Archive
Author Archives: Mission Friends 4 Inclusion
08 Feb 2019 |
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An Open Letter to My Church
The following letter was shared by friends of Pastor Judy Peterson today. We re-share it here to reach as many people as possible in the Covenant. The Better Together team, who initially published this letter, added the following comments: Seeking transparency and collegiality, Pastor Judy Peterson met with the Executive Minister of ...
Continue Reading28 Jun 2018 |
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Reflecting on Gather ’18
It has been several days since Gather ’18 has ended, and we are still tired (for those who missed our social media updates throughout the week, check out our summary of events after this reflection). This has been a long few months for us. But we are not discouraged, even though a motion to discuss a […]
Continue Reading19 Jun 2018 |
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Our thoughts on nominees at this Gather
The Annual Meeting of The Evangelical Covenant Church begins this Thursday. Among other items, delegates will be voting to elect our next President and our next Executive Minister of Develop Leaders (who heads up the Ordered Ministry). MF4i met with both nominees in May and followed up via email with specific questions to clarify ...
Continue Reading07 Jun 2018 |
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Seeking a Redemptive Path Together
Like so many, we, the board of Mission Friends for Inclusion (MF4i), were deeply troubled to learn of “Out of Harmony” charges being brought against First Covenant Church, Minneapolis over that congregation’s discernment to fully include LGBTQ persons in the life of their church. We received documents related to these charges, ...
Continue Reading30 May 2018 |
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Out of Harmony with the Covenant?
The Leadership Team of First Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN has authorized us to release the following statement on their behalf. We are redacting the names of several people in the attached document while we reach out to them to convey our concerns directly, with respect and an openness to dialogue. The preface to the […]
Continue Reading24 May 2018 |
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Gather 2018
As we navigate this tense time in our denomination, it will be important for our LGBTQ family and allies to connect at this year’s Annual Meeting: Gather 2018. Gather will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Marriott City Center from June 21-23. If you are registered as a delegate or if you will be […]
Continue Reading23 May 2018 |
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Rev. Dan Collison Suspended
Dear friends, With permission of the Leadership Team at First Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN, we share two documents that detail their pastor’s immediate suspension from ministry due to “accumulated leadership and teaching infringements” regarding human sexuality and their response. The May 17 letter to Rev. Dan Collison ...
Continue Reading11 May 2018 |
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Excellent sermon on non-essential matters
Pastor Dee McIntosh shares with her church, Lighthouse Church in Minneapolis, an excellent argument for why they should be an inclusive church—because the theology of sexuality is not an essential component of what makes us Christians. “I am asserting that Lighthouse become an inclusive community; that we become ...
Continue Reading05 Apr 2018 |
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Lent may be over, but we’re still waiting…
Pastor Judy Peterson and Pastor Steve Armfield remain suspended until at least June when the Board of Ordered Ministry is scheduled to meet next. In the meantime, we have been reflecting on President Walter’s words from almost a year ago. This past June, one of our board members asked a question at the Covenant Annual […]
Continue Reading23 Feb 2018 |
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Bisexual Worship Leader No Longer Welcome
“People pursuing authenticity don’t have to be excommunicated by their community. Children don’t have to learn to hate themselves to be loved.” Ryan Ciganek shared this story to social media on January 17, 2018 and we have his permission to share it here.
Continue Reading