Epiphany – as no doubt you all know – means “appearing” or “revelation”. And today‟s readings help us to reflect on the revelation, the appearing, of Jesus the Messiah, the Word of God in human form, in Galilee two thousand years ago; and as our Lord, our example and the shining light of our lives, in today‟s world. [Continue Reading]
Methodist Church in Ireland: E.4 Marriage, sexual relationships and sexuality
1 January 2012
We recognise the family as the primary unit in society and all possible encouragement is given to ministers and congregations to support and strengthen family life. Marriage is a relationship, intended as permanent, between one man and one woman within which sexual intercourse establishes a unique intimacy. [Continue Reading]
Canon Charles Kenny’s contribution from Bible Listening Day
16 November 2011
The article below is one of seven contributions, representing a variety of viewpoints, given at the “Bible Listening Day” organised by the Irish Peace Centres in November 2011. This is part of an effort both to take Scripture seriously and to engage in respectful evangelical dialogue. [Continue Reading]
Film: Pride in our City
3 November 2011
This short film, produced locally in Derry, takes a look at Derry’s 2011 Gay Pride Festival and uses it to present a snapshot of the gay community in the North West of Ireland in the run up to the city’s tenure as UK City of Culture in 2013. Published as part of the Sharing Stories project, a cross-border community film project. [Continue Reading]
Report: Holding the tension wisely
1 November 2011
Even before a conversation about LGBT lives and stories begins, there can be felt-tension about the perceived intention of another. There is tension when a conversation is experienced as being coercive. There can be tension when one person perceives that another’s engagement may cloak a particular agenda. Intentions can sometimes be judged incorrectly. Where one individual may be seeking to understand, their intention may be judged as destructive. This requires a deep and caring communication – speaking and listening, speaking and listening. Language is more than words. Even the most carefully chosen words cannot mask a hurtful intention. [Continue Reading]
Homosexuality and the Bible
17 October 2011
Walter Wink, is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. He has also taught at Union Theological Seminary and Hartford Seminary, and has been a visiting professor at Columbia and Drew universities. In 1989-1990 he was a Peace Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. Dr. Wink is a United Methodist minister, works for a Presbyterian seminary, and attends Quaker meeting. For five years he served as pastor of a church in southeast Texas. [Continue Reading]
CAI statement on grants awarded
26 September 2011
Changing Attitude Ireland is a voluntary organisation which received grants of £1,000 and £2,365 in 2008 from Northern Ireland’s OFMDFM and Belfast City Council respectively. Church groups are eligible for public funding, provided they meet the relevant criteria and the stringent conditions that apply. The two applications from Changing Attitude Ireland met these criteria and conditions. [Continue Reading]
Irish Times: Ban on church youth work for gay man criticised
24 September 2011
THE BANNING of an openly gay man from volunteering for work with youth groups at Methodist and Church of Ireland churches in Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh, has been criticised by the Church of Ireland pro-gay Changing Attitude Ireland group. [Continue Reading]
Belfast News Letter: Public cash for CoI lobbyists
22 September 2011
ONE of the main groups in the Church of Ireland’s debate about whether it should accept clergy in same-sex partnerships has received thousand of pounds of public funds. Documents released to the News Letter under the Freedom of Information Act show that money went from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and Belfast City Council to the lobby group Changing Attitude Ireland. [Continue Reading]
