RE: [HoB/D] Article in ********* Tribune

[Louie Crew <lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu>]

*******, I rejoice in movement from controversy to mission.

[The reporter]'s account is not clear about how lesbians and gays in *********
outside the church fit into the mission of Christ Church. Is there good news
for them? Does Christ Church welcome them as people or avoid them as issues?
If they come, must they hide who they are?  Must lbgt couples say they are
just friends?  Must they give a false account of how they came by their
children?  Does Christ Church join them in ministries within the lbgt
community?

My ancestor raised a similar concern:  "Our ancestors worshiped on this
mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in
Jerusalem." Are lesbians and gays welcome to worship at Christ Church?

"The hour is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in
spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him." (John
4)  Seeks all such.

All the first Christians were Jews, but by the end of the first century
there were almost no Jews who were Christians.  It is admittedly dangerous
to start hanging out with all of God's children.

Louie

Louie Crew, Chair of the Newark deputation
377 S. Harrison St., 12d, East Orange, NJ 07018.  973-395-1068
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew


-----Original Message-----
From: ***************** 
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 12:15 AM
To: bishopsdeputies@hobd.org
Subject: [HoB/D] Article in ********* Tribune


The following article was published on July 9, 2006.

By ************* 

While the U.S. Episcopal Church is facing challenges as a national body, a
local minister is asking his congregation to redirect its focus away from
dividing issues.

.....

The Rev. ****************, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, ***
************, preaches a message of unity and acceptance in the face of
these challenges.

"I think being divided on the issues of the time - these issues will pass,
others will come, but the Bible has an eternal message," ********* said.
"This downtown parish community needs to move away from these dividing
issues. We do not create any division. Our call is to proclaim the Gospel,
welcome people into this community and give them a place where they feel
safe, where they feel they are the children of God."

......