Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 18:56:33 -0400 From: Chris Ambidge Subject: *Integrator* files for 1989 INTEGRATOR, the newsletter of Integrity/Toronto volume 89-4, issue date 1989 04 12 copyright 1989 Integrity/Toronto. The hard-copy version of this newsletter carries the ISSN 0843-574X Integrity/Toronto Box 873 Stn F Toronto ON Canada M4Y 2N9 == Contents == [89-4-1] LIVING IN SIN? / Book Review by Norm Rickaby [89-4-2] LET'S TALK: *Inviting Congregations into conversation and solidarity with lesbians and gays* / by Clara Lovatt, a member of Affirm, the United Church gay/lesbian caucus. [89-4-3]GIRAFFES AT GENERAL SYNOD ======== [89-4-1] LIVING IN SIN? Book Review by Norm Rickaby [*Living in Sin?* (A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality) John Shelby Spong, Harper & Row $21.95] Depending on where people are in their own thinking about sexuality and faith, this book may either challenge them or anger them. I have been encouraging people I know to read it and I included it on a list of Lenten reading suggestions I gave to my parishioners this year. Personally I finished reading *Living in Sin?* feeling very good about it and wondered if that meant that I might not be the best person to write a review of it. I thought I could end up writing a "fan letter" rather than an objectively critical piece about it. Well, objectivity to the wind ... here I go! This is not the first time that Bishop Spong (of the Diocese of Newark, New Jersey) has been heard on the subject of sexuality. He has for several years spoken out clearly for both feminist and gay/lesbian issues and has been a supporter of the ordination of women and gays, women in the episcopate, and of church blessings for lesbian and gay unions. In the first of three sections in this book, the Bishop talks about how religion and the church, with longstanding patriarchal/ sexist/ heterosexist biases, has tried to limit the potential expression of sexuality to a narrow category. This has been done using guilt, which Spong reminds us is the church's "gift that keeps on giving", and definitions of acceptable behaviour which demand an *imposed* regimen of abstinence and celibacy on all those who do not fit the "norms". Spong reminds us that limiting sexual expression to the state of legal, heterosexual marriage does not take into account today's very real social situations. Today, women and men are reaching puberty earlier than ever before, yet marrying later than in the past (often completing one or two college degrees and becoming established in a chosen career). People do not stay and suffer silently (nor should they) in abusive and/or dead marriages any longer. Older people live may years longer after the death of a spouse than in former generations. And, of course, fewer lesbian and gay people feel pressured to "hide" in the institution of heterosexual marriage. The church's ancient prohibitions around the expression of one's sexual nature outside the bonds of heterosexual, lifelong marriage do not take into consideration some of the very real dilemmas Spong suggests. In the second section of *Living in Sin?*, Bishop Spong deals with the biblical materials and how they relate to discussions of sexuality. It's in this part of the book where I have some difficulty with him. He is far more committed that I would be of the four-source (J, E, P and D) documentary theory of the origins of the Old Testament and assigns quite late dates (post-exilic) to all or most of the books of the Jewish scriptures. While I don't necessarily buy into those theories whole-heartedly, I agree with what Spong wants his readers to do. He wants them to see scripture as documents written by women and men who probably had their own limitations, beliefs and biases, and who wrote with purposes which had to include getting across their own specific points of view. We cannot be fully aware today of what those biases or points of view were. Yet we try to read the literature with integrity, recognising that it is something less than the merely *dictated* words of God for all people in all times. In the biblical section, most readers of *Integrator* will not find much that has not been said in other books which discuss the same subject areas. However, John Spong has a gift for communicating the material in a way that makes it both accessible to the average reader. Some readers, from rather traditional church-going backgrounds, may find this book disturbing *because* they will understand clearly what is being said - that they may have to change their thinking on some issues. In the third section of the book, the Bishop makes what he calls "Some New Proposals". Here he deals with ideas other than the celibacy "option" which he sees as a valid and attainable option only for a few. He includes portions of a liturgy which has been used in the blessing of gay and lesbian commitments. Though he doesn't say so explicitly in the book, he implies that he would conduct such a service (and I have heard that he has done so). In another area of New Proposal, he raises the possibility of churches holding a liturgical recognition of the ending of a marriage at the time of a divorce. This would allow friends and family of the two people to come together prayerfully and supportively for each of them without being forced to take sides. Spong has attended such a liturgy and admits both the pain of such a service and the fact that only in some cases would it be possible to arrange and carry one out. One New Proposal that I found particularly intriguing was his suggestion around what he calls "betrothal". I found it interesting in the light of the *practice* of most straight couples today, and also in the spillover to other situations where the marriage (in the church's understanding of it) would not be possible - for example, in the case of gays and lesbians. Spong suggests formal, liturgical recognition of the relationship between two people who have come to the point of deciding to live together - but are not yet sure, or ready, to be married. In this liturgy, the couple would enter into a "relationship that is faithful, committed, and public, but not legal or necessarily for a lifetime". In other words, the church would give support and blessing to the honest and serious attempt by couples today to build their relationships, but without the pressure or stigma which might be attached to going the full route of marriage "till death parts us" and which might or might not succeed and last. For this and other challenges, I would encourage readers to expose themselves to Spong's thought and reflection. It is a good book to read and to give to others to read. ======== [89-4-2] LET'S TALK *Inviting Congregations into conversation and solidarity with lesbians and gays* This article was written for Integrator by Clara Lovatt who is a member of Affirm, the United Church gay/lesbian caucus. Earlier this year, the Toronto Chapter of Affirm identified two important needs, during a consultation with several people who have worked in a variety of areas of United Church life. Identified were: the need to provide safety for lesbians/gays in the congregation, and the need to open up discussions among "Middle-Grounders" of the Church. These are people who, for one reason or another, have decided not to talk about "the issue". However, their voices are an important representation of the church, and are needed. The United Church of Canada has been requested by the November/88 General Council Executive "to consider the statement *Membership, Ministry and Human Sexuality* in the light of their understanding of the Gospel and their personal experience." These insights are to be gathered by congregations and in the hands of the General Council Executive by November 89. Several points of the statement have caused disagreement, but the inclusion of the words "regardless of their sexual orientation" in the statement, which is clarifying that the only requirement for membership is the profession of faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to him, has ignited fiery eruptions in all areas of the Church. The loudest opposing voice is that of Community of Concern, a group of individuals who identify with conservative theology. This group, at the congregational level is disrupting community growth. It is becoming impossible to discuss any of the issues raised by the MMMS statement. Fear and anger are linked to most discussions of sexuality, and sadly, the dissemination of information about gays/ lesbians (even the lesbian or gay voice that is openly "out") is often banned. The result is that, over the last year, actual persecution of gays and lesbians has moved into the congregations, and those who are in the closet have retreated further. The Church has been asked to gather insights. Nothing particularly insightful will happen unless some dialogue occurs between heterosexual women and men and gays and lesbians. A button campaign is being initiated that is intended to begin to facilitate this dialogue. On the button is a pink triangle with the words "Lets Talk" printed across it. Many of you will recall how during the 2nd World War Hitler's totalitarian regime forced Jewish People to wear the yellow Star of David. In Denmark, however, the King refused to have the Jews identified apart from the others so he wore a Star of David himself. The King encouraged others to follow his lead and thereby defused this harmful distinction of Jews in his Country. Hitler's rigidly structured Nazi society aimed the persecution at all who were disenfranchised. Among those singled out were lesbians and gays. Between 1933 and 1944, it is documented that more than 50,000 same gender oriented people were convicted. Women who were even suspected of being lesbian, were subjected to imprisonment and sexual attack. Gays were forced to identify themselves apart from others by wearing a pink triangle, which became the mark of death. Safety for lesbians/ gays and discussion are, in my view, vital needs in our congregations today. While we have discussions being banned in the Church, we have at the same time Community of Concern questionnaires being nationally distributed, which are calling for yes or no responses on whether or not gays/lesbians should even be welcome in United Church congregations. The climate is being set once again for another setting apart and identifying of lesbians/gays. The only possibility of defusing the fear and anger, while at the same time inviting the gays/lesbians into conversation with the Church is by offering a means by which people can be in solidarity. The button campaign suggests that solidarity is possible between heterosexual men and women and lesbians and gays who want to keep talking, rather than divide in anger or silence. These buttons are being distributed through friends of gays/lesbians in the Church. It is strongly recommended that lesbians and gays do not get asked specifically to wear a button. Friends must wear them first and only when a gay or lesbian feels safe will he or she wear one. They are currently being worn on first Sunday of every month. Similar to the cross, the pink triangle is a remembrance of past persecution and a sign of future hope. It is hoped that the numbers of people who will wear it will increase, so that a developing solidarity can be watched for and celebrated along the way towards the time of inclusion of lesbians/gays. ======== [89-4-3] GIRAFFES AT GENERAL SYNOD General Synod, the triennial meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada, is being held this year in St John's NF from June 15-22. Although one Integrity member was at the Fredericton General Synod in 83, and another in Winnipeg in 86, this will be the first time Integrity will have a booth staffed by four people. We will never get a better chance to meet such a large group of involved Anglicans. Integrity/Toronto has been actively saving for this for the last three years. Over this time, members have put in countless hours at GCDC dances doing everything from selling tickets to late night security, so that we could earn enough to send a delegation to Synod. Along with the money we ourselves have earned, two grants have been forthcoming from elsewhere in the lesbian/gay community. Integrity Inc. (in the USA), fresh from their experience at their church's General Convention last year, came through with an unsolicited $US 500. We actually applied for the second grant, which came from the Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal of Toronto. LGCA had $100 000 to give out this year, and requests for $200 000. They decided to give us the $500 we requested to cover the cost of printing pamphlets and handouts to be distributed at General Synod. We feel very gratified by this support from the larger gay/lesbian community. We have thought very carefully about why we are going to Synod. Our first and most important objective is to present to all the people at Synod a picture of normal, intelligent, devout people who are lesbian/gay. God and the Church are important in the lives of these people, but for many of them the uninformed attitudes found within the Church are unacceptable. Regular readers of *Integrator* will recognise the analogy that a giraffe seen once a year at the zoo remains a strange creature to be pointed at; a giraffe seen every day becomes unremarkable and part of the background. We are going to Synod to be giraffes, to be visible gay/lesbian people, and to let people meet (perhaps for the first time that they know of) a real homosexual. Many of them may be surprised that we do not match their stereotypes. We are not going to disrupt Synod or to get legislation passed. We want to engage in discussion, not in confrontation. We do not intend to be deadly serious and intense about this, however. We want to go to St John's with a sense of humour and (of course) Anglican Good Taste. Does anyone know where we can borrow a large toy giraffe who doesn't get airsick? While we are not a one-issue group, we cannot afford to allow the church to ignore AIDS. We will therefore be supporting the prayer vigil planned for Synod by the national church AIDS Working Group. We will also have some of their educational material available at the Integrity table. We are particularly pleased that a resolution, prepared by the Working Group, will be presented to General Synod calling for a national day of prayer for AIDS. The four people who are the executive of Integrity/Toronto will definitely be going to St John's. We are hoping that either Integrity/ Edmonton or Integrity/ Vancouver will also be able to send representatives. We have been in consultation with the four other Canadian Integrity chapters. Even if they cannot travel to St John's, we know that they will be with us in spirit. ======== End of volume 89-4 of Integrator, the newsletter of Integrity/Toronto copyright 1989 Integrity/Toronto Editor this issue: Bonnie Bewley comments please to Chris Ambidge, current Editor chris.ambidge@utoronto.ca OR Integrity/Toronto Box 873 Stn F Toronto ON Canada M4Y 2N9