Saint Ethelburga's

The weather was awful indeed last Wednesday but still some people made it to the Saint Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.

There were about 20 people, mostly Jewish and Anglicans. The speakers each represented their faith and shared texts and images.

I thought it was very interesting the way they approached the subject of "The Agony and the Ecstasy". Sam, the facilitator told about a spiritual experience he had when seeing this painting by Caravaggio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flagellation_of_Christ_(Caravaggio)

The discussion then centred in the wholeness of living our lives in which faith has a place. And if we are made in the image of God, is not our sexual orientation also coming from the divine?

We had the Christian (Protestant) and the Jewish perspectives on this and people were able to contribute their own experiences to the discussion.

Then we moved on to discuss scripture interpretation... some individuals asked very interesting questions and I must say I was impressed with the answers.

In the end, it was clear that God would not have created us with sexual drives towards our own gender unless it was his plan... otherwise, it would have been cruel. Same-sex partnerships can be as sucessful as straight marriages and the Church/es should be the first ones to honour them and celebrate the union and love of two people.

I hope more people can make it to the next gathering.

I will post details here soon.

Thanks for the organisers and the attenders who contributed to the discussion.

December meeting

We will meet on Wednesday 16 December at 6.30pm for the Lecture: Same-sex relationships and religious belief and practice, delivered by Jewish and Christian leaders at the
St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
78 Bishopsgate
London EC2N 4AG

free entry but need to book on www.stethelburgas.org

please contact Angelo for any further information angeloberbotto@aol.com

Affirmation London welcomes American visitor, Larry Mann

Affirmation London had the great honour of welcoming Larry Mann from the Washington D.C. chapter to London. We met at Kettner's, a restaurantat in Soho once patronised by Oscar Wilde himself, for a couple of drinks and a nice meal.

Larry met Angelo at the International Conference last October and the London chapter was thrilled when we heard that Larry was visiting.

He sums up his encounter with the trans Atlantic G-Saints in these words:

"... let me remind each of you what a memorable and fun time I enjoyed with you at Kettner's. And special thanks to Pedro for sharing a bite of your dinner selection; it was SO much better than what I ordered..."

Indeed, Bryn, Ian, Pedro and Angelo spent a great evening with Larry sharing stories, experiences and funny anecdotes... in a way celebrating our own GLDS heritage.

Larry added:

"If and when I have a chance to return to London, I'll be in hopes of seeing any and all of you gents again, though in this world of fast-paced change, sometimes we make connections that never again reconnect. I hope not. Being together with you fellows felt completely right."

On behalf of all of us in London, thank you Larry for coming and sharing your unique being with us, your words and lively conversation allowed us to see what a truly great person you are. Of course we will looking forward to next time.

In the meantime, Affirmation London is organsing its next get together in April. It will be a family home evening type of meeting with some spiritual/serious part and social afterwards. More info on this site shortly...

Some pics Larry took whilst in London town...

Gay Mormons Seek Meeting With New Leader

By Jennifer Dobner - AP

Saturday, February 9, 2008; 8:44 PM

SALT LAKE CITY -- A group of gay Mormons is seeking an unprecedented meeting with the new church president and his counselors, hoping to begin a conversation and find ways to address the concerns of its members.

Affirmation, with more than 2,000 gay, lesbian and transgender members, is not recognized by the church, which at one time labeled homosexuality as a problem that required help.

"Although there are many areas of hurt and disagreement that have separated us, there are many more areas on which we can find agreement, and in doing so, become a blessing in the lives of many of the Saints, both straight and gay," the group wrote in its invitation to Thomas S. Monson last week.

Monson assumed leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last Sunday following the death of its previous president, Gordon B. Hinckley.

Such a meeting with Monson and his counselors _ a triumvirate known as the First Presidency _ would be unprecedented, said David W. Melson, the group's assistant executive director.

"This was something we've talked about for a while," Melson said.

"With the death of President Hinckley and the installation of new church leadership, it seemed like the appropriate time."

Church teachings consider homosexuality a sin and hold up traditional marriage as an institution ordained by God.

In the 1990s, the church was active politically in fighting same-sex marriage legislation nationwide. A church official signed a 2006 letter from religious groups asking Congress for a marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Some gays were rejected by their families and excommunicated by the church. Some were counseled that marriage or intensive therapy programs would "cure" their homosexuality.

More recently, church leaders have softened their position, drawing a distinction between the feelings or inclinations of same-gender attraction, as they call it, and actions.

Hinckley, who died Jan. 27 at age 97, had called on the church to reach out to gay members with compassion and love.

Melson said a new approach could prevent Mormon parents from kicking their gay children out of their homes and reduce the number of suicides among young gay men.

"I would like for us never again to have gay individuals, particularly our young people, being told that they are not welcome in the church they grew up in," he said, whose group was founded in 1977 by closeted gay students at the church-owned Brigham Young University.

Church spokeswoman Kim Farah could not confirm receipt of the group's letter on Friday.

"Any correspondence with the First Presidency is private," she said.

___

On the Web:

http://www.lds.org

http://www.affirmation.org

High tea with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The second meeting of the London chapter of Affirmation was held on 20 January 2008. It was kindly hosted by Pedro who welcomed us with a delicious high tea, in line with the best of British tradition.

In the background, the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the greatest hits of all-time musicals, provided the ideal scene for Gay Mormons to discuss current Mormon issues, being gay and LDS and the quite accepting attitude towards Gay Saints from the London members. In the spiritual part, we talked about the Word of Wisdom and its personal meaning to each individual.

We invite you to the next meeting on 10 Feb 2008 which will consist of a visit to a local ward's sacrament meeting (meet at Clapham South Station at 11.20am) and later lunch in the Clapham area.

At Affirmation London, we are aware of people's different stages in their coming-out. Therefore, we do not provide your details to anyone. For those wishing to join us after Sacrament Meeting, please meet us at Clapham Common Tube at 1.30pm.

We are honoured to have Larry Mann visiting from Washington D.C. Larry has been long involved with Affirmation and it will be a pleasure hearing what he has to say to us, Q-Saints from the other side of the Atlantic. We will meet for dinner with Larry on Friday 7 March 2008 at Ketners (menu between GBP 10 and 15) in Soho.

For further information, contact Angelo

First meeting report - now pencil down 20 Jan 2008!

The London chapter of Affirmation held its first meeting on Sunday 16 December 2007 . The meeting combined a social gathering as well as a Christmas message. On this occasion, everyone had the opportunity to freely talk about their experiences and perspectives on their relationship with the church, the teachings, their Mormon identity and related topics. There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere and people felt at ease about pouring their hearts out, as well as joking and having a laugh about us as being part of the "peculiar people" of Mormondom.

The meeting was hosted by Angelo, who opened the meeting talking about his experience in Affirmation along his life. He referred also to the opportunity of attending the International Affirmation Conference in Washington D.C. last October and the great spirit there. Angelo also shared a short Christmas message which consisted in the spiritual element of the meeting.

Pedro volunteered to host the next Affirmation meeting on 20 January 2008 at his home in Surbiton, South London. For further information and how to get to Pedro's place contact Angelo on 075 1547 6045.

God be with you till we meet again!

Affirmation - London Chapter

Come oh ye, Q-Saints...

Hi,

I am Angelo, a former missionary in Argentina. I am 33 and work and live in London.

I had the immense privilege of attending the Annual Affirmation Conference in Washington D.C. this past October.

I was amazed at the great spirit amongst us, GLBT Saints... meeting these men and women has been wonderful to me... as a former missionary, after I left the Church, that was pretty much the end of my spiritual activity... I have now come to terms with who I am and I am fine with it... I can now say that I am proud of my unique Mormon background and I embrace it.


I am extending an invitation to all queer-Saints who live in the London area and to visitors to London to a Christmas Devotional on Sunday 16 December from 3 to 4 pm. in Balham, South London (Northern Line).

This is an event for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual and GLBTI-friendly straight former and current LDS (be they Church-goers or not) who share the cultural and spiritual Mormon background.

This is an inclusive and non-judgemental meeting.

More information...

ring me on +44 (0)75 1547 6045
or email me angeloberbotto@aol.com

cheers,
Angelo