History of Gay and Lesbian
Ministries in the Wisconsin Conference:
As a denomination, the United Church of Christ has
adopted an Open and Affirming position concerning our gay and lesbian brothers and
sisters. Based on the inclusive ministry of Jesus Christ, gays and lesbians are
welcome in our communities of faith as equal partners in discipleship and ministry.
In 1995, The Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ formed
a Gay/Lesbian Task Force for Ministry. It was felt that only by praying and
educating ourselves around issues which touch our deepest souls can we understand one
another and truly join hands in Christ's name. The Task Force's goal is to
accompany churches seeking to dialogue around the gay and lesbian issue; studying
scripture, searching hearts and minds, attempting to discern God's will for their faith
communities. Members of the Task Force prepared a comprehensive packet of materials
for study and serve as resource persons to churches considering or in the midst of a
dialogue.
To date, several churches in the Wisconsin Conference have voted to
become Open and Affirming, others are in the process of dialogue, still others are not
ready to undertake such a project.
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Starter
Kit
The Task Force has compiled a starter kit with the best
resources to help a church start a healthy dialogue on homosexuality. Each
kit costs $30.00 and has a variety of learning styles. You can obtain a
kit by sending a check to: Wisconsin Conference UCC P.O. Box 435 De Forest
WI 53532.
Resources:
Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? A Positive
Christian Response, by Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Harper and
Row Publishers, 1994
Living in Sin? A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality, by John Shelby Spong,
Harper SanFrancisco, 1990
Between Two Gardens: Reflections on Sexuality and Religious Experience, by James B.
Nelson, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 1983
The New Testament and Homosexuality, by Robin Scroggs, Fortress Press, Philadelphia, 1983
The Grace of Coming Home, by Melanie Morrison, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 1995
PDF
file of resources: Books, resources, articles and papers
Same-Sex
Marriage sermon - by Rev. Ute Moliter (PDF file)
Word
and Spirit: Reading and Understanding the Scriptures - by Brandon Woosley (PDF file)
Discerning the Word: Scripture and the
Ongoing Witness of the Spirit - by Karl Kuhn (PDF file)
Holy
Scripture, God’s Instruction, and Homosexuality by
Karl Kuhn at SW
Association Meeting - January 14, 2006
Recasting
of the Torah
Some Examples of the Dynamic Character of God’s Instruction
Meeting handout from SW Association Meeting - January 14, 2006
Interpretation
by Word and Spirit - Brandon Woosley (PDF file)
For video tape of the SW Mtg. January 14, 2006 contact the
Southwest Association office at (608) 244-3350 or email: swwaucc@globaldialog.com
FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION ON MARRIAGE
Friends, Partners and Lovers: Marks of a Vital Marriage by
Warren Lane Molton.
Click 
to
download a free copy.
Links
to other websites for those who want to explore the issue of same gender
marriage;
www.ucc.org
www.beliefnet.com
www.soulforce.org
www.sojo.com
www.christiansforequality.org
www.southernconrenew.org
www.clgs.org
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Wisconsin
Conference UCC
4459 Gray Rd.