Away At the TEN Conference

We're all down in Gastonia, NC for The Evangelical Network (TEN) conference this weekend. Click here to find out more about TEN. We'll have some new posts early next week.

Out of the Mouth of Babes.....

The next time you think you can't do anything to help the cause of GLBT equality, think of Ethan. He's the THIRD GRADER who organized and led a marriage equality rally in Colorado. After listening to his speech, I think there are a lot of people in high places that aren't as smart as a third grader. Here is the video below (thanks to Gay Agenda for the link):

Breaking News: Prop 8 Upheld

The California Supreme Court has upheld the legality of Proposition 8, the constitutional amendmend that made same-sex marriage illegal in the state, by a 6-1 vote. The 18,000 couples that did marry prior to Prop 8's passage will stay legally married.

Equality California vows to return the issue to the ballot in 2010.

If you want to exercise your right to protest and/or speak out about this decision, click on the link below to see if there is a "Day of Decision" event in your area, in California or across the nation.

Day of Decision website

Here's the official ruling. It's 185 pages, so you may want to skim it.

More later.

Church of Scotland Appoints a Gay Minister

I didn't know the Church of Scotland was "the mother of the Presbyterian churches" until I read it on Box Turtle Bulletin. They were linking to an Associated Press report on Google news:

An openly gay minister on Sunday praised the decision of the Church of Scotland to dismiss a challenge to his appointment by religious conservatives — the latest case involving sexuality to create a division in the Anglican Communion.

The church's ruling body voted 326 to 267 Saturday to support the appointment of the Rev. Scott Rennie, 37, who was previously married to a woman and is now in a relationship with a man.

Rennie was first appointed as a minister 10 years ago, but has faced opposition since he moved to a church in Aberdeen, Scotland, last year. He has been unable to take up his post while the Church of Scotland considered appeals from his critics.

"I'm relieved, humbled, I'm obviously pleased and I'm really looking forward to going to be with my new congregation," Rennie told reporters on Sunday. "I've had a long time to wait, they've had a long time to wait and I'm just glad we can get on with life."

Rennie said he believed religious conservatives were behind attempts to oust him from his post.

"The same talk was about when women were ordained, and I think that argument suits those that don't want any change," he told Britain's Sky News television on Saturday.

Following the vote to back Rennie, Scotland's Equality and Human Rights Commission said the Church of Scotland had proven itself to be "a modern church
for a modern Scotland."

"We are certain that this decision will be welcomed by the majority of Scots and certainly the majority of Queen's Cross parish in Aberdeen who overwhelmingly demonstrated their support for Mr. Rennie," said Alyson Thomson, a commission spokeswoman.

It will be interesting to see if there is any ripple effect on this side of the pond.

Click here to read the rest of the AP report.

Sunday Worship 5/24/09

If you don't have a welcoming church near you, or you just can't make yourself step into one, we're bringing worship to you. Here are links to some worship music and services from open and affirming ministries (all times eastern). I hope you are blessed and take time out of your busy schedule to enter into the Lord's day.

Don't forget to click on the tab on the upper right of this blog and leave your prayer requests in the comment section so we can petition the Lord for your needs.

We appreicate all of the positive feedback we've received for our Sunday Worship series. If you know of a service we should add to our list, please send an e-mail and share it with me.

Worship Music--sing along and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!









Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa, 1:00 PM
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach, 1:00 PM
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore, 1:30 PM

Video Archive
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach
FL-Church of the Holy SpiritSong, Ft. Lauderdale
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa
GA-Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Atlanta
MI-Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
OK-Expressions Community Fellowship, Oklahoma City
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore