasians. While only 3.2 percent of Caucasian-Americans say they are LGBT, 4.6 percent of African-Americans identify as LGBT along with 4 percent of Latinos and 4.3 percent of Asian-Americans. Read more

Oct 22

LGBTYouthConference

Pastoral Counseling for LGBT Youth and Their Families

The Greater Boston Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) are hosting a conference next week focusing on the role of religious professionals in fostering family acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, supporting congregants and building safe, welcoming and supportive communities for LGBT people and allies. Read more

Oct 19

FaithGoesPurple

Injustice at Every Turn #SpiritDay

Today is Spirit Day, an annual day in October when millions of Americans wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Transgender and gender non-conforming people are one of the most vulnerable communities to bullying, not only in school systems that promise to shelter and educate, but throughout our society. Read more

Oct 17

Transgender

Voices of Witness

“Most transgender Christians are searching for the same things that other believers want: a connection to their God within a loving community where worship and working for equality and justice are the focus of the Christian experience.” The introduction to TransACTION continues, “Unfortunately, these searching transgender people are too often left without a place to call their ‘church home’ because most congregations and religious institutions are not ready to welcome them as their Christian companions.” Read more

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