Christians-Equality

These are Christians Who Support Equality – Yes on Proposition 5 – One Anchorage

 

Rev. Julia Seymour

Rev. Martin Eldred

Rev. Dan Bollerud

Rev. Michael Burke Discusses Transgender and TV ad misconceptions

AUUF Youth Group

Kalen

Martha

Kathryn

Robin

Amanda

Kate

Rev. Michael Burke

Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s United Methodist Church

Episcopal Bishop of Alaska Endorses One Anchorage Initiative

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Episcopal Bishop of Alaska Mark Lattime officially endorsed the One Anchorage Initiative, or Proposition 5, that would protect gay and transgender residents living in Anchorage. Lattime, who represents over 50 Episcopal congregations across the state, joins over 45 other Alaskan religious leaders who support the initiative and believe all Anchorage residents deserve fair and equal treatment no matter what their identity is.

QUOTE, Bishop Lattime.

If passed on April 3^rd, the initiative would add sexual orientation and transgender identity to the Anchorage Equal Rights Code in order to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and financial transactions.

HISTORY OF EPISCOPAL SUPPORT FOR GAY AND TRANSGENDER

QUOTE, Bishop Lattime.

Bishop Lattime’s endorsement comes a day before the local group Christians for Equality will hold their Prayer for Equality service; a program that will bring together multiple religious congregations to discuss their support for including gay and transgender friends, neighbors, family and community members in the legal protections provided to others in Anchorage.  The event will be held Friday, March 2^nd at 7:00 pm at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

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Dec. 8, 2011
Contact: Rev. Michael Burke, 907-440-7729

Christians for Equality stand united for Equal Rights Initiative
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A group representing a number of religious and faith-based organizations in Anchorage is standing in support of an Equal Rights Initiative that will appear on the Municipality of Anchorage’s April 2012 ballot. More than a dozen ministerial leaders who are members of Christians for Equality announced their support of the One Anchorage campaign and initiative at a press conference on Thurs., Dec. 8, 2011.

“Equality is a core value of our Christian faith,” said Rev. Michael Burke, pastor of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and convener of Christians for Equality. “That’s why we firmly support the One Anchorage initiative, because it calls for equal treatment of one another and protects those in our community who have no legal rights against discrimination today.”

Christians for Equality was organized to support the Equal Rights Initiative. “We are speaking out so that the full voice of the Christian community is heard on the issue of equality,” said Burke.

Christians for Equality is comprised of faith leaders, lay and ordained, from a variety of different denominations and faith communities united in our conviction that no one should be discriminated against in employment, housing, or public accommodations simply because they are gay or transgender.

The group’s members include Rev. Peter Perry, St.  John United Methodist Church; Rev. Martin Eldred, Joy Lutheran Church; Rev. Susan Knight, Immanuel Presbyterian Church; Rev. Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church; Rev. George Blair, First Congregational Church; Rev. Sara Gavit, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Rev. Ron Myers, First United Methodist Church; Rev. Glenn Petersen, Central Lutheran Church; Rev. Paul Boling, First Christian Church; Rev. David Boling, First Christian Church; Rev. Julia Seymour, Lutheran Church of Hope; Rev. Drew Phoenix, The United Methodist Church; Rev. Johnathan Jones, Church Life AK; Rev. Gayle Nauska, Nauska Counseling; and Rev. Susan Halvor, Chaplain.

“The biblical message is an ethic of love,” said Rev. Peter Perry, senior pastor of St. John United Methodist Church.   “When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus responded, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.’  We affirm that we are all made in the image of God and are therefore called to honor the dignity and equality of all persons.  Discrimination and unfair treatment are never loving.”

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