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ABC/USA By-Law Revisions May Have Impact on AWAB Churches

Washington, DC June 15, 2009 -The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, (AWAB) encourages all member churches that are also members of the American Baptist Churches, USA, to carefully review the by-law changes proposed by the ABC/USA. Some of the revisions move the ABC further away from historic Baptist principles, including local church autonomy and freedom of association. The ABC/USA proposed changes could make it more difficult for welcoming and affirming congregations to remain in the ABC. AWAB as an organization opposes changes that make it harder for AWAB congregations to remain in fellowship with the ABC and the regional association of their choice.

Central Baptist Church in Wayne, PA, has prepared two documents that should be helpful to ABC congregations evaluating the proposed ABC/USA by-law changes. The documents outline some of the dangers to local church autonomy and how the proposed ABC by-law changes could impact AWAB congregations in non-geographic Regions of the ABC. The ABC/USA revisions will be voted on at the biennial meeting of the denomination being held in Pasadena, CA, June 26-28, 2009.

http://awab.org/docs/CBCRefABCByLaws.pdf
http://awab.org/docs/CBCBiennialStatement.pdf

Proposed Public Witness Statement for ABC/USA Biennial

Although the new structure proposed for the ABC, to be voted on at the Biennial Convention in Pasadena, contains some exciting possibilities for 21st Century ministry according to Baptist Principles, like all human structures, it remains imperfect. This statement aims at laying groundwork for improving the means by which we will come together to discuss major issues and make statements of public witness going forward. It is being sponsored by the ABC of Metro Chicago. Biennial Delegates: please consider signing in support of bringing the statement up for consideration.

Rev. David Gregg

http://awab.org/docs/ABCPublicWitness.pdf

Stan Hastey and Kathy Stayton Selected as Award Recipients

Honolulu, HI, June 15, 2009 - The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) announces Stan Hastey as the recipient of the Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service and Kathy Stayton as the recipient of the Barbra MacNair Award for Christian Witness.

The Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service is given to an individual whose work has helped to increase the inclusion and affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within Baptist bodies and society as a whole and through work and ministry has opened doors to others that might otherwise be shutout.

Through his ministry and work with the Alliance of Baptists, Stan Hastey has help create a place where LGBT Baptists and their families feel welcomed and affirmed. The Alliance has taken progressive and prophetic steps in affirming same-couples wishing to marry at a time when most faith bodies have done the opposite. As he retires from the Alliance, the AWAB Council wishes to acknowledge Stan’s ministry and work. Even in retirement, Stan will continue to be a voice to be heard. He plans to work on writing the history of the Baptist Joint Committee and on the founding of the Alliance of Baptists for its’ upcoming 25^th anniversary.

The Barbra MacNair Award for Christian Witness is given to an individual whose life has inspired understanding and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people by opening dialogue that would not otherwise be there and by example, helping to advance the affirmation of everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kathy Stayton has served on the AWAB Council as both Chairperson and Secretary. She has worked tirelessly for social justice issues around the inclusion of LGBT people within the church and broader LGBT equal rights. Kathy has worked locally through her long time congregation, Central Baptist in Wayne, PA, but also regionally and nationally through groups such as SoulForce. Kathy has represented AWAB in many capacities and continues to do so.

AWAB lifts up and acknowledges the gifts of Stan Hastey and Kathy Stayton. The efforts and examples set by dedicated straight allies like Kathy and Stan have help broaden the affirmation of LGBT people within faith communities and increase the forward momentum toward equality in society.

The awards will be presented June 27, 2009, during the AWAB Worship Service which begins at 10:00 a.m.. The presentation and service will be held at the Westin Pasadena at 191 N. Los Robles, adjacent to the Pasadena Convention Center.

AWAB Statement on Marriage Equality in New Hampshire

Washington, DC, June 5, 2009 – The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) applauds the New Hampshire legislature and Gov. John Lynch in extending marriage equality to same-sex couples in their state. The bill makes New Hampshire the sixth state to approve same-sex marriage, joining Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine and Vermont.

In order to gain gubernatorial approval, the bill as originally passed by the legislature was later amended to add language specifying that religious organizations and ministers opposing same-sex marriage do not need to perform ceremonies. This change was made despite the fact that the bill only applies to civil marriage. In none of the states where marriage equality has been enacted has there been an attempt to force churches or other bodies of faith to go against what their religious beliefs on the matter.

There are many different perspectives on same-sex marriage. Baptists have historically stood for the separation of church and state and believe in the autonomy of the local church. Consequently, Baptists, like Americans in general, have differing opinions about same-sex marriage. But AWAB as an organization believes that legal marriage equality as it exists for opposite-sex couples should be extended to loving, committed same-sex couples. While we acknowledge that churches and other bodies of faith have the right to not follow in the path of conferring legal marriage status for same-sex couples, we hope that more congregations will open their doors to such couples wishing to celebrate their commitment within their churches.

Chris Boisvert,
Director of Community Outreach
for the AWAB Council


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	ABC/USA By-Law Revisions May Have Impact on AWAB Churches Washington, DC June 15, 2009 -The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, (AWAB) encourages all member churches that are also members of the American Baptist Churches, USA, to carefully review the by-law changes proposed by the ABC/USA. Some of the revisions move the ABC further away from historic Baptist principles, including local church autonomy and freedom of association. The ABC/USA proposed changes could make it more difficult for welcoming and affirming congregations to remain in the ABC. AWAB as an organization opposes changes that make it harder for AWAB congregations to remain in fellowship with the ABC and the regional association of their choice. Central Baptist Church in Wayne, PA, has prepared two documents that should be helpful to ABC congregations evaluating the proposed ABC/USA by-law changes. The documents outline some of the dangers to local church autonomy and how the proposed ABC by-law changes could impact AWAB congregations in non-geographic Regions of the ABC. The ABC/USA revisions will be voted on at the biennial meeting of the denomination being held in Pasadena, CA, June 26-28, 2009. http://awab.org/docs/CBCRefABCByLaws.pdf http://awab.org/docs/CBCBiennialStatement.pdf Proposed Public Witness Statement for ABC/USA Biennial Although the new structure proposed for the ABC, to be voted on at the Biennial Convention in Pasadena, contains some exciting possibilities for 21st Century ministry according to Baptist Principles, like all human structures, it remains imperfect. This statement aims at laying groundwork for improving the means by which we will come together to discuss major issues and make statements of public witness going forward. It is being sponsored by the ABC of Metro Chicago. Biennial Delegates: please consider signing in support of bringing the statement up for consideration. Rev. David Gregg http://awab.org/docs/ABCPublicWitness.pdf Stan Hastey and Kathy Stayton Selected as Award Recipients Honolulu, HI, June 15, 2009 - The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) announces Stan Hastey as the recipient of the Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service and Kathy Stayton as the recipient of the Barbra MacNair Award for Christian Witness. The Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service is given to an individual whose work has helped to increase the inclusion and affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within Baptist bodies and society as a whole and through work and ministry has opened doors to others that might otherwise be shutout. Through his ministry and work with the Alliance of Baptists, Stan Hastey has help create a place where LGBT Baptists and their families feel welcomed and affirmed. The Alliance has taken progressive and prophetic steps in affirming same-couples wishing to marry at a time when most faith bodies have done the opposite. As he retires from the Alliance, the AWAB Council wishes to acknowledge Stan’s ministry and work. Even in retirement, Stan will continue to be a voice to be heard. He plans to work on writing the history of the Baptist Joint Committee and on the founding of the Alliance of Baptists for its’ upcoming 25^th anniversary. The Barbra MacNair Award for Christian Witness is given to an individual whose life has inspired understanding and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people by opening dialogue that would not otherwise be there and by example, helping to advance the affirmation of everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Kathy Stayton has served on the AWAB Council as both Chairperson and Secretary. She has worked tirelessly for social justice issues around the inclusion of LGBT people within the church and broader LGBT equal rights. Kathy has worked locally through her long time congregation, Central Baptist in Wayne, PA, but also regionally and nationally through groups such as SoulForce. Kathy has represented AWAB in many capacities and continues to do so. AWAB lifts up and acknowledges the gifts of Stan Hastey and Kathy Stayton. The efforts and examples set by dedicated straight allies like Kathy and Stan have help broaden the affirmation of LGBT people within faith communities and increase the forward momentum toward equality in society. The awards will be presented June 27, 2009, during the AWAB Worship Service which begins at 10:00 a.m.. The presentation and service will be held at the Westin Pasadena at 191 N. Los Robles, adjacent to the Pasadena Convention Center. AWAB Statement on Marriage Equality in New Hampshire Washington, DC, June 5, 2009 – The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) applauds the New Hampshire legislature and Gov. John Lynch in extending marriage equality to same-sex couples in their state. The bill makes New Hampshire the sixth state to approve same-sex marriage, joining Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine and Vermont. In order to gain gubernatorial approval, the bill as originally passed by the legislature was later amended to add language specifying that religious organizations and ministers opposing same-sex marriage do not need to perform ceremonies. This change was made despite the fact that the bill only applies to civil marriage. In none of the states where marriage equality has been enacted has there been an attempt to force churches or other bodies of faith to go against what their religious beliefs on the matter. There are many different perspectives on same-sex marriage. Baptists have historically stood for the separation of church and state and believe in the autonomy of the local church. Consequently, Baptists, like Americans in general, have differing opinions about same-sex marriage. But AWAB as an organization believes that legal marriage equality as it exists for opposite-sex couples should be extended to loving, committed same-sex couples. While we acknowledge that churches and other bodies of faith have the right to not follow in the path of conferring legal marriage status for same-sex couples, we hope that more congregations will open their doors to such couples wishing to celebrate their commitment within their churches. Chris Boisvert, Director of Community Outreach for the AWAB Council

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