July 13, 2009 issue
Pink Menno group calls for gay and lesbian inclusion
By Paul Schrag Mennonite Weekly ReviewPage:
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Clusters of people wearing pink shirts gathered in hallways of the Greater Columbus Convention Center and sang hymns.
MAKING A STATEMENT — Supporters of Pink Menno sing “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” during a press conference advocating acceptance of gays and lesbians in Mennonite Church USA. — Photo by Paul Schrag/MWR
They were members and supporters of Pink Menno, a group advocating full acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Mennonite Church USA.
Their shirts displayed the slogan, “Inclusive and Mennonite, ask me how.”
The group drew about 90 supporters to a press conference outside the convention center July 2.
Reporters from The Associated Press, Fox News and The Columbus Dispatch were present.
Three speakers lamented what they called the church’s exclusion, rejection and degrading treatment of gays and lesbians.
“How can we teach values of love, peace and justice while we marginalize and silence people?” asked Katie Hochstedler of St. Paul, Minn.
“For now, I’ve decided to stay with the church to work for change and healing, and while I still have hope I will be here, a young queer Mennonite challenging my church to be better.”
Cynthia Lapp, pastor of Hyattsville (Md.) Mennonite Church, said her congregation had been “enriched and enlivened by the presence of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers.”
The congregation is under discipline by Allegheny Mennonite Conference.
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