From: UfmccHq@aol.com Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 19:42:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: News Release: Growth, Technology Focus of Gay Spirituality Conference N E W S R E L E A S E For Immediate Release, Please INTERNATIONAL GROWTH, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES TOP UFMCC GENERAL CONFERENCE XVIII AGENDA Sydney, Australia Conference Largest Ever In Pacific Rim (Photo Information Follows) Los Angeles -- The largest gay spirituality conference ever held in the Pacific Rim took place July 20-25 under the sponsorship of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). More than 1600 participants from 15 countries gathered in the historic Sydney Town Hall in Sydney, Australia on July 20th for the Conference's opening rally. General Conference XVIII was UFMCC's most international conference to date and the first held outside of North America. International growth of the predominantly g/l/b/t/ denomination was a focus of the conference. Since 1993, UFMCC has welcomed 10,000 new members internationally. A highlight of the conference was the presence of noted South Korean eco-feminist theologian Dr. Chung Hyun Kyung, professor of ecumenics at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She presented the conference keynote address entitled, "Love In The Time Of AIDS: Reflections on a New Civilization Which Empowers our Resistance, Liberation, and Healing for the 21st Century." Dr. Chung also facilitated a workshop entitled, "Asian Eco- Feminist Ta Chi: Eventually Beauty Will Save Us All." The use of technology to share gay spirituality formed a second track of General Conference XVIII. UFMCC has made a significant commitment to Internet technology, according to the Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry, founder and moderator of UFMCC. More than 34,000 persons around the world visited the UFMCC Virtual Conference Website at www.ufmcc.com during conference week, said Perry. The website carries photos of the conference, the "State of the Fellowship Address" (available through RealAudtio), daily conference news, and the transcripts of on-line conference Internet chats from Sydney. Media interest in General Conference XVIII was exceptionally strong, according to UFMCC officials. The Rev. Mr. Perry appeared on the national Australian "Today Show," and the Australian Broadcasting Company filmed a documentary which aired nationally on Sunday, August 10. The documentary featured interviews with Perry and information on the denomination, as well as scenes from Conference workshops, seminars and worship sessions. Conference news coverage was provided by mainline newspapers across the Australian continent, and the Australian gay press provided exceptional front- page coverage of this historic conference. The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, UFMCC's Chief Ecumenical Officer, conducted an extensive interview with the press service of the World Council of Churches. During conference business, delegates re-elected the Rev. Darlene Garner (Falls Church, VA) and the Rev. Hong Tan (London, England) to the UFMCC Board of Elders, and elected Mr. Clarke Friesen (Tucson, AZ) to the Board. In other business, delegates approved by-laws changes, rejected a proposal for a triennial conference system, and approved new denominational mission, vision and core values statements. Additional information on this year's conference is available through UFMCC's website at http://www.ufmcc.com. UFMCC was founded the Rev. Troy D. Perry, who serves as moderator of the fast-growing denomination. A frequent international speaker at churches, universities, and conferences, Perry has appeared on C-SPAN, 60 Minutes,Phil Donahue, Tomorrow with Tom Snyder, and The Mike Douglas Show. UFMCC's story has appeared in virtually every international news magazine. Perry is the recipient of awards from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Gay Press Association. UFMCC is composed of more than 300 local congregations in 15 countries. With a combined budget in excess of $15 million, the UFMCC churches comprise the largest predominantly gay organization in the world. Additional information on UFMCC's General Conference XVIII is available by e-mail from UFMCCHQ@aol.com. (E N D) For Additional Information, Contact: James N. Birkitt, Jr. UFMCC Director of Communications Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches 8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (310) 360-8640 Fax: (310) 360-8680 E-mail: UFMCC HQ@aol.com Release Date: August/September, 1997 CONFERENCE PHOTOS AVAILABLE: An extensive selection of conference photos are available for downloading from the UFMCC website at http://www.ufmcc.com.