INTEGRITY FORUM
A JOURNAL FOR GAY EPISCOPALIANS AND THEIR FRIENDS
c Integrity, Inc. 1977 ISSN: 0095-2184
Vol. 3 No. 9 August-September 1977
INTEGRITY FORUM: A JOURNAL FOR GAY EPISCOPALIANS AND THEIR FRIENDS is the official newsletter of Integrity, Inc., a non-profit religious, charitable, educational and literary organization of Gay Episcopalians and their friends. Integrity, Inc. maintains a national office at 3601 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, phone 215/748-2118. Membership and subscription correspondence should be sent to Integrity Forum Publisher, David Williams, INTEGRITY, P.O. Box 891, Oak Park, IL 60303, phone 312/386-1470. Editorial correspondence should be sent to Integrity Forum Editor, William Doubleday, c/o Episcopal Divinity School, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, phone 617/723-4336.
Signed articles represent the views of the contributors. The editor reserves the right to revise all sexist language.
Copyright 1977 by Integrity, Inc. 10 issues per year. Memberships are $10; subscriptions without membership are $12. Add $3 for all subscriptions that require plain envelopes; Canadians remit in U.S. funds.
President................................ The Rev. Ron Wesner
Vice President................................. John Lawrence
Secretary...................................... Donn Mitchell
Treasurer....................................... Odis Coleman
Editor.................................. William A. Doubleday
Publisher.................................. David R. Williams
Assistant to Publisher..................... Thomas M. Walters
CANON JONES RECEIVES THIRD INTEGRITY AWARD
The Rev. Canon Clinton R. Jones of the Hartford Cathedral was the recipient of the third annual Integrity Service Award. Known to many members of Integrity for his writing, speaking and counseling in the sexuality area, Canon Jones has been active in the development of the national ministry of Integrity and in the founding of Integrity/Hartford. The award was presented by Integrity President Ron Wesner at the annual convention's banquet on Saturday evening. The distinguished gay activist, Barbara Gittings, the recipient of last year's award, introduced Canon Jones.
A listing of the achievements and the credentials of the Rev. Canon Clinton R. Jones would take more pages than are available in this issue of Integrity Forum. His undergraduate degree is from Bard College, which he has served as a Trustee, and he holds the M. Div. from General Theological Seminary and the S.T.M. from New York Theological Seminary. He served parishes in New London and Poquetanuck, Connecticut, prior to joining the staff of Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford in 1946, he has been a Canon in that Cathedral since 1948.
At the diocesan level Canon Jones has served at various times in the Department of Education, as Director of Youth Work, as a member of the Executive Council, the Standing Committee and the Commission on Ministry. He is currently serving as Chairperson of the Committee on Human Sexuality. Nationally he served for three years on the Task Force of the Church and the Homophile of the House of Bishops. Within the Hartford community, Canon Jones has played a prominent role in advancing the cause of ministry to and social services for all sexual minorities.
Canon Jones is the author of a growing list of publications. His book What About Homosexuality?, which was aimed at young people, was published in 1972. His primer for counselors and pastors, Homosexuality and Counseling was published in 1974. Seabury Press will issue Understanding Gay Relatives and Friends in early 1978. He has also published in the field of transsexualism. His speaking engagements fill several typewritten pages.
The membership of Integrity celebrates the bountiful fruits of the ministry of Canon Clinton R. Jones. We look forward to sharing in his wisdom and concern in the years ahead.
BISHOP OGILBY PRESIDES AT CONVENTION EUCHARIST
On Friday, August 26, the third annual convention of Integrity opened with a Eucharist in St. Mary's Church, Hamilton Village, Philadelphia. The Rt. Rev. Lyman C. Ogilby, Bishop of Pennsylvania was the Presiding Officer at the Eucharist. Integrity President Ron Wesner preached a sermon which is reprinted elsewhere in this issue of Integrity Forum. The Rev. John M. Scott, the Rector of St. Mary's Church was the principal celebrant and all priests in attendance were invited to be concelebrants. Bishop Ogilby addressed the congregation and recounted a story in which he called for mutual compassion and concern.
The celebrant and preacher at the Eucharist on Saturday, August 27, was the Rev. John Lenhardt, outgoing Integrity Treasurer and Co-Convenor of Integrity/Philadelphia. Larry Wheelock was the organist at the services on Friday and Saturday and again at Solemn High Evensong on Sunday afternoon.
On Sunday, August 28, the members and friends of Integrity worshipped with the St. Mary's Parish family. The sermon was preached by the Rev. John M. Scott. It sensitively interpreted the presence of Integrity for the members of the parish and ably communicated the Gospel for all oppressed peoples. The sermon will be printed in a future issue of Integrity Forum.
INTEGRITY CONVENTION ENDORSES STATEMENT BY CHRISTIANS AND JEWS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
The Twin Cities Chapter of Integrity came to Philadelphia carrying a statement by Minnesota Christians and Jews for Human Rights. They secured the endorsement of that statement by the delegates to Integrity's annual national convention. The text of the statement follows:
"The community of the faithful can no longer tolerate those who would use the rhetoric of religion to deny their brothers, sisters and children their God given rights. We stand with the National Council of Churches and the national bodies of various churches and synagogues which have officially gone on record in support of civil rights for lesbians and gay men. Yet the major obstacle to those rights has been from individuals identifying themselves as religious.
"The issue at stake is clearly a matter of individual human rights. We steadfastly and clearly affirm the sacred worth of every human being. The source and foundation of that affirmation is the Judeo Christian heritage. The purpose and effect of civil rights protection is neither to approve nor to condemn any one lifestyle. Its function is to guarantee the human rights of all individuals in employment and housing without regard to their race, religion, sex, national origin, physical disability, sexual orientation, or affectional preference.
"Furthermore, we specifically affirm that homosexuals and heterosexuals equally are persons of sacred worth, who need religious faith in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a community which enables reconciling relationships with God, with others and with self. Basic to our religious heritage is the emphatic affirmation that all persons are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured."
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Minister O Lord, open thou our lips,
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CHAPTER NOTES
Integrity/Detroit and Integrity/Twin Cities are about to elect new convenors and other officers ··· The annual convention of Dignity was held in Chicago over Labor Day weekend. The following Integrity Chapters were represented: Boston, Philadelphia, Knoxville, Rochester, Twin Cities, Detroit, Madison and Chicago. ··· Integrity President Ron Wesner was celebrant and Integrity Forum Editor Bill Doubleday was preacher at Integrity/Chicago on September 6. ··· There will be much more chapter news in the October issue of Integrity Forum. ··· Editorial Note: I would greatly appreciate receiving all routine chapter mailings. I would also encourage Chapters to send any press releases or local news clippings which they think might be relevant to Chapter Notes or News. Send all material to: William A. Doubleday, c/o Episcopal Divinity School, 99 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138. Hopefully every chapter can be mentioned in every issue of INTEGRITY FORUM.
THE ODYSSEY OF A PRESIDENT
At the third annual convention of Integrity, the National President, the Rev. Ron Wesner, gave an account of his travels and activities during the past year. He visited Integrity chapters in twenty-one cities Boston, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Richmond, Chapel Hill, Atlanta, Knoxville, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Twin Cities, New Orleans, Denver, Phoenix, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He spoke or met with seminarians at five seminaries: Sewanee, Episcopal Divinity School, Virginia Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary and Yale Divinity School. He met with Bishops from Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Pennsylvania, New York, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, Syracuse, Missouri and the Bishop for Pastoral Development. He addressed the San Antonio City Council when it was considering a gay rights ordinance. He attended meetings of the diocesan sexuality commissions of Washington, D.C., Western North Carolina, Southern Ohio and Pennsylvania and the first meeting of the National Church's Standing Committee on Religion and Health which is studying the subject of sexuality, including homosexuality. He has addressed clergy groups in at least seven dioceses and has been interviewed by diocesan newspapers, local newspapers and radio and television programs around the country. He is presently in touch with new chapter formation processes in Tucson, Indianapolis, Seattle, Tidewater, VA., Austin, Salt Lake City and New Haven. He has written in excess of one thousand personal letters in response to inquiries and communications from around the United States and beyond.
SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT THE ORDINATION OF GAY PERSONS
by The Rev. George I. Hunter
Poles are basically dumb! Blacks are basically lazy! Women are basically weak! Gays are basically sick!
Somehow in the Episcopal church we have been able to explode most of these myths and stereotypes which have harassed and oppressed people for centuries ‑‑ people from many different national origins, blacks and women now serve as priests in the Episcopal church. Not so for the gays!
A crusader for movements I am not, so this statement should not be considered as a blanket endorsement of every activity in the gay rights movement. However, I have been and shall continue to be an advocate for certain individuals whom I respect, who are seeking ordination in the Episcopal church and who happen to be gay.
To be sure, there are many gay persons, and many straight persons as well, whose psycho-social history would make their ordination as ministers ill advised, but I am outraged when bishops, psychiatrists, commissions on ministry and seminaries automatically dismiss out of the closet gay persons as ineligible for ordination, simply because they are gay. I understand that some bishops have stated that if gay persons are willing to embrace celibacy then these bishops might be willing to ordain them. This strikes me as a coercive, condescending, homophobic, double-standard kind of position which is no more accepting, reasonable and loving, de facto, then Anita Bryant and her entourage.
I am convinced, personally and professionally, that being gay is not, in itself, an impediment to ordination. I have known far too many gay persons ‑‑ in the closet or out of it, ordained or aspiring to ordination ‑‑ who have demonstrated the kind of faith commitment, personal integrity and professional qualifications essential for an effective ministry, to buy into the myths and the stereotypes which continue to harass and to oppress gay people, even in 1977.
The foregoing statement comes from a straight person who has been trying, for some time, to face into his own homophobic societal conditioning. There is a great deal about the gay life which I do not yet understand or appreciate. One's pilgrimage alongside the various life styles and sexual preferences of today is a complex journey, but that journey has brought me to a point of clarity about the ordination of gay persons in the Episcopal church. I favor the ordination of a gay man or woman, providing that person has demonstrated a faith commitment and personal integrity and has acquired the professional qualifications essential for ministry today. I am no longer willing to accept that sweeping generalization that gays are basically sick!
Editorial note: The Rev. George I. Hunter is the Director of Admissions and Field Education at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge. He is a member of the faculty and teaches courses in the Department of Pastoral Theology.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH NEWS
New York Clergy Women Support Ellen Barrett, Bishop Moore
The following is a Statement from Women Clergy of the Diocese of New York.
Whereas nothing in the canons of the Episcopal Church forbids the ordination of homosexual persons ‑‑ closeted or avowed, latent or active; and
Whereas "sexuality" has never been set forth canonically in the Episcopal Church as an issue in ordination or licensing procedures; and
Whereas the decision of the 1976 General Convention not to consider the question of ordaining, or not ordaining, homosexual persons cannot be construed in any way as a prohibition against the ordination of such persons; and
Whereas many persons who are known to be actively involved in sexual relationships with members of the same sex have been ‑‑ and continue to be ‑‑ ordained, and licensed, as deacons, priests, and bishops of the church; and
Whereas candor about oneself has never been deemed an impediment to ordination and has in fact been expected in the canonical processes leading to ordination; and
Whereas Ellen Marie Barrett had fulfilled all canonical requirements, and was judged qualified for ordination by the General Theological Seminary, the Standing Committee of New York, and the Bishop of New York ‑‑ all of whom were aware, at the time, of her sexuality; and
Whereas, with the permission of the Standing Committee of the Diocese and in the presence of other laypeople and clergy from the Diocese, the Bishop of New York, Paul Moore, ordained Ellen Barrett to the diaconate and to the priesthood;
THEREFORE,
1. We extend our support to our sister priest, Ellen Barrett, noting especially her call, her candor, her courage, and the irreversible sacramental validity and canonical regularity of her Holy Orders.
2. We extend our support to our bishop, Paul Moore, and to the Standing Committee of the Diocese of New York, noting especially the canonical precision with which they undertook the processes leading to Ellen Barrett's ordination; the strength and courage of their corporate conviction; and the justice of their willingness to treat Ellen Barrett as they would, and do, any person whom they believe to be spiritually, morally, mentally, academically and otherwise canonically qualified for ordination.
3. We urge the Bishop of California, Kilmer Myers, to re-issue a license for Ellen Barrett to function as a priest in the diocese where she presently resides. ‑‑ The Rev. Laurel Artress-Ulrich; The Rev. Columba Gilliss, O.S.H.; The Rev. Emily Hewitt; The Rev. Carter Heyward; The Rev. Barbara Schlachter; The Rev. Julia Sibley; The Rev. Mary Michael Simpson, O.S.H.
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SUPPORT ERA
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BISHOP McGEHEE CRITICAL OF ANITA BRYANT'S ANTI-GAY CAMPAIGN
Bishop H. Coleman McGehee, Jr. recently issued a statement in which he opposed the efforts of Anita Bryant to repeal the Dade Co. Florida ordinance prohibiting discrimination against gay persons.
McGehee had been invited by the Norfolk, VA Coalition for Human Rights to be the speaker at an interfaith prayer breakfast to counter similar local efforts by Bryant to harass homosexuals.
Bishop McGehee was unable to accept the invitation to speak but wired the following message:
"I oppose the efforts of Anita Bryant to repeal the Dade County (Florida) ordinance prohibiting discrimination against homosexual persons in housing, public accommodations, and in employment. Ms. Bryant's approach to the issue of homosexuality is distorted, uninformed, and unrealistic. Her interest does not seem to be in understanding homosexual persons or in discussing their plight, but in denying such persons the right to work and live in our society altogether.
"Ms. Bryant's approach, in my opinion, represents a danger to our democratic institutions in that she appeals to a religious and national fanaticism which if not repelled will lead to attack on other minority groups.
"The Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. at its General Convention in October 1976 expressed the conviction of the Church: 'That homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the law with all other citizens and calls upon our society to see that such protection is provided in actuality.'
"To support homosexual persons in their search for civil rights is in no way to approve of the sexual exploitation of others. All sexual exploitation is repugnant, and is to be condemned, whether homosexual or heterosexual, and the sexual exploitation of children is especially odious. The fact there have been deplorable incidents of sexual exploitation does not justify the blatant denunciation of all homosexual persons, many of whom are law abiding, moral, religious, creative, and contributing members of our society." ‑‑ Reprinted from the Diocese of Michigan Record, July, 1977.
WESNER PREACHES "NO EXCUSES" FOR GAY CHRISTIANS
The following is a sermon delivered at the opening Eucharist to the Third National Integrity Convention by the Rev. Ronald D. Wesner, President of Integrity.
Lessons: Isaiah 56:1-8; 1 John 3:1-3, 19-24; John 15:12-17
I have looked forward to this time for at least a year. Actually, it has been two years. I wanted to be in the pulpit in Chicago, I wanted to be in the pulpit in San Francisco, and now I find that I am in the pulpit here in Philadelphia. It is easier to have a week to prepare for a sermon than two years. Two years makes it too long a gestation period. I have feared laboring long and bringing forth a mouse. I have feared taking advantage of this opportunity and delivering Ron Wesner's personal diatribes and attacks on everybody and everything I didn't like. I have feared being too impersonal and preaching a well-constructed but gutless sermon. I have wanted to attack the Church, the institution which has toyed with our lives ‑‑ giving us the law which has condemned us, the epistle which often excludes us, and the Gospel which tantalizes us with hope and love, if we are clever enough to avoid the barbs. I have wanted to attack the state, which in cooperation with the Church has served to make us criminals, outcasts, foreigners, sick people who have no claims on the mercy and justice of the state. I have wanted to attack liberals in the Church and the State ‑‑ who agree with us in principle but urge patience and tolerance, and a clearer sense of priorities which diminishes our struggle and ignores our pain ‑‑ thinking that if we can pass ‑‑ for straight ‑‑ we are almost within the walls of the kingdom.
But, the Church, at its most powerful, and the state, at its most powerful, and the liberals, at their most sympathetic, are, with a very few exceptions, not here this morning. And it is appropriate that we not talk of them in this Eucharist, but that we talk with each other, and that we talk from the heart ‑‑ the heart which has been refined in the fire, strengthened in the struggle, and sensitized in the tears which you and I have shed in the quietness of our rooms ‑‑ after our prayers to God for change or some other easy resolution to the dilemma we perceived ourselves in. It is appropriate that we talk with each other ‑‑ having listened to the heart, the gut, and the tears, and then talk with each other ‑‑ from the Gospel.
Did you listen to the Old Testament Lesson? Were you thinking of foreigners in Israel thousands of years ago, when Isaiah said, "Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, 'The Lord will surely separate me from his people?'" Were you thinking of a person with no genitals when Isaiah said, "Let not the eunuchs say, 'Behold I am a dry tree, for thus says the Lord: To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths ... I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off.'" Were you thinking of them, thousands of years ago, or were you thinking of you and me ‑‑ three years ago, you and me, last week, you and me, last night? Did you hear the eunuch's lament, the foreigner's wail and then ignore the promise which God spoke through Isaiah's words?
Did you listen to the epistle? Did you hear St. John say "We should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." Did you hear St. John say that? And did you know he was talking about us? Or did you think he was talking about someone else at some other time? What did you choose to hear? And why did you choose o hear it that way?
But most important of all, did you listen to the Gospel? Did you listen to our Lord say, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my father I have made known to you." Did you hear him call us friends?
Do you know what that means? It means many things ‑‑ and it means one thing. One thing we have heard in the Old Testament Lesson, the Epistle and the Gospel ‑‑ one thing we have heard and that one thing is a swift kick in the pants and a sharp comment which says, "Grow up." It says, "Get your act together." It says, "You are within the kingdom because God loves you." It says that not everyone is going to think you are in the kingdom, but what do they know? It says, "I am not going to treat you like stupid and weak insubordinates, I am not going to treat you like victims, but rather like adults, friends, women and men who are mature and able to live responsible lives."
And yet some of us want to say, "But." But it's too difficult, I have my family to think about, I have my job to think about, something awful might happen, it's tough, the Church doesn't like me, I'm a criminal in my state.
Did you notice that nowhere in the Gospel is there an acceptable list of excuses? Just a constant affirmation of God's love and an ultimate demand that we respond to that love. The opinion of our families is important and we have the strength to change their opinion. The opinion of the State is important and we have the abilities to change that opinion. The opinion of the Church is important, and we have the skills and the faith to change that opinion. But we don't have an excuse to keep our lives damaged. We don't have an excuse to keep on being victims. We don't have an excuse that allows us to give up and wallow in self-pity.
No excuses, just a promise. A promise that God's love is greater than even a doubting heart, a command to love one another ‑‑ even a frightened straight society ‑‑ even a gay sister or brother who is embarrassing ‑‑ we have a command to love one another. And more than a command: a promise, that we are chosen and appointed, and sent out.
Homosexual women and men in today's society are some of the most powerful people this society has ever known. For we are a people who know deeply what it is to fear being honest. We are a people who know what it is to play games of deception and know the price of that deception. We are a people who have said "Enough!" to being deceitful. Therefore we are a people who have the power of candor on our side. We are a people who know the price of being authentic and we know that the price of authenticity is worth it. And that gives us power in weakness. And that gives us a clue to the Gospel of one who was willing to be weak and show power. And that gives us a mission, and a responsibility, and a promise.
What more could we ask for?
DISABLED GAYS FORM GROUP
A Midwestern based group is endeavoring to form a pen pal club and newsletter for, by, and to the Gay disabled, amputee, and handicapped. Any interested persons are encouraged to write to: Duane J. Boulward, 5973 N. Clark St., Chicago, Illinois 60660.
FORUM:
Observation from some of our readers, and other.
"On her recent tour to Norfolk, Anita Bryant and husband visited our historic Church where, I've been told, they placed two dollars in our offering box. Enclosed is one dollar (for Integrity); the other has been sent to the National Gay Task Force. With prayers and good wishes. ‑‑ The Rev. Sam Poraro, College Associate, Bruton Parish Church, Virginia." [Editorial note: The dollar was not the actual one left by Anita, as that would have meant stealing from the Church box. The dollar was Sam's.]
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A gay friend once suggested that the key to communication is "all in the eyes," but a linguist friend has convinced me that the choice of words is what really makes the difference. For example, the two sentences "Looking into your eyes makes time cease" and "You have a face that would stop a clock" illustrate how subtle differences in language can produce vastly different meanings. Couldn't Integrity Forum strive for a more precise use of language? ‑‑ A Friend in Media Land
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I went to my first confession years ago. I bared my soul and groveled in my self-hate. "How can GOD love me when I'm gay?" My confessor, I learned the next day, was also gay. Yet he said nothing to help me understand that my sexual orientation is within the normal range of human sexuality. He did tell me that I was taking too much time with unimportant matters. Unimportant to him, perhaps, but I felt my whole identity was at stake.
"Should I stay within the Episcopal Church, or go to the Metropolitan Community Church or any other church where I could find a spiritual home ‑‑ where I could experience love, acceptance and support?" Yes, it would be easier to leave the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. But would I find that firm foundation that I had learned to love and cherish? I didn't think so then and I don't now. But I have stopped going to that sort of confessor. I stayed to witness to the truth that I discovered, the truth that makes me free ‑‑ I am a child of God and He loves me just as I am. I have a reason to be here and God put me here to do what He knows is to be done NOW.
Dear clergy (man or woman), what sort of advice and counsel do you offer? Do you damn your penitents who are gay, or do you give them the love of Christ, Integrity's address and phone number, and the affirmation of their life as a child of God and a brother/sister of the Christ?
Please think on these things. We are praying for you. May the Love of Jesus flow through you and give your words special meaning and comfort to those who stand condemned by certain vocal "Christians" today.
‑‑Daniel, Brother Barsabbas, Los Angeles
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QUOTABLE QUOTES, REPRINTABLE REPORTS
Harry T. Cook II, the Editor of the Diocese of Michigan Record, writes in the July 1977 issue:
Aside from the fact that Ms. Bryant has no standing as a doctor of psychology or psychiatry, and inasmuch as she is no more privy to the will of God than any other human being, it must be said that she has a right to carry her crusade where she will.
It should be assumed that she will do just that. The question is: what are the facts with which to meet her challenge?
Try these:
1. The American Psychiatric Association some three years ago declared that homosexuality is not a disease or neurotic abnormality; it is a sexual preference, esoteric perhaps, but not inhuman.
2. Homosexuals live in every community, work in virtually every known job, vote, pay taxes, go to church and mow their lawns.
3. Homosexuals go about forming affectional relationships just as heterosexuals do, and the vast majority of them make no public demonstration about it ‑‑ in fact, they are aware of society's confusion about such relationships and are therefore very discreet.
4. Homosexuals create far less social chaos by two-timing their lovers than heterosexuals do their husbands and wives.
5. Child molesters are as likely to be heterosexual as homosexual, and most police authorities agree that the sexual preference of a molester is irrelevant to the crime.
One obvious conclusion of all this is that homosexuals are neither a criminal element nor a threat to the moral quality (such as it may be) of American life. Homosexuals are a minority.
CONSTITUTION RATIFIED ‑‑ REVISION PROCESS BEGUN
It was announced at the third annual Integrity Convention held in Philadelphia on August 26-28, 1977, that the new Integrity Constitution and By-Laws, which had been submitted to the membership in June, had been ratified by an overwhelming majority. Noting that many chapters had supported ratification with the expressed concern that certain amendments be made at the earliest possible time, President Ron Wesner, in consultation with the Executive Committee, appointed a Committee on the Revision and Amendment of the Constitution and By-Laws. The committee was chaired by Integrity Vice President John Lawrence and included Kevin Scahill, Rochester; Jon Rinnander, Los Angeles; Mason Martens, New York City; Bill Landram, Madison; Leslie Mullins, Richmond; George Casper, Boston; and the Convenor of Integrity/Houston. The committee held hearings which were open to all delegates to the convention and then met throughout the weekend to work on a report. The report was received at the business meeting of the convention on Sunday The committee's report, the processes which are to be employed in the on-going revision of the Constitution and By-Laws and the names and addresses of the on-going Committee will be announced In the October issue of Integrity Forum.
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V. Day by day we bless you.
thee
R. We praise your Name for ever.
thy
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KEYNOTERS TACKLE BIBLE, NATURAL LAW ARGUMENTS
There were two keynote speeches at the Integrity Convention. The Rev. Neale A. Secor, the Rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Manhattanville, New York, dealt with the Biblical material on homosexuality within the context of a letter to his adolescent son who had written to him after encountering a homophobic camp counselor. Ms. Noreen Carter, a non-gay woman, who has been active in the women's movement within the Episcopal Church and who served on the Massachusetts Council of Churches Commission on Sexuality, presented a very able analysis of the natural law arguments which are so frequently used as a basis for oppressing gay people and women within the Church. There were twelve workshops held during the course of the convention. The contents of several of those workshops will be reported in future issues of Integrity Forum.
For the annual awards banquet, Dr. Louie Crew had prepared a superb founders address. Dr. Crew was unfortunately called away due to the critical illness of his Father. President Ron Wesner read that address which received a lengthy standing ovation. Undoubtedly that speech will see publication in the near future.
MINNEAPOLIS SET FOR '78 CONVENTION
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING HELD
The annual business meeting of Integrity was held In St Mary's Hall on Sunday afternoon, August 28. President Ron Wesner gave a report which is included elsewhere in Integrity Forum. The other officers of Integrity also reported on their activities during the year. The following slate of officers was elected: President ‑‑ The Rev. Ron Wesner of Philadelphia; Vice President ‑‑ John Lawrence of Boston; Secretary ‑‑ Donn Mitchell of Philadelphia: Treasurer ‑‑ Odis Coleman of Hartford. It was agreed that the 1978 Integrity Convention would be held in the Twin Cities of Minnesota in late July or early August. It was likewise determined that the 1979 Integrity Convention would be held in Denver, probably just prior to the next General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
The convention passed a resolution urging that at least one of the liturgies at the next convention be a non-sexist Rite Three Eucharist with male and female celebrants. Other resolutions passed by the Convention included calls for the appointment of Integrity National Committees on Counseling and Pastoral Care and on Preparation for the 1979 General Convention. The Convention also passed a resolution calling for the appointment of an acknowledged gay person to the National Church's Standing Committee on Religion and Health.
The business meeting closed with a visionary speech by Adam DeBaugh, Integrity's spokesperson in Washington, D.C. in which Integrity members were invited to dream about the future shape of the organization's ministry. That speech is reported at length in a separate article in this issue of Integrity Forum.
TEN COMMANDMENTS
for the Care and Feeding of Bishops
1. Thou shalt be honest at all times when dealing with Church officialdom.
2. Thou shalt be accurate always in what you say and write.
3. Thou shalt not throw pies.
4. Thou shalt have the goods.
5. Thou shalt continue to challenge leadership on all levels.
6. Thou shalt be persistent.
7. Thou shalt use the media creatively.
8. Thou shalt not hesitate to form coalitions with neighboring tribes.
9. Thou shalt know the territory in which thou dwellest.
10. Thou shalt have a sense of humor, pray and hope ceaselessly.
--Fr. Bob Nugent, SDS, and Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND, of DIGNITY
CHURCH SHOULD LOVE GAYS, RECTOR SAYS
A STATEMENT TO THE CALIFORNIA CLERGY CONFERENCE
I have listened carefully to the information presented at this Conference ‑‑ as I know all of you have.
I love the Church: but I love Christ more. He calls us to be caring, but He calls us to be honest, too. The Holy Ghost does not come to men or women to make them diplomatic, but to give them truth. It is truth which sets us free. Freedom and hope come from truth.
In all I've heard, save one or two words from Bishop Myers, everything that has been said at this Conference is an apologetic as to why we might unbend and deem homosexuals worthy of our inclusion.
The plain facts are that gay men and women have made enormous contributions to the Church. All through its history ‑‑ vigorously, toughly, sensitively ‑‑ contributions to its pastoral care, teaching, the depth of its preaching ‑‑ all through its life ‑‑ always daring all, risking all ‑‑ to serve unfalteringly people who if they knew they were homosexual would turn on them in confusion, or horror, or dis-ease, and attempt to destroy reputation, belief in self, and even life. Gay people have lived with this so long they hardly know how to speak for themselves.
Are any of you aware of where the word "faggot" comes from? It comes from the Church's burning alive of homosexual men and women ‑‑ tying them together as stacks of wood. I suspect many people have not been moved by us beyond this wish today. And still gay men and women have dared to care.
I tell you it is only from the outcast that we can ever be redeemed, only from that which we want to cast out of ourselves that in finally facing honestly we can ever become whole men and women again. Jesus's whole life is a statement about that.
I have heard much said about not affronting congregations, not alienating, as if that had ever been avoidable historically when the Church has stood for God's cause, our redemption. If homosexual men and women are not good enough to serve at the Altars of the Lord who went to a cross for us all, than perhaps they are not fit in any capacity to serve or minister. They should take away their pastoral care, their teaching, their forbearance, their toughness, their vigor, their contributions to the music and hymnody, the architecture, the outreach. We should dismantle the organs they have built, take out the stained glass, cancel their pledges, remove them from Vestries, remove mitres.
What I am saying is that the Church, like all institutions, has always accepted homosexuals when it was to its profit, convenience and benefit. What it has not done is to be honest about that! To be forthright. To give back the love it has received.
I have seen a fine and distinguished Bishop of this Church, Kilmer Myers, walk unfalteringly to a cross on this issue, as he asks us to look again at a Christ who holds out hope, confrontation, forgiveness, new possibilities and redemption for all of us equally.
If Ellen Barrett ‑‑ if homosexual men and women want, out of their sadness and joy, to reach out lovingly ‑‑ what about that is so threatening to us? I ask each of you, in the name of God, what about that caring is so threatening to us, in the hardness of each of our hearts?
A cross cannot be premature. It cannot be run from. Christ did not do that for us. We cannot do less for Him and those He loves. God bless Kilmer Myers for keeping Christ's cross and way of life, and hope of resurrection clearly in front of us. And I thank God that he still deems us capable of growing to the fullness of the stature of Christ: of believing that this world's apathy and bigotry and hatred can be changed. Instead of running from other people's crosses, in the name of God His Gospel confronts us, commands us to take them up for them. We are walking in the path of His own when we do that.
Can we look at what the Church's legalisms have done to people? What our unthinkingness has done to other human beings I call this Church to not only look at that. I call the Church to repent. From all the decimations and denials It has given out ‑‑ as stones -- to gay men and women who have wanted only to serve, and love, and be loved and valued in return. Gay people are not running any more, my friends. Most particularly from the Church.
The cross is here. There can be no running from it on our part. We want it to go away ‑‑ to be postponed ‑‑ as they wanted Christ to go away. We want to cut our losses, when the real business of the Church is not to clutch at its security blanket but to reach out and help bring in the Kingdom of God to our world. We have to grow up. Hope. Belief. Redemption. They have to start with each of us. In the name of God I urge you to help this saintly Bishop to start the process now.
The Reverend William Henry Barcus III
The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
San Francisco, California
May 5, 1977
I sing a song of the saints of God
Patient and brave and true
Who toiled and fought and lied and died
For the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor,
And one was a queen,
And one was a shepherdess on the green:
They were all of them saints of God ‑‑ and I mean
God helping, to be one too.
A PRAYER FOR GAY PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES
O God, Loving Parent, Father and Mother of Us All, bind together in all embracing love every family on earth. Redirect anger and bitterness within them; nourish forgiveness and peace. Bestow upon parents such wisdom and patience that they may creatively and faithfully exercise the influence of love, and call forth from their children their greatest virtue, their highest skills, and their authentic selves. Instill in children such independence and self-acceptance that they may respect their parents, grow in the joys of companionship, and enter fully into their lives with dignity and integrity. Open ears to hear the truth within the words another speaks; open eyes to see the reality beneath another's appearance; and make the mutual affection of families of all kinds a sign of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.
SEMINARIAN TRAPPED
In the Fall of 1976, the General Convention decided that homosexuals were Children of God and that the Church should work towards their full rights in Church and society. What does that mean for the individual gay person in the parish? Well it depends on how your Bishop, rector and vestry decide to interpret it Let me tell you what it means in my situation.
I am a student in an Episcopal Seminary (who wishes to remain anonymous) I became a candidate for Holy Orders several months before I began my seminary studies. Last month (after two years in seminary) my Bishop told me that I would no longer be a candidate. He withdrew his support of me. As a result, my vestry and seminary will probably follow suit.
When my Bishop explained his decision to me he offered some reasons. He bent over backwards to convince me that this decision had nothing to do with my increasingly open involvement in gay organizations (specifically Integrity). But, as I have been told so often lately, "They will never get you on the real issue."
All of this has made me feel that the Episcopal Church is really giving gay people a run around. It's all becoming a political thing. Bishops seem to follow the prejudice of their people and not the freedom of the Gospel. If a Bishop could ordain an openly gay person without getting a great deal of hate mail then some Bishops might do it. With all of the anti-gay letters to Bishops lately even those who favor ordaining gays are holding back so that they won't have the hassle of explaining their actions.
My question to my Bishop and to all clergy is what did the resolutions in 1976 mean? Are gay people Children of God or not? If they are then they should be ordained under the same rules and regulations as everyone else. If the Church does not believe that we are Children of God then they could at least stop playing games with us and say what is really on their minds.
‑‑A Necessarily Anonymous Seminarian
McNEILL SILENCED BY VATICAN
Gay Christians attending the Dignity Convention in Chicago over the Labor Day weekend were shocked and angered to learn that the Rev. John J. McNeill, S.J., has been ordered into silence by the Vatican. It was also announced that the "imprimi potest" will be removed from future editions of his book, The Church and the Homosexual, which was reviewed in the last issue of Integrity Forum.
The officers of Dignity/International have suggested that letters might be written in support of Father McNeill and in protest of the Vatican's action. They suggest writing to the following people: Most Rev. Jean Jadot, D.D., Apostolic Delegate, 3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; and His Eminence Franjo Cardinal Seper, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 11 Piazza del S. Uffizio, Rome, Italy.
Dignity/International would appreciate receiving copies of such letters at: 755 Boylston St., Rm. 413, Boston, MA 02116.
PARENTS OF GAYS HAVE GROUPS OR CONTACT PEOPLE IN 24 CITIES AND 18 STATES ‑‑ BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH!
The Los Angeles Parents of Gays group is interested in helping other Parent groups get started in as many communities as possible. They are planning to develop materials for this, but they need contacts!
Do you know of any parents anywhere (your own area or elsewhere) who might be interested in at least receiving materials? We are aware that your answer might be NO ‑‑ but think about it, and ask around. Even one name would help!!
Please send any names and addresses to me just as soon as possible. If you would like to receive an updated list of present groups/contacts to be available soon, please send 25¢ to cover cost/postage.
THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.
Betty Fairchild
POG ‑‑ Denver
700 Emerson St.
Denver, CO 80218
303/831-8576
TRASH CAN LINERS
"In the forties, to get a girl you had to be a GI or a jock. In the fifties, to get a girl you had to be Jewish. In the sixties, to get a girl you had to be black. In the seventies, to get a girl you've got to be a girl." ‑‑ Mort Sahl, quoted in Chicago magazine. [Dan Rottenberg's "The More Interesting Sex," p. 77, April 1977 issue.]
THE ULTIMATE IN SEXISM DEPARTMENT
Among the Creek Indians of Louisiana and certain other people, men and women spoke languages with different grammars. Linguistics scholars refer to these variant language forms as "man-talk" and "woman-talk."
DEBAUGH CHALLENGES INTEGRITY TO FULL TIME MINISTRY
A VISION FOR INTEGRITY'S MINISTRY
What could a funded, full-time Integrity National do?
The following are remarks made at the 1977 National Integrity Convention by R. Adam DeBaugh, Washington Spokesperson for Integrity and Social Action Director of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
Integrity National has been functioning for a long time with no budget and has accomplished a great deal.
It has already provided things like Integrity Forum and three national conventions, as well as a vision, a beginning, an outreach and an inspiration.
I speak as an outsider, but with strong ties to Integrity and my roots are in the Anglican communion. Of course, I am also now the Washington Spokesperson for Integrity, so the connection is becoming closer.
I am here to offer a vision and a challenge for the future. I have discussed the role of the national structure with many of you this weekend. Wayne Fortunato-Schwandt said to me that he thought National should provide three essential things:
1)a clearinghouse which provides information, resources, material and people on both gay and religious issues;
2) advocacy functions, such as representing our concerns to the Episcopal Church, to all Christians, to government, etc.;
3) network, or communications between members and chapters.
I agree with Wayne that these are important areas of involvement for Integrity National. But how does this translate into specific things National can do for the chapters?
Let me dream with you for a bit. Don't be limited by current size or wealth. Think far ahead ‑‑ you'll be surprised how near that visionary future really is, if we only set our sights on some goals and get to work.
1.) Integrity National is the national spokesperson for the gay community to the Episcopal Church, the Presiding Bishop, the General Convention, the House of Bishops, church commissions, etc.
2.) Integrity National can counsel the counselors, pastors, therapists and authors in the church about our point to view. A prime example of someone who needs counsel is Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse.
3.) Integrity National will be able to provide an accurate count of all chapter and national members around the country, for use in constituency representation. We have to know our strength.
4.) Integrity National can be a spokesperson to the Christian Church at large in a time when the Christian Church needs to hear from Christians who are willing to speak for love and acceptance within the Body of Christ instead of hatred.
5.) Integrity National can provide speakers to gay and non-gay groups, to churches and church meetings around the country. Fr. Ron Wesner, Dr. Louie Crew, Canon Clinton Jones, Dr. Norman Pittenger, the Rev. Ellen Barrett, Fr. Malcolm Boyd, etc.
6.) Integrity National can provide a monthly journal, Integrity Forum, as it does now, that facilitates communication between chapters, the national body and Episcopalians, both gay and non-gay, around the country.
7.) Integrity National can assist in the beginning of new chapters, providing people, speakers, celebrants, start-up money for materials, rent, advertising, etc.
8.) Integrity National might provide materials for worship.
9.) Integrity National could provide educational materials for work within the church and the community. An Integrity Resource Packet, for example, would be of great value right now.
10.) Integrity National could publish pamphlets, and even books by prominent church people and Integrity members.
11.) Integrity National can provide support and advice for people around the country. Often the young priest who is struggling with his or her sexuality has no where to turn for counseling. Integrity National can help, either by doing the counseling or by referring the person to someone in their area.
12.) Integrity National can provide guidance and materials to special ministries for Episcopalians and others. It is clear that the Church is doing many ministries that don't need to be duplicated. But, it is also quite clear that the Church is failing in its responsibility to minister to some people. We can point, obviously, to gay people. Integrity was created because the Church has failed to minister in a Christian way to gay men and lesbians. Where else has the Church failed to do God's will? Remember we are gathered here as a congregation of the faithful, as a body of Christians who are a family in Christ. We share our family relationship because we are all children of God, all of us, with no exceptions. When Jesus wanted to boil all of our responsibilities as His followers down to a brief statement, it was "Feed my sheep." We are called, especially in Integrity because we have responded where and because the Church has failed to respond, we are called to minister to our sisters and brothers. What kinds of ministries do I see? I believe Integrity National could develop programs and materials for use in ministries to alcoholics, chemically dependent people, those in need of counseling about their sexuality, relationships, life styles and faith, prisoners, the institutionalized, the handicapped, the deaf, the blind, youth, the aged, the terminally ill, the sick and many others. Integrity National, in short, could help to fill gaps in the Church's ministry.
These are just some ideas, an even dozen. Some may be appropriate, others not; some are already being done, others are a few years off; but all are part of a vision and a dream that I have for Integrity National. We need to challenge each other and ourselves to work to build a strong National Integrity structure in order to begin work on this dream. The foundation is set. Let us start to build.
What other services might Integrity National provide for you and your chapter? The future is limitless, if only we begin.
CHRISTIAN AND GAY: A SIX-WEEK ODYSSEY
by John A. Due
Bloomington, IN April 15-21 ‑‑ I met my lover, The Rev. Malcolm Boyd, and also the Rev. Ellen Barrett, the first lesbian priest who is a close friend of Malcolm's and mine; The Rev. Ralph Blair, head of Evangelicals Concerned; and Steven Fox, the student chairperson of the University of Indiana's Gay Consciousness Week, organized by the Gay Student Union.
Ellen lead a seminar about lesbians in the Church. Ellen, Ralph and Malcolm were the speakers at a seminar about "Christian and Gay" and also a discussion group on the gay ethic, in which I participated. At a worship service in the campus chapel, Ralph preached and Malcolm read gay prayers from his book Am I Running with You, God? There were numerous parties, dances, discussions and ecumenical services. Malcolm and I attended an English class on Homosexual Literature and he spoke about the works of John Rechy, James Baldwin, Tennessee Williams, Christopher Isherwood and others.
Chicago, April 22-30 ‑‑ We flew to Chicago, where Malcolm was the honored guest and speaker at the annual One of Chicago banquet on April 23. This event brings together each year the combined organizations within the gay community. More than 350 people, including members of Integrity/Chicago, attended the banquet.
On Sunday, we were at Father Grant Gallup's parish, St. Andrew's Chicago, where Malcolm preached and concelebrated. Afterwards, the three of us went to Cook County Jail and conducted a communion service for inmates there.
Malcolm was the guest on the syndicated "Phil Donahue Show" which was taped on April 26. It is seen by 22 million people in 97 U.S. cities. Already we have received several hundred letters from viewers. Upwards of three-fourths of these have been highly supportive. On the TV program, Malcolm discussed his own gayness and the Christian experience within the Gay movement. We had lunch with Roy Larson, religion editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, who photographed us together and published a story about our loving union. (A portion of this story later appeared in the Los Angeles Times.) Malcolm was also a guest on a two-hour radio discussion concerning "The Future of Religion." We attended MCC services, where Malcolm preached, and an Integrity book party honoring Am I Running With You, God?
Washington, D.C., May 1-3 ‑‑ We attended a party with five gay Episcopal Seminarians on our first evening. The second night we were guests at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, where Malcolm addressed 139 students in the chapel on the subject of "Christian and Gay." Then we held a discussion until past midnight with a smaller group. The next day we met with twenty-five clergy in a Continuing Education course. Malcolm appeared on TV with the editor of Christianity Today. We met with leaders of Integrity in Washington.
Kirkridge, PA, May 4-7 ‑‑ Malcolm was leader of the first conference on "Christian and Gay" at this historic retreat center. Father John McNeill (author of The Church and the Homosexual) and UCC gay leader Nancy Krody were resource leaders. Eighty-five attended, fifty had to be turned away because there was no more room. The highly successful conference will be repeated next spring. I was in a small group that included two Roman Catholic priests and the recently widowed mother of a lesbian.
All persons attending the conference signed an open letter to Anita Bryant that was distributed to the nation's press. It said, in part: "We abhor your use of Holy Scripture, the Word of God, which teaches us of God's love for all, being used as a tool for the continuance of oppression of God's children."
Philadelphia, PA, May 8-10 ‑‑ We were guests at dinner at the home of Father Ron Wesner, who heads National Integrity. Malcolm was interviewed by the Philadelphia Bulletin, The News, appeared on TV, and addressed Integrity at a special meeting.
New York, May 11-18 ‑‑ Doubleday honored Am I Running With You, God? with a publishing cocktail party. Integrity also honored the book with a meeting at the Church of the Ascension. Malcolm concelebrated and preached at MCC. We saw many friends, attended the theater, and Malcolm worked with his editor at Doubleday on his new book, A Sexual-Spiritual Autobiography, which will be published next spring. Malcolm and I spent a delightful evening informal!y with Bishop Paul Moore, Jr. of New York at his apartment adjoining the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Boston, May 19-23 ‑‑ We stayed with William Doubleday, convenor of Integrity/Boston, and new editor of Integrity Forum. Malcolm participated in a press conference on human rights, with special emphasis on Anita Bryant and the Dade County election, with former Sergeant Leonard Matlovitch and Rep. Elaine Noble, at the Massachusetts State House. The conference was covered in the press, TV and radio. Malcolm celebrated and spoke at Integrity, which met at Emmanuel Church in downtown Boston. He also preached and participated in communion at MCC. We were interviewed together by the Boston Globe and Gay Community News.
We visited the Boston University to view the Malcolm Boyd Collection, a permanent archive of his letters and papers and memorabilia which contains 30 boxes of Malcolm's materials. Most interesting to me was a 13th-century French chasuble, stole and maniple that were given to Malcolm by Mary Pickford.
Los Angeles, May 24 ‑‑ Home again.
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WHO CHOOSES SEABURY'S BOOK?
Kennedy, Eugene. Sexual Counseling. (New York: Seabury, 1977. 197p. $9.95)
[Eugene Kennedy is Professor of Psychology at Loyola University in Chicago. Among his previous books is St. Patrick's Day with Mayor Daley.]
If you were thinking of purchasing Kennedy's new book to inform your own counseling approach ‑‑ don't! And if you are looking for a book to suggest to a counselor ‑‑ don't recommend this one! The book is written for what the author describes as the nonprofessional counselor: the educator, the pastor, the general physician, the lawyer, the coach. The chapters cover various aspects of human sexuality: sex problems in marriage, marital infidelity, women's liberation, masturbation, transvestism, child molesting, This reviewer concentrated only on chapter 18, "Counseling Homosexuals," and on scattered references to homosexuality in other chapters.
At best Kennedy's handling of homosexuality is superficial and vague, although for the most part he really doesn't say much about homosexuality or homosexual persons at all ‑‑ he frequently just pieces together quotations from various authors, none especially commendable for the audience for which this book was written. At worst, Kennedy perpetuates stereotypes, generalizes from extremes, and encourages an inviable counseling attitude. Perhaps one of the better statements Kennedy makes is his advice to the nonprofessional counselor that marriage (i.e., heterosexual marriage) should not be encouraged as an antidote for homosexual "fantasies" and "feelings" (his frequently used words); "People do not get married to cure themselves of anything and counselors should not hesitate to say this." (p. 146) Despite his avowed desire to be a listening, nonjudgmental counselor, the author comes across as rather patronizing, sometimes condescending, and as one who is actually uncomfortable talking about another's sexual "dysfunction" (another word he uses often).
Far better resources for background reading in counseling gay persons are by The Rev. Canon Clinton R. Jones (of the Cathedral in Hartford), Homosexuality and Counseling and Loving Someone Gay by Don Clark. Both provide the reader with clear facts about homosexuality and about gay persons and guides the would-be counselor to a sane approach to the issues.
‑‑The Rev. Allan Stifflear
Director of the Library
Episcopal Divinity School
MEMBERSHIP
Bring a friend to Integrity! Tell gay Episcopalians and your other friends about Integrity. We are an especial group, meeting the needs of a special part of the life of the Church. We witness to a truth the Church has not always considered worthy of mention ‑‑ that in every parish or mission, as in all other parts of society, there are gay people with the same kinds of needs and problems everyone else has.
Why a special organization? In these days of special interest groups, it takes clout to make a change in the Church or in society.
Please help us to have that clout ‑‑ by your membership, your involvement and your concern. God bless you ‑‑ Anita certainly won't.
BARNHOUSE BOOK PUBLISHED BY SEABURY PRESS
Homosexuality: A Symbolic Confusion by Dr. Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse was published by Seabury Press in August. The book is certain to be quoted widely across the Church as a basis for the continued oppression of gay people. Although the book gives grudging support to civil rights protection for gay people, it comes down strongly on the side of "sickness," "sinfulness," "immaturity," and a refusal to ordain acknowledged gay persons. Dr. Barnhouse represents a very strong contingent within the establishment of the Episcopal Church and it is essential that members of Integrity be acquainted with and prepared to refute her point of view. The next issue of Integrity Forum will include a lengthy commentary on her book. Readers are especially invited to submit their responses to Dr. Barnhouse for possible publication in Integrity Forum.
A PRAYER
Lord
it's storming outside.
it battles against
window & door
lonely
gay
and sometimes afraid
we wait Your return.
in Your loving arms
we know we're ok.
help us to love those who
persecute our humanity
that we may grow to know
Your love.
amen
‑‑Steven Fox
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LOCAL CHAPTERS
INTEGRITY/ATLANTA Convenor Thomas J. Jackson, Station C.P.O. Box 7934, Atlanta GA 30309
INTEGRITY/AUSTRALIA Convenor Rev'd Ron Dowling, St. Linus's Vicarage, 19 Glyndon, Merlynston, Victoria, 3058, Australia.
INTEGRITY/BOSTON Convenor William Doubleday, Box 2582, Boston, MA 02208 617/723-4336
INTEGRITY-DIGNITY/CHAPEL HILL Convenor Hogan Gaskins, P.O. Box 385, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
INTEGRITY/CHICAGO Convenor David Williams, P.O. Box 2516, Chicago, IL 60690 312/388-1470
INTEGRITY/DENVER Convenor Rev'd Thomas Dobbs, 1734 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80203
INTEGRITY/DETROIT Secretary-Treasurer Nick Benard, 22105 Gaukler, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 313/771-0654
INTEGRITY/SOUTHERN OHIO Convenor Jim Burns, 244 Castlewood Av., Dayton, OH 45405 513/274-9714
INTEGRITY/EUGENE Convenor Larry Monical, 310 East 14th Av., Eugene, OR 97401.
INTEGRITY/FORT VALLEY Convenors Ernest Clay and Louie Crew, 701 Orange Street, #6, Fort Valley, GA 31030 912/825-7287.
INTEGRITY/HARTFORD Convenor Rev'd Dr. C.R. Jones, 45 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103
EPISCOPAL INTEGRITY/HOUSTON P.O. Box 25342, Houston, TX 77005 (Not to be confused with the fine local secular organization called Integrity)
INTEGRITY/KNOXVILLE Convenor Jim Fleenor, P.O. Box 8174, U.T. Station, Knoxville, TN 37916
INTEGRITY/LOS ANGELES Convenor Jim Pressler, 5629 Monte Vista, #7, Los Angeles, CA 90032 213/462-5936
INTEGRITY/MADISON Rev'd Bill Landram, 21 W. Gilman St., Madison, WI 53703
INTEGRITY/MIAMI Convenor Bill Worley, P.O. Box 680457, Miami, FL 33168
INTEGRITY/NEW ORLEANS Convenor L. Sam Myers, P.O. Box 15586, New Orleans, LA 70175 504/861-1663
INTEGRITY/NEW YORK CITY G.P.O. 1549, New York, NY 10001
INTEGRITY/PHILADELPHIA Co-Convenors Rev'd John Lenhardt 4711 Baltimore Av., Philadelphia, PA 19143 215/726-1089 and Rev'd Ron Wesner 5014 Willows Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 215/748-2118
INTEGRITY/PHOENIX Convenor Bob Eff, P.0. Box 27212, Phoenix, AZ 85017
INTEGRITY/PORTLAND Convenor Randy West, P.0. Box 1323, Federal Station, Portland, OR 97207
INTEGRITY/RICHMOND Convenor Edward Meeks Gregory, 1907 N. 23rd St., Richmond, VA 23223
INTEGRITY/ROCHESTER P.O. Box 8295, Rochester, NY 14617 716/232-6521
INTEGRITY/ST. LOUIS Convenor Jim Ellsworth, P.O. Box 7213, St. Louis, MO 63177 314/776-8210
INTEGRITY/SAN ANTONIO. Convenor David Allen White, 417 E. Locust #3, San Antonio, TX 78212 515/735-4393
INTEGRITY/SAN FRANCISCO AND BAY AREA. Co-Convenors Rev'd Richard Younge, P.O. Box 6444, San Jose, CA 95150 and Andrew Berry, 695 Noe St. #4, San Francisco, CA 94114
INTEGRITY/TORONTO Box 463, Station J, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M4J4F2
INTEGRITY/TWIN CITIES Convenor Rollie Winter, P.O. Box 3565, Minneapolis, MN 55403
INTEGRITY/WASHINGTON, DC Convenor Rev'd Bill Baker, 1101 Third SW #616, Washington, D.C. 20004
Persons have inquired about the possibility of new chapters in Dallas, Jacksonville (FL), Lexington (KY), Montana, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, San Diego, Savannah, Seattle, Springfield (MO), Toledo and Topeka. All queries should be sent to our President, Rev'd Ron Wesner, 5014 Willows Av., Philadelphia, PA 19143 215/748-2118. This ministry is very important. We need you. Please write today. Isn't it time for you to convene a chapter?