Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 09:45:24 -0500
From: WABaptists@aol.com
Subject: W&A info


THE ASSOCIATION OF WELCOMING & AFFIRMING BAPTISTS
                                                    
Building a community committed to welcoming and affirming all
persons regardless of sexual orientation into the full life and
mission of American Baptist churches.
             ...all are one in Christ      Galatians 3:28         


For more information contact:

The Association of
Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
PO Box 2596
Attleboro Falls MA  02763-0894
Rev. Brenda J. Moulton, Coordinator
Phone/fax  508-226-1945
E-mail  WABaptists@aol.com
http://users.aol.com/wabaptists

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WHO WE ARE

Members of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists are
churches, organizations and individuals who are willing to go on
record as welcoming and affirming all persons without regard to
sexual orientation, and who have joined together to advocate for
the full inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons within
American Baptist communities of faith.

A Welcoming & Affirming (W&A) congregation is one which reaches
out to the lesbigay community with the message of the Good News
of Jesus Christ and welcomes lesbian, gay and bisexual Christians
into full membership and participation. 

The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists was initiated
at a gathering of pastors at the 1991 Biennial in Charleston,
West Virginia, and was formally organized at the 1993 Biennial in
San José, California.  By 1995 the Association had grown to over
30 churches and organizations in Regions throughout the ABC/USA.

In keeping with historic Baptist principles, the Association does
not require adherence to a particular creed or statement of
faith.  Rather, each member congregation, as a part of its
process of deciding to go on record as being W&A, has drafted its
own unique Statement of Welcome and Affirmation.  Some excerpts:


"We believe that it is clear in the scriptures that Jesus lived,
died, and rose again as sign of God's tenacious love and that he
opened the doors of God's kingdom for all people regardless of
age, sex, race, or sexual orientation."
                                        Emmanuel Baptist Church
                                               Albany, New York

"...providing strength for the oppressed and encouragement for
the disenfranchised is fundamental to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ."                                    First Baptist Church
                                             Berkeley, California

"We are committed to a church membership open to all people
without distinction (based on age, sex, race, sexual orientation,
cultural background, education, familial status or economic
 accomplishments.)"                        Central Baptist Church
                                            Hartford, Connecticut

"...the Bible describes the ministry of Jesus as one of
unconditional acceptance, especially to those rejected by
society, and of Justice with love."
                                        University Baptist Church
                                           Minneapolis, Minnesota

"...homosexuals in our society have suffered continuing injustice
and have been rejected because of their sexual orientation by
many citizens, including large numbers of members of Christian
Churches."                                Church of the Covenant,
                                                   Palmer, Alaska

"...we will know no circles of exclusion, no boundaries we will
not cross, and no loyalties above those which we owe to GOD."
                                     Seattle First Baptist Church
                                              Seattle, Washington


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OUR MISSION

The mission of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
is to envision, create and support a community of churches
committed to actively affirm the inclusion of gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered persons into the full life and mission
of local congregations, regional and national offices of the
American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.  The mission of the
Association is to create a community in solidarity, empowerment
and reconstruction committed to true peace and justice.

The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists:

  invites and supports churches in the ABC/USA to enter
thoughtful processes of dialogue and theological reflection
leading to a full declaration of the local community in favor of
inclusion of sexual minorities as a statement of holistic mission
deeply rooted in Biblical principles and in Baptist polity and
practice; and

  endeavors to create and maintain networks of communication and
support within the ABC/USA and among other welcoming and
affirming groups to create avenues of recognition, celebration,
and validation of various ministries limited by prejudice based
on sexual orientation until the official bodies take a stand to
abolish any and all exclusionary policies and practices.


"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you
have love for one another."


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                            The Association of
                      Welcoming & Affirming Baptists


                          MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
                                     

Membership in the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
is available to churches, organizations and individuals who
desire to enter into association with others who are working to
foster greater inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons
within the ABC/USA, and who are willing to "go on record" as
being welcoming and affirming.  The Association works closely
with American Baptists Concerned, the American Baptist gay caucus, in areas
of mutual benefit, including: networking, referrals, education, and political
action.