1. Caring Conversations ~ An Ongoing Process
2. Caring Conversations ~ Trinity's Affirmation of Welcome
3. Caring Conversations ~ Canadian Context for Conversation
4. Caring Conversations ~ Reconciling in Christ
5. Caring Conversations ~ Kitchener/Waterloo Conference Workshops
6. Caring Conversations ~ Kitchener/Waterloo Conference Resources
7. Caring Conversations ~ Selected Online Resources
8. Caring Conversations ~ Erwin Buck: Studies on Homosexuality and the Church

Early in 1998, I was invited by a parishioner to bless her relationship with a woman partner. It seemed to her a natural request, one that an active parishioner might reasonably make of her pastor. Trinity had supported this young woman in overseas medical missions work and our community deeply respected her Christian witness. In those days, the matter of same-sex unions was not on the national radar screen and certainly not on the agenda of the church. And it was not on my agenda. What to do? I agonized over the request. I consulted parish leaders and other important and considered voices. I met with my spiritual director and confessor. At length, however, I declined to offer the blessing. It was my pastoral judgement that Trinity was simply not there. As far as I was concerned, at Trinity the door was closed to the blessing of same-sex couples.

On October 31, 1998 --Reformation Day and the Eve of All Saints, as it happened-- the blessing proceeded in another venue and under the hands of a pastor of another denomination. I was deeply chagrined and upset, and, in that context I pledged myself to lead our congregation in some sort of process of discernment and conversation with gays and lesbians in our community. As I saw it, our parish had an ethical and moral obligation to take up the difficult questions born of this real-world request for pastoral care. That was almost seven years ago.

Shortly thereafter, because of my involvement in national church work, I learned that National Church Council was looking at the matter of how the church welcomes gays and lesbians. This was late in 1998 and early in 1999. A process dubbed a "Caring Conversation" was being contemplated and, in the summer of 1999, a Caring Conversation was modelled at the National Convention.

I was moved --as were many others-- as we experienced this single, short session. At the same time, it seemed to me that, for use in the parish, a fuller, several-session process would be necessary. I felt that the "Caring Conversation" itself needed to be located in a larger process of study, conversation and discernment. I still hold to that view. At Trinity, we elected to lead into the Conversation proper with several sessions of Bible-study and to follow up with a debriefing and "whereto from here" session. All this was in the planning stages in late 1999 yielding our own ground-breaking, formative and deeply moving Caring Conversations series in 2000. In fact, all this was transpiring even before the publication in 2001 of Erwin Buck's extremely helpful Studies on Homosexuality and the Church which served to popularize the Caring Conversation model. (For completeness, it might be noted that Caring Conversation-like events had been transpiring in various places as early as c. 1990 as, for example, in Edmonton, Alberta.) In any event, following our work at Trinity, other communities adopted and adapted our several-week format using a variety of kinds of sessions to lead into the Caring Conversation proper.

Since those days several years ago, Trinity has played a significant role in informing the larger conversation around matters related to the inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the church. Since 2002, we have been active in helping to plan the Kitchener/Waterloo Conference series of Caring Conversations events: from a time when we were simply involved in describing the Caring Conversation process as it had unfolded at Trinity Church and elsewhere (monthly gathering of Conference clergy, CC1 and CC2); to a time when an actual Caring Conversation was modeled for the wider community (CC3); to later days when the Conference addressed a (then) proposed Eastern Synod "welcoming" motion (CC4) and still later addressed the motion that was ultimately passed at the 2004 Eastern Synod Assembly (CC5). A sixth event took place in April, 2005 (CC6) at which we explored the matter of the blessing of same-sex couples with a focus on National Church Council action and on how we can live together with compassion and grace in community and society.

Over the years, we have maintained the "Caring Conversations" name for the entire Kitchener/Waterloo Conference series although we could not have foreseen its longevity or direction in early days. Each event grew naturally out of the previous one(s) and/or took up related matters on the synodical or national agenda of the church. We frequently polled participants as to future possibilities and the direction of subsequent events. For example, the clergy participants at CC1 asked us to hold a similar event for clergy and laity both. CC2 was born. Participants at both CC1 and CC2 requested that we model an actual Caring Conversation. CC3 was born. And so on. Our work seemed to us to be part of a larger, continuing, Conference-wide and church-wide Caring Conversation.

At the same time, back at home, within the parish, we initiated a second parish-based Caring Conversations series, the fruit of which was the adoption, at length, of Trinity's own elegant and carefully-crafted Affirmation of Welcome. This effort grew in part out of the Eastern Synod's adoption of a welcoming statement (2004) although our work was already well under way as a result of the earlier (2002) notice of motion.

This web page exists for three reasons:

1. To assist the community of Trinity Church in its ongoing Caring Conversations and in "living into and out of" its own Affirmation of Welcome. See Affirmation.
2. To assist the congregations and communities of the Kitchener/Waterloo Conference and surrounding conferences in holding Caring Conversations and in adopting Affirmations of Welcome. See Workshops.
3. To assist the wider church community in its conversation around the issues of welcoming gay people and of blessing same-sex relationships.

This web-page offers resources and links which have been gleaned over the several-year journey that we and others have undertaken since the late 1990's. We hope that it will serve the wider church as it has served our congregation and local community.

All blessings.

André Lavergne,
Pastor, Trinity, New Hamburg.

Advent, 2004; revised 2005 - 2009.

In May, 2004, Trinity completed a four-session, Sunday-morning adult learning series entitled Caring Conversations II: Aspects of Grace. In the series, we picked up where we left off several years ago when we undertook the original and transformative Caring Conversation process (Caring Conversations (I)). In June, 2004, a motion came before the Eastern Synod by which the congregations and communities of Synod were invited to become more welcoming toward gay and lesbian people. At the same convention, the assembly refered a request to the national church to examine the blessing of gay and lesbian couples. On four Sunday mornings in Easter (ie. ahead of the assembly), we looked at these and other interconnected realities and issues. The leaders for the series were the Rev. Dr. Tim Hegedus, the Rev. Dr. Oz Cole Arnal and Pastor André Lavergne.

In light of the Sunday morning conversations at adult learning, on May 19, 2004, Trinity's Council took up the possibility of Trinity's adopting its own Affirmation of Welcome. The text went through eight drafts and came to reflect 1. comments from people who attended Trinity's Caring Conversations II adult learning series; 2. observations from members of Trinity's Council; 3. suggestions from members of the congregation; 4. suggestions from visitors to Trinity's website; 5. additional suggestions from colleagues in ministry. The Congregational Council approved the final text on August 18, 2004, for circulation in the congregation in September.

On Sunday, October 24, 2004, the congregation adopted its own Affirmation of Welcome. Some 130 people voted. The vote was a single vote shy of unanimity. Trinity's process for adopting this statement is detailed in a four-page Affirmation of Welcome monograph.

You are welcome here

Whatever your country of origin or ancestry,
and whether you are religious or not,
Christian or not, or Lutheran or not,
you are welcome here.

Whether you are male, female or transgendered,
young or old,
straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual,
you are welcome here.

Whether you are single or partnered,
married, widowed or divorced,
you are welcome here.

Whether you are wealthy or poor,
own a home or rent,
live at home or are homeless,
you are welcome here.

Whatever your political views,
--whether to the right, to the left or to the centre--
you are welcome here.

Whatever your strengths or weaknesses,
gifts or challenges,
they will be honoured,
for you are welcome here.

Trinity Lutheran Church is committed
to being a loving and welcoming community
centred in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

In faithfulness to the Christian Gospel,
in reflection of our Lutheran emphasis on grace,
and in celebration of our shared baptismal journey,
we promise to enter into ministry with all who seek God here.

We invite you to join us for worship
and to take up your place with us in ministry
for you are welcome at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Caring Conversations workshops have taken place in the context of the dramatic unfolding of realities in Canadian society as a whole.

Canadian Courts OK Same-Sex Marriages ~ On June 10, 2003, an Ontario Court of Appeal judgement in regards to same-sex marriages, together with the Government of Canada's subsequent (June 17) decision not to appeal the Ontario ruling, rendered same-sex marriages legal in the Province of Ontario. By late June, 2005, same-sex marriages were legal in 8 provinces and 1 territory representing almost 90% of the population of Canada.

Canadian Government Sorts Itself Out ~ On July 17, 2003, the Government of Canada proposed legislation which would redefine marriage to include same-sex couples: "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others." The Act Respecting Certain Aspects of Legal Capacity for Marriage was referred to the Supreme Court of Canada, with attendant requests for the court's wisdom around several issues including that of "the right of religious officials to refuse to sanctify same-sex marriages." On November 9, 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada, by unanimous decision, cleared the way for the federal government to legalize same-sex marriage, ruling that Parliament has the right to redefine marriage. The ruling by the country's top court also said that religious officials can't be forced to marry same-sex couples.

On February 1, 2005, the Government of Canada tabled legislation to afford equal access to marriage to gays and lesbians. The legislation passed final reading in the House of Commons on June 28, 2005 and in the Senate on July 19, 2005. At the time, Canada was one of only four countries to have legalized the marriage of same-sex couples. (The others were Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. For current information see the Same-Sex Marriage article at Wikipedia.)

Canadian Polsters Observe a Changing Society ~ Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance offers a comprehensive page dedicated to same-sex marriage in the Canadian context and has published a Time-Line of Court and Government Actions (1993-2006) together with a substantial collection of Canadian Opinion Polls (1996-2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 to present) on the question of same-sex marriages and related matters.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has published a helpful collection of background material and related items on the several-decades evolution of Same-Sex Rights in the Canadian context.

In 1984 Lutherans Concerned / North America started the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program to recognize Lutheran congregations that expressly welcome lesbian and gay believers. The Reconciling in Christ roster (June, 2005) includes more than 330 settings -- congregations, synods and organizations. As a result of the passing of the 2004 welcoming motion, the Eastern Synod was added to the RIC roster by Lutherans Concerned / North America. Eastern Synod RIC ministries include:

• Eastern Synod, Kitchener, Ontario
• Augsburg, Brampton, ON
• Saint Paul, Guelph, ON
• Saint Peter, Kitchener, ON
• Trinity, New Hamburg, ON
• Holy Cross, Newmarket, ON
• Saint John, Ottawa, ON
• Advent, Toronto, ON
• Toronto Council, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Toronto, ON

Other RIC ministries (East to West) within the ELCIC community include:

• King of Glory Lutheran Church, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Lutheran Student Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Bethel Lutheran Church, Camrose, Alberta
• Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Edmonton, Alberta
• Lutheran Campus Ministry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
• Lutheran Campus Ministry, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, Alberta
• Lutheran Campus Ministry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
• British Columbia Synod, New Westminster, BC
• All Saints Lutheran Church, Kelowna, BC
• Ascension Lutheran Church, Nelson, BC
• First Lutheran Church, Vancouver, BC
• Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, North Vancouver, BC
• Peace Seekers (Lutheran Campus Ministry), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

In the spring of 2002, Pastors Mark Harris (Mount Zion, Waterloo) and André Lavergne (Trinity, New Hamburg) spoke at the monthly gathering of Kitchener-Waterloo clergy on their experience initiating and leading "Caring Conversations" in their parishes. Their experience with Caring Conversations, in their own communities, had been very, very positive. Out of this meeting, there came several requests that a full day be offered to encourage and to help parish pastors to initiate the Caring Conversations process in their own congregations. As a result, Caring Conversations - 1 (invitation/agenda), a clergy in-service day, was held in October, 2002.

In the course of this clergy gathering, there emerged a consensus that a second day-long event be offered, this one to include both clergy and lay people. Caring Conversations - 2 (invitation/agenda) was held in February, 2003.

Caring Conversations - 3 (invitation/agenda) took place in October, 2003. At this event, a "caring conversation" proper was offered/modelled followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.

Caring Conversations - 4 (invitation/agenda) was offered in March, 2004. This event addressed the Affirmation of Welcome motion as it was proposed prior to the 2004 Eastern Synod Assembly.

Caring Conversations - 5 (invitation/agenda) was offered in October, 2004. We looked at ways in which our communities might respond to the Eastern Synod's Affirmation of Welcome by devising Affirmations of Welcome of our own; by initiating Caring Conversations; and by considering various opportunities and challenges arising from the Eastern Synod motion.

Caring Conversations - 6 (invitation/agenda) was offered in April, 2005. The event assisted congregations in matters related to the Eastern Synod's blessing motion by which the church has been asked to consider the possibility of same-sex blessings being permitted as a local congregation option in the ELCIC.

Posted here are materials provided by staff at various Kitchener/Waterloo Conference Caring Conversations events and by other ELCIC scholars. We are grateful to them for their willingness to make their work available to the wider community.

Matthew Anderson ~ A lecturer in the Faculty of Theological Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Dr. Matthew Anderson is pastor of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec. He offers What is "Clearly Contrary to Scripture" in Discussions of the Church and Homosexuality? (June, 2004; revised September, 2004). See also The Three Reformation Solas and Twenty-First Century Ethical Issues (December, 2004) available on the ELCIC site.

Oscar Cole-Arnal ~ A member of Christ Lutheran Church, Waterloo, and an ordained Lutheran pastor, Dr. Oscar Cole-Arnal is Professor of Historical Theology at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He offers Toward a Reformation Welcome: Law, Gospel and the Three Solas (September, 2004). See also "Local Option" in First Century Christianity and the Lutheran Reformation available on the ELCIC site.

Sarah Dille ~ A member of Christ Lutheran Church, Waterloo, and an ordained Lutheran pastor, Dr. Sarah Dille is Associate Professor of Old Testament Theology at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. She offers Old Testament Texts Relating to Homosexuality: Exegesis and Reflections (October, 2002). See also A Lutheran Hermeneutic of the Old Testament and the Blessing of Same-Sex Couples (January, 2005) available on the ELCIC site.

Tim Hegedus ~ A member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Kitchener, and an ordained Lutheran pastor, Dr. Tim Hegedus is Associate Professor of New Testament Theology at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He offers New Testament Texts Relating to Homosexuality: Exegesis and Reflections (October, 2002) and A Lutheran Approach to the Bible (October, 2002; revised, February, 2003). See also A Lutheran Approach to the New Testament A Hermeneutic of Grace (with Erwin Buck; January, 2005) available on the ELCIC site.

Val Hennig ~ Having served the church in a variety of ways through 49 years of ordained ministry, Pastor Val Hennig presently serves as Interim Pastor at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Kitchener. He offers the following reference notes in connection with his workshop at Caring Conversations ~ 5 : The Ministry of Welcome According to the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions (October, 2004).

Loretta Jaunzarins ~ Pastor Loretta Jaunzarins serves at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, East Zorra. She is doing graduate studies in philosophy and Biblical studies at the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto. She offers Bibliography: Homosexuality and Christianity (October, 2002; revised February, 2003 and July, 2004).

Robert Kelly ~ A member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Kitchener, and an ordained Lutheran pastor, Dr. Robert Kelly is Professor of Systematic Theology at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He offers Mission and Welcome: A Commentary on the Eastern Synod's Statement of Welcome in Light of the Mission of God (October, 2004). See also Toward a Lutheran Theology of Marriage (November, 2004) available on the ELCIC site.

André Lavergne ~ A member of the planning team for the Kitchener/Waterloo Conference Caring Conversations series, Pastor André Lavergne serves in a team ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, Ontario. He offers Toward an Affirmation of Welcome (revised October, 2004) in which is documented the ongoing process which Trinity undertook toward adopting a congregational Affirmation of Welcome. See also The Blessing of Same- Sex Couples: A Pastoral Journey (March, 2005) available on the ELCIC site.

Harold Remus ~ A member of the planning team for the Kitchener/Waterloo Conference Caring Conversations series and a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Dr. Harold Remus is Professor Emeritus, Religion & Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University, retired Adjunct Professor, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and Past President of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. An ordained Lutheran pastor, he was the Founding Managing Editor of Religious Studies Review and is the author of many books and articles related to New Testament studies. He offers Disputed Issues in Christian History: Their Scriptural and Historical/Cultural Settings (October, 2002; revised February, 2003 and July, 2004), Same-Sex Bible Passages (October, 2002; revised February, 2003, July, 2004 and December, 2004) and Significant References in the Bible to the Sodom and Gomorrah Story (October, 2002; revised February, 2003, July, 2004 and December, 2004). See also Words, Words, Words: On the Role of Language in Current ELCIC Discussions (December, 2004) available on the ELCIC site.

David Schnasa Jacobsen ~ An ordained pastor of the United Methodist Church attending St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Dr. David Schnasa Jacobsen is an Associate Professor of Homiletics at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He offers a Bibliography for the Workshop "Preaching the Hard Texts" (February, 2003). See also The Role of Language in Considering the Issue of Same-Sex Blessings (December, 2004) available on the ELCIC site.

The following Lutheran and ecumenical resources include insightful Bible Studies, sound scholarship, web sites which emphasize conversation and dialogue and many other helpful items.

The maple leaf indicates a Canadian venue or connection.

Scriptures

How do the Scriptures speak to the matters of homosexuality and the place of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Christians in the church?

• What Scripture Says ~ Two ELCA scholars --Terence E. Fretheim, professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Walter F. Taylor Jr., professor of New Testament studies, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio-- discuss Biblical texts and themes around homosexuality.
• Herzog-Brauch Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality ~ Transcription of a debate between Manfred Brock and William Hertzog, II (American, Baptist) as posted at Bridges Across the Divide.
• Homosexuality and the Bible ~ Essay by Walter Wink (American, United Methodist) posted at Bridges Across the Divide.
• The Bible Condemned Usurers Too ~ Essay by John Corvino (American ethicist) posted at Independent Gay Forum.
• Homosexuality and the Bible: A Case Study in the Use of the Bible for Ethics ~ Study by Loren L. Johns (American, Mennonite) posted at the website of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
• What About the Bible? ~ Fine collection of Bible-related materials offered by Integrity Canada, a Canadian organization serving the gay Anglican community and friends.
• Contra / Pro Sola Scriptura ~ Debate between Vaughn Roste and Karl Johnsen (Canadian, Lutheran) around homosexuality and the authority of scripture in the May, 2004, issue of The Forum, a semi-annual publication of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories (ELCIC).

Witnesses

What considered witness is being offered by thoughtful Christians to the church and to the GLBT Christian community within and without?

• Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? ~ Transcription of a conversation between Peggy and Tony Compolo (American, Baptist) as posted at Bridges Across the Divide.
• An Open Letter to Episcopalians on the Issue of Homosexuals and the Church ~ Letter by J. Carl Ficarrotta (American, Episcopalian), Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
• A Letter to Louise: A Biblical Affirmation of Homosexuality ~ Letter by The Rev. Bruce W. Lowe (American, Baptist).
• The Stranger in Our Midst ~ Sermon by The Rev. Paul W. Egertson, Bishop, Southern California West Synod, ELCA (American, Lutheran).
• The Experience of God and the Inclusivity of the Church (click on "Essay" and then on "SubstitutePreacher") ~ Sermon by Catherine M. Wallace (American, Presbyterian) given at College Hill Presbyterian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Trinity Sunday, June 7, 1998.
• We Are Brothers and Sisters ~ Homily by The Rev. Canon A. Paul Feheley (Canadian, Anglican) posted at Bridges Across the Divide.
• Gays--No Easy Answers; A Christian Response ~ Sermon by The Rev. C David Hess (American, Baptist), pastor of West Henrietta Baptist Church in West Henrietta, NY, and posted at The Parson's Page.
• The Reformation Continued ~ University sermon given by The Rev'd Dr. Giles Fraser at The University Church, Oxford, on May 4, 2004: "For the message the Church has given to gay Christians is the message Luther came to see as inherently abusive: God does not love you as you are -- you need to be completely and fundamentally -- and perhaps even impossibly -- different before He will love you."
• Reluctant Journey ~ E-book by the Rev. George Hopper (English, Methodist) concerning his journey around the issue of homosexuality.
• Musings on Christianity, Homosexuality & the Bible ~ A website with interesting takes on Christianity and homosexuality created by an American "Conservative Christian."
• Let Us Be Impatient With Prejudice ~ Article by William Sloane Coffin (American, Protestant) excerpted at Beliefnet from a Rutland Herald January, 2000, op-ed piece.

Conversations

What resources promote respectful conversation about homosexuality and the place of GLBT Christians in the church?

• Studies on Homosexuality and the Church ~ Handbook (PDF) by Erwin Buck (Canadian, Lutheran). Described in detail below.
• Journey Together Faithfully ~ Materials related to the unfolding ELCA study around issues related to homosexuality. Excellent collection of resources.
• Talking Together as Christians about Homosexuality ~ Handbook (PDF) prepared for use in the Eastern North Dakota Synod , ELCA.
• Participants Handbook (PDF) from a Diocesan Day of Dialogue on the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions ~ Prepared by the Task Force on the Blessing of Same Sex Unions of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.
• Sexuality Stories ~ Large collection of articles and letters from The Lutheran, magazine of the ELCA.
• Bridges Across the Divide ~ An effort to "provide models and resources for building respectful relationships among those who disagree about ... homosexuality, bisexuality and gender variance."

Ideas

What thoughtful voices are to be heard and what considered ideas are being ventured around the issue of homosexuality and the place of GLBT Christians in the church?

• Like the Wideness of the Sea? ~ Essay by Lewis Smedes (American, Christian Reformed) which compares the Christian church's former stand on divorce with its current stand on homosexuality.
• Same Sex Relationships - The Unresolved Questions ~ "The Text of a Diocesan Study Group Talk" by Richard Harries (English, Anglican), Bishop of Oxford.
• Crossings ~ A new (fall, 2004) Canadian Anglican journal providing "a voice to liberal, orthodox thought within the Christian Community." The inaugural issue touches thoughtfully on matters related to homosexuality and the church.
• Doing a New Thing: The United Methodist Church and Homosexuality ~ Sermon by Bishop Jack Tuell (American, United Methodist) in which he uses the classical formulation of "scripture, tradition, experience and reason."
• Why evangelicals must think again about homosexuality ~ Essay by Roy Clements (English, Evangelical) in which he touches upon Bible, tolerance and evangelism. See also his How to avoid the charge of homophobia.
• Thursday Theology ~ A weekly series of essays by Ed Schroeder -- an articulate Lutheran systematic theologian-- about a variety of topics confronting the church (ELCA et alia). A number of his essays touch on matters germane to this page. Sometimes guests are invited to write. Some knowledge of "inside / in-house" realities is sometimes helpful though not required. See, especially, the following essays:
  • #577, July 2, 2009 -- Augsburg Confessional Theology and the ELCA Sexuality Debate (Part 2; A Canadian Sequel)
  • #576, June 25, 2009 -- Augsburg Confessional Theology and the ELCA Sexuality Debate
  • #438, November 2, 2006 -- Insiders / Outsiders at the Lord's Supper
  • #353, March 17, 2005 -- Homosexuality and Creation Theology
  • #352, March 10, 2005 -- Homosexuality. Demonic Diversion from Gospel Mission and Ministry Today
  • #345, January 20, 2005 -- The ELCA Task Force report on Sexuality: Conscience-bound or Conscience-freed?
  • #323, August 19, 2004 -- Is Robert Gagnon, the New Glue for Linking "Conservatives" in ELCA and LCMS?
  • #308, May 6, 2004 -- Some spin-offs from Justification by Faith Alone.
  • #277, October 2, 2003 -- Another Look at the "ELCA Study on Sexuality: Part Two"
  • #275, September 18, 2003 -- (Still) In Bondage to Biblicism - "ELCA Study on Sexuality: Part Two"
  • #262, June 19, 2003 -- ELCA Publication on Homosexuality - Short on Promise, Long on Law.
  • #205, May 16, 2002 -- The Church's Authority and Homosexuality
  • #189, January 24, 2002 -- Grounding One's Theology in the Gospel, when the issue is Homosexuality - Part 2
  • #188, January 17, 2002 -- Grounding One's Theology in the Gospel, When the Issue is Homosexuality
  • #169, September 6, 2001 -- Getting married in church
  • #159, June 28, 2001 -- Homosexuality revisited.
  • #35, February 4, 1999 -- One Lutheran's Agenda in Today's Homosexuality Discussion (Part 2)
  • #34, January 28, 1999 -- One Lutheran's Agenda in Today's Homosexuality Discussion

• Lets Talk ~ Journal offering "Living Theology in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod" of the ELCA. The Pentecost, 2003 issue focuses on Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle. Tom Pearson 's Why Lutherans Can't Talk About Sexuality is an especially thoughtful contribution. The Summer, 2003 issue focuses on Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle. Several interesting items in this issue including Recognizing God's Blessings by Daphne Burt and A Conservative Case for Recognition of Gay Relationships in the Church by R. Stephen Warner.
• Homosexuality and Bisexuality and Religious Groups' Policies on Homosexuality ~ Collections of articles and links maintained by the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.

Blessings

What are thoughtful Christians --and others!-- saying about the matter of the blessing of same-sex relationships and related questions?

• In September, 2004, the ELCIC's National Church Council adopted a proposal to create resources that "will honour the many voices ... heard across the church and will take into consideration the actions of the Conference of Bishops (July 2003) and National Church Council (October 2003)." The project has seen the creation of a series of short, informed and scholarly essays on various aspects of the issues as might be understood or implied in the Eastern Synod's blessing motion. The essays are to inform the work of National Church Council; assist the Conference of Bishops; serve as background material for 2005 national convention delegates; and form the basis for conference and/or congregational study. The essays --there are 20 essays by 22 authors-- are available via the ELCIC's Considering the Matter of Same-Sex Blessings page. An excellent Study Guide has been prepared for the series. It includes both essay summaries and questions for reflection. A page for additional essay contributions completes the material.
• Liturgy Canada ~ A Canadian, Anglican journal "promoting discussion about liturgy and mission." The Lent 2003 issue offers Rethinking the Church's Involvement in Weddings by John W. B. Hill; Same-Sex Rites by F. Dean Mercer; A Radical Path for Liturgists by Gordon Baker; Blessing of Same-Sex Unions by Paul Gibson; and The Diocese of Rochester: A Pastoral Journey (together with the companion rite The Celebration and Affirmation of A Covenant Relationship) by Stephen T. Lane.
• Recognizing God's Blessings ~ Essay by Daphne Burt (American, Lutheran) who writes in the Metro Chicago (ELCA) Synod's Let's Talk.
• Does God have a plan for same-sex relationships? ~ "Same-Sex Unions: A Gay Christian Perspective" by Andrew Lang (American, United Church of Christ).
• For God So Loved the World... ~ Address by Michael Ingham (Canadian, Anglican), Bishop of New Westminster, BC, September 27, 1996 at St. Leonard's Church, Toronto.
• A Great and Public Mystery: The Theology of Marriage ~ Article published on the Integrity (Toronto) website by the Rev Dr Stephen Reynolds (Canadian, Anglican), Theologian-in-Residence at the Church of the Redeemer, Toronto, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity College, Toronto.
• What Does It Mean for the Church to Give Its Blessing? ~ Essay by the "Claiming the Blessing Theology Committee" of Integrity/Austin. (American, Episcopalian)
• Rite for the Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Covenants ~ Created for use in the Diocese of New Westminster, BC; with theological commentary by the Rev. Richard Leggett entiled Text in Context: The Blessing of Same-Gender Covenants In the Diocese of New Westminster. For these and other related documents, visit http://www.samesexblessing.info/. (Canadian, Anglican)
• Blessing Covenant Relationships ~ Rite and Guidelines for Blessings offered by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. (American, Episcopalian)
• Same-Sex Blessings ~ Sermon and blessing liturgy posted by the Bishop's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Ministry in the Diocese of Los Angeles. (American, Episcopalian)

Organizations

What organizations offer a compassionate witness with respect to matters related to homosexuality and the place of GLBT Christians in the church?

• Lutherans Concerned - North America (LC - NA) ~ A North American "Christian ministry which affirms God's love for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities."
• goodsoil.org ~ A coordinated effort to influence the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in the direction of making the church a more "welcoming and reconciling body of Christ." The network includes Lutherans Concerned - North America, Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries, Soulforce, The Extraordinary Candidacy Project, The Network for Inclusive Vision and Wingspan Ministry.
• Integrity Canada ~ Canadian organization serving "gay and lesbian Anglicans and friends." Offers an excellent collection of resources on Same-Sex blessings and related matters.
• Evangelicals Concerned (EC) ~ American, "non-denominational, evangelical community that is a safe place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians to reconcile and integrate their faith and sexuality." EC offers a helpful page of resources.
• Claiming the Blessing - Canada ~ Community of Anglican clergy and lay people who wish to see the Anglican Church of Canada extend blessings to same-sex couples.
• Interfaith Working Group Online ~ American inter-religious group with a focus on religious diversity and social issues. Helpful catalogue of links.
• Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries ~ An American organization which "empowers openly identified sexual minority people called to God's mission of ministry and witness."
• Bridges-Across the Divide ~ "Provides models and resources for building respectful relationships among those who disagree about moral issues surrounding homosexuality, bisexuality and gender variance."
• PFLAG - Canada ~ "Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays" is an organization which "celebrates diversity and envisions a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities."
• CFLAG ~ "Clergy Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays" is an AMerican network of supportive straight Episcopalian clergy and their spouses: "We invite our other Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy friends in the U.S. and around the world to join us."
• Soulforce ~ An American "interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people."

Windows

What is happening among Christians in other jurisdictions and judicatories around matters related to homosexuality and the place of GLBT Christians in the church?

• Journey Together Faithfully ~ A window on what is happening in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. See, especially, their fine, evolving collection of in-house resources which includes a helpful annotated bibliography (2001).
• The Anglican Church of Canada and Homosexuality ~ A window on what is happening in the Anglican Church of Canada offered by the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.
• HuK - Homosexuelle und Kirche ~ A window on what is happening in the German church.

Some years ago, the Rev. Dr. Erwin Buck, Professor of New Testament at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was invited by the ELCIC to revise an earlier volume of his entitled Six Studies on Homosexuality. The result of his labour was Studies on Homosexuality and the Church published in 2001.

By kind permission, Studies on Homosexuality and the Church is available online in a single larger file (225 kb) or in seven smaller files (38-54 kb) which reflect the natural divisions of the book. The Appendix contains a Guide for Caring Conversations. Studies on Homosexuality and the Church is also available in a web edition on the ELCIC's national site. We are grateful to Erwin Buck, Susan Taylor and Wendell Grahlman for their assistance in porting this book to the Web as the original volume is now out of print.

• Studies on Homosexuality and the Church ~ Entire volume (225 kb)
• Front Matter ~ Table of Contents and Foreword (41 kb)
• Study 1 ~ Information About Homosexuality (42 kb)
• Study 2 ~ The Message from the Old Testament (48 kb)
• Study 3 ~ The Message of the New Testament (54 kb)
• Study 4 ~ How Does One Apply Biblical Teaching? (44 kb)
• Study 5 ~ Where Do We Go From Here? (38 kb)
• Back Matter ~ Bibliography, Appendix, Glossary (46 kb)

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Eastern Synod + ELCIC