"The clergy have not been spared by HIV and AIDS, the Archbishop of Central Africa, the Most Rev. Bernard Malango, stated earlier this year [2005]. Officiating at the Church's strategic planning workshop on HIV/AIDS under the theme `Generation Born Without AIDS', Archbishop Malango said the Church had not been spared by HIV as some clergy were dying from the disease".
"This book of prayers, blessings and liturgies for lesbian and gay Christians was initially commissioned by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK)". -- Preface, p. xi.
Contents: Preface dated 1992 / Elizabeth Stuart -- Foreword dated 3 June 1992 / David Jenkins -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1. Celebrating Lesbian and Gay Relationships -- 2. Housewarmings -- 3. A Celebration of Coming Out -- 4. Partings -- 5. Healing Liturgies for People Living with HIV and AIDS -- 6. The Death of Friends -- Notes, Sources and Acknowledgements -- Useful Organizations.
Section 1. Celebrating Lesbian and Gay Relationships includes notes about examples/samples of liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions.
"This book of prayers, blessings and liturgies for lesbian and gay Christians was initially commissioned by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK)". -- Preface, p. xi.
Contents: Preface dated 1992 / Elizabeth Stuart -- Foreword dated 3 June 1992 / David Jenkins -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1. Celebrating Lesbian and Gay Relationships -- 2. Housewarmings -- 3. A Celebration of Coming Out -- 4. Partings -- 5. Healing Liturgies for People Living with HIV and AIDS -- 6. The Death of Friends -- Notes, Sources and Acknowledgements -- Useful Organizations.
Section 1. Celebrating Lesbian and Gay Relationships includes notes about examples/samples of liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions.
Includes bibliographical references and bibliography: p. 167.
"The time is ripe for a collection of worship services, ceremonies, and celebrations created by lesbian and gay people for use in communities that affirm them." -- Intro. p. xi.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1. Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings -- 2. Rites of Healing -- 3. Funerals and Memorial Services -- 4. Rites of Blessing -- 5. Seasonal and Holiday Rites -- 6. Covenant Rites for Couples -- 7. Rites of Holy Communion -- 8. Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment -- Contributors -- Appendix: National Lesbian/Gay Christian Organizations -- Selected Bibliography.
Contents of section 1. Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings: Coming Out: Coming Home / Diann L. Neu -- A Coming-Out Liturgy / Malcolm Boyd -- Coming-Out Rite: I Acknowledge My Queer Identity / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of Welcome / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian Baptismal Covenant Liturgy: A Celebration of the Feminine Divine / Stephen J. Moore -- Rebaptism: A Transforming Time / Jane Adams Spahr and Kittredge Cherry -- Baptismal Liturgy / James Lancaster -- The Mixing of Our Earth: A Ritual for Creating Community / Sylvia Perez.
Contents of 2. Rites of Healing: Invocation of Remembrance, Healing, and Empowerment in a Time of AIDS / Elias Farajaje-Jonez -- A Healing Service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Rite of Healing from Life-Threatening Disease / Zalmon Sherwood -- A Litany for Dialogue among People with Different Sexual Orientations / Eric H.F. Law -- Rite of Healing from Lesbian/Gay Bashing / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of Healing from Rape / Zalmon Sherwood -- Litany of Affirmation / Colleen Darraugh -- Ceremony of Dissolution / James Lancaster.
Contents of section 3. Funerals and Memorial Services: Telling Love's Story: Remembering and Responding to AIDS / Diann L. Neu -- Litany for the AIDS Crisis / Paul A. Tucker -- Community Memorial Service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Graveside Service for a Gay Man Who Has Died Young / Zalmon Sherwood -- Funeral for a Lesbian Activist: Celebrating the Life of N. / Zalmon Sherwood and Kittredge Cherry -- Yom HaShoah: Day of Remembering the Holocaust / Steve Carson.
Contents of section 4. Rites of Blessing: Home Blessing / James Lancaster -- Animal Blessing Service / Kittredge Cherry -- Rite of Blessing: For the Dedication of New Hymnals / Nancy Wilson -- Motorcycle Blessing: The Blessing of the Bikes / Steve Carson.
Contents of section 5. Seasonal and Holiday Rites: Thanksgiving Rite / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite for Advent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rite for Lent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rediscovering God as Father / Louis F. Kavar -- Maundy Thursday Service of Foot Washing / Troy D. Perry.
Contents of section 6. Covenant Rites for Couples: A Celebration of Love and Commitment / Chris R. Glaser -- A Sample Service of Holy Union Based on the Tradition of Kwanzaa / Darlene Garner -- Celebration and Blessing of a Covenanted Union / Eleanor L. McLaughlin -- The Wedding: A Demonstration for the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Couples / Troy D. Perry.
Contents of section 7. Rites of Holy Communion: Eucharistic Prayer for the Powerless, the Oppressed, the Unusual / Marilyn McCord Adams -- The Great Thanksgiving: A Rite Based on the Song of Mary / Carter Heyward -- Dignity/USA Convention Eucharist 1991 / James E. Snight, Jr., adapted by Kevin Calegari and Thomas Kaun -- The Desert Experience / Christine Nusse -- Earth Communion / Sylvia Perez.
Contents of section 8. Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment: Invocation for All Saints' Day / James Lancaster -- A Celebration of Lesbian and Gay Pride / Michael S. Piazza, Carol A. West, and Paul A. Tucker -- A Rite of Commissioning for Lesbian/Gay Pride Celebrations / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian Affirmations of Lesbians and Gay Men: A Service in the Taize Style / Kittredge Cherry and Nathan Meckley -- Litany of Justice / Colleen Darraugh -- Litany for Divine Intervention / James Lancaster -- A Service of Worship for Empowerment / Lindsay Louise Biddle, editor -- What is Church ? / The Cathedral Project -- A Prayer / Malcolm Boyd.
Kittredge Cherry is a member of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Zalmon Sherwood is an Episcopal priest. -- back cover.
Includes bibliographical references and bibliography: p. 167.
"The time is ripe for a collection of worship services, ceremonies, and celebrations created by lesbian and gay people for use in communities that affirm them." -- Intro. p. xi.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1. Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings -- 2. Rites of Healing -- 3. Funerals and Memorial Services -- 4. Rites of Blessing -- 5. Seasonal and Holiday Rites -- 6. Covenant Rites for Couples -- 7. Rites of Holy Communion -- 8. Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment -- Contributors -- Appendix: National Lesbian/Gay Christian Organizations -- Selected Bibliography.
Contents of section 1. Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings: Coming Out: Coming Home / Diann L. Neu -- A Coming-Out Liturgy / Malcolm Boyd -- Coming-Out Rite: I Acknowledge My Queer Identity / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of Welcome / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian Baptismal Covenant Liturgy: A Celebration of the Feminine Divine / Stephen J. Moore -- Rebaptism: A Transforming Time / Jane Adams Spahr and Kittredge Cherry -- Baptismal Liturgy / James Lancaster -- The Mixing of Our Earth: A Ritual for Creating Community / Sylvia Perez.
Contents of 2. Rites of Healing: Invocation of Remembrance, Healing, and Empowerment in a Time of AIDS / Elias Farajaje-Jonez -- A Healing Service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Rite of Healing from Life-Threatening Disease / Zalmon Sherwood -- A Litany for Dialogue among People with Different Sexual Orientations / Eric H.F. Law -- Rite of Healing from Lesbian/Gay Bashing / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of Healing from Rape / Zalmon Sherwood -- Litany of Affirmation / Colleen Darraugh -- Ceremony of Dissolution / James Lancaster.
Contents of section 3. Funerals and Memorial Services: Telling Love's Story: Remembering and Responding to AIDS / Diann L. Neu -- Litany for the AIDS Crisis / Paul A. Tucker -- Community Memorial Service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Graveside Service for a Gay Man Who Has Died Young / Zalmon Sherwood -- Funeral for a Lesbian Activist: Celebrating the Life of N. / Zalmon Sherwood and Kittredge Cherry -- Yom HaShoah: Day of Remembering the Holocaust / Steve Carson.
Contents of section 4. Rites of Blessing: Home Blessing / James Lancaster -- Animal Blessing Service / Kittredge Cherry -- Rite of Blessing: For the Dedication of New Hymnals / Nancy Wilson -- Motorcycle Blessing: The Blessing of the Bikes / Steve Carson.
Contents of section 5. Seasonal and Holiday Rites: Thanksgiving Rite / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite for Advent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rite for Lent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rediscovering God as Father / Louis F. Kavar -- Maundy Thursday Service of Foot Washing / Troy D. Perry.
Contents of section 6. Covenant Rites for Couples: A Celebration of Love and Commitment / Chris R. Glaser -- A Sample Service of Holy Union Based on the Tradition of Kwanzaa / Darlene Garner -- Celebration and Blessing of a Covenanted Union / Eleanor L. McLaughlin -- The Wedding: A Demonstration for the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Couples / Troy D. Perry.
Contents of section 7. Rites of Holy Communion: Eucharistic Prayer for the Powerless, the Oppressed, the Unusual / Marilyn McCord Adams -- The Great Thanksgiving: A Rite Based on the Song of Mary / Carter Heyward -- Dignity/USA Convention Eucharist 1991 / James E. Snight, Jr., adapted by Kevin Calegari and Thomas Kaun -- The Desert Experience / Christine Nusse -- Earth Communion / Sylvia Perez.
Contents of section 8. Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment: Invocation for All Saints' Day / James Lancaster -- A Celebration of Lesbian and Gay Pride / Michael S. Piazza, Carol A. West, and Paul A. Tucker -- A Rite of Commissioning for Lesbian/Gay Pride Celebrations / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian Affirmations of Lesbians and Gay Men: A Service in the Taize Style / Kittredge Cherry and Nathan Meckley -- Litany of Justice / Colleen Darraugh -- Litany for Divine Intervention / James Lancaster -- A Service of Worship for Empowerment / Lindsay Louise Biddle, editor -- What is Church ? / The Cathedral Project -- A Prayer / Malcolm Boyd.
Kittredge Cherry is a member of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Zalmon Sherwood is an Episcopal priest. -- back cover.
Includes bibliographical references and bibliography: p. 167.
"The time is ripe for a collection of worship services, ceremonies, and celebrations created by lesbian and gay people for use in communities that affirm them." -- Intro. p. xi.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1. Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings -- 2. Rites of Healing -- 3. Funerals and Memorial Services -- 4. Rites of Blessing -- 5. Seasonal and Holiday Rites -- 6. Covenant Rites for Couples -- 7. Rites of Holy Communion -- 8. Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment -- Contributors -- Appendix: National Lesbian/Gay Christian Organizations -- Selected Bibliography.
Contents of section 1. Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings: Coming Out: Coming Home / Diann L. Neu -- A Coming-Out Liturgy / Malcolm Boyd -- Coming-Out Rite: I Acknowledge My Queer Identity / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of Welcome / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian Baptismal Covenant Liturgy: A Celebration of the Feminine Divine / Stephen J. Moore -- Rebaptism: A Transforming Time / Jane Adams Spahr and Kittredge Cherry -- Baptismal Liturgy / James Lancaster -- The Mixing of Our Earth: A Ritual for Creating Community / Sylvia Perez.
Contents of 2. Rites of Healing: Invocation of Remembrance, Healing, and Empowerment in a Time of AIDS / Elias Farajaje-Jonez -- A Healing Service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Rite of Healing from Life-Threatening Disease / Zalmon Sherwood -- A Litany for Dialogue among People with Different Sexual Orientations / Eric H.F. Law -- Rite of Healing from Lesbian/Gay Bashing / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of Healing from Rape / Zalmon Sherwood -- Litany of Affirmation / Colleen Darraugh -- Ceremony of Dissolution / James Lancaster.
Contents of section 3. Funerals and Memorial Services: Telling Love's Story: Remembering and Responding to AIDS / Diann L. Neu -- Litany for the AIDS Crisis / Paul A. Tucker -- Community Memorial Service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Graveside Service for a Gay Man Who Has Died Young / Zalmon Sherwood -- Funeral for a Lesbian Activist: Celebrating the Life of N. / Zalmon Sherwood and Kittredge Cherry -- Yom HaShoah: Day of Remembering the Holocaust / Steve Carson.
Contents of section 4. Rites of Blessing: Home Blessing / James Lancaster -- Animal Blessing Service / Kittredge Cherry -- Rite of Blessing: For the Dedication of New Hymnals / Nancy Wilson -- Motorcycle Blessing: The Blessing of the Bikes / Steve Carson.
Contents of section 5. Seasonal and Holiday Rites: Thanksgiving Rite / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite for Advent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rite for Lent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rediscovering God as Father / Louis F. Kavar -- Maundy Thursday Service of Foot Washing / Troy D. Perry.
Contents of section 6. Covenant Rites for Couples: A Celebration of Love and Commitment / Chris R. Glaser -- A Sample Service of Holy Union Based on the Tradition of Kwanzaa / Darlene Garner -- Celebration and Blessing of a Covenanted Union / Eleanor L. McLaughlin -- The Wedding: A Demonstration for the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Couples / Troy D. Perry.
Contents of section 7. Rites of Holy Communion: Eucharistic Prayer for the Powerless, the Oppressed, the Unusual / Marilyn McCord Adams -- The Great Thanksgiving: A Rite Based on the Song of Mary / Carter Heyward -- Dignity/USA Convention Eucharist 1991 / James E. Snight, Jr., adapted by Kevin Calegari and Thomas Kaun -- The Desert Experience / Christine Nusse -- Earth Communion / Sylvia Perez.
Contents of section 8. Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment: Invocation for All Saints' Day / James Lancaster -- A Celebration of Lesbian and Gay Pride / Michael S. Piazza, Carol A. West, and Paul A. Tucker -- A Rite of Commissioning for Lesbian/Gay Pride Celebrations / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian Affirmations of Lesbians and Gay Men: A Service in the Taize Style / Kittredge Cherry and Nathan Meckley -- Litany of Justice / Colleen Darraugh -- Litany for Divine Intervention / James Lancaster -- A Service of Worship for Empowerment / Lindsay Louise Biddle, editor -- What is Church ? / The Cathedral Project -- A Prayer / Malcolm Boyd.
Kittredge Cherry is a member of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Zalmon Sherwood is an Episcopal priest. -- back cover.
While attending a meeting of MISSIO, the Mission Commission of the Anglican Communion, in Harare, Zimbabwe, in April 1999, the author attended the funeral of an AIDS victim with the Rev. Petros Nyatsanza. The man who died was pre-deceased by his wife and infant daughter, all victims of AIDS.
The Advent 1996 issue of the International Anglican Family Network "tells of just a few of the projects, linked with churches, which are trying to alleviate the suffering and halt the spread of the disease. In this terrible situation there are signs of hope." Article includes reports from 12 different countries.
The author, a librarian and Volunteer in Mission from the diocese of Montreal, is working at Newton Theological College, in Papua New Guinea. She describes a powerful speaker at the College. "Fr. Nicholas (Anglican priest) from Zimbabwe, who was doing a training workshop on AIDS/HIV. This man is training church people and teachers by telling them about the Zimbabwean experience: how the church shut its eyes and ears to the virus, refused to talk about the sexual connection, refused to endorse the use of condoms and now is reaping the awful harvest of those decisions". She also describes how garbage disposal is handled at the College and the concern that the College has polluted a local water source. She will soon start teaching an advanced English course for the wives of students.
"This manual is a Christian response to HIV/AIDS". -- Intro.
This book "is designed for all those Christians who are called to help people cope with HIV/AIDS. Step by step, it introduces us to the basic medical facts, and guides us through practical, loving approaches that enable us to empathize and communicate with those whose lives have been transformed by the disease. Using everyday language and case studies that reveal the kinds of issues and problems that counsellors typically face, this Bible based manual helps us discover within ourselves and those to whom we talk the confidence, respect and hope that can help people living with HIV/AIDS overcome their fears". -- back cover.
Contents: Preface / Manoj Kurian -- Introduction -- Let's Begin at the Beginning -- The Christian Response -- Called to Care -- A Way of Christian Listening -- Listening with Loving Attention -- A Process that Helps Us to Heal -- Case Studies -- Using Prayer and Scripture -- Glossary -- References and Further Reading.