June 4, 2010 ~ reporting from Burbank, California

Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles Gifts $10,000 to Southwest California Synod

The Los Angeles Chapter of Lutherans Concerned has given a $10,000 gift to the Southwest California Synod as a sign of gratitude to God for the substantial "policy change" in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since last summer.  The gift was presented to synodical Bishop Dean Nelson by Pastor Sue Devol, to applause and astonishment from the 400+ pastors and lay delegates representing the area's Lutheran congregations.

In August 2009, the ELCA became the largest Christian denomination in the United States to allow for partnered Lesbian and Gay people to serve in the ordained ministry and lay professional roles.  Previously, the church body had discouraged lesbian/gay people from entering the ministry, or from "coming out" if already ordained.

What caused the 4.6 million member denomination to reach its "tipping point" is that a major study of human sexuality and of issues relating to homosexuality,  authorized in 2003, led to the recommendation at the highest levels that the exclusionary policy needed to be changed.

In our Synod (five counties surrounding the metropolitan Los Angeles area) of 140 congregations there are probably more than a dozen gay/lesbian clergy already serving the church ~ some quite openly and others quietly.  (Most of these are partnered or legally married to same-sex partners.)

We have much to be grateful for as we "live through" the changes for which we have worked so hard and have prayed so constantly.

Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles Inclusivity Celebration 2010!

Our annual reception during the Southwest California Syond Assembly is Friday, June 4 at the Burbank Marriott Hotel beginning at 4:00 p.m. More details to follow.

After more than 35 years of Synod Assembly receptions (most of them by invitation only on little slips of paper handed to known sympathizers!) Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles now has a very open position of welcome to all delegates and visitors.  We will also have a table and display for all to see and better understand our service and ministry to the larger church.

What has changed for this year's assembly is a greater welcoming stature in the church body as a result of last August's churchwide Assembly action to permit partnered lesiban and gay clergy to serve honestly and openly in the ordained ministry.

LC/LA also hopes to announce a surprise during this Assembly to benefit the work of the Synod.

Janaury 4, 2010

Emily Eastwood on PBS Episode about Leaders for Full Inclusion

"In the Life," a program on PBS, is running an episode focused on leaders in the movement for full inclusion of LGBT people in various aspects of life and society. Emily Eastwood of Lutherans Concerned, Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy of the Interfaith Alliance, three young professionals who started Broadway Impact in response to California''s Proposition 8, and Representative Barney Frank are the focuses of this episode, with additional commentary by Rachel Maddow of MSNBC.

Also in the segment about efforts in the ELCA are former ELCA Presiding Bishop Herbert Chilstrom, Candidate for Ordination Javen Swanson, and Ann Craig, GLAAD Director of Religion, Faith & Values.

The episode will air during the month of January on some 240 stations in 34 states. You can check the listings for when it will air in your local area by going to lwww.inthelifetv.org/html/schedule.shtm. You can also see the program in its entirety by going to www.inthelifetv.org/html/episodes/93.html.

Phil Soucy, Director Communications LC/NA + communications@lcna.org  

Marie Kent, One of the Founding Members of LC/NA, Dies

It is with sadness tempered by our shared faith and the comfort of resurrection hope in Jesus Christ that we report to you the death of Marie Kent at the Mifflin Care Center in Mansfield, Ohio, on Friday morning, December 11. She died in her sleep, ending a long and difficult battle with cancer.

Marie was one of the six original founders of Lutherans Concerned/North America and a driving force in Iowa for LGBT equality. We will remember her passion and determination as we continue on the path toward full inclusion in the church for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities that she helped set us on in 1974.

A service celebrating her life and eternal life took in Bucyrus, Ohio on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 10:30am, Rev. Matthew Wheeler of First Lutheran Church, Galion, Ohio, officiating.

An article about Marie's life and contributions will appear in the Spring edition of The Concord, LC/NA's quartlery journal. 

Lutherans Meet in Support of Decision to Allow Gay Clergy

The leadership of Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA) is meeting this weekend at a retreat house in Chicago to celebrate the recent actions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) supporting committed same-gender relationships and allowing for the rostered service of ministers in such relationships and to plan immediate and long term strategies and actions to ensure that the new policies of inclusion are enacted in principle and in practice.

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director of Lutherans Concerned said, "After 35 years of witness and reconciling outreach LC/NA gives thanks to God and to the voting members of the ELCA for this historic transformation in the life of our church. It is as if the ELCA has finally come out about its LGBT members and ministers. As with any coming out, some members of the ELCA family are reacting with celebration, others with fear or anger, and some with silence. The church has voted for tolerance at the policy level and included congregational autonomy as the failsafe for those members of the family who need distance and time. As within our families, reconciliation requires intentionality, faithful witness, and relentless love in the face of difficult and painful circumstances. We rely on the witness of Jesus Himself as our guide. Building relationships across theological, ideological and affinity group lines is needed to sustain the church and the family. LC/NA is ready and willing to do our part.

"The ELCA having spoken in favor of full inclusion, our task for education and outreach is all the more important. We are working to increase the resources and assistance we can offer to congregations who want to expand their understanding of LGBT Lutherans as part of the church. Working at the intersection of oppressions, our intent is to aid the church's spread of the Gospel and provision of care and services for those less fortunate than ourselves. Our prayers are lifted for everyone, celebrating or in distress, in this transforming and challenging time.

"The way forward for a fully inclusive ELCA is clear. The mission of the church has not changed. What has changed is that now the work of all faithful Lutherans towards the goals of the church can be recognized and honored. We may disagree on some points, but Lutherans are one about the message of Christ to be in service to others - it's our hands doing God's work. At last, it can truly be all our hands."

Lutherans Concerned has advocated for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the life of the Lutheran church since 1974, and was part of the Goodsoil coalition that advocated at the churchwide assembly in August for the changes that were enacted.

The ELCA, in consultation with its Conference of Bishops, is developing the changes that need to be put in place to carry out the decision of the churchwide assembly. Those changes are expected to go before the ELCA Church Council for consideration and approval when it meets in November 2009. The Lutherans Concerned Board of Directors and Regional Coordinators will continue their meeting through the weekend. 

Sweet Sixteen!

St. Luke Lutheran Church in Woodland Hills has become the sixteenth congregation in the Los Angeles area to vote to join the Reconciling in Christ movement.

After a long period of discernment and deliberation, which was encouraged by the Church Council, the church scheduled a congregational vote to adopt an affirmation of welcome to LGBT people. On Sunday, September 20, the positive decision was made by a margin of 60 to 1 in favor of the RIC status.

St. Luke, at 5312 Comercio Way, is led by Pastor Bernt Hillesland (whose wife Katherine is also an ordained Pastor and serves Holy Shepherd in Chatsworth). Judy Platts and Linda Weaver are coordinators for the RIC efforts in the congregation. St L:uke’s web site is at www.stlukelutheran.com. The parish has two Sunday services, at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Chapter Annual Meeting September 20

Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles meets at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Glendale for its Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 20 at 5:00 p.m.

The Agenda includes a brief Eucharist service and Potluck dinner; then Election of Officers, approval of the 2009-2010 Budget, review of proposed Bylaw changes, and reports on the recent ELCA Churchwide Assembly actions.

Following the meeting at 7:00 p.m. there is a "one actor" performance featuring noted TV character actor Allan Gruener. 

St. Mathtew's is located at 1920 Glenoaks Blvd. in Glendale (near the Glendale/Burbank city limits). 

ELCA Changes Anti-LGBT Policy

Major action was taken August 17-23 at the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis!  For the first time, the church body acknowledged the need for congregations to recognize lifelong committed relationships of gay/lesbian couples, and started the process of changing its negative policies that had excluded partnered gay/lesbian pastors and lay leaders from the professional rosters of the church.

Read the entire Special Report here.

Major Colaboration event with Outfest 2009

Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles is pleased to serve as a community collaborator in the presentation of a new film, "Fish out of Water" during Outfest 2009.  See details for this July 18 event.

Christopher Street West Pride Events

We had a great presence at Gay Pride this June, with a magnetic booth in the Festival, and our beloved bishops and spouses in the Pride Parade on Sunday morning June 14 (Bishop Dean Nelson and his wife Mary Ann, and Bishop Emeritus Paul Egertson and his wife Shirley) riding behind the "Lutherans Love" banner.

15 welcoming congregations in the Los Angeles area!

Christ Lutheran Church, Long Beach joins Reconciling program

Just in time for Pride season and truly a reason to be proud, the fifteenth Los Angeles area Lutheran congregation voted on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, to join the RIC program of Lutherans Concerned. 

"It's about time!" says Pastor Jim Bessey, who has served the congregation for 13 years.  "But the best part is that I didn't initiate this or push it." A congregation of the ELCA, Christ Lutheran is at 6500 Stearns Street, between the 405 freeway and El Dorado Park Golf Course. The congregation's web site is at www.christlutheranlb.com

Lutherans Concerned / Los Angeles Pentecost Sunday Happy Hour, Sunday, May 31, 2009, 5:00 - 7:00 pm at

El Torito Mexican Grill
600 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Soft drinks and appetizers will be provided and a no host bar is available. We welcome members, friends and allies to join with us as we announce preparations for Synod Assembly, Christopher Street West Gay Pride Festival, and share information on what is happening at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August.

Questions? Email event coordinator, Pastor Sue Wolfe Devol at stmatthewsnoho@aol.com  or call 818-972-2909.

Marriage Equality Now! Join chapter members, California Faith for Equality, Love Honor Cherish and other organizations:  May 26 at 7:00 p.m. in West Hollywood for a public rally regarding the California Supreme Court decision which will be announced at 10:00 a.m.  Whear white!  Meet to the intersection of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica Blvd.

Mark your Calendar!

March 27-30, 2009

ELCA Church Council Begins Deliberations on Social Statement and Rostering Recommendations

The ELCA Church Council (Council) and its attendant committee meetings are meeting in Chicago March 27-30, 2009. On the agenda are discussion and decisions regarding the final texts of Social Statement entitled Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (Social Statement) and Recommendations on Ministry Policies (Rostering Recommendations) regarding the rostering of ministers in same-gender relationships.

The final texts of both documents will be presented to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 17-23, 2009 in Minneapolis. The preliminary documents call for the recognition and support of same-gender relationships and the elimination of the current policy precluding the rostered service of ministers in same-gender relationships. The Church Council has also been asked by a number of synod councils to reconsider its November decision setting the requirement of a simple majority for the Rostering Recommendations. Several synod councils have requested a 2/3 majority instead. Two RIC synod councils, Metro DC and Southwest California, have thanked the Council for the decision on simple majority and requested holding that line.

Members of the Goodsoil Legislative Team will be present throughout the meeting. Lutherans Concerned/North America's Executive Director, Emily Eastwood said, "To our knowledge there are no openly LGBT people on the Council to speak authentically from their own perspectives. So, the Council will be making decisions without engaging the people most affected by those decisions. The lives, loves and ministries of LGBT people have been sacrificed in public and behind closed doors by this church almost since its inception. The ELCA is constituted as a public church. We have been present in mostly silent witness throughout the eight-year process leading to this Council meeting. Now, at this kairos time, we will engage every avenue available to us. We are not here to demonstrate or make threats. We are here to help those Council members who wish to speak for us to do so. We ask your prayers for the Council and for our Goodsoil Legislative Team." 

Saturday afternoon, the Council will take up edit-and-approval of the text for the Social Statement. Rostering Recommendations are on the agenda for Sunday afternoon. A proposed domestic and global HIV/AIDS Strategy is also on the docket. Though the Council meeting ends on Monday we do not expect an ELCA press conference or official announcement of decisions to be made until Tuesday, March 31st. 

No matter the outcomes here in Chicago, when the Council meeting is completed, our attention will turn to the Synods. Goodsoil memorial templates appropriate for synod assemblies will be edited within 48 hours of the Council decisions. You will receive an email announcing that they are ready and posted on www.goodsoil.org. Most synods have moved their memorial deadlines until April or later. Goodsoil and LC/NA synodical teams will need to act quickly to make the deadlines. 

Phil Soucy, Director Communications LC/NA  communications@lcna.org

World AIDS Day Observed in Hollywood Sunday, November 30, at 5:00 p.m.:  "Hollywood Remembers" is a major community observance and concert in commemoration and hopefulness.

LUTHERANS CONCERNED / LOS ANGELES DONATES $5,000 TO HELP DEFEAT PROPOSITION 8
October 22, 2008

Background: 
Los Angeles, CA - Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles is holding a press conference in the Sanctuary of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in North Hollywood to present a donation of $5,000 to California Faith for Equality to defeat Proposition 8. Keynoter is Bishop Emeritus, Dr. Paul Egertson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles, representing fourteen affiliated churches in the LA area, is giving this grant to the “No on 8” campaign to express its commitment to basic fairness and equality. These fourteen congregations are part of a greater network of around 700 congregations in California that are working for full inclusion of LGBT people.

Who: 
Bishop Emeritus Paul Egertson, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Southwest California Synod; Rev. Susan Wolfe Devol, pastor, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in North Hollywood; Rev. Keith Banwart, pastor, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Burbank/Glendale; Jim and Elizabeth Loken, straight allies & members of St. Matthew's in North Hollywood.

Where: Sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church 11031 Camarillo Street, North Hollywood, CA When: Sunday, October 26 at noon - CAMERAS WELCOME

The fourteen supporting Lutheran churches in the Greater LA area are: 

Volunteer to Help Defeat Proposition 8

Friends and members of the chapter are invited to give as much time and a few cell phone minutes to the No on Prop 8 campaign up to and including Election Day, November 4.  There are numerous phone banks every day in the Los Angeles area, and volunteers are needed to call registered voters and encourage them to vote No on Proposition 8, and to donate money to keep television ads on the air. You can find a nearby, convenient phone bank at www.NoOnProp8.com.  As many as 10,000 volunteers are needed on Election Day to call voters. You can also donate on line at the No on 8 website.  There is a good chance of defeating this bad proposition of the excellent TV spots can be aired frequently.

Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles has already donated funds to help stop this Proposition, out of a sense of justice for all citizens of the state.  The Steering Committee also passed a resolution in support of "No on Prop 8."

As of early October, it has been estimated that more than 11,000 same-sex couples have legally married.  No one should be deprived of this right.

Hollywood Lutheran Church Opposes Proposition 8

At a special congregational meeting convened September 7, the voting members of Hollywood Lutheran Church unanimously endorsed the No on 8 campaign, adding its public voice against the ballot measure that would eliminate marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The congregation received and discussed information about all 12 measures on the November 2008 general election ballot, as well as information about taking positions on matters of public policy from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Office of Public Policy in Sacramento, and other faith and justice organizations.

 The decision-making process was broken into two parts. The first decision was whether or not the congregation should take a position on Proposition 8. After a detailed explanation of what tax-exempt religious organizations may and may not do in matters of public policy, lobbying and endorsements, a motion passed unanimously that Hollywood Lutheran Church take a public stand on Proposition 8.

The second decision concerned what stand the congregation would take. Specific information and a brief history behind Proposition 8 and the Marriage Equality efforts was presented. After lengthy discussion, a motion passed unanimously that Hollywood Lutheran Church is opposed to Proposition 8. Clarification of this decision included a discussion of its implications for the congregation’s public ministry. The Pastor, officers and Church Council of the congregation are authorized to publish this decision in all its regular publications, including bulletins, newsletters, and internet sites.

Pastor Dan Hooper was specifically authorized to communicate the congregation’s decisions, and to speak on behalf of the Hollywood Lutheran Church in opposition to Proposition 8. No allocation of funds was involved in this decision, although that possibility was not ruled out.

Hollywood Lutheran Hosts Wedding Day: The Seminar

After several delays, a Wedding Day Seminar was held July 29, hosted by Pr. Dan Hooper of Hollywood Lutheran Church and Deacon Roberta Morris of the American Catholic Church. 

The seminar was intended for clergy, wedding planners and professionals who are still trying to assess the importance of the change in Cailfornia law as a result of the state's Supreme Court decision May 15 in the case labeled "In re: Marriage".

Now that same-sex marriages are legal in California, pastors and rabbis are uncertain about how we proceed.  Some denominations forbid officiating at these legal weddings; others do not.  (The ELCA is apparently discouraging such practice, but there is no official policy in place to forbid Lutheran pastors from participating.)

The interfaith Wedding Day seminar covered everything from pre-nuptial agreements and pre-marriage counseling to legal issues to ceremonial details.  Attendees came from a wide area from Woodland Hills to San Bernardino.  As if "gay marriage" is not startling enough to discuss openly in church, during the 5-hour seminar, an earthquake also caused a little trembling among those participating.

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Altadena

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Burbank/Glendale

Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park

Hollywood Lutheran Church in Hollywood

Hope Lutheran Church in Hollywood

Resurrection Lutheran Church in Long Beach

Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Beach

Angelica Lutheran Church in Los Angeles

Bethel Lutheran Church in Los Angeles

Lutheran Church of the Master in Los Angeles;

Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan Beach

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in North Hollywood

Grace Lutheran Church in Santa Barbara

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Santa Monica

ELCA Holds Hearings on Human Sexuality Statement

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is in the middle stages of polishing and publishing a major social statement on Human Sexuality.  The First Draft was released to the public for study and discussion in March, and now local hearings are being held to received feedback from individuals and congregations.  All responses must be received by November 1; the Draft will be presented for possible approval at the Churchwide Assembly in August 2009.

Local hearings are being held in our Synod area:

Saturday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. to Noon at Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church in Pasadena

Saturday, August 9, 10:00 a.m. to Noon at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang, CA

Anyone may attend to learn more about the draft or to comment publicly.  The draft statement can be downloaded in its entirety from the ELCA's web site here.

What is a hearing for?  The ELCA holds hearings on the first draft of a social statement in order to hear the responses to the draft statement from members in synods and other interested groups.  This is a very important step in the social statement process because the goal is broad participation in the development of social teaching and policy documents.  The task force then uses the information gathered at these hearings to help it consider revisions for the proposed draft.

It is worth noting that the proposed Statement is rather ambiguous on matters concerning homosexuality, and at one point simply states that the ELCA is not all of the same mind on these issues.  Because it was prepared some months ago, it also does not reflect the new reality that, along with Massachusetts, California now allows legal same-sex marriage.  The ELCA will likely be even more divided over gay/lesbian marriage in specific than it has been over homosexuality in general.

LC/Los Angeles Has Presence at Outfest 2008

Thanks are due to Pr. Keith Banwart (St. Matthew's, Glendale/Burbank) for arranging the Community Collaborator status for Lutherans Concerned with Outfest, the 26th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. We were listed in the Outfest 2008 program (p. 224), and mentioned “in collaboration with” the showing of “Steam”, a full length feature film directed by Kyle Schickner in 2007. We hope to establish a greater relationship with Outfest in the coming year.  Let us know if film is your passion, or if you have ideas for further collaboration with Outfest.

July 6:  Faith Lutheran, Canoga Park Votes Unanimously to Join RIC Program

In a wonderful new development for the reconciling and welcoming ministries in the Los Angeles region, Faith Lutheran Church voted unanimously at its July 6 congregational meeting to adopt an Affirmation of Welcome to LGBT people and to join the Reconciling in Christ program of Lutherans Concerned.

Pastor Wayne Christiansen is overjoyed, having worked very hard for this step for years. The congregation, which owns and operates two campuses in Canoga Park, is heavily involved in growing a new Spanish language mission, with the able ministry of Pastor Cesar Arroyo.  Along with Angelica Lutheran Church in downtown Los Angeles, Faith becomes the second Latino-oriented Lutheran ministry in our region to unequivocally open its doors to lesbian and gay people.  Congratulations, people of Faith!

LC/LOS ANGELES participates in CSWest Parade and Festival

Lutherans Concerned again marched in the Christopher Street West Pride Parade on Sunday, June 8, and hosted a double booth at the CSW Festival on both days, June 7-8, under the theme of "My Big Fat Gay Church Wedding!"  

Due to the Supreme Court Decision, our Wedding booth was a big hit for the second year, where more than 300 couples were photographed in tuxedos or wedding dresses as they visualized themselves as married not only in the eyes of God but in the rolls of the State of California as well! 

Same-sex weddings began on June 16.  Now hundreds of couples are tying the knot.  Meet pastors and people from welcoming congregations in Southern California!

Download "My Big Fat Church Wedding" and "My Big Fat Lesbian Church Wedding" posters!

July 3-6:  "Hearts on Fire" Assembly/Conference Meets in San Francisco

The biennial Assembly of Lutherans Concerned/North America met July 3-6 at San Francisco State in San Francisco, with some 350 people present, including 8 members of LC/Los Angeles as delegates. 

Featuring Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Lutheran theologians Barbara Lundblad and Kelly Fryer and many others, the conference brought together more church leaders, pastors, bishops and members from all over the United states and Canada.  We also had international visitors from Denmark, Catalonia (Spain) and Singapore/Malaysia.

LC/Los Angeles Sponsors "Spirit I Am"

As part of its ongoing support for local LGBT organizations and the arts, Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles was a financial sponsor for Vox Femina's recent concert "Spirit I Am."  We were featured prominently in the concert program, and received verbal recognition as well for our sponsorship.

Vox Femina Los Angeles is a world-class women's vocal ensemble which performs excellent choral music in a diversity of styles.  The March 8 concert was held in the enormous nave of Wilshire United Methodist Church and drew a significant audience. 

In addition to more widely acknowledged spiritual music, such as David McIntyre's "Ave Maria," Rosephayne Powell's arrangement of "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" and Francisco J. Nuñez' rendering of "Amazing Grace," other important and less-known works were presented with grace and power:  Stephen Smith's "What I Want" is a treatment of the third verse of a poem by Canadian poet Pat Lowther, which was written while living in an abusive marriage.  Shortly after she wrote the poem, she died at the hands of her husband.  Paul Carey's "God Says Yes to Me" was brilliant, amusing, and insightful in its treatment of the divine presence in the smallest details of our lives.  Jane Miller's arrangement of "Gimme That Old Time Religion" was enlivened with the addition of many unorthodox verses to reflect spiritual diversity and a touch of sheer irreverence to remind us not to take our own religious rules too seriously.

As well as the spectrum of sacred and spiritual music performed, a selection of liturgical stoles from the Shower of Stoles Project was displayed in the reception hall following the concert.  Each stole displayed tells the story of a gay men, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person who was deprived of her/his ability to serve the church because of sexual orientation or gender identity.  The full ecumenical collection consists of more than 1,000 stoles, and was displayed by Lutherans Concerned/North America last summer during the ELCA Churchwide Assembly at Navy Pier in Chicago.  (An on-line exhibition can be viewed here.)

SPECIAL FREE SCREENING OF AWARD-WINNING FILM "FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO"

This important documentary film was recently in a limited engagement in Westwood, but it should be seen by thousands more.  Now by special engagement, For the Bible Tells Me So will show at St. Matthew's Church of Burbank/Glendale on Sunday January 27, 6:00 p.m..

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination?  Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity be too wide to cross?  Is the Bible an escuse to hate? 

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families--including those of former House Majority Leade Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robsinson-- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child.  Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard University's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steven Greenberg and Rev. Jimmy Creech, For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity, and udnerstanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

Progressive Christians Uniting and LutheransLove.com present For the Bible Tells Me So. 

2007 Sundance Film Festival NOMINEE, GRAND JURY PRIZE

Seattle International Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival KATHLEEN BRYAN EDWARDS AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Provincetown International Film Festival HBO AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

Outfest Los Angeles AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

Milwaukee International Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY BEST DIRECTOR FOR DOCUMENTARY

Image Out: The Rochester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

Reel Pride: Fresno Gay and Lesbian Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

Tampa international Gay and Lesbian Film Festival GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY  

WORLD AIDS HOLLYWOOD VESPERS/CONCERT

A Reconciling in Christ congregation in the southland has launched an all-out effort to involve its community in observing World AIDS Day.

Last year, Hollywood Lutheran Church in Los Angeles launched World AIDS Hollywood to promote its December 2 observance and to involve neighbors and parishioners in the world-wide fight against HIV and AIDS.

This year "Hollywood Remembers" will be held Sunday, November 30, featuring choral and instrumental music, the lighting of candles and ringing of bells for those who have died, guest artists and celebrities.

Panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display for the a week surrounding November 30.

The Los Angeles Chapter of Lutherans Concerned was a co-sponsor of the event in 2007, along with the American Catholic Church of Los Angeles.

Details can be found at  www.HollywoodRemembers.org or by calling (323) 667-1212.

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Lutherans Concerned recently hosted its annual reception during the Southwest California Synod Assembly held in Warner Center on May 16, a popular social event and “break” from the more tedious business or more inspiring presentations.

More than 60 people stopped by on Friday afternoon to enjoy wine and cheese, fun and fellowship.

Introduced during the reception was Rose Beeson, the Regional Coordinator for Lutherans Concerned. Beeson.  Based in Phoenix, AZ, Rose has (volunteer) responsibility for relations between LC chapters in the southwestern states.

LeBlanc Hymn Featured at Gay Wedding

At long last, one of the hymn texts written by the late Bryan LeBlanc has been set to music and performed at a gay wedding in March.

The music for "You Have Knit Their Souls Together" was commissioned by Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles, and composed by Eldon M. Turner III, who is music director for Hollywood Lutheran Church.  Turner's melodic setting for the 4-verse hymn was done as a two-part round, and sung by Phyllis Lundine and David Conrad, during the wedding for Mario and José on March 30.

The wedding ceremony was a complete Eucharist or Mass, utilizing elements of Lutheran and Catholic marriage rites, and conducted bilingually in Spanish and English.  Pastor Dan Hooper of Hollywood Lutheran presided at the ceremony.

LC/Los Angeles' Steering Committee will decide shortly how and when it will distribute the hymns and tunes for wider use.  It ispexpected that the music and texts will become available first to Lutherans Concerned chapters and Reconciling in Chist congregations.

Next Chapter Gathering:  Sunday, April 19, 2009

Please join us for worship, food and fellowship:

Monthly Worship Service -- Third Sunday of each month, at 5:30 p.m., Hollywood Lutheran Church / Hoick Hall).  Potluck Meal and fellowship follows.

Hollywood Lutheran Church is at 1733 N. New Hampshire Avenue in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles (just north of Barnsdall Park, one block west of Vermont between Hollywood Blvd. and Franklin Ave.).  For a map, see the church web site: www.hollywoodlutheran.org/contact.html.

Plan to join us!

Chapter Eucharist/Potluck Tonight, May 17!

Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles gathers tonight to celebrate the eucharist, share food and fellowship, and strategize about Synod Assembly and the Churchwide Assembly this coming August.

Join us at 5:30 p.m. in Hoick Conference Room of Hollywood Lutheran Church, 1733 N. New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles 90027.

You won't want to miss Rev. Meghan Rohrer's new book, Queerly Lutheran: Ministry Rooted in Tradition, Scripture and the Confessions. Queerly Lutheran invites readers and the contemporary church to reexamine and reclaim our past history and work toward a more welcoming future. Rev. Rohrer is a writer for HRC's transgender preaching and devotional resource, Out In Season. You can order the book through Wilgefortis Press.