In the News - Lutheran Assembly Approves Ministries of Gays and Lesbians in Committed Relationships

Episcopal Life Online
By: Episcopal News Service Staff
Date: 21 Aug 2009

[Episcopal News Service] The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on August 21 approved opening the ministry of the church to pastors and other professional workers living in committed same-gender relationships.

The resolution passed by a vote of 559 to 451 and overturns previous church policy that prohibited participation of gays and lesbians in church ministries unless they were celibate.

Read the full article at Episcopal Life Online.

iNYC welcomes all Lutherans Concerned and all ELCA folks to join us at our Celebratory Eucharist on 20 Sept at St. Luke in the Fields.

[PR Integrity USA] - Integrity Responds to ELCA Assembly Actions

The following is a Press Release from the desk of Susan Russell as posted on her Facebook Page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2009 -- 05:30PM/PDT

Integrity rejoices at the news from Minneapolis that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) today adopted all four of the resolutions before their Assembly regarding the fuller inclusion of the LGBT baptized in the work and witness of the Lutheran Church.

“Today’s action in Minneapolis is not just good news for gay and lesbian Lutherans, it is good news to all who strive for peace and justice and are committed to respecting the dignity of every human being,” said the Reverend Susan Russell, president of Integrity USA.

“For decades the faithful have prayed for justice to roll down like waters for the LGBT baptized in the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches. The Summer of 2009 has become that watershed moment we have prayed for.”

“We are delighted that our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ are joining The Episcopal Church in moving forward in mission with a commitment to include all God’s beloved equally. We look forward to opportunities to continue in our call to common mission with our Lutheran colleagues as we join together in proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ Jesus available to all.”

“We believe that when taken together with the actions of our Episcopal Church last month in Anaheim, we are seeing a spiritual groundswell sending the message that there are communities of faith that actually practice the compassion they preach. Our deepest hope is that these actions will encourage those who had given up on the church to give it another chance. Our doors are certainly open to welcome them – and we look forward to the mission and ministry ahead of us as the Body of Christ in the world.”

Celebratory Eucharist - 20 Sep, 4pm - St. Luke's

Details:
Sunday, 20th September 2009 (4:00pm)
Church of St. Luke in the Fields
487 Hudson St (at Grove)

Save the Date for a Celebratory Eucharist in thanksgiving for the passing of inclusive resolutions at General Convention, and in gratitude to our Diocesan Delegates.

If you are interested in contributing to this service (reader, usher, choir, planning, volunteering) or if you have questions, please Email Chap James Day .

Welcome Back Mixer - 31 Aug, 6pm - Nowhere Bar

Details:
Monday, August 31, 2009 (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Nowhere Bar
322 E 14th St (near 2nd)


Welcome back from Summer! Whether you traveled or had a stay-cation, we welcome you back to another year with IntegrityNYC.

To herald everyone back to the city, iNYC will be hosting a mixer at Nowhere Bar on Monday, 31 August at 6pm. Bring Friends!

RSVP on Socializr or Facebook

After Anaheim Integrity Leadership Conference - Sep 9-12 in St. Louis, MO

2009 is special year for Integrity in many ways. We're living into our new organizational structure and we're facing potentially pivotal outcomes from General Convention. Therefore, we're convening our national and local leadership and others for a time of training, renewal, and planning for the future. The core of the conference will be the "Building an Inclusive Church" workshop facilitated by the Institute for Welcoming Resources staff, dedicated time for our leaders to begin planning for the next triennium, and informal time for networking and fellowship among all participants.

Who Should Attend?
* National board members
* Provincial coordinators
* Chapter conveners
* Diocesan network coordinators
* Congregational circle moderators
* Proud Parish Partner rectors or representative
* Lifetime members
* Past presidents
* Future local leaders
* Anyone who want to build a more inclusive church at the parish, diocesan, provincial, or national levels

That means all of YOU!

Registration is only $100!

PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE BEFORE Friday, August 7 in order to guarantee a hotel room at our negotiated rate of $126 (single occupancy) and $63 (double occupancy) at the Omni Majestic Hotel. That price is a negotiated price, and includes taxes and fees.

For more information, please follow this link from IntegrityUSA: After Anaheim

[PR Integrity USA] - Diocese of Los Angeles Takes Another Step Forward for Inclusive Anglicanism

The following is a Press Release from Integrity USA as posted on "Walking With Integrity" on Sunday, August 2, 2009 - Original Post

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Integrity rejoices at the Diocese of Los Angeles' diverse slate of qualified candidates for the December 2009 election of two new bishops suffragan.

"Coming so soon after the slate announced by the Diocese of Minnesota," said Integrity President Susan Russell, "today's announcement by the Diocese of Los Angeles is another sign that the 'season of fasting' at the expense of the vocations of gays and lesbians in the Episcopal Church is at an end."

"Just a few days ago we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the ordination of the first women to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church," said Russell. "Thirty five years ago it was hard to imagine that we would come to a place where the inclusion of gifted women on a slate of candidates for bishop would become the expected rather than the exception. And we believe that we are journeying to a place where the same will be true for gay and lesbian candidates."

"It is now up to the Diocese of Los Angeles to discern--together with the Holy Spirit--which of these excellent candidates will make the best bishops to lead them forward in mission and ministry. Integrity's hope is that in both Los Angeles and in Minnesota the work of discernment can proceed without outside interference and with the focus where it should be: on finding the bishop best suited to pastor the people and to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ Jesus to the church and to the world."

PRESS CONTACT

(The Reverend) Susan Russell, President
president@integrityusa.org
714-356-5718 (mobile)

[PR Integrity USA] - Integrity Applauds Slate of Candidates for Bishop of Minnesota

The following is a Press Release from Integrity USA as posted on "Walking With Integrity" on Saturday, August 1, 2009 - Original Post

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Integrity applauds the Diocese of Minnesota for the stellar slate of qualified candidates released today to replace retiring Bishop James Jelinek. "The Diocese of Minnesota is leading the way for the rest of The Episcopal Church," said Integrity President Susan Russell, "as they move us forward into a future where the resolutions we passed at our recent General Convention become a reality."

That reality--which was stated in Resolution D025--is "that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church."

Integrity is delighted that The Episcopal Church has opened the way for dioceses like Minnesota to field the best possible slate of candidates for the episcopate. "We hope that other dioceses will recognize that "discern for all people" really means ALL" said Russell, "and that the actions of our General Convention will put a sad chapter of discrimination against the LGBT baptized behind us."

It is now up to the Diocese of Minnesota to do the discernment work they have been called to do. We extend congratulations to all the candidates--any one of whom will make a fine bishop for The Episcopal Church--and will pray for the Diocese of Minnesota as they discern together who God is calling to be their bishop.

PRESS CONTACT

(The Reverend) Susan Russell, President
president@integrityusa.org
714-356-5718 (mobile)

"We Will Not Be Silent" Community Rally in Jackson Heights

iNYC was a co-sponsor of the We Will Not Be Silent Community Rally in Jackson Heights. Our very own Michael Mallon attended the event. There were many other community organizations and organizers. There were about 200 people including politicians showing support and showing solidarity denouncing the acts of violence faced by the trans community in New York City.

Want to read more about the Transgendered Episcopal movement? Why not check out TransEpiscopal!

Here are a few pictures from the Rally. If you click on the images, they will enlarge.

Michael Mallon, Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place) Brendan Fay (Civil Marriage Trail Project), Melissa Sklarz (SDNYC), Jeremiah Frei-Pearson (WQfME, LICA), Jennifer Gamper (Carmen's Place), Marisa Ragonesa (Generation Q)and other organizers

Mark Elyaqim Mosheh Adam (OUT Astoria), Gary Paul Gilbert (LGDCQ), Sebastain Maguire (QLGPC), Robert Pinter (Stop the False Arrests Campaign), & Michael Mallon (QLGPC, SDNYC, iNYC, & OUT Astoria)

Deirde Feerick (City Council Candidate) and Brendan Fay (founder of Civil Marriage Trail Project)

Michael Mallon and Erik Bottcher from the New York City Council