BMC NewsNet
Vol. 7, No. 4
May 2007
BMC NewsNet
Vol. 7, No. 4
May 2007
BMC welcomes Anita Bradshaw as the new National Field Organizer
Quiz – How many nations have immigration laws that allow lesbian, gay and bisexual people to petition for their same-sex partners to immigrate? a) 4 b) 11 c) 19 d) 27
1) National Field Organizer Welcomed
2) BMC Announces Blog – Coming Out Strong
3) For Just Such a Time: Living Out the Call
4) Proclaiming the Power of God’s Peace and Justice
5) MennoNeighbors Resolution at Mennonite Church USA Assembly
6) Unofficial Brethren Position Paper
7) June is Pride Month
8) Opportunity for LGBTA High School Youth
9) Communication Workshops Offered
10) Two More US States Protect LGBT Community from Discrimination
11) Hate Crimes Legislation Moving to US Senate
1) National Field Organizer Welcomed
We are thrilled to welcome Anita Bradshaw as the new faith-based national field organizer for BMC and our three partner organizations, Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples, Association of Affirming and Welcoming Baptists and the Welcoming Communities Network. Anita, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and has a Ph.D. from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. She has taught at The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Minnesota, and as adjunct faculty at Yale Divinity School, United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, and Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Anita has extensive experience as a trainer and consultant in non-profit leadership and development, with a particular focus in church and faith based organizations. She is knowledgeable about a variety of faith traditions and possesses a sensitivity towards faith expressions that is extremely inviting. Anita’s focus as the field organizer will be on increasing the number of welcoming congregations through the development of ecumenical resources, trainings and grassroots organizing. She will begin her work on June 1.
2) BMC Announces Blog – Coming Out Strong
The BMC Kaleidoscope program is introducing a new blog, Coming Out Strong. The blog focuses primarily on the perspectives of youth and young adults who identify with the BMC community. The blog (short for web log) will include commentary and news on a range of topics that relate to BMC. Some of these will include: lgbtq issues, language, homophobia, the church, Mennonites, Brethren, politics, culture, faith, being young, privilege, current events, school, theology, humor, coming out, stories, and family.
To view the new blog, go to www.bmclgbt.org/blog. If you are interested writing something for the blog, please contact Kaleidoscope Coordinator Katie Hochstedler at kaleidoscope@bmclgbt.org.
3) For Just Such a Time: Living Out the Call
BMC/SCN Conference Registration Available Online
Information and registration materials for the BMC/SCN Conference, For Just Such a Time: Living Out the Call, is now available on line. Scheduled for June 30-July 1 in San Francisco, California, this promises to be an inspirational, informative and lively event designed to empower the movement for lgbt justice within the Mennonite and Brethren traditions. All are welcomed and encouraged to bring a friend. To register or learn more about the conference, go to www.bmclgbt.org and click on the For Just Such a Time brochure.
4) Proclaiming the Power of God’s Peace and Justice
COB Annual Conference Activities
BMC, Womaen’s Caucus and Voices for an Open Spirit (VOS) are collaborating on a hospitality center at the Holiday Inn Select that will be the center for conference activities June 30 through July 4th. Proclaiming the Power of God’s Peace and Justice is the theme that will guide the numerous worship, education, meditation and insight sessions being planned for the space. Insight sessions that relate more specifically to BMC include an On Earth Peace offering, “Safety for LGBT Youth in the Church” on Monday evening and a session on “How Homophobia Hurts the Church” scheduled for Tuesday. A Love Feast on Saturday evening will set the tone for the conference experience. A detailed list of activities will soon be available.
As an act of solidarity and conscience, Womaen’s Caucus and VOS declined the invitation to have a booth in the Annual Conference Exhibit Hall, opting instead for a shared hospitality space. BMC appreciates this gracious act of generosity and justice.
5) MennoNeighbors Resolution to be Discussed at Menn. Church USA Assembly
MennoNeighbors, “an informal network of individuals and congregations who correspond frequently and meet occasionally to provide mutual support and shared discernment related to issues pertaining to the Mennonite Church,” recently submitted a Resolution on the Membership Guidelines for Mennonite Church USA to the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board. The statement challenged the practice of disciplining and expelling congregations deemed to be “at variance” with the Confession of Faith (i.e. those who welcome LGBT members). It calls upon “…the leaders of MC USA to discourage, and member conferences to end, the practice of disciplining or expelling congregations based on differing interpretations of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective” and called for a vote by delegates at the upcoming MCUSA assembly.
The Executive Board elected to submit the resolution to delegates as a Statement for Discussion, with time set aside for delegates to discuss, but with the understanding that no votes will be taken. Text and explanation of the statement are available at the Mennonite Church USA web page for the San Jose Convention: http://www.sanjose2007.org/delegates/index.htm.
6) Unofficial Brethren Position Paper
An impressive array of 20 Church of the Brethren past Moderators, General Secretaries and Annual Conference Secretaries have signed onto an “Unofficial Brethren Position Paper” that has been sent to all members of the Standing Committee (Standing Committee oversees the business of Annual Conference and is comprised of Annual Conference officers and representatives from each of the districts). The paper expresses deep concern over a growing Annual Conference trend towards a rigid uniformity of practice and away from a more invitational model of polity and decision making that had historically characterized the church. The writers highlight the current use of the 1983 Human Sexuality paper as an example of the legalism that is damaging the church, even to the point of efforts to condemn and punish congregations who conscientiously disagree with selected Annual Conference positions, particularly as they relate to lgbt people. The paper calls for the church to review its understanding of covenant, affirm a posture of forbearance and openness, and trust in the ability of congregations to determine what is right for them in terms of their understanding of covenantal relationships. If you would like a copy of the paper, please contact the BMC office at bmc@bmclgbt.org.
7) June is Pride Month
June is a time when the LGBT community gets together to celebrate Pride. Among the parades and special events and parties, your congregation might consider having a Pride or Welcoming worship service at your church on a Sunday this month. The Religious Institute for Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing http://www.religiousinstitute.org along with the faith programs of GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition and the Institute for Welcoming Resources are encouraging congregations and clergy to create worship services celebrating sexual and gender diversity as part of the June pride month celebration. There will be a $400 first-place Pride Sermon Award. The top sermons will also be posted on the websites of the sponsoring national organizations. For ideas and information on a welcoming worship service, please contact the BMC office, the Religious Institute, or visit the Human Rights Campaign site for Religion and Faith. www.hrc.org/religion.
8) Opportunity for LGBTA High School Youth
Do you know of a high school aged youth who might be interested in a Christian summer camp especially for LGBT and allied youth? The Naming Project, a Minneapolis based youth group for LGBT teens, is hosting its fourth annual LGBT Summer Camp. The theme for the camp is “A Name of Promise/A Name of Blessing” and will be happening July 29-Aug 3 at Bay Lake Camp in Deerwood, MN. This would be a great opportunity for any LGBT and allied youth to explore the dynamics of sexuality and spirituality in this safe space.
For more information about the camp and the film, go to www.thenamingproject.org or contact the Naming Project staff at staff@thenamingproject.org. BMC has limited scholarship funds available to assist Mennonite and Brethren youth who are interested in attending. Please contact bmc@bmclgbt.orgfor details.
9) Communication Workshops
Caitlin Neufeld, a member of the BMC Canada board, recommends United in Marriage Communication Workshops, a unique experience for couples seeking to enhance their relationship. The weekend workshops follow the inclusive tradition and theology of the United Church of Canada and aim “to promote life-giving relationships and family wellness.” Caitlin and her partner, Sharon, are lay leaders in the program. To learn more, go to the website at www.unitedinmarriage.org.
10) Two More States Protect LGBT Community from Discrimination
On May 25, Iowa governor Chet Culver signed legislation adding sexuality and gender identity to the categories protected under the state's anti-discrimination law. It makes the Iowa the 19th state, plus the District of Columbia, to protect gay and lesbian people in employment, housing and public accommodations.
"[This is] a message that Iowa is a welcoming place that values each of its citizens whether it’s in the neighborhood or the workplace," Culver said as he signed the bill. "We send a message that intolerance and discrimination have no place in our state.”
Ohio governor Ted Strickland signed an Executive Order on May 17 protecting state employees from discrimination based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity. After noting that lgbt discrimination was currently occurring in the state, Strickland said, “…discriminatory conduct undermines the effectiveness of employees discriminated against, prevents the State from attracting the best available talent to work on behalf of the people of Ohio, and offends basic notions of human dignity.”
11) Hate Crimes Legislation Moving to US Senate
An expansion of current hate crimes laws passed the US House of Representatives in early May and is expected to go before the Senate sometime in June. Hate Crimes law, which currently applies to crimes spurred by the victim’s race, religion, color or national origin, would be extended to cover gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. If passed by the Senate, the bill is likely to be vetoed by President Bush unless there is a strong citizen appeal.
The Human Rights Campaign is asking clergy to add their names to the list of religious leaders who are supporting S. 1105, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. To learn more about what you can do, visit HRC’s Religion and Faith page, www.hrc.org/religion.
Answer: (c) 19 nations have laws that recognize same sex couples for the purpose of immigration. Canada is among those nations, the United States is not. To learn more about international immigration laws, go the Human Rights Campaign at www.hrc.org.
BMC NewsNet is an electronic newsletter produced by Carol Wise and Katie Hochstedler for the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests (BMC). BMC seeks to provide programming, support and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and their families and friends. For questions, comments or to unsubscribe from this list, contact the BMC office at PO Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406-0300, USA; bmc@bmclgbt.org; or 612.343.2060.
To donate to BMC, go to our website at www.bmclgbt.org and click on Donate Now or contact Paul Hawkins, Development Coordinator, at phawkins@bmclgbt.org or 260.341.6387. You can also send a check to the BMC, PO Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Thank you for your generous support!
BMC Staff
Carol Wise – Executive Director, SCN Coordinator
Katie Hochstedler – Kaleidoscope Coordinator, BMC Volunteer
Paul Hawkins – Development Coordinator
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