BMC NewsNet
June 2011
Members of the Ontario Parent’s Group pose after a potluck in Waterloo
1. BMC at Church of the Brethren Annual Conference
2. BMC at Mennonite Church USA Convention
3. Resolution at Mennonite Church Canada Assembly
4. Pink Menno Be a Bridge Campaign
5. BMC Community Gathering
6. Presbyterian Church USA Ends Ordination Discrimination
7. Report on Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia in Canadian Schools
8. Travel
1. BMC at COB Annual Conference (July 2-6)
BMC Luncheon – Tuesday, July 5 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. 12:00 noon
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, a welcoming congregation, is located just a couple of blocks from the convention center. Carol Wise, executive director of BMC, will offer some brief reflections on where we are as a welcoming movement within the Church of the Brethren, with time for general conversation. We will also have a screening of a new BMC video featuring the licensing story of Carrie Fry-Miller. Cost is $10. Please contact the BMC office at bmc@bmclgbt.org or call 612.343.2060 to make reservations.
BMC Workshops –For times, see posting at Voices for an Open Spirit Room (Thornapple Room, Amway Grand Plaza)
+What is the T in LGBT? This workshop will explore the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. The new BMC video, “On the Male Side of Middle” by Paul Neudorf, will be featured.
+Just Hospitality: The Experience of Welcoming Congregations. Pastors from congregations that are part of the Supportive Communities Network will reflect on the ways that their congregations have grown and changed as a result of their publicly affirming position.
+Our Journey to Becoming a Welcoming Congregation – Portland Peace Church of the Brethren has recently released a DVD detailing their journey in becoming a publicly affirming congregation. This will be an opportunity to view the film and engage in discussion.
Mobile Booth – It’s back! Please contact the BMC office to sign up for a time to wheel the booth around the center and share the good news of BMC
2. BMC at Mennonite Church USA Convention (July 4-9)
Pink Menno, Open Letter Pastors, MennoNeighbors and BMC are working together to offer a strong and faithful presence at the MCUSA Convention. A variety of activities will be offered including workshops, coffee houses, worship, videos, organizing and strategizing meetings, and general conversation.
Display Area – A room at the Marriott across the street from the convention center has been reserved as an area to provide resources and information about the various groups working for lgbt justice. This is also a place to check for times and places of workshops, coffee houses, organizing meetings, worship, etc.
Activity Space – The Smithfield United Church of Christ, a welcoming congregation located a couple of blocks from the convention center, is making its space available for our use. The following BMC workshops will be offered during the Convention:
+What is the T in LGBT? This workshop will explore the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. The new BMC video, “On the Male Side of Middle” by Paul Neudorf, will be featured.
+Accompaniment: A Journey for Youth Sponsors – Youth pastors and sponsors can play a significant role in helping lgbt and questioning youth. This workshop will offer insights into the needs, challenges and strengths of lgbt youth and help adults working with youth to be more effective and caring.
+Just Hospitality: The Experience of Welcoming Congregations – Pastors from SCN congregations will reflect on the ways that their congregations have grown and changed as a result of their publicly affirming position.
+Welcome Matters: How Homophobia Hurts the Church – An exploration of the costs of excluding lgbt people from full participation within the church.
Daily Worship Services – Open Letter Pastors will be coordinating a worship service for each day of the Convention, at times and places to be announced.
A more detailed description of activities will be posted on the BMC website as they are made available.
3. Mennonite Church Canada Resolution on Welcome
The Winnipeg based group Harmony will present a motion at the Mennonite Church Canada Assembly in Waterloo (July 4-8). The motion calls for MC Canada to:
1) Acknowledge that there are non-heterosexual individuals who are struggling within its congregations, whether or not those individuals have publicly acknowledged their orientation, and whether or not they are in a relationship with another person;
2) Further acknowledge that all Christians have a legitimate place in God’s Kingdom generally, and in the Church specifically;
3) Urge its area churches and congregations to take seriously the call to continue in loving dialogue, and to fully embrace by inviting and welcoming into their midst, all persons including non-heterosexual members, adherents and neighbours; and
4) Be encouraged to expedite the present “Being a Faithful Church” process, especially as regards to education and discernment on matters of sexuality.
Read the full motion and consider signing it at www.mennoharmony.wordpress.com.
4. Pink Menno Be a Bridge Campaign
In Pittsburgh, Pink Menno will work to “Be a Bridge” in a variety of ways:
- We will seek to be a bridge in the midst of uncomfortable conversations between people who passionately disagree.
- We will be a bridge back into the church community for those who have left feeling marginalized or disappointed
- We will be a bridge of affirmation for youth who may not know that open and affirming Mennonite congregations do exist.
- We will be a bridge to hope for a future of genuine welcome in the church.
Pink Menno needs YOU to help build momentum by sharing a story about how you have been a bridge, how you have seen bridging at work, or how you commit to being a bridge in the future. Sit down in front of a webcam, record your story (less than 3 minutes), and send it to Pink Menno at pinkmenno@gmail.com
Be a bridge!
5. BMC Community Gathering (October 7-9)
Do you live in Indiana, southern Ontario, Michigan, western Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, western New York, West Virgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin or southern Minnesota? You are within a day’s drive (or less!) from the BMC Community Gathering at Ronora Lodge. Invite a friend and start a carpool. Flying from farther afield? The Gathering is just 40 miles from airports in Kalamazoo MI and South Bend IN, and 85 mi from Chicago O’Hare. Is the train more your style? The South Shore Line commuter train goes to South Bend and can be picked up just a few blocks from Chicago’s Union Station.
Fierce and Fabulous: 35 Faithful Years is the theme as we gather to celebrate our strengths and persistence as a queer community. Specific information about registration and fees will soon be released. If you have an interest in leading a workshop that you think would be of interest to our community, please let us know at bmc@bmclgbt.org. We're looking forward to a fun and fantastic time together!
6. US Presbyterians End Ordination Discrimination
The Presbyterian Church USA, following a long process and extensive vote, has joined the growing list of Christian denominations in North America who no longer bar openly gay people from serving as ordained leaders. They follow the United Church of Christ (1983), the United Church of Canada (1988), the Episcopal Church (2009), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2009), and of course, the Metropolitan Community Church since its birth in 1968. BMC released the following statement in response to the Presbyterian vote:
BMC celebrates the joy of a more humane and just world as Presbyterians act to dismantle discrimination towards gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people within their structures of leadership and governance. We rejoice with More Light Presbyterians (www.mlp.org) and those in the Presbyterian Church USA who have worked diligently, persistently and with great grace for this moment. Their sacrifice and courage over many decades is a gift of faith to a church that has been diminished by its practices of exclusion, but can now claim new life and hope. BMC thanks the Presbyterian Church USA for its witness to justice and right-relationship, and longs for the day when the Church of the Brethren and Mennonite Church USA can join you as mutual partners in the practice of justice and peace.
7. Report on Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in Canadian Schools
Egale Canada conducted a survey of Canadian schools in 2009. They have just published the executive summary, with the full report to follow shortly. Some of the findings in Every Class in Every School include:
Most LGBQ students and students with LGBTQ parents do not feel safe at school.
Many students, especially youth of colour, do not have even one person they can talk to about LGBTQ matters.
Many schools have a well-developed human rights curriculum that espouses respect and dignity for every identity group protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms except for LGBTQ students.
Teachers often look the other way when they hear homophobic and transphobic comments and some of them even make these comments themselves.
What is the climate like at the schools (and Sunday schools) attended by the children and youth that you love?
8. Travel
July 1-9: Carol to COB Annual Conference and MCUSA Assembly
July 3-6: Kirsten to MCUSA Assembly
July 27-28: Carol and Kirsten to Chicago for CPT Training
August 3-5: Carol to Welcoming Church Program Leaders meeting in Minneapolis
September 5-9: Carol to National Older Adults Conference in NC
If we're going to be in your area, let us know! We'd love to meet with you.
BMC Staff
Carol Wise - Executive Director, SCN Coordinator
Kirsten Freed - Kaleidoscope Coordinator, BMC Volunteer
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