Church leaders gather to understand needs of gay, lesbian church members

By The Examiner staff

Monday, January 31, 2005

Two Independence residents recently attended a working retreat in Houston, presented by the Welcoming Church Leadership Network.

The network is an association of national church leaders from the United States and Canada. Its primary focus is to assist congregations and other groups to widen the doors of hospitality to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Local attendees were Sharon P. Troyer, a Community of Christ member, and Arthur Butler, representing the Institute for Welcoming Resources.

Troyer is the executive director of GALA (Gay And Lesbian Association) and national program director of the Welcoming Community Network, a program of ministry affiliated with Community of Christ, with headquarters in Independence.

Donna Red Wing, a field consultant with the Interfaith Alliance, presented a training session for the network geared toward greater welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

In addition to formal training sessions, participants representing many Protestant denominations shared ideas, insights and resources for each of the welcoming church programs.

"One purpose of this ecumenical effort is to help churches more fully understand the needs of lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families," Troyer wrote.

For more information about the Welcoming Church Leadership Network and its next meeting, call Troyer at (816) 554-1835.

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Response submitted by the World Church

Saturday, February 5, 2005

Letter

No formal ties for church, group

Linda L. Booth
Director of Communications
Community of Christ

To the editor:

An article in Monday's Examiner ("Church leaders gather to understand needs of gay, lesbian leaders") inaccurately stated that the Welcoming Community Network is "a program of ministry affiliated with Community of Christ, with headquarters in Independence." The Welcoming Community Network has no official relationship to the Community of Christ.

In efforts aimed at pursuing our common mission, Community of Christ members and congregations around the world are encouraged to work with organizations that meet specific needs in their own communities. We are aware that some Community of Christ members or congregations may choose to partner with Welcoming Community Network in that capacity.