Gay and lesbian welcome

moving with God's Spirit

The Uniting Church has adopted an inclusive policy towards gay and lesbian members. The Assembly in Perth has continued the process of acceptance, which has been expressed in the statements of the Assembly Standing Committee since 1987. While the position reached in Perth falls short of the recommendations of the Assembly Task Group on Sexuality, the outstanding issues relating to sexuality will be considered by former Presidents Ron Wilson, D'Arcy Wood and Jill Tabart, who will report with recommendations to the Assembly Standing Committee.

The many members of the Uniting Church hold a range of opinions on many issues. People can disagree about issues but still come away respecting each other.

The acceptance by Assembly that sexual orientation is no bar to ordination and the commitment to a continuing dialogue about the place of homosexual people in the life of the Uniting Church encourage the hope that members will become better informed about the issues. Gay and lesbians members are being heard and affirmed in their ministry.

"Despite headlines in the Sydney Morning Herald and the hyper-reactive comments of Sir Alan Walker and Gordon Moyes, the Uniting Church's protracted consideration of issues sexual does not mean we are heading for a split. It just shows, as Dennis Altman has commented, how difficult it is even for the "allegedly most liberal" Christian denomination to accept diversity.

The church is having trouble coming to terms with its national council's decision on homosexual ministry because the whole church couldn't be in Perth for the meeting of hearts, minds and spirit. And, as a result, many members are not prepared to honour the assembly's processes and final decision.

The assembly thought the grace and respect it experienced, its emphasis on inclusiveness, its lack of blood — but its sweat and tears — would mean something; it expected, trusted, that its decisions (and non-decisions) would count for something.

But most of the church had not read, seen and heard, or understood, what those in Perth knew, learned and experienced; they expected, trusted, that what they wanted would become a reality, regardless of what was achieved in Perth."

Stephen Webb Insights online: a Christian magazine publishing information and views about a broad range of religious, social and cultural issues. It is eclectic in its scope, ranging from the denominationally parochial to the virtual margins of the hypertext world.

The fruit of silence is prayer
The fruit of prayer is faith
The fruit of faith is love
The fruit of love is service
The fruit of service is peace
"Everybody has something good inside them,
some hide it, some neglect it,
but it is there" - Mother Teresa
Make us instruments of peace
where there is hatred, let us sow love
where there is injury, pardon
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy
Grant that we may comfort, understand and love.
It is in giving that we receive.
It is by forgiving that we are forgiven.
In this way we enter into eternal life.

Francis of Assisi

How many Roman Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
None, they use candles.

How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten. One to change it and nine to sit around and talk about how good the old one was.

How many Church of England members does it take to change a light bulb?
None, because nothing ever changes in the Church of England.

How many Uniting Church members does it take to change a light bulb?
None, because the Uniting Church accepts the light bulb as it is.

How Many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
One, since his or her hands are in the air anyway.

How many Liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
10, as they need to hold a debate into whether or not the light bulbexists. Even if they can agree upon the existance of the light bulb they may not go ahead and change it to keep from alienating those who might use other forms of light.

How May Anglo- Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They always use candles.

How Many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
Calvinists do not change light bulbs. They simply read out the instructions and pray the light bulb will change itself.

How Many Brethren does it take to change a tight bulb?
Change ???????????

How Many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb?
10, one to change it and nine others to pray against the spirit of darkness.

How Many TV Evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
One, but for the message of hope to continue to go forth, send your donation today.

How Many Campfire Worship Leaders does it take to change a light bulb?
One, but soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.

How Many Independent Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one. Anymore would be considered ecumenical.

How Many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
One to actually change the light bulb, and nine to say how they liked the old one.

How Many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
No way. Water and electricity do not mix.

How Many Uniting church members does it take to change a light bulb?
We choose not to make a statement either in favour of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship to your light bulb and present it next month at our annual "Light Bulb Sunday" service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three way, long life, and tinted: all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence through Jesus Christ.

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