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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-06-27, Page 13PAGg 400Eras $IGN4J4 STAR, WEDNESDAtANg 'V.., PO What i.IieUnited Church report actually says By Darrell Kloeze A recent United Church report which has, been the subject of much controversy within the church has concluded that "sexual orientation should not be a factor determining membership in the Order of Ministry. Basically the report advocates the ordination of homosexual candidates for the ministry if they meet all other requirements, specifically those of physical, mental, moral and spiritual fitness. The report was written by a small task force from the church's Division of Ministry Personnel and Education, and then approved by the 60 -member division in February. It is now being debated at the conference level of the church, and in August, will be sent to the church's highest authority—the General Council meeting in Manitoba. The task force was also concerned about the presence of homophobia in society, which is the irrational fear, hostility, and even hatred felt and displayed toward homosexuals. For this reason, the report's preferred recommendations not only call for adoption in principle of the report's support for allowing homosexuals into the ministry, but also development of an educational programme to enable all members of the church "to study homosexuality in the context of human sexuality, and, in particular, to address the phenomenon of homophobia in church and society." The report examines the history of oppression that gays and lesbians have undergone because of their sexual orientation. In Canada, homosexual activity between adults m private became legal only in the late 1960's. Even now, gays and lesbians are not supported by civil rights legislation, and certainly not by existing social attitudes. The report cites examples • of colloquial language and stereotypes which have "misrepresented, denigrated, and insulted gay and lesbian people by their portrayals of promiscuous hedonists and child molestors." On the subject of public attitudes, the task force concludes "that our society has deeply ingrained fears and hatred of homosexual persons, and that these attitudes have shaped all of us. All people are implicated and we call on our society and our church to repent. "As a Task Group, we believe that the Bible favours the oppressed, that God's divine plan does not call for systematic exclusion of gays and lesbians from the Order of Ministry, and that there are no convincing biblical and theological arguments to support such exclusion." TEXTS IN SCRIPTURE To support this claim, the report examines a number of scriptural passages which have been traditionally used to prove that the Bible condemnshomosexuality. The report's conclusions are basically different from those of another United Church organization, the conservative Renewal Fellowship, which argues that passages in the books of Romans and Genesis portray homosexuality as a sin. For example, , homosexual rape was the clear intent of the men of Sodom, says thelellowship, and it was for this, not for the offence of inhospitality, that God destroyed the city. The task force maintains that Biblical references focus on the latter offence. Other explicit condemnations of homosexuality in the Bible are found mainly in Leviticus and in Romans. Iii reference to the Leviticus passages, the report questions the validity of a Holiness Code written 2600 years ago to today's diffetent cultural setting. The report asks, "By what criteria do we maintain some aspects of this Code, yet reject other such as the injunction that anyone who curses their mother or father shall be put to death? Ultimately, we must ask ourselves to what extent are Christians bound by the Law of the Old Covenant." To Paul's reference in Romans, the report quotes a Biblical interpreter who says, "Paul, like most of his contemporaries, was presuming things about homosexual behaviour which can no longer be so readily presumed: the presumption that it is always a matter of one's conscious and deliberate choice, that it is the most extreme expression of heterosexual lust, and that it necessarily involves the exploitation of the sexual partner." THE REALITY OF HOMOSEXUALITY The report goes on to study the nature of homosexuality itself. Through talking with gays and lesbians, the members of the task force became aware of the deep personal pain "homosexual persons experience as they seek to come to terms with their sexual orientation." The report continues, "They did not want to be different; they were highly aware of the very negative connotations and consequences of being gay or lesbian in a society like ours: the price is incredibly high." And further on: "We are left with the reality of homosexuality—an orientation not chosen and rarely, if ever, changed: a fact of life for about seven to ten percent of our population and present in nearly all societies and in all historical periods. "We are left with the mystery of sexuality --the gift and dilemma --and recognize that orientation is one facet of that mystery...The Task Group believes that our human sexuality is a gift from God, full of power and mystery, and is open to sinful action aswell as faithfulness." In an attempt to explain this mystery in keeping with Christian beliefs, the report says, "The Task Force believes that the essential goodness of the sexual relationship is not rooted in procreation or gender complementarity, but rather in the nature of the relationship which is seeking sexual expression. Is this a relationship that provides opportunity for giving and receiving love? Is it tender, caring, responsible, and non -exploitative? "Does the relationship involve commitment, trust and respect, as well as ongoing and responsible communion with' the other?" The task force suggests that these standards would mark an appropriate Christian lifestyle for all people, heterosexual or homosexual. TOWN OF GODERICH PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Goderich will hold a public meeting on August 8, 1984, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to consider a proposed Official Plan Amendment under Section 17 (2) of The Planning Act, and a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The proposed Official Plan Amendment would change the Plan designation of the .69 hectare parcel shown on the attached sketch from 'INDUSTRIAL' to 'HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL'. This wouua men permit the lands to be used for future hBghway ``Commercial purposes. The proposed zoning amendrhent would then rezone the property from 'INDUSTRIAL M1-3' to 'HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL C3-10' zone categories In conformity with the proposed Official Plan Amendment. The proposed zoning by-law would permit the lands to be used for highway commercial uses. The proposed use includes an automobile sales and service establishment. ANY PERSON may attend the rIubile meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either In support of or In opposition to the proposed Official Plan and Zoning Amendments. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed Official Plan' Amendment and proposed Zoning By-law Amendment Is available at the Town offices during normal business hours. DATED AT THE TOWN OF GODERICH June 27, 1984 br.ossss41 LARRY McCABE CLERK, TOWN OF GODERICH (519) 524-8344 Lards affected by the proposed Official Plan amendment and Zoning By -lav amendment. Pt. lot 107 @ Maitland Conc. Cows of Goderich SUNCOAST DR. 20 10 0 20a: d t t s t RELKolcm Local presbyter, By Wilma Oke MITCHELL - Local members of theAlnited Church resoundingly rejected ordaining self -declared homosexuals as ministers at a special meeting in Mitchell last month on May 15. In a show of hands, 59 delegates representing the Huron -Perth Presbytety of the United Church of Canada voted no to allowing gay ministers in the pulpit. Fifteen delegates voted in favor of ordaining homosexuals. More than 150 people turned out at Mitchell's Main Street United Church to s rejected voice their 0pini ul one of the church's hottest issues tod And while emotions were in cheek, d feelings voiced were insistent. "W,e do have to take a stand," said Grace Pytn, of Exeter. "I cannot see declare homosexuals in the pulpit. They would say, 'Yost $aid, I can be ordained so I can practise what the homosexuals practise.' " Another delegate said, "In the church yes, don't shut the door on anyone. In the pulpit, no. I do not feel that is where they should be, working with our youth." Other delegates, such as Rev. Cheryl Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, minister of nited Church report Egmondville nited Church, remained undecided. "I'm sitting on is w he fence," she said. "That myself. They (homosexuals) e a lot to share." The presbytery, which represents 18,000 members in 46 pastoral charges in Huron and Perth, called the meeting to gauge response to a recently released church report. That special report, entitled Sexual Orientation and Eligibility For the Order of Ministry, calls for the ordination of self - declared homosexuals, and was endorsed by the church's national division of ministry personnel and education. The United Church is now asking for the opinions of its members across Canada before ruling on the issue. Another motion calling for the church's general council to appoint another, more representative committee to make iii second study of the issue was nearly unanimously defeated by delegates at the meeting. One delegate said, "The United Church has more important places to spend its money." London Conference delegates will vote against report The London Conference of the United Church of Canada has taken a strong stand. against a task force recommendation to ordain homosexual ministers. About 77 per cent of clergy and lay delegates attending an annual meeting inSt. Thomas on Saturday, May 26 voted to reject a national church comm-ittee report which recommends that ordination should be opened to self -declared homosexuals as early as next year. The proposal by the national division of ministry, education and personnel was defeated after backroom lobbying and procedural wrangling had killed an earlier vote which had taken a softer position. About 263 persons rejected the task force's recommendations and 79 supported them just a few hours after the conference had decided to endorse the report for further study in congregations and courts of the church. The reversal drove a few individuals to tears and had others breathing a sigh of relief. "It was an alliance of like-minded people and the work of the Holy Spirit," said Rev. Kenn Lowe of the final decision. "This is a clear indication that the United Church in Southwestern Ontario is faithful to its heritage, traditions and scripture." Lowe's 305 -member Kent County pastoral charge has served notice it will leave the United Church if homosexuals are ordained openly. He said he is now more hopeful about what will happen in August when the church's general council makes the final decision about the report at the national level. "A lot will depend on whether those chosen as general council representatives are a true reflection of the people they represent," he said. London Conference will send 19 ministers and 19 laymen to general council,along with its decision against homosexual ordination and a number of petitions from presbyteries and congregations which also oppose the idea. Rev. Norman Gibson of Stratford, who took over the end of May as conference • president, said London's general council commissioners will caucus before leaving for the national meeting in Morden, Man. "We'll be discussing the major agenda items, including the question of whether homosexuals should be ordained," he said. "We will be voting according to individual conscience, but I would say that those people who have been chosen to represent conference are an accurate reflection of the position we have taken." Rev. Carmen Holbrough of Ingersoll, who finished his year as conference president on the weekend, had some delegates bewildered Saturday when he ruled the softer position put of order and reopened the matter for a ° stronger decision in the evening. "Some people were confused," said Rev. Peter Scott of Woodstock in an interview. "Many people thought conference had expressed its will in the morning vote." Holbrough, who admitted "a lot of people" had approached him with advice after the first ballot, said the later vote was a better indication of the mood of the conference as recorded in a non-binding poll of delegates Friday - About 75 per cent . f r spondents to that poll rejected the reco `r endations in the 27 - page national rep r rt, called Sexual Orientation and Eligibility for the Order of Ministry. The London Conference covers the counties of Oxford, Elgin, Middlesex, Kent, Lambton, Essex, Huron -Perth and Algoma. OTHER CONFERENCES In Toronto, the United Church's largest conference says the church needs more time before it can decide the question of ordaining homosexuals. The majority of delegates at the Toronto Conference's meeting agreed general council, the church's highest body, should be asked to defer a decision until 1986 on ordination for homosexuals. Delegates said assistance should be given to local congregations to further study the report. While voting to defer a decision on the report, delegates also, in secret ballot, narrowly defeated a motion calling on general council to rule sexual orientation should not be a criterion in determining whether a person should be ordained. But delegates voted not to send this motion to general council, apparently to add weight to the first motion. The United Church's national office has now received more than 500 letters on the issue, and the majority off them have been negative. Tlihissme has also sparked threats of resignations and there are reports of bomb threats to at least two congregations. The United Church Renewal Fellowship, a 3,000 -member conservative organization, has come out strongly against the report. The group says that ordaining homosexual ministers would constitute a rejection of Old and New Testament scripture. It argues that passages in the books of Romans and Genesis portray homosexuality as a sin, and as a manifestation of man's "fallen state." The church's national moderator, Rt. Rev. Clarke.. MacDonald, has avoided further dividing the church on this issue by declining to take a public stand. He has said he does not want to rub "salt in the already wounded body of the church." The church's General Council meets in Morden, Manitoba in August with about 350 delegates from across Canada. There, the delegates will decide what to do with the report, choosing between a number of options which range from imanediate acceptance to total rejection. Church officials have pointed out that even if the General Council approves the report, the question of who is fit to be ordained still rests with the local bodies: local congregations, presbytery, and Conference. Soil Conservation Day to be held at Ashfield farm. A :. soil conservation information and demonstration day at the farm of Ray Hogan in Ashfield Township tomorrow will include a mini -tour of a no-taille corn crop and a berm structure to prevent soil erosion on a water course as well as presentations by representatives of OMAF and soil and wafer conservation organizations. "There are tremendous economic advantages to reduced tillage programs," says Ray Hogan, vice-president of the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District. Hogan is growing corn on land he hasn't fall ploughed for several years and he is producing a better corn crop than he's ever grown. Soil conservation and reduced tillage conserves soil and dollars and many farmers don't realize they can save money as well as soil, if they adopt erosion prevention practices according to Hogan. Not only does the farmer save money on fuel because he doesn't plough in the fall, he grows ater crop which yields a better profit. Huron agricultural representative, Don Pullen, Huron -Perth Soils and Crop TOWN OF GODERICH PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Goderich will hold a public meeting on August 8, 1984 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to consider a proposed zoning by-law amendment under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The proposed zoning by-law amendment would change the zone category of .32 hectares of land as shown on the attached sketch, from 'HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL C3-4' zone to 'HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL C3-9' zone to permit a broader range of highway commercial uses In conformity with the Town of Goderich Official Plan. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or In opposition to the proposed zoning by-law amendment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law amendment Is available at the Town offices during normal business hours. DATED AT THE TOWN OF GODERICH JUNE 27, 1984 l0 Om 10 LARRY McCABE CLERK TOWN OF GODERICH (519) 524-8344 20 1 59.23 PART OF LOT 2 41.4'T LAN CONC. lands subject to the proposed zoning amendment HURON ROAD 0 It Specialist Pat Lynch and Huron County OMAF engineer Ron Fleming will discuss soil conservation and the Ontario Soil Conservation Environmental Protection Assistance Program. Brian Howard, general manager of Maitland Valley Conpervation Authority, will ettilain "the services available to the local land owners through the Authority. Huron Soil and Water Conservation District will be represented by Bruce Shillinglaw, president and Robert Trout, conservation agronomist. Lawrence Taylor, president fo the Ontario Soils and Crop Improvement Association, will also attend as well as Norm Alexander, Londesboro conservationist, of the Foodland Stewardship Centre who will talk about soil erosion control devices. Donald Lobb of Clinton, a well known no-taille farmer and past president of the liuron Soil and Water Crop Conservationist District will discuss the reduced tillage program. The day's program begins with the mini tour at 3 p.m. followed by the presentations. A barbecue will conclude the day's events. TOWN OF GODERICH PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Goderich will hold a public meeting on August 8, 1984 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to consider a proposed zoning by-law amendment under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The proposed zoning by-law amendment would change the zone category -of 2.9 hectares of land as shown on the attached sketch from 'INDUSTRIAL M2' to 'HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL C3-8' to permit the use of the lands for highway commercial purposes in conformity with the Official Plan. ANY PERSON may attend tie public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed zoning by-law amendment. AB,DITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law amendment is avdiloble at the Town offices during normal business hours. DATED AT THE TOWN OF GODERICH JUNE 27, 1984 DE Lands 1��� -subject to the proposed w�ting amendment LARRY McCABE CLERK TOWN OF GODERICH (519) 524-8344 1 CAMBRIDGE STREET 3 10 Om 10 20 —11 R.P. 454 2 HURON ROAD WALNUT STREET