Dear <<First Name>>
Welcome to our August e-newsletter.
Sitting in front of my open window with the fan on its highest setting it really feels like summer has arrived.
Unlike so many people, I really enjoy the summer school holidays as it makes my journey to the office so much easier!
However, it also reminds me that this is a time of preparation for many changes in peoples lives. Children will almost certainly be going into new classes with a new teacher if not to a brand new school at the end of the holidays. Young people are facing starting off in the world of work or leaving home for college or university. People are travelling around the world on holidays, sometimes in the hope that the problems in their lives will have all disappeared by the time they return.
The sunshine certainly helps us all to feel better about life but of course, it's purely a transitory illusion. The sun doesn't make our problems go away, the sun doesn't make our lives any easier or reduce the discrimination or oppression we may be experiencing, the sun doesn't bring hope that all will be well. But the Son does.
If you're reading this newsletter then you're probably already aware of the miraculous difference that having God in your heart makes to your life but unfortunately there are still far too many lgbt people in this world who have been convinced that that isn't a possibility for them.
At the beginning of July we celebrated London Pride and this year we had over 100 people march through the streets wearing a T shirt proclaiming 'Christian and Proud'. Over 230 people crammed into St. Martins in the Field Church for a service of celebration that afternoon and many, many people visited the stall. The one comment that has been fed back to me from so many different people participating in the event was 'I didn't know you could be Gay and Christian!'
Why are we letting the fundamentalists win? Every time a lgb or t person walks away from God or takes their life because they don't believe they can reconcile their faith and their sexuality or gender identity we have failed in our mission.
Many people tell me that the battle for equality in this country is over. We have all the legal protection you could ask for and we have the freedom to be who we are and to enter into a Civil Partnership with our loved one. This is all true, but LGCM's battle is not over and it will not be over until every lgbt person in this world knows they are loved by God just as they are and all religious organisations accept all people as beloved children of God regardless of their sexual orientation or gender expression.
LGCM is 35 years old next April and we have seen many changes and much progress but we still have so much more work to do. (For an update on how the campaign is going please see the Contribute section)
We couldn't have achieved anything without your support and so I express my deepest gratitude, whether you are still thinking about becoming a member, have just joined, or have been a member since the beginning, your contribution to our work is vital and greatly appreciated.
Let us continue to work together over the next 35 years and make an even greater difference!
Have a wonderful summer.
Many Blessings,
Rev Sharon Ferguson
Chief Executive
Deadline for news for the next e-newsletter is 17 September 2010!
Please note that a downloadable, printable version of this email is available.
Please click on the links below.
Worship
Learn
Contribute
Take Action
Worship
In this section we will inform you of any services that are organised/supported by LGCM or specifically designed for the lgbt faith community (or section thereof).
The Soho Masses
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption & St. Gregory,
Warwick Street, Soho, W1B 5NB.
The Soho Masses welcomes LGBT Catholics, parents, families and friends at their services at 5pm on the first and third Sundays of every month.
Palestrina in August
Soho's LGBT Catholic community will be treated to Motets by the Italian Renaissance composer, Palestrina, and a plainsong Mass at their first Sunday Mass on 1 August at 5pm.
Masses at the Church on first and third Sundays particularly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered Catholics, parents and families The 16-strong Schola Assumptionis, which regularly offers treasures from the Catholic music tradition to accompany these Masses, will sing Palestrina's Sicut Cervus (Like the deer yearns) and Ego Sum Panis Vivus (I am the living bread) as well as a medieval, plainsong Mass setting. On 19 September, the Schola will sing Palestrina's Missa Brevis and Byrd's Cibavit eos.
The Schola Assumption is will also be offering a recital of sacred music on a Marian theme, at the Church on Sunday 17 October 2010, at 7pm. This will include Alma Redemptoris Mater by Victoria, Aichinger's Regina Coeli, Hassler's Dixit Maria, Ave Maria by Parsons, and two versions of Assumpta est Maria by Philips and Palestrina.
All are welcome! Further details: info@sohomasses.com or Celia Gardiner: 07770 431 918
27 - 30 August
Greenbelt
Cheltenham Race course, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The Bank Holiday Weekend Christian Festival takes place once again in Cheltenham. This year there is a great line up of speakers and entertainers. Peter Tatchell, from Outrage, will be speaking and Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM will be celebrating at the closing Eucharist service for OuterSpace. For more information and to book tickets contact:
General & Box Office Enquiries, Greenbelt Festival, 83 London Wall, London, EC2M 5ND. Phone: 020 7374 2760 Box Office Email: boxoffice@greenbelt.org.uk Email for General Enquiries: info@greenbelt.org.uk
Learn
In this section we will inform you of any courses, lectures or workshops that are organised / supported by LGCM or specifically designed for the lgbt faith community (or section thereof).
Thursday 12 - Sunday 15 August 10:30 p.m
Camden Fringe Presents QUEER in the U.S.A.
The Etcetera Theatre, 265 Camden High Street, London, NW1 7BU.
Running time: 60 minutes
Johnny, a teenager from New Jersey, hungers to follow in the footsteps of his hero – Bruce Springsteen. The only problem is his soprano voice sounds more like Barbra Streisand than The Boss. He struggles against homophobia at school, even while his own sense of identity is uncertain. Facing brutal rejection from the Freehold High School Glee Club, Johnny journeys to New York City where lovers, rockers and gypsies challenge him to live out loud. He retraces Springsteen’s early career footsteps, hoping to mould himself into the image of his rock god. Does Johnny have what it takes to rock it out like The Boss? 8 colourful characters (played by Manuel Simons) inhabit this poignant and provocative story about becoming your own idol.
All Tickets £7.50 | Ticket booking 08444 771000 or camdenfringe.org
The Bible Opened for All
The Alpha and the Omega - The First and the Last
St. Martins-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square
In this year's Autumn Education Series SMITF seek to engage deeply with the Christian Scriptures, in the context of our 21st Century world and our lives.
Can we discover an inclusive version of the kingdom where all are welcome irrespective of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability?
How can we understand and truthfully interpret a Bible which has so often been used to exclude and condemn?
A group of inspiring speakers seek to grapple with some of the most difficult issues of Biblical interpretation which are at the moment threatening to tear the Church of England apart. All sessions are free and take place at 7pm - 8.30pm
Monday 27 September: Being Biblical? Slavery, Sexuality and the Inclusive Community - Richard Burridge
Monday 11 October: Being Biblical, Being Gay - Clare Herbert and Arnold Browne
Monday 25 October: Being Biblical, Being a Woman - Lucy Winkett
Monday 8 November: Being Biblical, Being Broken and Blessed - Frances Young
Monday 22 November: Being Biblical, Really, Truly, Biblical - Jeffrey John
For more information visit the website: www.smitf.org or telephone the box office: 020 7766 1100
Tuesday 28 September at 7.30pm
Tuesday 26 October at 7.30pm
BLT Women: expressing alternative sexuality and spirituality
30 Merton Road, Bradford, BD7 1RE
A newly forming safe space in Bradford for bisexual, lesbian and trans women to begin conversations together about sexuality and spirituality.
For more information or to let them know you will be attending please email: bltwomen@the-sheep-pen.co.uk
Contribute
In this section we will inform you of opportunities to support LGCM with your tithes, time and/or talents.
Challenge 35
Throughout this, our 35th year, our challenge is to increase our membership by 35% and raise £35,000. We are asking all our members to help us to do this so that we can go into the next 35 years, with all the work that still needs doing, from a strong position. We have come up with a variety of suggestions and ways that you can help us to reach these targets, please go to our website for more details.
Since the launch of Challenge 35 in May:
-
We have increased our membership by 15 out of a goal of 385.
-
We have raised £735 out of our target of £35,000.
Under 30? - Become a Trustee!
We are very blessed with some wonderful Trustees and at our AGM in May the Board increased in number from five to six people. A further two people have since been coopted to the board however we would like the Board to reflect our membership as far as possible and therefore we would really appreciate representation from our members who are under 30 years of age.
For more information about what is involved and to find out about the next Board meeting please contact Sharon on sharon.ferguson@lgcm.org.uk or telephone 020 7739 1249
Life Membership!
Why not save yourself the trouble of renewing your membership each year and take out life membership. For only £1000 you will receive all the benefits of membership for the rest of your life - no concerns about the bank getting your payment wrong, no fears of lapsed membership, no membership fee increases! For more details contact Sharon or Matt on lgcm@lgcm.org.uk
LOCAL GROUPS
Please click on your nearest local group for more details:
Birmingham LGCM
Brighton LGCM
Bristol LGCM
Coventry LGCM
Devon LGCM
Essex LGCM
Isle of Wight LGCM
CentralLondon LGCM (3F)
Nottingham LGCM
Portsmouth LGCM
Southampton LGCM
SouthWales LGCM
Staffordshire LGCM
Yorkshire & Cleveland LGCM
Take Action
In this section we will inform you of ways to support the work of LGCM or the lgbt faith community (or section thereof) in general, or the fight for equality.
Calling All Anglicans - Include Me In!
Candidates to stand for Synod are needed to ensure that women, lgbt people and people of ethnic minorities are supported and represented.
Opportunities to learn more about the process and to receive assistance and support in standing for Synod have been arranged:
Winchester on 21 July - St John the Baptist Church, St John Street, 4.30pm - 9pm
Liverpool on 30 July - St Bride's Church, 6.30pm - 9pm
London and Southwark on 31 July - St John's Waterloo from 2pm until 4pm
Applications are due in September so ACT NOW!
RESEARCH
Experiences Of Young People With A Parent Or Two Parents Who Are Lesbian And/Or Gay.
If you are lesbian or gay parents with children between the ages of 13 – 24 years old please tell them about this current research project. This will be an opportunity for young people to talk about their experiences, and issues that they think are relevant! Very little is written from their side of the story, and this is their chance to put their views across. Jane Tyler is studying clinical psychology at the University of East London, and as part of her studies she is looking at the day to day experiences of young people with a gay or lesbian parent/s. She has an open view on what families look like. If the young person is under 18, then one of the parents will have to give consent for them to take part.
If this study looks interesting and you would like more information or would like to be involved please contact: Jane Tyler on: 020 8223 4567 to leave a message or
Email: eypstudy@hotmail.com or www.facebook.com/EYPstudy
Lives of British Lesbians over 60 research project - University of Sussex
An exciting new research project about older lesbians, 'The Lives of British Lesbians Over Sixty,' based at the University of Sussex, will build the first-ever comprehensive picture of older lesbian life in the UK. As many women as possible are needed to take part.
If you are a lesbian or bisexual woman aged sixty or more, please help to make this national survey a success by filling in the questionnaire and encouraging your friends to do so too. The questionnaire asks about your opinions and experiences. It is completely anonymous and confidential - you will not be asked for your name. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to complete.
To complete the survey on line, please visit https://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/sussex/lbl60plus, or email: jt222@sussex.ac.uk to ask Jane Traies to send you a copy by post or email

Documentary Film, Gayby Boom, Seeks Video Entries By LGBT Families
Parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender are invited to submit home videos to be included in a feature documentary, Gayby Boom, exploring the ever-evolving definition of family values. LGBT parents and their children of all ages are encouraged to submit. Filmmaker toolkits are available online to assist in the filming process.
"We need parents from around the globe to submit home-videos to represent the many faces and lives involved in LGBT families. In a time where it is still illegal for LGBT individuals to marry and/or adopt in the U.S. and many other countries, this is also the time to share our lives in the spirit of education and awareness for all communities,"expressed filmmaker Lisa Marie Evans. "This will be a brilliant education tool for LGBT individuals seeking to bring children into their lives as they may learn from the stories and experiences of others."
When signing the release forms, individuals are asked who referred them to submit a video. To assist in publicising the call for videos, the organisation or individual who refers the most entries will be awarded their name in the opening credits.
For more information on participation, including where to submit your video, a filmmaker toolkit, releases and press materials, visit:
http://www.gaybyboomfilm.com
For a video trailer, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stDHaLpT4D8
Submission deadline: September 1, 2010
Pride
Many Pride marches are taking place across the country during the next few months. Why not contact all your local lgbt faith groups and ask them to march together and suggest they all wear the purple T shirt with the same slogan 'Christian and Proud'. We need to show the LGBT community that it is possible to be both LGBT and Christian and to be proud of both. We also need to show the media that fundamentalist Christians such as Christian Voice with their hate-filled and homophobic slogans are not the only Christians at Pride parades.
Please visit the website www.christiansatpride.com for more information. Get yourself a T shirt and walk with pride.
Trans Rights are Human Rights!
In Ontario, trans people have no explicit legislative human rights protections. In 2000, The Ontario Human Rights Commission recognised that trans people are one of the most "disadvantaged and disenfranchised" groups in Canadian society and that "fear and hatred combined with hostility towards their very existence are fundamental human rights issues".
The Commission also recommended that "By adding the ground 'gender identity' to the (Ontario Human Rights) Code, there would be no doubt legally or politically that transgendered people have the same protections as everyone else." Seven years later, trans people's stark realities have not changed. Nevertheless, the Government of Ontario has failed to follow the Commission's recommendation to include "gender identity" in the Ontario Human Rights Code. "Gender Identity" has been included as explicit ground of Human Rights Protection in the Northwest Territories and in several US states and trans human rights have been addressed by explicit legislation in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, Ontario, a province that promotes itself as a human rights leader, trails behind.
The time is now for the Government of Ontario to take a stand against transphobia and discrimination against trans people by adding "Gender Identity" to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The Trans Human Rights Campaign is urging the Ontario Government to do its part to stop discrimination and harassment against trans people by supporting an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code to include 'gender identity'
You can help:
-
Sign the "Trans Rights are Human Rights" Petition
-
Become Educated and Challenge Transphobia
-
Contact your MPP and candidates in the October 10, 2007 Ontario Provincial Election and demand that they support an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code to include 'Gender Identity'
-
Join the Trans Human Rights Campaign and support its work by volunteering or making a financial contribution.
-
For more information and to sign a petition, please visit: http://www.transhumanrightscampaign.org
GENERAL
Make a commitment to pray daily for LGBT people around the world who continue to face ongoing threats to their freedom, safety, health and well-being for no other reason than their real or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Pray for God's blessing and protection upon their lives, that they may find strength and hope in the midst of adversity, and that governments everywhere will treat their citizens with fairness, justice and compassion.
And pray that people of faith and leaders everywhere may become global allies with us in the work of advancing peace and goodwill among all God's children.
|
|
|
|
Connecting to Facebook
