Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Concerns

Affirmation is an activist caucus of LGBT people, and our allies.

General Conference 2008

During the United Methodist quadrennial General Conference, which takes place in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 23-May 2, 2008. Affirmation will post a daily newsletter. The official General Conference website is at www.gc2008.umc.org, which has live streaming video of the proceedings and is constantly being updated news stories and photos.

Out: Daily Publication of Affirmation
Out #10, May 2, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 180K)
Spiritual Violence Sparks Protests, Those Patronizing Cliches, Sexual Based Violence, Discrimination Condemned, Legislative Miscellaneous, Fort Worth Witness Proclamation.
Out #9, May 1, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 180K)
No Progress On Human Sexuality Paragraph in Social Principles, Observations From Someone New to General Conference, We're Not Your Punching Bags, This 'n' that, INCARNATION, To The Chair, From The Voiceless.
Out #8, April 30, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 170K)
Thinking Theologically Via Quadrilateral, God’s Truth Is Marching On..., Just Another Anonymous Story, Bless This Day, Indeed.
Out #7, April 29, 2008 (PDF, 2 p, 100K)
This newsletter has a different format for one day only. At General Conference a a rainbow colored eraser to was attached to the lower right hand corner of the page.
Out #6, April 28, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 220K)
That Face, That Spirit, That Mary, Faith Journey Leads to Unexpected Destination, Debate Is So 20th Century, A Social Principles Quiz.
Out #5, April 27, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 210K)
Taking the Bible Seriously, Is It Time For "Homosexuals" To Go Away?, It's OUR Bible, Too!, A Poem: "Mother Love."
Out #4, April 26, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 280K)
Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin, Come to OUT! Awards Banquet, Black Clergy Allies Support LGBT United Methodists, Transgender Press Conference Held, Free Outdoor Screening of For The Bible Tells Me So.
Out #3, April 25, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 560K)
Make Everyone a Disciple?!, Ordained But Disconnected, A Prayer, National Day of Silence, Informal Transgender Mixer Slated
Out #2, April 24, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 520K)
It's Not Easy..., We're Your Active Members, A Brief History Of Affirmation and the Reconciling Movement, Pastoral Care Hotline
Out #1, April 23, 2008 (PDF, 4 pp, 220K)
Standing Outside of the Church, We're Still Here, I Don't Wanna Talk About It, Avoiding Sexuality Issue Is Not True Peace

Note: The free Adobe Acrobat® Reader must be installed on your computer to read PDF files.

Daily SQB, MFSA General Conference Newsletter
Reconciling Ministries Blog General Conference 2008
General Conference 2008, official site at umc.org
Affirmation Newsletter, December 2007 (PDF, 10 pp, 155K)
Contents include: "Judicial Council Witness," "Farewell to Ken Rowe," "Press Statement" (presented during the San Francisco Judicial Council Open Air Witness at Justin Herman Plaza), "It's Not Easy," "OUT Awards To Be Inaugurated," "GC 2008 Delegates Need to Hear Your Story!," "Where Is my Affirmation Newsletter?," "Frequent Flyer Miles Piling Up?," "Where There's a Will," "Report from the Treasurer," and "Affirmation Vision."
Note: The free Adobe Acrobat® Reader must be installed on your computer to read PDF files.

Read the latest on "UMCalledOut." It carries A LOT more LGBT news that is NOT posted on this web site.

About Affirmation

Affirmation United Methodist Logo. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church. Tax-deductible contributions to Affirmation are welcome. Donate securely online or print our online form and mail it with your gift to PO Box 1021, Evanston, IL 60204. All contributors of $25 or more will be considered members of Affirmation (unless they request otherwise) and will receive the quarterly newsletter.

Affirmation's Mission Statement: As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community.

Introduction to Affirmation Membership Brochure, PDF format.
Note: The free Adobe Acrobat® Reader must be installed on your computer to read PDF files.
A Brief History of Affirmation: 1972-2000.
Policy Statement on War.
Donate to Affirmation online or by through the mail check or credit card.
Join Affirmation! Membership form and mailing instructions.

Resources

Join "Called Out" (email edition) for the fastest LGBT news. Sign up on the web or send a blank e-mail to UMCalledOut-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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Here We Stand: Calling the United Methodist Church to Embody God's Love and Justice
We, the undersigned church leaders, have come together to take a stand in response to recent decisions by the United Methodist Judicial Council.
Day of Silence
The Day of Silence, a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a student-led day of action. This year it happens April 13, 2005.
Reconciling Ministries Contacts Lists
Three lists: Reconciling Communities, Reconciling Ministries Conference Coordinators, and Parents' Reconciling Network Conference Coordinators. Reconciling Communities include United Methodist congregations, campus ministries, conferences and other groups have made a public declaration that they welcome all persons, regardless of sexual orientation to participate fully in the life of their community.
Welcoming Ministries
Looking for an LGBT-friendly church? Over 1,500 welcoming communities are found in ten denominations in the United States and Canada.
More links to other United Methodist web sites.

Spirituality and Theology

Spiritual Resources: Prayers, Poems, Stories, Sermons
United Methodist Theology and Doctrine John Wesley's sermons, including "Catholic Spirit", UM Doctrinal Standards, Social Principles and more.

General Conference 2008

About Affirmation

Resources

Spirituality and Theology

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