wfn.org | Growth, Technology Top UFMCC Conference Agenda

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

INTERNATIONAL GROWTH, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
TOP UFMCC GENERAL CONFERENCE XVIII AGENDA

Sydney, Australia Conference Largest Ever In Pacific Rim

(Photo Information Follows)

Los Angeles -- The largest gay spirituality conference ever held in the
Pacific Rim took place July 20-25 under the sponsorship of the Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC).

More than 1600 participants from 15 countries gathered in the historic Sydney
Town Hall in Sydney, Australia on July 20th for the Conference's opening
rally.

General Conference XVIII was UFMCC's most international conference to date
and the first held outside of North America. International growth of the
predominantly g/l/b/t/ denomination was a focus of the conference. Since
1993, UFMCC has welcomed 10,000 new members internationally.

A highlight of the conference was the presence of noted South Korean
eco-feminist theologian Dr. Chung Hyun Kyung, professor of ecumenics at Union
Theological Seminary in New York City. She presented the conference 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 also facilitated a workshop entitled, "Asian Eco-
Feminist Ta Chi: Eventually Beauty Will Save Us All."
The use of technology to share gay spirituality formed a second track of
General Conference XVIII.  UFMCC has made a significant commitment to
Internet technology, according to the Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry, founder and
moderator of UFMCC. 

More than 34,000 persons around the world visited the UFMCC Virtual
Conference Website at www.ufmcc.com during conference week, said Perry. The
website carries photos of the conference, the "State of the Fellowship
Address" (available through RealAudtio), daily conference news, and the
transcripts of on-line conference Internet chats from Sydney.

Media interest in General Conference XVIII was exceptionally strong,
according to UFMCC officials. The Rev. Mr. Perry appeared on the national
Australian "Today Show," and the Australian Broadcasting Company filmed a
documentary which aired nationally on Sunday, August 10.  The documentary
featured interviews with Perry and information on the denomination, as well
as scenes from Conference workshops, seminars and worship sessions.
 Conference news coverage was provided by mainline newspapers across the
Australian continent, and the Australian gay press provided exceptional
front- page coverage of this historic conference. The Rev. Elder Nancy
Wilson, UFMCC's Chief Ecumenical Officer, conducted an extensive interview
with the press service of the World Council of Churches.

During conference business, delegates re-elected the Rev. Darlene Garner
(Falls Church, VA) and the Rev. Hong Tan (London, England) to the UFMCC Board
of Elders, and elected Mr. Clarke Friesen (Tucson, AZ) to the Board. In other
business, delegates approved by-laws changes, rejected a proposal for a
triennial conference system, and approved new denominational mission, vision
and core values statements.

Additional 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 C-SPAN, 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.

UFMCC is composed of more than 300 local congregations in 15 countries. With
a combined budget in excess of $15 million, the UFMCC churches comprise the
largest predominantly gay organization in the world.

Additional information on UFMCC's General Conference XVIII is available by
e-mail from UFMCCHQ@aol.com.	

(E N D)

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: August/September, 1997

CONFERENCE PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
An extensive selection of conference photos are available for downloading
from the UFMCC website at http://www.ufmcc.com.