Monthly Archives: June 2012

Some parents find it very hard to come to terms with learning that their son or daughter is gay – especially if they are evangelical Christians.

It can seem that it goes against everything they have been taught in their faith.  It often results in parents feeling torn between their son or daughter and their Christian faith.

So here are the stories of a mother and father realising that their son is gay – with deep thanks to Janet and Bruce.

• Bruce – A father’s story
• Janet – A mother’s story

Help and support is availble for parents who are grappling with this at FFLAG (Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

You can also read other stories on our Stories page.

Dear Friends

It has been a busy month with the church in the news again for its attitude to same-sex relationships.  Here is a round up and news about our Greenbelt 2012 Appeal.

Ugandan Bishops call for revival of the Anti-homosexuality Bill

The most disturbing news this week is that an ecumenical group of Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox Bishops have called on the Ugandan Government to speed up the process of enacting the Anti-Homosexuality bill which was re-introduced to Parliament earlier this year.

The notorious bill with long prison sentences for consenting adults who have gay sex and life-imprisonment for people in gay marriages was previously dropped after international outrage.  The death penalty for serious offenders is still under consideration and Ugandans living abroad could also be prosecuted.

It is hard, if not impossible, to understand how Christian church leaders can back such a law whilst at the same time saying that they want “to build a society that harmoniously co-exists and promotes, protects, respects and upholds human dignity” (Uganda Joint Christian Council).

Please pray for the people of Uganda and look out for opportunities to oppose this law yet again.

Stop Press:  Amnesty International and others are  today reporting police action to break up an LGB&T rights workshop in Kampala.  http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/uganda-police-close-down-gay-rights-workshop-2012-06-19

Church of England responds to same-sex Marriage proposals

In the UK, the CofE hit all the front pages when it published its response to the Government’s proposals for Marriage Equality.

In a predictable statement the church has opposed all attempts to ‘redefine’ marriage to include same-sex couples arguing that it would devalue marriage for heterosexuals and threaten the historic link between church and state.

Intriguingly, however it also said that “Despite the continuing debate in the Church of England on some key ethical issues in this area, the proposition that same-sex relationships can embody crucial social virtues is not in dispute… Same-sex relationships often embody genuine mutuality and fidelity, two of the virtues which the Book of Common Prayer uses to commend marriage. The Church of England seeks to see those virtues maximised in society.” It will be interesting to see how this is put into practise in a church which still forbids the blessing of Civil Partnerships.

The LGB&T Anglican Coalition considers that the church has missed the point when it points to there being no ‘injustice’ to correct.  They point out that “For many same-sex couples, equal marriage is not about legal rights, but a recognition that marriage offers something more – that marriage embraces something deeply spiritual which strengthens both the couple and society.  In failing to recognise this, the Church of England has impoverished its own teaching on marriage.”

For anyone who feels that the statement does not represent their views, there is an online petition called “Not in my name” which can be signed by anyone who lives in a Church of England parish (whether you attend the Parish Church or not).  https://www.change.org/petitions/church-of-england-not-in-our-name

Accepting Evangelicals continues to encourage theological debate and prayerful reflection among Christians and churches on same-sex marriage – our policy can be viewed by following the link on our Resources page or by following this link.

Meanwhile in Denmark…

The Danish parliament has voted by a large majority to introduce full ecclesiastical marriage for same-sex couples.  Previously only registered partnerships were permitted.  The new law means that same-sex couples can be married and will be able to get married in the national Evangelical-Lutheran church or the Town Hall.

No priest will be forced to conduct same-sex wedding against their conscience, but Bishops will be provide someone who is happy to conduct the service.

Greenbelt 2012 Appeal

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our Greenbelt 2012 Appeal – we are now well on our way to having the funds we need to have a stand at this year’s festival, but we still need to raise about £300.  The stand will be the ideal opportunity to let people know that there is an alternative evangelical approach to sexuality.

So can you help?

Cheques can be sent to:  The Treasurer, Accepting Evangelicals, Flat 3,  7 Upper Tollington Park, London, N4 3EJ. Please make cheques payable to ‘Accepting Evangelicals’.

And Finally…

Readers of the Church of England Newspaper may have seen the outrageous Editorial which appeared on the 10th June issue, and our response which the newspaper printed on the letters page the following week.

We sincerely hope and pray that the CEN will draw back from political rhetoric and re-engage with the prayerful debate which is needed, and we take it as a sign of good faith that they have published our highly critical letter. You can read both by following this link.

God Bless and Keep You…
Accepting Evangelicals

This year we have continued to build the charity and the campaign for a more inclusive evangelical voice for LGB&T people.  Our aim continues to be promoting the acceptance of faithful, loving same-sex partnerships at every level of church life.

The Trustees and Steering Group has met 4 times over the past year, co-chaired by Sigrun Wagner and Martin Stears-Handscomb.

Many thanks to our Trustees:

• Martin Stears-Handscomb, Sigrun Wagner (Co-Chairs), Mike Dark (Treasurer), Jeremy Marks, Ray Khan, Mel & Benny Hazlehurst (Secretary)

 and to our additional steering group members:

• Nim Njuguna, Alex Huzzey, Jude Morton, Tim Clifford, Bren Marks and Jude Morton.

Membership:

Membership of Accepting Evangelicals has continued to grow and now stands at over 450 – an increase of almost 20% on last year.  Just under half of our members are Anglicans – the other half are mostly Free Evangelicals, Baptists, MCC, Methodists and Pentecostals.

We hope & pray for our membership to rise to over 500 by the end of 2012.

AE Blog and Newsletters:

During the last 12 months we have published 43 Blog Posts and Newsletters.  These have ranged from personal stories to news and comment, book reviews, and invitations.

Quite a number of our blog posts have been written by ordinary members of Accepting Evangelicals and we always welcome suggestions and submissions.

Speaking Engagements:

Our Secretary, Benny Hazlehurst has accepted invitations to speak about Accepting Evangelicals at a number of events over the last year, including a Churches Together evening in Shropshire, the Evangelical Fellowship Spring Conference, and a day conference in Whitstable on ‘The Bible and Homosexuality’.

Bookings over the next few months include a lunchtime event at Bournemouth University.

Press & Media:

We have also made contributions in the local, national and international press including articles and letters in the Church of England Newspaper, and a major interview for Australia’s ABC Radio National.

Working in Partnership:

It has been a productive year for working in partnership with groups like Courage, Evangelical Fellowship, Affirm (Baptist Network) and Christians Together at Pride.

It is with some sadness that we note the completion of Jeremy and Bren Marks work with Courage, but we give great thanks for God for their ministry there through many difficult years, and we are delighted that Jeremy will continue to be a Trustee of Accepting Evangelicals, and Bren a member of the Steering Group.  We also pray for the launch of a successor to Courage which will continue to provide pastoral support and a focus for LGB&T Christians (more details at the Courage Retreat,   15-17^th June).

Over the past 12 months, our Secretary, Benny Hazlehurst, has also been Chairing the LGB&T Anglican Coalition on behalf of Accepting Evangelicals.  In this role he has helped to draft submissions to the House of Bishops, co-ordinate press coverage, and led a delegation to talk to the Church of England’s review group on Civil Partnerships.

Finance:

Our deepest thanks go to everyone who has contributed financially to Accepting Evangelicals by cheque or standing order, and to Mike Dark, our Treasurer.

We continue to operate Accepting Evangelicals as economically as possible with Trustees/Steering Group members meeting their own expenses for meetings, and organisers of speaking events being asked to provide expenses.  The only expenses which Trustees have claimed is where they have been asked to represent AE at forums like the Anglican Coalition and General Synod.

Financial support is essential however, if we are to achieve new goals like exhibiting at Greenbelt and other Christian Festivals, as well as producing new resources for churches and individuals.

We are also in the process of applying to the Inland Revenue for a Gift Aid number, after which we will be able to claim gift aid on donations.

A full statement of accounts is attached for the year to 31^st May 2012.

Our deep thanks to all who have contributed financially over the last 12 months, and to everyone who has given their time, skills, of resources free of charge.

AE standing order form can be downloaded here.

Future Plans:

Over the next 12 months we will be having a exhibition stand at Greenbelt Festival for the first time, in partnership with Courage, Evangelical Fellowship and Affirm, and will be producing banners and other material to publicise our work.

We are also in the process of producing a video resource for people, groups and churches who would like to reflect on the experience of evangelical LGB&T Christians.  More news soon!

God Bless & Keep You

The Trustees of Accepting Evangelicals, 9th June 2012