VOICE OF THE TURTLE Online

AWAB Announces New Executive Director

Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (Cary, NC 06/23/05)
The Reverend Kenneth L. Pennings will serve as the Executive Director of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB). Pennings assumes leadership duties in these days prior to the biennial meeting of the America Baptist Churches - USA, July 1-3 in Denver.

"In these times of turmoil, opportunity and discernment, we believe Ken has been prepared for just such a time as this to nurture and grow the ministry of AWAB," says Rev. David Gregg, chair of its council.

An ordained American Baptist minister, Pennings' ministry experience includes new church planting, fund raising, organizational development, coordination of social justice initiatives and ecumenical educational opportunities. He holds B.A. (1979) and M. Div. degrees (1985) from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC.

"At this stage of human history, homosexuality is a polarizing issue in many churches and denominations... We WILL find ways to include, embrace, welcome and affirm one another in the bond of Christ... I am committed to being faithful and staying the course in the midst of adversity," says Pennings.

Pennings is a member of First Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin, where he has been active in numerous education and social justice endeavors in his church and region. He currently serves as Coordinator for Local Ecumenism of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, a position he will continue. He and outgoing Interim Executive Director Rev. Daniel Pryfogle are coordinating the leadership transition.

AWAB members are Baptist churches, organizations, and individuals who have gone on record as being welcoming and affirming of all persons, without regard to sexual orientation. They will gather in Denver in conjunction with the denomination's meeting and for a retreat in Boulder, CO following the event.

Minister Denounces President Bush's 'Compassionate Homophobia'

On June 21, President Bush addressed the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Praising the convention's support for the Federal Marriage Amendment, the president said: "Southern Baptists are practicing compassion by defending the family and the sacred institution of marriage."

Reverend Steven Baines, an elder in the Disciples of Christ and member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Religious Leadership Roundtable responds with the following statement:

"As an elder in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a former Southern Baptist minister, I am disappointed that the president and leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention continue to present their discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in the guise of compassion.

"The president's speech failed to explain how a Federal Marriage Amendment that would block thousands of American families from the protections they need for their stability and security can be seen as an act of compassion; just as the Southern Baptist Convention has failed to explain how supporting this discrimination contributes to its Christian witness. There is nothing Christian about discrimination.

"Instead of dressing up their bigotry as 'compassionate homophobia' the president and the Southern Baptist Convention can show real compassion by guaranteeing full equality for same-sex couples and their families. This would be more in line with the ethic of compassion for the marginalized and oppressed that is the foundation of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures the president claims to revere so strongly."

WASHINGTON - The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) passed a resolution today on "Educating Children" at their annual meeting in Nashville - a more moderate version of a previously submitted resolution entitled "Homosexuality in Public Schools." The earlier resolution encouraged parents to remove their children from public schools that are determined to be 'presenting homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.' The new resolution removed some of the more controversial elements but continues to
demonstrate a lack of tolerance for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people by opposing diversity training, anti-bullying courses and safe schools programs.

"Faith should never be used as a weapon," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "We are pleased that much of the resolution has changed and we all agree that parents should take an active role in their children's education. But we remain concerned about an extreme faction of the Southern Baptist
Convention represented by the original resolution that has turned away from the love and compassion that faith should encourage."

At a press conference in Nashville today, local community members spoke out against the resolution and called for a more tolerant and inclusive atmosphere. Appearing were Charles Warford, a retired Southern Baptist minister, Gene Floyd, a Southern Baptist mother of a gay son, and Bradley Bullock, a Nashville physician.

"Many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Southern Baptists contribute in very meaningful ways to their local churches and communities," said Solmonese.

The Convention also passed a resolution ending their nine-year boycott of the Walt Disney Corporation for their GLBT friendly policies. This comes in the wake of the American Family Association ending their boycott of Disney as well as the Ford Motor Company.

"The Disney boycott has obviously failed and reaffirms that GLBT friendly corporate policies are good for business," said Solmonese.

Over the past 30 years, the SBC has passed 13 resolutions against gays and lesbians. That is compared to three resolutions on HIV/AIDS and a single resolution against homelessness.

"Instead of bringing families together, the Southern Baptist Convention has a long history of discrimination against gay Americans with resolutions against health insurance for same-sex partners and non-discrimination laws," said Solmonese. "We appreciate the change in the resolution and call on the Southern Baptist Convention and all people of faith to create a culture of reconciliation and dialogue where we can all strive for the highest ideals of our calling."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home,
at work and in the community.

From the Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
E-mail: hrc@hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org

Next week, July 1-3, thousands of American Baptists from around the world will gather for the biennial convention of the American Baptist Churches, USA in Denver, Colorado. AWAB will be active and present at the gathering. Our Council will meet prior to the biennial. At the biennial we will hold a worship service, and will be part of an alternative exhibit space at the Colorado Contention Center. Our Rainbow Choir will sing nightly prior to the evening plenary sessions.

AWAB will present the first Barbra MacNair Award for Christian Witness to Barbra MacNair, former Co-Chair of American Baptists Concerned and long time editor of Voice of the Turtle. Barbara as editor of the print version of VOT was for over fourteen years provided a voice on behalf of LGBT people within the American Baptist Family. We will also present the Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service to H. Darrell Lance, the editor of The Inspiriter, AWAB's acclaimed publication. Darrell, professor emeritus from Colgate Rochester Theological Seminary, is also an knowledgeable expert who has written and educated many people on biblical interpretations on the issue of homosexuality.

We will also introduce the Rev. Ken Pennings as AWAB's new Executive Director. Ken bringss an extensive background on working with non-profit organizations, fundraising and dedication to the inclusion of LGBT people. Ken will continue to build on the leadership foundation established by Brenda Moulton and most recently by Daniel Pryfogle, AWAB's Interim Director for the last fifteen months. AWAB's goal is to continue to be an advocate for LGBT people and to build communications and relationships between W&A churches and their members.

For a complete listing of AWAB activities in Denver, July 1-3, please click the link below.