Accepting Evangelicals
Newsletter - Easter 2010
Dear Friends
In a Packed Church in Surrey
A fond farewell was paid to Brenda Harrison, committed Christian, evangelical, and lesbian. Brenda is one of our Founder
Members, and died from cancer in February. Tributes were made by friends and colleagues, each pointing clearly to her
personal faith in Jesus Christ, her passion for justice and equality, and her struggle to see the Church become what God
has always meant it to be.
The service concluded with the wonderful hymn written by June Boyce-Tilman & Women in Theology to the tune Londonderry
Air:
We shall go out with hope of resurrection.
We shall go out, from strength to strength go on.
We shall go out and tell our stories boldly,
Tales of a love that will not let us go.
We'll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted.
We'll dream our dreams of hurts that can be healed.
We'll weave a cloth of all the world united
Within the vision of a Christ who sets us free.
Our love and prayers go out to her Partner, Pam, with deep gratitude and admiration for all that Brenda has done among us.
Mary Glasspool gains approval in the Episcopal Church...
In the United States, bishop-elect Mary Glasspool has received all the necessary consents from other Episcopal Bishops and
Diocesan Standing Committees. She will be consecrated on 15th May by the Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori.
In a statements, Mary Glasspool said, "I am profoundly grateful for the many people -- in Los Angeles, in Maryland, and
around the world -- who have given their prayers, love, and support during this time of discernment. I am also aware that
not everyone rejoices in this election and consent, and will work, pray, and continue to extend my own hands and heart to
bridge those gaps, and strengthen the bonds of affection among all people, in the Name of Jesus Christ,"
Mary is the first openly lesbian priest to be elected to the office of Bishop in the USA.
Leading Evangelical Bishop proposes more openness ...
The Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, has devoted his presidential address at his Diocesan Synod to promote a new accepting
approach to differences on homosexuality.
Drawing parallels with other areas on which Christians disagree, but remain in fellowship, he said,
I believe the day is coming when Christians who equally profoundly disagree about the consonancy of same gender love
with the discipleship of Christ will in spite of their disagreement drink openly from the same cup of salvation... This is
I believe the next chapter to be written in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
There has been a swift and predictable reaction from traditional evangelical groups, but the Church Times published a
letter from Accepting Evangelicals pointing out that Bishop James is not alone among evangelicals in promoting a more
inclusive approach.
Bishop James' full speech can be found at
http://www.liverpool.anglican.org/index.php?p=1126.
The full letter we sent to the Church times can be seen on our website at
http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/news.htm#ctletter
Pensions Victory in the Church of England
At General Synod in February, an inequality was put right when Synod voted to give equal pension rights to the Civil
Partners of Clergy. Surviving partners have only been entitled to a pension benefits backdated to 2005 when Civil
Partnerships came into law. This had left a deep injustice where married partners could claim a full pension even if they
were only married the day before retirement, but civil partners who had been together for 30 years or more, could only
receive as little as £10 per month.
The vote was closest in the House of Laity with a margin of just 19, perhaps due to other concerns about financial troubles
facing the pension scheme, but over all almost 70% of votes were in favour of establishing equality. The result was hailed
by Canon Giles Fraser as a clear evidence that the Church of England is opposing all forms of homophobia.
UK Civil Partnerships in Religious Buildings moves a step closer ...
House of Lords has voted to allow religious buildings to be used of Civil Partnerships, if the religious organisation wants
it. The amendment to the Civil Partnerships Act was carried with an huge majority despite opposition from both the
government and some Bishops.
The strength of this opposition had prompted several Bishops and theologians (including retired Evangelical Bishop John
Gladwin) to write an open letter to 'The Times' newspaper appealing for religious freedom to be respected. Quakers and
some liberal Jewish synagogues have appealed for the right to hold Civil Partnerships in their premises, something which
current legislation prohibits.
The amendment makes it clear that there is no obligation on religious groups to offer Civil Partnerships, but opens the way
for those who do.
Last October Accepting Evangelicals joined with others in encouraging people to sign the online petition to press for this
change. Our thanks to everyone who responded!
And Finally - the 5th June ...
The time has come for Accepting Evangelicals to move to the next stage of development.
Up to now we have existed purely as an informal internet network, but recent developments and opportunities mean that we
think it is time to form AE as an organization with a constitution and a bank account, to which people can donate if they
wish.
To make this transition, we will be holding a first Annual Meeting in London on 5th June (venue to be announced) and all
members are warmly invited. More information will follow, but if you are within reach of London, please put this date in
your diary. We look forward to seeing you there.
God Bless and Keep you All
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