|
oasis e-news
from the LGBT Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of California
|
|
LGBT Faith and Aging Conference Set Aug. 17, 2011
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakland has graciously agreed to host this s ession on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from noon to 5:30 P.M. Notes on the most recent planning committee session are here.
For updates on this issue please sign up for our 2011 LGBT Faith and Aging Conference e-mail list.
|
 |
|
Have you completed the Hymnal Revision Survey?
The Episcopal Church Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) is inviting input and comments about a possible revision of The Hymnal 1982.
An online survey is available until January 31, 2011. The survey was distributed this fall to a stratified random sample of congregations in the Episcopal Church. If you've already completed a survey, you don't need to do it again.
Resolution B004 of the 2009 General Convention "authorize(s) Church Publishing Incorporated, working with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, to conduct a feasibility study on the need for revision of The Hymnal 1982 by speaking to congregations, dioceses and all seminaries of this Church, and to report its findings to the 77th General Convention."
|
|
|
|
Gay Parents Find the South More Welcoming
 U.S. Census data shows childrearing is more common among same-sex couples in the South than in any other region of the country. More important, those parents don't fit the tired stereotype of gay people as affluent, white, and living in cities.
The New York Times reports UC demographer Gary Gates found Jacksonville, Fla., is ground zero for America's gay parents. Other hot spots for child-rearing compared to the West Coast, New York, and New England include Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
According to the Times, "Black or Latino gay couples are twice as likely as whites to be raising children, according to Mr. Gates, who used data from a Census Bureau sampling known as the American Community Survey. They are also more likely than their white counterparts to be struggling economically." Read more.
|
|
Integrity USA celebrates 10 Years of Called to Common Mission"
 This month, Lutherans Concerned/North America and Integrity USA celebrate the tenth anniversary of the "Called to Common Mission" agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church (ECUSA). On January 6 , 2001, the two denominations formalized a relationship of "full communion," recognizing mutual commitments to the essentials of the Christian faith and acknowledging the faithfulness and validity of each church's confessions, ministries, and ministers. Among other things, the full communion relationship allows for joint worship and the sharing of clergy, and facilitates common commitments to evangelism, witness, and service.
Max Niedzwiecki, Executive Director of Integrity USA, said "Together, the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America include nearly seven million members and over seventeen thousand parishes. We are blessed by this partnership, and by the partnership between Integrity USA and Lutherans Concerns/North America. Together, we are striving to make God's love tangible everywhere, both within our churches and in the wider world. Over the past decade, both of our denominations have made tremendous strides in extending a warm welcome to all of God's children. That really is something to celebrate."
Ross Murray, Deputy Director of Lutherans Concerned/North America, said "I have appreciated the partnership between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church because it has created a way for congregations to be served, the gospel to be preached, and the sacraments administered. The work of both Lutherans Concerned and Integrity has been strengthened through this partnership. We have certainly learned from one another and bolstered one another." At this ten-year mark, Integrity USA and Lutherans Concerned/North America celebrate our mutual ministries by, with, and for the sake of the whole people of God, including people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We celebrate our common mission and true Christian unity, for which only the Gospel is sufficient and to which each of us-without exception-is called in Baptism.
|
From Oasis News Blogs, Etc.
|
|
RC Diocese offers 12-step program to 'help' the gays
 | | Roman Catholic Bishop Michael J. Sheridan |
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is following up on an idea by their Bishop, Michael Sheridan (right): and launching "Twelve Steps of Courage" that offers "pastoral care and support" for homosexuals.
The "Courage web site promises "From our website you will learn about homosexuality and chastity. By developing an interior life of chastity, which is the universal call to all Christians, one can move beyond the confines of the homosexual identity to a more complete one in Christ." And the site announces they are a third of the way to their fund raising goal of $50,000.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
