wfn.org | Madison Affirmation

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (131
notes).

Note 129 by UMNS on May 30, 1997 at 16:10 Eastern (3113 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Bloom                           317(10-28-71B){129}
         New York (212) 870-3803                      May 30, 1997

United Methodists among signers of homosexuality
statement issued by Madison, Wisconsin, clergy

by United Methodist News Service

     Ten United Methodists were among the signers of a recent
statement on homosexuality issued by clergy in Madison, Wis.
     The "Madison Affirmation: On Homosexuality and Christian
Faith," calls for the elimination of all policies and practices
"which create barriers and restrictions to the full participation of
gay and lesbian Christians in all of the privileges and
responsibilities of church membership."
     The Rev. John Kruse, a retired United Methodist minister, said
in a May 29 telephone interview that the statement was inspired by
a challenge from a visiting clergyman and the fact that a bill
banning same-sex marriages was pending in the Wisconsin state
legislature.
     "For about four different Monday mornings we got together and
formulated and reformulated a statement," he said.
     Circulated through various denominations and publicly released
at a press conference, the Madison Affirmation also is a response to
a small but vocal group called "Wisconsin Christians United,"
according to Kruse. That group has picketed churches known to
welcome gays and lesbians, he said.
     Refusing to condemn homosexuals, the statement says "From our
reading of scripture and from our pastoral experiences, we believe
there is sufficient evidence to conclude that homosexuality is
neither sickness nor sin."
     The Madison Affirmation also includes a commitment "to the
encouragement and blessing of relationships that meet the test of
fidelity and loving nurture."
     Religious affiliations of the clergy signers include American
Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Society
of Friends, Moravian Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA),
United Church of Christ, Unitarian-Universalist and Reform Judaism.
     Besides Kruse, other United Methodist signers are the Rev.
Robert Millner Adams, the Rev. Joan Deming, the Rev. Kenneth
Engelman (retired), the Rev. Cecil Findley, the Rev. David Lyons,
the Rev. Brian Rice McCarthy, the Rev. Dianne Reistroffer, the Rev.
Dave Steffenson and the Rev. David Werner.
     The official policy of the denomination on homosexuality,
determined by delegates to international General Conferences held
every four years, declares the practice of homosexuality to be
"incompatible with Christian teaching."  "Self-avowed practicing
homosexuals" are barred from ordination or appointment as clergy. 
Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions cannot be conducted by
ministers and cannot be conducted in United Methodist churches.
Declaring homosexual persons "of sacred worth", the church supports
"certain basic human rights and civil liberties ... due all
persons."
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