LC/NA News

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LC/NA News

Rally and Legislator Visits for Maryland Marriage Equality - Annapolis - February 13

Friday, 03 February 2012 18:02

A rally and lobbying visits to legislators in support of marriage equality bill in Maryland are being held in Lawyer's Mall (in front of the State Capitol), Annapolis, Maryland 21401, on February 13 at 6 pm.

Sponsored by Equality Maryland, part of the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition, speakers featured at the rally will include Candace & Rebecca Gingrich-Jones (yes, Candace is the sister of Newt) and Senator Allan Kittleman (R), District 9, representing Carroll and Howard Counties, who supports marriage equality as a civil rights/equal rights issue and voted for the Civil Marriage Act in 2011.

TO REGISTER, GO TO

HTTP://WWW.EQUALITYMARYLAND.ORG/EVENTS/LOBBY-DAY.

A REGIONAL COORDINATOR

WILL CONTACT YOU ABOUT GROUP VISITS

TO LOBBY LEGISLATORS.

This is an opportunity as Marylanders and Lutherans in favor of full inclusion to stand up so your voice and presence are both counted. Of particular importance are voices from within communities of faith heard publically, countering those raised in opposition.

Bishop Richard Graham, ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, will be attending the rally in favor of marriage equality and visiting legislators. Join him and other Lutheran voices from around the state.

Pass this information to friends, colleagues, members of your congregation, clubs, sports teams and other associations. Register, gather people up, car pool, and come to show the Maryland legislature how much support there is for equality in Maryland.

If you are an RIC organization, make sure the members of your congregation, your agency, your organization all know about this and how to sign up to attend.

It is important to publically witness to the truths we hold, Lutheran Christians compelled by our faith to speak out for equality.

You may be invited to come to the rally by many sources because the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition includes the NAACP- Baltimore Chapter, 1199 SEIU, SEIU Local 500, ACLU-Maryland, Progressive Maryland, Equality Maryland, Human Rights Campaign, National Black Justice Coalition, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Family Equality Council, Catholics for Equality, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, Maryland Faith for Equality, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gay (PFLAG), Maryland National Organization for Women (NOW), Baltimore Black Pride Inc., National Center for Lesbian Rights and SEIU MD/DC State Council.

Linguistic Assistance Needed by the Reconciling Ministries Network

Thursday, 02 February 2012 13:18

[The message below comes to us from the Reconciling Ministries Network, the welcoming movement for full inclusion in the United Methodist Church -- the equivalent to LC/NA there.]

"We are requesting your assistance for the upcoming United Methodist General Conference April 19 - May 4, 2012. Who do you know who is fluent in French and English or Portuguese and English—preferably with experience or origins in Africa? We are recruiting people who would like to be on the ground for all or part of General Conference to build relationships with French and Portuguese speaking Africans. We will provide expenses and a daily stipend for these services.

"The relationship builders do not have to be United Methodist but they must be able to talk about their own spiritual grounding and support LGBT equality.

"This is vitally important to our mission this year especially since this worldwide meeting of United Methodists only occurs once every four years. Our structure is global so we not only have to persuade the moveable middle in the United States but throughout the world. The largest percentage of our international delegates (28%) are from Africa so we are committed to building relationships with our brothers and sisters to find common cause and to move us all forward.

"Thank you"

Ann Craig and Troy Plummer

845-565-1365 office

917-280-2968 cell

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Washington State Senates Passes Same-Gender Marriage Bill

Thursday, 02 February 2012 13:13

The Washington State Senate has passed a bill providing equality in marriage yesterday. The bill now moves to the State House of Representatives next week, where it is expected to pass. The governor has already said she will sign the bill into law when presented to her. Washington State stands now to become the seventh state and eighth major jurisdiction with marriage equality in its laws, joining Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

Further information in the Seattle Times: http://tinyurl.com/WASenatepassesmarriage

Bishop Mark Hanson - Keynote Speaker at Reconciling Works 2012

Sunday, 29 January 2012 18:45

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will deliver the keynote address of LC/NA's assembly, Reconciling Works 2012, on Saturday, July 7, at 2:00 pm. Bishop Hanson is widely known as a leader with an evangelical passion and imagination who embraces the Christian tradition, the Christian community, and the world with both generous goodwill and thoughtful insight.

The theme of this assembly is Reconciling Works. Gathered at the assembly will be Lutherans from across North America as well as international visitors, all advocates for full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the church.

A renowned speaker, preacher, and pastor, Bishop Hanson has presided over the ELCA since 2001. He is the third presiding bishop since the founding of the ELCA in 1988 through the merger of predecessor Lutheran denominations which now has more than 10,000 congregations and 4.2 million members.

Bishop Hanson presided over the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly which passed the Social Statement on Human Sexuality and the implementing resolutions that accompanied it, after eight years of preparation, consultation, study, member feedback, revision and debate. The 2009 Churchwide Assembly also approved the policy change to allow ministers in same-gender, publicly-accountable, lifelong, monogamous relationships to serve in the church.

Come, hear this historic keynote address which will include a state of the church and how the ELCA is serving God’s mission for the life of the world.

Sign up to participate in Reconciling Works 2012, its workshops, worship services, affinity group sessions, the visit to your congressional representatives and senators, and fellowship with others committed to the continued progress toward full inclusion. Come, learn new skills in organizing at the grassroots level. Come, learn to tell your personal story of faith in support of your advocacy.

Registration will open online shortly, www.lcna.org/assembly. Through March there will be early bird discounted pricing. Space is limited, so early registration is in your personal interest. Limited scholarships are available.

Come, be inspired, uplifted, empowered and motivated. You are already a child of God; come, learn to share that, so others may learn of God’s extravagant love through your witness.

Bishop Boerger of Northwest Washington Synod Asks State Senate to Pass Marriage Equality

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 13:46

Bishop Boerger of Northwest Washington Synod Asks State Senate to Pass Marriage Equality

Bishop Chris Boerger, ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, testified on Monday at a public hearing of the Washington State Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections, saying that he was in favor of LGBT couples being able to have legally-recognized marriages that are equal in the state.

Bp Boerger's statement to the hearing: "Mr. Chairman, I am Chris Boerger, the bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Church in America. In 2009 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to commit itself to find ways to allow congregations who choose to do so to support and hold publicly accountable lifelong monogamous same gender relationships. That's quite a mouthful: publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. One of the people who had questions about our doing this said, "Bishop, isn't that marriage?" And my response is, "Well, in everything but name." The reality is, the Lutheran church has always held that it is the state that defines what marriage is; it's the church that then blesses people who enter into that relationship. We have now stated our desire to bless those who are publicly accountable in lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. We can't call it marriage--you can. That's why I am here today to say there will be those in my church who will not participate; we understand that freedom. There are those who want to, and we ask for that freedom."

Executive Director Emily Eastwood said, " We thank Bp. Boerger for his courageous witness. His statement reflects the fine line of the ELCA social statement which allows freedom of choice for those pastors and congregations wishing to perform marriages for same-gender couples in states where such are legal. The Northwest Washington Synod has long supported full participation for LGBT people in the life of church and society. Bp. Boerger's statements reflect the views already expressed by the synod. Nevertheless, by taking these views to the legislature and, therefore, into the media, Bp. Boerger has acted for justice. Our thanks are due."

Video of the hearing: http://tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2012010157. (Forward video to about the 1:12:20 time mark.)

The hearing was on Senate Bill 6239, "An act relating to providing equal protection for all families in Washington by creating equality in civil marriage and changing the domestic partnership laws, while protecting religious freedom..."

This act would establish no differentiation under state law between civil marriage rights, responsibilities and benefits for same-gender or opposite-gender couples. Further, the bill would provide that registered domestic partnerships between same-gender persons that currently exist would be deemed to be marriages automatically on June 30, 2014, unless the couple gets married prior to that date or have initiated separation proceedings as of that date. Religious freedom is fully protected in the bill: no religious minister or congregation would be forced by the law to perform marriages they did not wish to, or forced to allow their facilities to be used for that purpose.

There is a parallel bill to the same effect in process in the Washington State House of Representatives, HB 2516.

On Monday also, State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen announced that she would vote for the marriage equality bill, making her the 25th senator to so state and the passage of the bill practically assured. There are already sufficient votes in the State House of Representatives for passage. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has stated that she would sign the bill into law when it passes.

From reports it appears the bill will come out of the Senate committee by Thursday of this week, and out of the House committee by January 30th. There are other procedural steps before it will come to a vote.

In opposition, there is a bill running for a joint resolution of the whole legislature that seeks to place on the ballot at the next general election an amendment to the state's constitution that states, in part: "Recognizing that marriage between persons other than a male and a female has never been authorized or recognized by law in this state, only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in Washington. The uniting of two persons other than one male and one female in any marital relationship, although recognized as valid in another jurisdiction, is not recognized as valid in this state."

Phil Soucy
Director Communications LC/NA

There Is Much To Celebrate And Pray For On RIC Sunday - January 29 - And To Commit To Action

Sunday, 22 January 2012 19:27

RIC Sunday is January 29, an opportunity to celebrate the witness of God's love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It's a time to highlight what it means to live a theology of reconciliation.

These celebrations will be echoed throughout the welcoming movements in many communities of faith, for whom this last Sunday in January is designated as Welcoming Sunday.

Resources for RIC Sunday are on our website. Go to www.lcna.org. Click on Reconciling in Christ. In the drop-down menu you will find RIC Sunday and Pride Sunday, which will take you to the page where the resources are available.

The work of living into being a Reconciling in Christ congregation or other organizational setting is never-ending. It's an action fostered by the Holy Spirit and enlivened by participation of all in calling to mind that Christ's welcome was to all and God's love is both extravagant and shared.

There is so much work to be done. There's God's love and Christian fellowship to be celebrated and shared. There's public welcome to be reiterated, helping those who felt sent-away, disenfranchised, and alienated to recover their sense of belonging, sharing their faith and proclaiming their witness with you. There's bullying to be stopped, especially among our youth and youth adults.

The world abounds in atrocities, injustices, depredations, and unrelenting man-made evils, about which we sometimes think that all we can do is voice our objection and dismay. But here, where we are, we can do so much more, actively reaching out to those in distress to alleviate it and to those who cause the distress to tell them of God's love that is big enough to overcome misinformation, distrust and ignorance.

Celebrate RIC Sunday. Renew. Reach out. Rejoice in the extraordinary diversity of God's creation.

Tim Feiertag Hired as Grassroots Organizing and Training Coordinator

Monday, 09 January 2012 14:28

Lutherans Concerned has hired Tim Feiertag as Grassroots Organizing and Training Coordinator at the LC/NA headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tim will take up his position as of February 15, working throughout LC/NA.

Tim is a 2009 Mdiv. Graduate of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, and a graduate of Valparaiso University with a degree in Social Work. Tim has more than a dozen years experience helping people and groups to find solutions in direct service, supervisory, pastoral and administrative support positions he has held. He comes to LC/NA and St. Paul from his employ in Kansas City with the Missouri Children's Division as a case worker for abused and neglected children and their families.

Tim has a long history of involvement in Lutherans Concerned in leadership, training, and organizing at the local, regional and national level. Beginning in the early 1990s, Tim started as the co-chair of the Kansas City/Lawrence Chapter. He joined the national board of directors of LC/NA in 1995 as the Regional Director for the Central Region. In 1998, he was elected co-chair of LC/NA, a position he held until 2002. Across time he has participated in and conducted various trainings, from I-Wheel to RIC and Building an Inclusive Church.

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, said, "I am so very pleased that Tim has accepted our invitation to join the staff of LC/NA. He has demonstrated his commitment to our organization through many years of service in a number of different volunteer positions. His easy smile, pastoral presence, quirky humor, and abiding faith will bring welcome additions to our ministry. We confirm his call from God and his passion for our reconciling programs. We thank him for his willingness to relocate to St. Paul to take this position."

Tim said, "As a gay man, I have been blessed by the welcome I received in my home congregation and in my seminary, both of which are Reconciling In Christ organizations. I am excited to work through LC/NA in helping others to broaden and deepen our Christian vocations of hospitality and reconciliation."

After February 15, Tim can be reached by phone (651-665-0861) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We ask you all to join us in welcoming Tim to our staff as he takes on the exciting and important work that lies before him.

Pastor Vicki Wunsch Resigns, Recruitment Process Begins Anew

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 14:21

Citing unforeseen emergent changes in her family situation, Pastor Vicki Wunsch has tendered her resignation from LC/NA effective December 30, 2011. In her letter of resignation, Vicki said, “This was a very difficult decision for me as I have enjoyed working with LC/NA over the last few years in my role as lead trainer with the Institute for Welcoming Resources and was just getting settled into my new position. I am sad and disappointed to be leaving LC/NA after such a short tenure, and I want to be clear that my decision has nothing to do with the organization, the work, the staff, or my job. My decision is solely based on recent family changes that have significantly impacted my ability to work full time and travel extensively.

“I believe this organization can serve as a model for other welcoming church programs and believe that LC/NA does incredible work not only in the Lutheran church, but in the wider interfaith pro-LGBT movement. I wish the best for LCNA as it continues to create a community where everyone can be fully welcome, and I also hope to be able to do more work with LC/NA in the future as I am able.”

The recruiting process which led to Vicki’s hiring surfaced a number of qualified candidates well known to LC/NA. The process to fill the Grassroots Organizing and Training Coordinator position was restarted on January 2, 2012. We hope to have the position filled by the end of the month. In the meantime Vicki has agreed to fulfill certain obligations which were calendared prior to her resignation on a contract basis.

Executive Director Emily Eastwood said, “LC/NA is committed to the support of all families, especially the families of our staff members. We realize that there are times when family must come before a job. As we know, parenting is a vocation. We respect Vicki’s choice in this difficult time. Her warmth, good humor and quick wit will be missed here in the office. We pray God’s blessing on her and her family.”

Until the position has been filled, Emily Eastwood will cover its programmatic responsibilities.

“Pastoral Care with Transgender and/or Same-Gender-Loving People” - Lutherans Concerned Teaching at Creating Change 2012 in Baltimore

Monday, 02 January 2012 12:23

Lutherans Concerned will join with other faith groups in presenting two academies of special interest to pastors and laypeople in the Practice Spirit Do Justice program of “Creating Change” in Baltimore, January 2012.

“Pastoral Care with Transgender and/or Same-Gender-Loving People” will be facilitated by JamieAnn Meyers, Transgender Representative on the LC/NA Board of Directors and LC/NA Co-Chair Nicole Garcia, along with experienced faculty from other faith groups. This program is a collaboration of the Interfaith Working Group, UCC Genderfold Action Alliance, and the Pacific School of Religion.

Time/Place: Baltimore, MD, Saturday, January 28, 2012, morning.

Register through Creating Change www.creatingchange.org

This session will combine expert presentations with peer-consultation opportunities in order to empower pastoral care providers (e.g. pastors, rabbis, chaplains, etc) to better accompany transgender (T) and same-gender-loving (SGL) constituencies on journeys towards health and wholeness. Experienced facilitators will present on specific topics relating to the important role of pastoral care providers in the T/SGL continuum of care. In addition to life transitions and spiritual counseling, the session will address medical and mental health disparities, access to competent health care, dynamics around non-T/SGL family members, and the particular vulnerabilities of youth. Participants are encouraged to bring their own questions and case studies to the conversation.

This session is for pastoral care providers such as chaplains, rabbis, pastors, seminarians, etc. who want to increase their competency in providing pastoral support to transgender and same-gender-loving constituencies. While appropriate for all levels of experience with T/SGL audiences, this multi-faith discussion will focus on practical pastoral issues, not theological foundations. Opportunities will be provided for discussion both with peers and experienced facilitators, which will let participants guide the depth of the conversation.

If you have not already done so, sign up now for this important learning experience and gateway to improving your pastoral skills.

The other academy, “Building Bridges Across Oppressions,” is covered in a separate notice to members.

Additionally, Lutherans Concerned will have a display in the hall with other welcoming communities of faith and advocacy organizations. Operations Manager Brett Bowman and Communications Director Phil Soucy will be at our display, advocating for full inclusion and reconciliation. Come and meet them, assist if you want, and carry the message about LC/NA’s work with you into the 2012 Creating Change.

“Building Bridges Across Oppressions” - Lutherans Concerned Teaching at Creating Change 2012 in Baltimore

Monday, 02 January 2012 12:19

Lutherans Concerned will join with other faith groups in presenting two academies of special interest to pastors and laypeople in the Practice Spirit Do Justice program of Creating Change in Baltimore, January 2012.

“Building Bridges Across Oppressions” will be facilitated by JamieAnn Meyers, Transgender Representative on the LC/NA Board of Directors and LC/NA Co-Chair Nicole Garcia The Rev. Roland Stringfellow of the Pacific School of Religion’s Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, and Nita Henry, Executive Director of The Kaleidoscope Project will join JamieAnn and Nicole as faculty in this program. This academy is a collaboration of the Interfaith Working Group, UCC Genderfold Action Alliance, and the Pacific School of Religion.

Time/Place: Baltimore, MD, Friday, January 27, 2012, afternoon.

Register through Creating Change www.creatingchange.org

LGBTpeople experience multiple oppressions that intersect one another in complex ways. Working in behalf of others who are affected by multiple oppressions in faith communities is essential to achieving full welcome and inclusion. To build bridges between various oppressions, we must first understand our own privilege and power and their interplay in oppression dynamics. Participants will come away with a new understanding of movement building and problem solving through an anti-oppression lens.

Participants will gain a new understanding of privilege and power in the context of intersections of oppression. Some constituencies are impacted by so many conspiring experiences that organizing in isolation from multiple marginalizations often leads to a limited level of impact. Bridges will be built across these multiple oppressions so that collaboration with activists from different working groups may result in movement building and problem-solving through an anti-oppression lens.

If you have not already done so, sign up now for this important learning experience and gateway to improving your advocacy for full inclusion.

The other academy, “Pastoral Care with Transgender and/or Same-Gender-Loving People,” is covered in a separate notice to members.

BREAKING NEWS: Lutheran School of Theology Chicago Offers LC/NA Course Free For CEU's

Thursday, 22 December 2011 21:21

Since there are still spaces available, the Lutheran School of Theology Chicago has decided to offer a scheduled J-term course on faith based community organizing and building an inclusive church for three hours of continuing education credit. The weeklong class will run from January 9 thru 13, 2012, 9am to 4pm each day.

The course entitled, Transformation + Action = Oxygen, is designed to empower, equip, inspire, and activate participants to have life-giving, well-timed, appropriately-framed conversations with their congregants regarding the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

The continuing education course is being offered by the seminary without a fee. The weeklong class will be team-taught by Emily Eastwood and Vicki Wunsch of Lutherans Concerned and Troy Plummer and Rachel Harvey of the Reconciling Ministries Network (the welcoming movement within the United Methodist Church).

Space is limited to 30, so signing up as quickly as possible is suggested. To register for the course, contact Lissa Messner at LC/NA headquarters, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (651) 665-0861.

Our thanks to the seminary for this generous offer.

Emily Eastwood

Executive Director

Lutherans Concerned/North America

952-239-3359 (mobile)

651-665-0863 (fax)

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Equality Maryland Clergy Support Letter

Wednesday, 21 December 2011 18:36

[Sent to the membership lists of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia]

Maryland will soon be undergoing another round of battles in its legislature to legalize same-gender marriage. Equality Maryland has a Clergy Support letter on its website, http://www.equalitymaryland.org/religiouspetition.

Strong opposition to equal rights for LGBT people has come from some religious leaders. That played a significant role in the defeat of this measure the last time it came up. Now is the time for Lutheran rostered leaders who support equality and full inclusion to join their voices with other faith leaders speaking out in favor of equality.

This petition is for rostered leaders only, clergy and associates in ministry, deacons, deaconesses. You check all of three categories that apply: you live in Maryland, the congregation/organization you serve is in Maryland, the congregation/organization you serve has members who live in Maryland. Only one is necessary. The blanket message to the membership in adjoining states is so you know what is going on with your neighbors and, if any of the conditions are met, you could consider signing the petition.

Don't let silence or delay let anyone think there are not rostered leaders in the Lutheran church who fully endorse full equality and inclusion in church and society. Bring this to the attention of your pastor, in case she or he may have missed the alert.

Phil Soucy

Director Communications LC/NA

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Press clips 111209

Friday, 09 December 2011 15:35

[The following clip synopses and hyperlinks were generated through Google News.]

Disclosure tied to Minn. gay marriage measure will come down to semantics ...
The Republic
Campaign-style ads that discuss the pros or cons of gay marriage but don't specifically mention a 2012 vote on a Minnesota constitutional amendment will require less disclosure about who's financing them. State campaign finance regulators on Thursday ...
See all stories on this topic »

Africa reacts to Obama's pro-gay rights foreign policy
Christian Science Monitor
Most of Africa's 54 nations ban homosexuality, so President Obama's promotion of gay rights as a human right draws quick ire from African governments. By Mike Pflanz, Correspondent / December 8, 2011 The enshrinement of equal rights for homosexuals ...
See all stories on this topic »

Parents Talk About Gay Rutgers Student's Suicide

ABC News
The parents of a Rutgers University student whose roommate allegedly used a webcam to spy on his intimate encounter with a man, say their son told them he was gay about three weeks before his suicide. Joe and Jane Clementi told People magazine that ...
See all stories on this topic »

Gay marriage: Court weighs validity of Prop. 8 ruling by gay judge
Christian Science Monitor
8 gay marriage ban say the 2010 ruling against it should be vacated because the judge failed to disclose that he was in a long-term gay relationship. By Warren Richey, Staff writer / December 8, 2011 Former chief judge of the United States District ...
See all stories on this topic »

Gay Marriage Has Boosted Iowa's Economy, Study Concludes

ABC News (blog)
The institute estimated that gay marriages have likely added between $858000 and $930000 in tax revenue to the state. None of the eight individuals currently running for president, including Barack Obama, have explicitly expressed support for gay ...
See all stories on this topic »

The good politics of gay marriage
Washington Post
“Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” declared Obama's chief primary rival and now his secretary of state, echoing her famous declaration, as first lady, about women's rights. Clinton did not go so far as to endorse same-sex ...
See all stories on this topic »

Rick Perry's Anti-Gay Iowa Ad Divides His Top Staff
By The Huffington Post News Editors
WASHINGTON -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry's newest television ad criticizing the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell was created over the objections of at least one top staff member, sources in the Perry campaign tell The Huffington Post.
The Huffington Post | Full News Feed

Huntsman: DOMA 'serves a useful purpose'
Washington Blade
Do you believe that advocating for LGBT people is consistent with principles of faith and would your administration take a similar stance against anti-gay abuses overseas? Jon Huntsman: I believe in fairness. I think that should be a guiding principle ...
See all stories on this topic »

Democrats' faith outreach director opposes marriage equality ...

... party's faith outreach program says that while he is a strong supporter of LGBT equality, including civil unions for same-sex couples, he is not yet a supporter of ...
www.smartbrief.com/servlet/rdrc?u...A6F1...i...

Attacks on Obama Administration's LGBT policy shames Christianity
LGBTQ Nation
... gay agenda, two statements stand out. “But there is a troubling trend here beyond the national security nonsense inherent in this silly idea. This is just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Homophobic groups propose FIVE initiatives to take the gay out of the FAIR ...
San Diego Gay & Lesbian News
... guide their child in moral and faith beliefs.” This third filing by Rios strikes out the words “Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, ...
See all stories on this topic »

Lutheran bishop admonishes his Catholic counterparts
MinnPost.com (blog)
Over my 35 years as an active and retired bishop I have come to know hundreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have yet to meet even one who is opposed to the marriage of one man and one woman. After all, they are the daughters and sons of such unions. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Pull-tab support, gay marriage challenge for Catholic bishops, crow wars
Minnesota Public Radio
The commentary is from Herbert Chilstrom, former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Chilstrom challenges his Catholic "brothers" to allocate 30 hours to have 15 one-on-one conversations with gays and lesbians. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Gay marriage - a Lutheran leader's plea to Catholic bishops ...
Gay marriage - a Lutheran leader's plea to Catholic bishops. Article by: HERBERT W. CHILSTROM; Updated: December 8, 2011 - 7:16 AM. Church leaders ...
www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/135202698.html

Lutheran leader confronts state's Catholic bishops over gay marriage
Lutheran leader confronts state's Catholic bishops over gay marriage. To My Brothers -- The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota: In 1976 I was elected a Lutheran ...
davidbarnhart.blogspot.com/.../lutheran-leader-confronts-state...

Duluth dives into Minnesota's gay marriage debate
Duluth News Tribune
Next year, Minnesota voters will decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. About 200 opponents of the amendment rallied Wednesday afternoon at the University of Minnesota Duluth. People fill the entryway of Kirby ...
See all stories on this topic »

Dolan Rejects Debate Over Same-Sex Marriage

Lez Get Real
The Rainbow Sash Movement responds to the Archdiocese of New York statement concerning the debate challenge of Joe Murray our Executive Director, to Archbishop Dolan to engage in a debate on Gay Marriage at any Catholic University in the US. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Phil Soucy

Director Communications

Lutherans Concerned/North America

703-980-2038 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.lcna.org

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The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

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The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

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Rev. Vicki Wunsch Hired as Grassroots Organizing and Training Coordinator

Friday, 09 December 2011 15:31

Lutherans Concerned has hired Rev. Vicki Wunsch as Grassroots Organizing and Training Coordinator. Vicki will take up her post and responsibilities at the LC/NA headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. She will work nationally in her new position.

Vicki has a Master's degree in curriculum development and training from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary. Vicki has experience working in various aspects of faith based community organizing including immigration reform, anti-racism work, and education reform. Since 2008, she has been the lead trainer for the Building an Inclusive Church trainings, so many of you will have met her light heart, strong commitment, quick wit and brilliant mind.

Vicki's duties include continuing as lead trainer for the Building An Inclusive Church, trainings and workshops related to marriage equality, fund development, youth and young adult programming, and curriculum design.

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, said, "We are so pleased that Vicki accepted this position. I am thankful for what she has already brought to LC/NA during her three years of training with us. I look forward to the work we will do together in the year ahead."

Vicki Wunsch said, "I am delighted to have this opportunity to continue and expand my work with Lutherans Concerned. This is an important time to be doing this work and I look forward to meeting this challenge, growing the organization and working on these important justice issues.

Vicki can be reached by phone (651-665-0861) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Join us in welcoming her to staff.

Rev. Vicki Wunsch Hired as Grassroots Organizing and Training Coordinator

Friday, 09 December 2011 15:31

Vicki can be reached by phone (651-665-0861) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Join us in welcoming her to staff.

Retired Presiding Bishop Chilstrom Calls on Catholic Bishops To Listen To LGBT Couples

Thursday, 08 December 2011 23:23

In an article published in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, December 8, the Rev. Herbert Chilstrom, first presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, spoke to the Roman Catholic bishops in Minnesota, and by extension, to all Roman Catholic bishops, about the position taken by them in support of the upcoming ballot to amend the state constitution to preclude same-gender couples from being married in the state.

In the article, he says that, while he would vigorously defend their right to work for the amendment's passage, he thinks that by doing so they are "making a significant mistake."

He says, "Over my 35 years as an active and retired bishop I have come to know hundreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have yet to meet even one who is opposed to the marriage of one man and one woman. After all, they are the daughters and sons of such unions.

"What they cannot understand is why church leaders would oppose their fundamental desire and right to be in partnership with someone they love and respect who happens to be of the same gender and sexual orientation. They don't understand why they should not enjoy all the rights and privileges their straight counterparts take for granted."

He calls forth the memory of Father Francis Gilligan, who, more than five decades ago, spoke out tirelessly in favor of the equality of blacks against a cultural tradition among some in Minnesota, supported by supposed scriptural authority, that the opposite was true.

He challenges those bishops to spend time with 15 couples from each of their areas, two hours with each couple individually, to hear of their lives in Minnesota.

The article can be found at http://www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/135202698.html.

Resources for upcoming January 29 RIC Sunday Now Available For Downloading

Friday, 02 December 2011 11:18

Dear Friends and Members of Lutherans Concerned/North America:

Annually, the last Sunday in January is designated as "Reconciling in Christ Sunday." RIC Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the witness of God's love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It's a time to highlight what it means to live a theology of reconciliation.

Go here to download RIC Sunday resources:

www.lcna.org/ric/ric-sunday-and-pride-sunday

These celebrations will be echoed throughout the welcoming movements in many communities of faith. We invite you to talk with your pastors, worship leaders, and others in your congregation and encourage them to designate Sunday, January 29, as RIC Sunday.

Worship Resources for RIC Sunday 2012 are now available on the LC/NA web site (www.lcna.org/ric/ric-sunday-and-pride-sunday). For 2012, The Rev. Jay Wiesner has compiled resources for your use. Resources include suggested readings, liturgy, prayers, and hymns. If your congregation has already scheduled other themes for that day, you may use these resources on a Sunday of your choosing.

Many members of RIC congregations are doing wonderful things to further the welcome in their congregations; many acknowledge there is much more to do. Here are a few ideas:

- "Reconciling Lutheran" drive: Invite all members of your congregation to sign the Reconciling Lutheran covenant. The RIC Sunday website (www.lcna.org/ric/ric-sunday-and-pride-sunday) has a stand-alone sign-up form, as well as a more comprehensive bulletin insert. See how many members of your congregation are willing to publically state their support for full participation in the life of the Lutheran Church. Send completed forms to the LC/NA office.

- Invite the wider community to your congregation for RIC Sunday. Are there people who need to hear a word of welcome, explicitly and individually, who have not heard it yet? Many have heard about the policy changes of the Lutheran Church, and you can help do the work of reconciliation by showing them a congregation that supports the full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

- Take up a special offering to support LC/NA's continued work. Such support will provide the resources to help other congregations go through the process leading to adopting a welcoming statement and becoming an RIC congregation.

Blessings on your work and ministry throughout 2012.

Emily Eastwood

Executive Director, LC/NA

December 1 is World AIDS Day

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 22:30

December 1 is World AIDS Day, a day set aside worldwide for prayer, action, reflection, remembrance, awareness and advocacy about the AIDS pandemic, 33 million people infected worldwide. The U.S. Center for Disease Control estimates that a new person is infected with the disease every nine and a half minutes.

AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a stage that HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, can reach if all efforts to manage HIV fail to control its progress. HIV attacks your immune system, specifically the T-cells, also referred to as CD4 cells, the cells most important for your body's battles against illness. These are the cells that activate the immune system to the presence of intruders like bacteria and viruses.

The theme for this year's AIDS Day is "Getting to Zero," working toward zero new infections, zero discrimination in treatment, zero AIDS related deaths. UNAIDS, a joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, has released a report that HIV infections are decreasing and more people have access to life-prolonging drugs. There are 33.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, 2.5 million of them are children. New HIV infections in 2010 were 2.7 million people, down 21% since 1997. Worldwide, 6.6 million people have access to life-prolonging anti-retroviral drugs, an increase of 1.35 million since 2009. Progress is being made.

The ELCA's stance on AIDS is strongly supportive: of caring for those infected, of prevention through education and of support for families. The ELCA Church Council approved a strategy addressing HIV and AIDS in March 2009. The 2009 Churchwide Assembly approved a three-year fundraising proposal supporting that strategy. Presiding Bishop Hanson welcomed the action by President Obama that removed the barrier to entrance to the U.S. for those who are HIV-positive. Bishop Hanson said at the time that ending policies that discriminate and confronting attitudes that stigmatize people was essential to inclusion in society and religious communities.

The ELCIC has had a strong pastoral stance on care for those battling HIV/AIDS, their families and communities, including its 1998 Public Statement Of Pastoral Concern For Those Living With HIV/AIDS, which says, in part, "the ELCIC will never be an expert in the medical and social aspects of this pandemic. It can lend its voice to insure the moral and spiritual impact that accompanies HIV/AIDS is addressed. To this end, the prayers of the community, the proclamation in our preaching, the public witness for justice and our service with others in our community are important places to begin."

This day is set aside for clarion calls, for renewing the efforts to raise awareness of this disease, for reminding everyone of the ease with which one can contract this disease, and of the ease with which simple precautions could prevent such an infection.

A veritable cornucopia of information is available from governments, health organizations, and advocacy groups in Canada and United States, as well as elsewhere in the world. Learn what HIV/AIDS is all about, talk to particularly young people of your acquaintance to encourage them to be safe, fight discrimination against those with HIV/AIDS so that no stigma is attached to seeking testing, being diagnosed and then being treated for this disease.

In every way you can think of, help us, one and all, get to zero.

California Supreme Court Moves the Proposition 8 Appeal Case Closer to a 9th Circuit Court Decision

Thursday, 17 November 2011 18:31

Today, November 17, the California Supreme Court handed down its decision that the proponents of Proposition 8 had the right to appeal the August 2010 decision of Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, U.S. District Court, that the law was unconstitutional.

This ruling answers the question asked of the California Supreme Court by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, when the proponents of Prop 8 submitted an appeal to the 9th Circuit following the refusal of the then Governor of California and the State Attorney General to appeal the decision of the District Court.

In its ruling the California Supreme Court said, "The inability of the official proponents of an initiative measure to appeal a trial court judgment invalidating the measure, when the public officials who ordinarily would file such an appeal decline to do so, would significantly undermine the initiative power." The court was unanimous in its decision. The court said that it made this ruling solely on the issue of process, and not on the merits or issues of Proposition 8 itself.

Both sides of the action before the 9th Circuit have said that they fully expect the appeals court to accept and abide by the ruling of the California Supreme Court as to the standing of those bringing the appeal.

Though some LGBT advocacy groups have expressed disappointment with the California ruling, the lawyers who brought the original suit by two same-sex couples and are directly involved in the case before the 9th Circuit have expressed confidence. In press reports, Theodore Olson, former U.S. Solicitor General during the Bush administration, has said, "This frees up the 9th Circuit to go ahead and decide the constitutional issues on the merits. We're anxious to get to a decision on the merits that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional."

The case has already been briefed and argued before the 9th Circuit; so, on that basis, the court could move to deliberation and decision. However, the proponents of Prop 8 have raised the issue of Judge Walker's being in a long-term, same-gender relationship at the time of the trial and his ruling as grounds for overturning because of presumed bias. This argument was previously made to Chief U.S. District Judge James Wade and rejected earlier this year. His ruling has now been appealed to the 9th Circuit, as well.

The saga that is Prop 8 moves now to and through the 9th Circuit, since those who are unhappy with whatever the 9th Circuit says about the case will undoubtedly take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance

Thursday, 17 November 2011 16:43

November 20th is set aside each year as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to remember those who have been killed as the result of ignorance and transphobia -- hatred, fear, or misunderstanding of those who are gender non-conforming that resulted in fatal violence. It is a day set aside to call attention to the violence, extreme discrimination and alienation towards those in society who are transgender.

Started in 1998 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, transgender activist, as a way to memorialize Rita Hester's violent murder in Allston, Massachusetts, the day has evolved and grown such that today it is marked internationally in more than 185 cities in 20 countries.

The statistics are horrendous, nationally and internationally. In the last 40 years more than 630 transgender and other gender non-conforming people have been killed, that we know about. That number is undoubtedly an incomplete picture.

Many of those killed were murdered by family members or were the innocent victims of deadly behavior by total strangers. Half of the total number were killed in the United States -- half. A further thirteen murdered in Canada, sixteen in Mexico. These statistics do not include the many more who are daily subjected to harassment, beatings, and abuse -- ostracized from work or home. This is a national and human tragedy without justification. That there is not more outrage and action is a travesty of what Canada, America and Christianity say they stand for.

Emily Eastwood , Executive Director, Lutherans Concerned, said, "There are places and times when we pause to gather, think and pray for those lives lost to violence based solely on some kind of difference. It is not only appropriate but needful that we spend such time on Transgender Day of Remembrance, remembering the victims and confronting the roots of fear based crimes and oppression on the basis of gender identity and expression. While increasing awareness about the dangers fomented by intolerance is critical, it is only a starting point for the deeper work of education and organizing needed to build a church and society which embrace and celebrate the diversity of creation rather than seeking to eliminate it."

JamieAnn Meyers, Transgender Representative on the Board of Directors of Lutherans Concerned, said, “On a cold January night, 300 of us walked in a candlelight procession to the steps of the apartment where Krissy Bates, a transwoman, had lived and, ten days earlier, died at the hands of a murderer. Young and old, diverse in race and ethnicity, class and ability, we were straight, gender conforming, transgender, intersex, bisexual, lesbian, gay, and queer. We were there to celebrate the life and identity of Krissy and to acknowledge our grief. But, most of all, we were there to stand together against the irrational fear and hatred, the transphobia, that causes some to murder those of us whose gender identities do not conform to their expectations or the expectations of society. In front of her apartment, braced against the cold winds of January, all of us silently confronted our own fears, contemplated our own lives and futures, and resolved to do whatever we can to bring an end to transphobia. We continue to gather as a community every November 20, the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, to celebrate those among us who are killed each year by people who still harbor fear and hatred of transgender persons. Let us pray that the work that we do to educate and help others understand transgender identities will someday bring an end to fear and hatred at the root of transphobia. And let us pray that all of us can follow the example of Christ in loving, accepting and welcoming all people.”

There are encouraging signs in society: the recent decisions by the IRS to allow federal income tax deductions for transition-related medical costs and by the Veterans Administration to intentionally provide respectful delivery of healthcare to transgender and intersex veterans, and the research that shows that, overwhelmingly, Americans believe transgender people should have the same general rights and legal protections as other Americans and shows that two-thirds of Americans can explain what transgender means in their own words, without assistance. On November 15, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill providing civil-rights and hate-crimes protections to transgender residents , 95-58. Significant as this enactment is in the struggle for the equalities enjoyed by all other citizens, the bill's public accommodations provision (hotels, restaurants, restrooms, locker rooms, transportation, etc.) had been stripped out of an earlier version by opponents prior to passage.

But, intolerance that leads to perpetrating or condoning physical, emotional, or spiritual violence is unacceptable. We must take a visible stand for welcome, acceptance and integration of all people. Both our Christian faith and our common humanity require us to stand up and stand out in opposition to hatred, ignorance and violence, and in favor of full inclusion.

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