Uniting NetworkUniting Network
The third gathering for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, their families and friends within the life of the Uniting Church in Australia, was held over the June long weekend (5th - 8th June 1998) in Sydney, Australia. It featured three major speakers and a range of workshops and forums.
This conference sought to rediscover the sense of God's call to love and relationship that goes beyond the current debate in the church on patterns of sexual expression. The Conference explored the theology and praxis that can set a beacon for the church as an open and inclusive community.
Key note speakers included Rev Dr Carter Heyward a leading theologian from the Episcopal Divinty School Cambridge Massachusetts USA. Carter has made a significant contribution to gender, justice and sexuality studies. The Rev Dr David Bromell of the Christchurch New Zealand Methodist Mission also presented significant biblical and theological interpretations of what it means to be "queer" and Christian. David is a notable scholar and activist who has been in the centre of the recent debate regarding the place of homosexual people within the church in New Zealand. The third key speaker was Rev Dr Dorothy McRae-McMahon, a well known activist and justice spokesperson, who spoke of the Australian context for current issues of sexuality and justice.
The material presented on this site represents a small part of the worship, biblical and theological interpretation, and events of the conference. This was the Third Daring conference to be organised by Uniting network.
"Jesus Christ 'comes out' to embody the passion of life in solidarity with the outcasts."
"Being 'out' refers to all those who are in solidarity with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered folks."
"Being 'queer' means participation in solidarity with others who suffer in all respects."
Carter Heyward
By Rev Dr Dorothy McRae-McMahon.
These are notes supplied by Web-site Editor.
By Rev Dr David Bromell.
Copies as supplied by States groups.
Released monday, June 8th, 1998.
A summary in brief.