wfn.org | Asian Feminist Theologian Is Gay Sprituality Speaker

[UfmccHq@AOL.COM]

^From The Universal Fellowship
of Metropolitan Community Churches!

N E W S   R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release, Please

________________________________
For Additional Information, Contact:
James N. Birkitt, Jr.
UFMCC Director of Communications
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 360-8640
Fax: (310) 360-8680
E-mail: UFMCC HQ@aol.com

Release Date: May, 1997

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED FEMINIST THEOLOGIAN
IS GAY SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Los Angeles -- Dr. Chung Hyun Kyung, Professor of Ecumenics at Union
Theological Seminary and an internationally renowned theologian, will be the
keynote speaker at the upcoming International General Conference XVIII of the
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), to be held
in Sydney, Australia July 20-25, 1997.
	She will present a keynote address entitled, "Love In The Time Of AIDS:
Reflections on a New Civilization Which Empowers our Resistance, Liberation,
and Healing for the 21st Century."
	Dr. Chung will also facilitate a UFMCC conference workshop entitled, "Asian
Eco-Feminist Ta Chi: Eventually Beauty Will Save Us All."
	Kyung, a frequent contributor to theological journals and feminist
magazines, has also lectured at Oxford University, Ewha Women's University in
Seoul, Korea, Harvard Divinity School and San Francisco Seminary.
	"My theological questioning...comes from my anger and hope as a Third World
woman who refuses to be victimized by any kind of colonialism," said Chung.
"My theology is also inspired by my burning desire for self-determination,
and it originates from a liberation-oriented, Third World interpretation of
people's history."
	Dr. Chung's participation in UFMCC's General Conference marks a return visit
to Australia. Her 1991 address to the World Council of Churches in Canberra,
"Come Holy Spirit: Renew The Whole Creation," received international press
attention.
	UFMCC was founded in 1968 to build safe, affirming places of spirituality
for the gay community, and is composed of more than 300 local congregations
in 19 countries. With a combined budget in excess of $10 million, the UFMCC
churches comprise the largest predominantly gay organization in the world.
	This will be the first of UFMCC's biennial General Conferences to be held
outside of North America, and "reflects our growing commitment as a truly
international community of faith," said the Rev. Troy D. Perry, founder and
moderator of the denomination.
	This year's UFMCC General Conference XVIII will feature a public rally at
Sydney's historic town hall, keynote addresses by internationally recognized
human rights activists and theologians, business and planning sessions, an
international AIDS luncheon, and an extensive list of social and sightseeing
options.
	Workshops and seminars will explore gay sexuality, spirituality, activism,
gay parenting, outreach to the g/l/b/t/ communities, addressing the faith
concerns of the gay community, AIDS ministry in a new era, and the use of
technology on behalf of gay spirituality.
	The international theme of UFMCC's General Conference XVIII is taken from
the words of Christ, "You are the light of the world." Extensive information
on this year's conference is available through UFMCC's website at
http://www.ufmcc.com.
	UFMCC was founded the Rev. Troy D. Perry, who serves as moderator of the
fast-growing denomination. A frequent international speaker at churches,
universities, and conferences, Perry has appeared on 60 Minutes, Phil
Donahue, Tomorrow with Tom Snyder, and The Mike Douglas Show.  UFMCC's story
has appeared in virtually every international news magazine.  Perry is the
recipient of awards from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights
Campaign, and the Gay Press Association.
	Additional information on UFMCC's General Conference XVIII is available by
writing UFMCC, 8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, Second Floor, West Hollywood, CA
90069, by phoning (310) 360-8640, and by e-mail at UFMCCHQ@aol.com.	
	(E N D)