Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 02:34:46 -0500
From: db477@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Cliff Pearson)
Subject: Gay-friendly Religious Order


THE ECUMENICAL ORDER OF CHARITY

Do you feel called to the Religious Life?  Do you know 
someone who does?  Are you looking for a truly inclusive
Religious Order?  Are you looking for a Religious Order that
is more devoted to service than dogma?

The Ecumenical Order of Charity is a Religious Order dedi-
cated to inclusiveness, ecumenism and charitible service in
the name of Christ.  We do not discriminate on the basis of
gender, race, age, creed, national origin, HIV status, or
sexual orientation.

The fact that the Order is open to gays and lesbians may   
surprise many.  Religious Communities and churches often
exclude gay and lesbian people from membership, but the    
Ecumenical Order of Charity belives inclusiveness is the
cornerstone of Christ's gospel.

We believe we are the seed of what Religious Orders will
look like in the future.  We feel that the new communities
will be inclusive as never before, but will always focus on
prayer, community, spirituality, ministry, and mission.

Although we are not affiliated with any particular
denomination, the Order of Charity is modeled after the
Catholic Religious Communities of history.  Ecumenism, the 
building-up of all Christians despite their denominational
links, is the central ideal of the Order of Charity.       

We, the Order, choose not to attach ourselves officially to
a denomination or church believing this frees us to be on 
the cutting edge of the gospel for the sake of the Kingdom.  
Ecumenism remains our focal point, directing us to be God's
hands here on Earth.

The primary work of the Order is charitible service.  Each 
of the Order's five Houses is dedicated to a particular
type of service.  

Saint Christopher House, the Motherhouse of the Order, is  
dedicated to the care of people living with AIDS.  It is 
located in Vancouver, Wash.  Saint Jude House of Care, in 
Portland, Ore. offers care to people with Alzheimer's 
Disease and other dementias.  Providence House is a guest
house for people visiting Saint Christopher House.  Deall
Dere House (Welsh for "come and see") in Milwaukee, Wis.
provides service in cooperation with the Veterans'
Administration to veterans who have received spinal
injuries or who are amputees.  Trinity House in Dallas,
Tex. is a House of prayer and formation offering 
spiritual direction on a one-on-one basis.
             
Diversity of ministry is encouraged by the Order of Charity.
We allow our Companions to either live in a current House,
to be attached to it and live apart, or to establish a new
House.  Currently we have a variety of Companions living
different types of the Religious Life in the Order and we
all feel a sense of community which transcends distance.   

The vows required of us embody the vision of our Order as we
serve in the name of Christ.  The vows are Simplicity of 
Life (Poverty), Purity of Heart (Chastity), Obedience, 
Non-violence, and Universal Citizenship.  

The vows are outlined in "The Founding Document," the Rule
or wrtten guidelines of our Order.  "The Founding Document"
is meant to provide the foundation for the living of the 
Religious Life.  It is not, however, a dogmatic code of 
regulations.  "The Founding Document" stresses underlying  
principles rather than giving many hard and fast rules.  
Each Companion must interpret his or her own vision of the
Religious Life in the light "The Founding Document"
provides.

A vow of celibacy is not required by the Order.  But it is 
an option, as is marriage, committed relationship, or
singlehood.  A Companion vowing singlehood would be allowed
to date, eventually getting married or entering a committed
relationship.  Our Order recognizes the validity of each of
these vocations and seeks to incorporate all of them into
its structure.  It is our goal that the Religious Life not
be identified primarily by the absence of sexual relations.
We seek to have it identified by our actions for the sake of
God's Kingdom.

The Ecumenical Order of Charity was originally formed in 
Oxford, England in 1898 by Independent Catholic Bishop
Vernon Herford.  The primary focus then was ecumenism,
pacifism, and animal rights.  The fate of the original
group is now unknown, but the Community for the Love of
Christ (CLC) came to the United States in 1963 to continue
its work.  In 1988 a handful of Brothers left the CLC to
refound the Order of Charity as a daughter community of
the CLC.  In July 1991, the CLC ceased to exist and the
Ecumenical Order of Charity remained.  

We Companions of the Order of Charity believe that God calls
people to the Religious Life just as God calls people to all
other vocations in life.  Applicants go through a screening
process to help them discern if it is their calling.  The
Religious Life is very difficult.  Not everyone who applies
is accepted.  

Those interested in learning more may contact Novice Cliff 
Pearson through this e-mail address, or may call Saint
Christopher House at (360) 693-8353 during standard business
hours.  Ask for Brother Dale, the Director General.        

Women, heterosexuals, and people of color are especially
encouraged to apply.

Peace to you,

Novice Clifford B. Pearson
Ecumenical Order of Charity
c/o Trinity House, Dallas, Texas