| Dear Other Sheep Friend,
More than 500 people are registered at the UMC RMN (Reconciling Ministries Network) Convocation here in Estes Park at the YMCA of the Rockies. Jose Ortiz, my spouse and Other Sheep Coordinator for Africa and Asia and USA Latinos/as, and I are among them and experiencing a time of refreshment and networking among LGBT people and their friends of the United Methodist Church. Truly a tremendous time for us.
We are here primarily networking on behalf of Rev. John and Anne Makokah of Nairobi, Kenya. John is Other Sheep Coordinator for Kenya and Anne is Other Sheep Advisor/Counselor for Kenya.
RMN has asked Other Sheep to participant in the Sunday Plenary session on "Global Connections."
Greetings from the Rockies!
Rev. Steve Parelli
Other Sheep Executive Director
MCC Clergy
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| Other Sheep Kenya Holds Seminar in Nairobi, Kenya, on Religion and Sexuality in African Cultural Context. |
by Rev. John Makokha, Nairobi, Kenya
Other Sheep Kenya held a seminar in a Nairobi hotel on August 22, 2009 on "Religion and Sexuality in African Cultural Context". The 25 participants drawn from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community and Parents, Friends of Lesbian and Gay (PFLAG) attended the seminar.
The participants came from diverse religious backgrounds and organizations such as the United Methodist Church, Baptist, Anglican, Kenya Assemblies of God, Catholic Church, Metropolitan Community Church, Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Apostolic Church, Redeemed Gospel Church, Islam, Changing Attitude, Reconciling Ministries Network, Ishtar MSM, Daystar University and United States International University (USIU).
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| Other Sheep addresses global awareness at RMN Convocation |
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by Rev. Steve Parelli, Estes Park, Colorado
Today at the RMN "Justice and Joy!" Convocation, Rev. Steve Parelli will lead a workshop on "Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the World."
Tomorrow afternoon Steve Parelli and Jose Ortiz will present an "Affinity Group" Powerpoint presentation on their recent two months in Southeast Asia and will invite discussion on collaboration for ministry in Southeast Asia.
Also tomorrow, Steve will participant in a panel discussion in a Plenary session on "Global Connections." Other panelists who join Steve are Rev. Bruce Robbins (United States), Rev. Aracelli Ezzatti (Uruguay), Rev. Kapya Kaoma (Zambia) and Rev. Dr. Eunice Musa Iliya (Nigeria).
Steve and Jose have an Other Sheep display table in the Convocation resource hall.
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| Otras Ovejas recalled by RMN Convocation Clergywoman in general conversation |
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by Rev. Steve Parelli, Estes Park, Colorado
Rev. Rosario L. Quinones, presently studying for her PhD at Drew University and working there in the Theological Admissions Hispanic Office, spoke with Jose Ortiz (speaking at times in Spanish) and Rev. Steve Parelli (remembering to speak English for his sake), about her wonderful memories of Otras Ovejas and the resource help she received using Other Sheep's Spanish materials as she pastored in Puerto Rico. She recalled the Latin American tour John Donor made in the 1990s visiting cities in Central and South America to establish places of distribution of LGBT religious materials.
Other Sheep began in Latin America in 1992 and continues there under the leadership of Coordinators Rev. Victor Brucato (South American) and Bernel Esquivel (Central America). John Donor of Mexico City, co-founder of Other Sheep, continues to help greatly with Other Sheep projects though is "semi-retired" from Other Sheep. Rev. Dr. Thomas Hanks of Buenos Aires, founder of Other Sheep, continues as Mission Director and Theologian for Other Sheep. He is widely known within LGBT religious circles for his queer writings.
It has been Steve's experience that wherever he attends conferences, individuals from Latin America often speak to him about their connection with Otras Ovejas. |
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| Other Sheep is a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry that works worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions.
"...connecting people with people and people with resources..." |
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Rev. John and Anne Makokha named finalists for Voice in the Wilderness Award at RMN Convocation |
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The Voice in the Wilderness Award is for taking risks, despite isolation in a wilderness, to proclaim the rightness of inclusion for all people in the church, and for standing against injustice despite that lack of support.
The RMN "Justice and Joy!" program states, John's "faithfulness to the gospel through words and actions of welcome to LGBT people have cost him much in his standing and employment yet he remains faithful. Anne is the chief organizer for the Children of Africa Hope Center, where she, John, and other unpaid staff care for over 250 children by supplying them with food, education and a witness of what inclusive ministry really means. In these communities the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex are used openly and proudly and gay and lesbian couples are welcome to participate fully."
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| Monies raised by Other Sheep for Makokha children's schooling costs falls short $350.00 |
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Can you help? Other Sheep has raised $700.00 for the three Makokha children's schooling costs (fall 2009). All children are presently enrolled. However, $350.00 is needed by September 30th to meet total costs. The children's enrollment will be terminated October 1st if the remaining balance of $350.00 (USA) is not paid. You can notify Rev. Steve Parelli of your intention to help by emailing him at sparell2002@yahoo.com | |
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