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(Dallas, Texas) The Cathedral of Hope, regarded
as the world's largest gay church, has joined the United Church of Christ.
In a vote taken Saturday, Oct. 28, by the
denomination's North Texas Association, the church was overwhelmingly accepted
as a member church.
A special service of installation, at which the
church will officially become a member of the denomination, is being planned,
the cathedral said in a statement on Sunday.
"This is a historic day in the life of the
Cathedral of Hope," said Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson, senior pastor and rector of
the cathedral.
The cathedral began in 1970 when a group of 12
people gathered to worship in Dallas. It joined the predominantly gay
Metropolitan Community Church, and saw its membership steadily grow. By
2002 it had a membership of nearly 2,000 people.
But it relationship with MCC soured and in 2003
it disaffiliated from the denomination. Shortly after than it began an
exploration of affiliating with the United Church of Christ.
"We are blessed to be a full partner in
ministry with the North Texas Association and the United Church of Christ,"
said Hudson. "We celebrate that our values of compassion, inclusion,
tolerance and hope in service to the world by following Jesus are consistent
with those of the United Church of Christ. We are proud to be a part of such a
diverse body of churches and people."
The United Church of Christ has a history of
supporting gays in its denomination, dating to 1972, when it ordained the first
openly gay minister and established a gay caucus.
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ
voted in 2005 to endorse same-sex marriage, making it the largest Christian
denomination in the country to do so. (story)
In 2004 the UCC caused a stir in the growing
marriage debate when it created a television advertising campaign that featured
a gay couple, among others, being excluded from a church. CBS and NBC rejected
the 30-second ads. (story)
The 30-second commercial features two
muscle-bound "bouncers" standing guard outside a picturesque church
and selecting which persons are permitted to attend Sunday services. Written
text interrupts the scene, announcing, "Jesus didn't turn people away.
Neither do we." A narrator then proclaims the United Church of Christ's
commitment that: "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's
journey, you are welcome here."
It produced a second gay positive commercial this
year that also was rejected by national networks but aired on cable.
Called "Ejector Seat," the ad employs
humor to underscore one of the campaign's central themes, "God doesn't
reject people. Neither do we."
The 30-second commercial begins with a shot of an
African-American mother trying to calm a crying baby. Sitting in a church pew,
the mother fidgets anxiously, as she endures disapproving looks from fellow
worshippers. Eventually, someone in the wings pushes an "ejector"
button to rid the church of her - and her noisy baby. Into the air they go
flying.
In similar fashion, a gay couple, an
Arab-American, a person using a walker, among others, get "ejected."
Finally, when a homeless person wanders in and takes a seat, nervous
parishioners - expecting she'll get the boot for sure - scoot away from her.
The commercial ends with a mood shift, where
shots of diverse, friendly people set the stage for the announcer's invitation:
"The United Church of Christ - no matter who you are, or where you are on
life's journey, you're welcome here."
The UCC has 5,725 churches nationwide.
©365Gay.com 2006
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