BMC NewsNet
January 2010
Reach out to Haitian victims of the recent earthquake by connecting with Mennonite and Brethren relief efforts:
Mennonite Central Committee (US and Canada) Church of the Brethren
 
Seattle Mennonite joins SCN (see 1) Wes Jamison (see 4)
1. Seattle Mennonite Church Newest SCN
2. BMC Ontario Winter Retreat
3. St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship
4. Wes Jamison Named BMC National Field Organizer
5. Outspoken – Voices of the BMC Community
6. Growing Urban Congregations More Tolerant of Diversity
7. Connecting Families Weekend – April 9-11, 2010
8. Scholarship Program for Theological Study
9. Transgender Education
10. Uganda
11. Upcoming Travel
1. Seattle Mennonite Church Newest SCN
BMC is pleased to welcome Seattle Mennonite Church in Seattle, Washington, as a congregation that is publicly affirming of lgbt members and the newest member of the Supportive Communities Network (SCN). Seattle Mennonite (http://seattle.wa.us.mennonite.net) has a rich tradition of hospitality, community outreach, peacemaking, justice building and worship. Their decision to join SCN came after an intense and comprehensive experience of discernment and reflection. Their welcome statement includes the following: We desire that all who enter here may be received as Christ. We celebrate and affirm the image of God in persons of every age, gender, race, ability, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, and strive to find common ground on which to build relationship with our neighbors near and far. We publicly affirm that LGBTQ persons are welcome to participate in the full life and ministry of our church, including baptism, marriage, leadership, and pastoral ministry. Thank you, Seattle Mennonite!
2. BMC Ontario Winter Retreat
Enjoy a delicious two day, two night mid-winter northern Ontario getaway with other Mennonite affiliated, lgbt identified people in a family friendly atmosphere. The weekend is February 12-14 and the setting is the beautiful Silver Lake Mennonite Camp. Enjoy hot chocolate by the fireplace, spontaneous outdoor group activities, relaxing solitary moments, and lots of laughter. Cost: $60 (financial assistance available). For details contact Mike or Renate at BMCOntario@yahoo.com. All are welcome!
3. St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship
The St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship in Minnesota was the first congregation that joined SCN (Supportive Communities Network) as a congregation that was publicly affirming of lgbt people. Since its beginnings this small but mighty fellowship has had a long tradition of reaching out to others, even in the face of conference discipline and pressure. At this particular time the fellowship is struggling and is itself in need of support and assistance. You can help by worshipping with them when you are in the area, sending a card or note, or just holding them in your thoughts and prayers. To connect with SPMF, contact Frank Trnka at info@saintpaulmennonite.org or write to SPMF, 371 West Baker Street, St. Paul, MN 55417. Your encouragement and solidarity is greatly appreciated.
4. Wes Jamison Named a BMC National Field Organizer
Wes Jamison was recently hired as the National Field Organizer to conduct Welcoming Church Trainings for BMC, the Association of Welcoming Baptists, Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples and the Welcoming Community Network. Wes brings experience as a pastor, a social worker with at risk youth and families, and a community organizer to the position. He is a graduate of Milligan College and Emmanuel School of Religion in Tennessee, and is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. Wes lives on a farm with his family in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia close to Harrisonburg. He will be busy this year organizing trainings for individuals interested in learning how to make their church more welcoming. If you are interested in attending or organizing a training event, please feel free to contact Wes at: nfo@welcomingresources.org.
5. Outspoken – Voices of the BMC Community
Outspoken, our three-times-a-year newsletter, has undergone a re-birth! The new web-based Outspoken will continue to feature articles and commentaries from our community. Equal Rights in Goshen by Eric Kanagy is our very first posted article. Check it out, and other articles to follow at www.bmclgbt.org/outspoken.shtml. If you have an idea or article that you would like to have considered for publication, please contact us at bmc@bmclgbt.org.
6. Growing Urban Congregations More Tolerant of Diversity
Ryan Ahlgrim, pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, conducted a survey of some growing urban congregations and compared their responses to a recent MC USA church survey. His article was published in the January 4 edition of The Mennonite. According to Ahlgrim, “The survey revealed that growing, Anglo-urban Mennonite congregations are at least equally committed to Anabaptist convictions, and even more strongly committed to the peace position, than are members of Mennonite Church USA as a whole. On various social issues [alcohol, abortion, divorce, pre-marital sex, homosexuality], these congregations are more tolerant of diversity and more strongly committed to social justice.” Ahlgrim’s findings are in keeping with other denominational studies that are detailing the vitality of lgbt-welcoming congregations. Click here to view the full article.
7. Connecting Families Weekend – April 9-11, 2010
Connecting Families is a group of engaging and sensitive Mennonite, Brethren and other individuals who are interested in exploring sexual minority issues as they affect families, friends, individuals and congregations. The group holds an annual retreat-style weekend that offers an opportunity to share, learn, find support, and explore ways to educate and engage our churches in dialogue. “Peter and Cornelius: A Paradigm for Inclusivity in the Church” is the focus of this year’s weekend, which will feature Vern Rempel, pastor at First Mennonite Church of Denver, Colorado. The weekend will be held at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Maryland. For more information and to download a brochure with registration information, go to www.bmclgbt.org and look under “Coming Events.”
8. HRC Scholarship and Mentorship Program for Religious and Theological Study
Beginning in 2010, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will launch an annual seminary scholarship and mentorship program to nurture and promote promising religious scholars and theologians interested in LGBT studies. Working in partnership with participating seminaries, schools of divinity and universities HRC will help build welcoming learning environments where intellectually and spiritually groundbreaking work at the intersections of religious studies, sexuality, gender identity and justice work can flourish. To apply, go to www.hrc.org/seminaryscholarship/index.asp
9. Transgender Education
Many congregations that are very welcoming and comfortable around gay, lesbian and bisexual people, remain uncomfortable and uninformed about transgender sisters and brothers. There are two fairly new and very good study resources that have been published that are highly recommended. The Institute for Welcoming Resources has developed transACTION: A Transgender Curriculum for Church and Religious Institutions (www.welcomingresources.org) and the Human Rights Campaign has developed Gender Identity and Our Faith Communities: A Congregational Guide for Transgender Advocacy (www.hrc.org). Both of these resources can be downloaded for free from the websites.
10. Uganda
The nation of Uganda has become a more dangerous place for lgbt people. While homosexuality has been considered a crime for many years, the involvement of American Evangelicals has sparked a more hostile response. Last spring, three American Evangelicals travelled to Uganda, spoke at a religious conference and met with key government officials, spreading an anti-homosexuality message. One month later, the Anti-homosexuality Bill of 2009 was proposed by politicians, which would increase the penalty for homosexuality to a death sentence (New York Times article). BMC has signed onto an ecumenical letter addressed to the three evangelicals involved, calling upon them to denounce the legislation and begin a process of dialogue and accountability.
11. Upcoming Travel
Feb 2-5 – Carol to Dallas for Creating Change Conference
Feb 5-8 – Kirsten to Winnipeg, MB
Feb 11-12 – Carol in Minnesota for ecumenical Aging Task Force Meeting
Feb 28 - Mar 2 – Carol in Elgin for COB Special Resource Committee
Mar 4-8 – Kirsten at Lutheran Volunteer Corp retreat
Mar 19-21 – Kirsten & Carol to Newton, KS for BMC board meeting
April 9-11 – Carol at Connecting Families in Maryland
BMC Staff
Carol Wise - Executive Director, SCN Coordinator
Kirsten Freed - Kaleidoscope Coordinator, BMC Volunteer
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