CALLED OUT INFORMATION SERVICE
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NEW ENGLAND UNITED METHODISTS ISSUE DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF FULL INCLUSION
OF GAY AND LESBIAN PERSONS IN THE CHURCH

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PRESS RELEASE June 6, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Methodist Federation for Social Action
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Boston, MA (June 5, 2000) Earlier this week, over 300 clergy and lay
members of the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
(UMC) issued the New England Declaration, a statement voicing their support
for the full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in the life of the
church, stating their strong opposition to the current policies of the UMC.

"This declaration stands in stark contrast to the events at General
Conference earlier this year, where the United Methodist Church affirmed
policies stating that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian
teaching," stated The Rev. Richard Harding, a retired pastor from New
England and one of the drafters of the declaration. "The people who signed
this statement are saying that as Christians, we believe that sexuality is
God's gift to humankind, whether a person is homosexual or heterosexual.
The New England Conference signers want everyone to know that ALL are
welcome at our table!"

The declaration states that "the church is deeply divided on issues related
to God's gift of sexual orientation, and any pretense that we are of one
mind only serves to deepen the estrangement and isolation of those who are
excluded, and imposes premature closure upon the church's search to
faithfully discern the will of God."

It goes on to make three affirmations:

· that human sexuality is a good gift of God (including homosexuality,
heterosexuality and bi-sexuality),
· that loving, monogamous, intimate relationships between persons of the
same
or opposite gender, are an expression of God's love, and
· that persons of all sexual orientations are equally called to ordained
ministry.

According to The Rev. Kathryn Johnson, Executive Director National Office of
the Methodist Federation for Social Action, signers of the declaration
committed to proclaim in pulpits, Sunday School classrooms and elsewhere,
that homosexuality (no more or less than heterosexuality) is compatible with
Christian teaching.

Last year, New England Conference voted to be a Reconciling Conference,
meaning that this Conference is fully inclusive and welcoming to gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families.
Additionally, 32 retired clergy from the New England Conference signed a
statement last year stating that they would be willing to perform same sex
unions despite a church law prohibiting union ceremonies between two people
of the same sex.

For a copy of the New England Declaration and the signers, go to
http://www.olg.com/mfsa

For further information contact:

The Rev. Richard Harding of the New England Chapter
of the Methodist Federation for Social Action
Phone: 978-287-5250
Email: reharding1@...

The Rev. Kathryn Johnson, Executive Director
National Office of the Methodist Federation for Social Action
Phone: 202-546-8806
Email: mfsa@...

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