| Other Sheep 2008 Winter Report
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Alice D. Kitchen, M.D.
Because of failing health,
Alice came off of the Other Sheep board in 2007. Other Sheep is grateful to her for her years of service as an Other Sheep board member. PHOTO by Steve Parelli, Spring 2006 OS Meeting in St. Louis, MO. |
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In this 2008 Winter Report of Other Sheep
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you will visit the ministry of Tom Hanks in Buenos Aires
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see what the 60's in Savannah had in common with the hate words of Africa today
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you will read about the gay Christian of Uganda who "evangelized" gay Christians in Rwanda
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and much more . . . like major additional writings added to the Other Sheep website . . .
See the index of articles that follows . . .
For a four page print version of the newsletter for general distribution, click here.
Sincerely,
 (Rev*) Steve Parelli, MDiv
Other Sheep, Executive Director
*Defrocked by a local Baptist congregation for entering into a gay relationship |
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African hate words and what they really mean
by Perry Brass, Riverdale, NY, January 2008
Author of How to survive your own gay life
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Above Photo: Two Authors
Perry Brass (left) with Tom Hanks at Perry's book signing event, Chelsea, Manhattan, Saturday, October 27, 2007.
Perry holds two books: Carnal Sacraments, right, his latest publication, and The Queer Bible Commentary (2006), to which Tom Hanks contributed two major chapters: Romans and Hebrews.
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" . . . the faggot lovers Steve Parelli and Jose Ortiz arrived in Kenya [...and...] proved to be quite popular with Kenyan faggots and their supporters . . . "
from Kenyans Against Homosexuality, a blog
I grew up in an extreme environment of violence and hatred: the American Deep South in the 50s and early 60s, in Savannah, GA, where learning not to question was an important part of learning. I was lucky, though: because I grew up Southern, Jewish, impoverished (and incredibly queer), I was able, at an early age, to question much of what was going on.
READ MORE
Below Photo: Friends, at Perry Brass' book signing, Chelsea, Manhattan, Oct. 27, 2007. Left to right: Perry Brass, Steve Parelli, Executive Director of Other Sheep, Mieke Vandersall, Executive Director of Presbyterian Welcome NYC, Jose Ortiz, Other Sheep co-Coordinator for Africa, and Tom Hanks, founder of Other Sheep (1992) and Other Sheep Theologian and Director of Mission.
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Visiting Tom Hanks and Other Sheep in Buenos Aires
by Mieke Vandersall, Brooklyn, NY, December 2007
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Above Photo: Peg Atkins, left, Other Sheep founding board member, with Mieke Vandersall, on a train going to Iguazu Falls, Argentina, July 2007.
Photo at Right: Mieke Vandersall, Nov. 2007, New York City. PHOTO by Steve Parelli |
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"Tom is the ultimate networker. We met so many straight and gay Christians whose lives are touched by him."
Our trip to Argentina started out as a pipe dream. But first, let me fill you in on the beginnings. Over 15 years ago, when I was about 15 and Peg was in her 60s, Doug, Peg's husband was still with us in body. On a hot summer day I met Peg and Doug for the first time while participating in the St. Louis AIDS March. I was there with my church youth group and Peg and Doug were there to walk in honor of their son. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I had become friends with this old couple.
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My sense of identity: A message for Rwanda from a gay Christian in Uganda
by Shepherd of Uganda, January 2008
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'I am writing anonymously. I must. And so, I have chosen the pen name Shepherd.'
Above Photo: The meal we shared together upon our first meeting with Shepherd. Kampala, Uganda, August 18, 2007. Steve and Jose. PHOTO by Steve Parelli |
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"Recently I visited Rwanda . . . I told them about a certain ministry called Other Sheep, telling them how it has helped many religious gays in Africa to have a sense of identity."
Hello, from within a gay Christian cell group in Uganda
We are gay and Christian in Uganda. We are a cell group of eight. We regularly meet in the home of a friend who is so very helpful. We meet to encourage one another since we are a much disliked minority in our country. We keep ourselves under cover; our meetings are held in secrecy -- due to the constant fear of being arrested by our government.
'Why' and 'what' about this cell group: A sense of identity
I am writing anonymously. I must. And so, I have chosen the pen name Shepherd. First, let me tell you how this cell group started.
READ MORE
Below Photo: Red Chile Hideaway, Kampala, Uganda, where Shepherd and three other East Africans met with Other Sheep |  |
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Archbishop of Kenya releases Anglican priest from his parish duties
By Steve Parelli, Bronx, NY, January 2008
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Above Photo: Rev. Michael Kimindu, Black Rose Apartments, Nairobi, Kenya, August 24, 2007. PHOTO by Steve Parelli |
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"It was a few years prior to this meeting with Other Sheep that Rev. Kimindu had already concluded for himself that LGBTs should have full inclusion in the church."
In an email dated December 18, 2007, the Archbishop of Kenya, The Most Rev. Benjamin M. Nzimbi, instructed Rev. Michael Kimindu to "not perform any leadership duty in St. Luke's Parish" until after meeting with the Archbishop and discussing Rev. Kimindu's involvement with Other Sheep East Africa.
Above Photo: Rev. Michael Kimindu, Anglican priest, at his St. Luke's parish. August 24, 2007. PHOTO by Steve Parelli | |
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Emmanuel Kamau joins Other Sheep as co-Coordinator for Africa
By Steve Parelli, Bronx, NY, January 2008
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Emmanuel Kamau
PHOTO by Steve Parelli |
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After working with gay men for ten years in Kenya, Emmanuel Kamau, a Charismatic Catholic, was deeply concerned that his fellow LGBT Kenyans were not being ministered to on a spiritual level.
Emmanuel Kamau (in photo at left), of Nairobi, Kenya, founded Ishtar MSM in 1997. He was its director for ten years, until Feb. 2007, when he fled Kenya for fear of his life. Ishtar MSM - Men who have Sex with Men - is an organization that works for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support among gay men in Kenya. Kamau, as Director of Ishtar MSM, was part of a Kenyan Government task force called The National AIDS Control Council. As a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention, Kamau has spoken to a committee at the United Nations in New York City, and at meetings in Ghana, Gambia, South Africa, India and Cambodia.
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Support raised for United Methodist minister Kenya
by Steve Parelli, Bronx, NY, January 2008
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Above Photo: Rev. John Baraza Makokha and wife, Anne Baraza. Anne is a certified counselor and co-laborer in ministry.
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LGBTs Answer the Plea for Funds for Kenyan United Methodist Minister and give more than $1,500 (US$) within two weeks
Responding to three Other Sheep eNews mailings sent out between Jan. 17 and Jan. 29, one church and several individuals gave over $1,500 (US) to Rev. John Makokha, United Methodist minister of Nairobi, Kenya. In December of 2007, Rev. Makokha wrote Other Sheep asking to become an Associate Member. Subsequent to his membership, he declared his need for immediate financial assistance.
Below Photo: Riruta United Methodist church; Rev. Makokha (center wearing a red tie) next to Anne, his wife, in a red dress.
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Tom Hanks delivers paper at SBL
New major writings on OS website by James Miller and Gerard
Cleator
Parelli-Ortiz itinerary: Steve preaches on Martha's Vineyard
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Jim Miller, at the SBL annual meeting, San Diego, 2007; author of Raw Material | |
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Raw Material, a scholarly study on biblical sexuality by James E. Miller.
Who Could Have Known, by Gerard B. Cleator, O.P., the author's spiritual journey as a Friar preacher. Cleator is a former Executive Director of Other Sheep.
The Lord Works Justice for All the Oppressed, a sermon by Steve Parelli preached in the morning service of Grace Episcopal Church, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, October 7, 2007. Rev. Robert Hensley, Rector.
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Make a donation and become '1 of 26'
A letter from Gordon Herzog, co-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Other Sheep
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Above Photo: Gordon Herzog, Spring 2006 Board Meeting, St. Louis |
Steve Parelli, Other Sheep Executive Director, right, with life partner Jose Ortiz, Other Sheep co-Coordinator for Africa. Mexico City, Mexico, Summer 2005. |
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We are seeking 26 people to pledge $20.00 a month to the base monthly contract amount for Steve Parelli for the year 2008
Steve's base contract is for $520.00 per month.
In September of 2005, the Board of Directors of Other Sheep contracted with Steve Parelli as an independent contractor to provide executive director services to Other Sheep. As an independent contractor he has the opportunity to define what he will do, when he will do it and how much he will do. Since Other sheep had so little funds the contract was for $520 per month and it has been difficult to pay that, yet as we have all seen Steve has provided a great deal of benefits for us. We could never be able to hire a person to do this much as an employee. Only the fact that his services are entirely discretionary by him and he is so committed to the Christian work of Other Sheep is it possible for this relationship to exist or continue.
Your $20 per month will go far.
. . . This is really a story of the mustard seed and the accomplishment of the Holy Spirit in persons' lives. In the past two years he and his partner have spoken in six countries outside of the USA (in addition to Mexico 2005); he has networked at conferences from Switzerland to the West Coast USA; he introduces Other Sheep to churches and interested groups in the Northeast USA; he maintains the websites of Other Sheep, puts together the quarterly newsletter; he's written articles for us and has been published. And he raises money to help defer the costs of special projects. Your $20 a month will keep all this going, and more. What an excellent investment in the lives of LGBTs.
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Other Sheep
16768 Old Jamestown Road
Florissant, Missouri 63034
718-360-0884
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Last year's Other Sheep Quarterly Reports:
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