Comments on: Uniting Church in Sydney’s north shore welcomes openly gay minister

By: Christopher Kelly

Christopher Kelly — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:42:02 +0000

Thanks Reverend Dr Amelia Kih-Butler for your reply and further information into the church’s accepting history of the LGBT community. I have taken note of the mistake that Darren Liepold is not the first to be minister and have requested to the editor to change the by-line.

Thanks for your correction.

By: Rev'd Peter Weeks

Rev'd Peter Weeks — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 22:10:35 +0000

Welcome Darren.
And thanks to Amelia for the further information.
The article also implies that Margaret Mayman is the first (and perhaps only) other gay or lesbian minister in the Uniting Church, although I’m willing to accept that she was named simply as a currently well-known example.
There are ‘openly’ gay and lesbian ministers (some with partners) throughout the country, in almost every State.

By: Rev Dr Amelia Kih-Butler

Rev Dr Amelia Kih-Butler — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 02:50:51 +0000

I’m a bit disappointed to see this reported as a ‘first’ for the UCA in Sydney’s lower north. The Sydney North Presbytery of the Uniting Church has, over many years, called, inducted, ordained and commissioned a number of key leaders, who have served the lower north well, who are actively and faithfully supported by their same gender partners. As long ago as 1998, the leaders of Sydney North affirmed the emerging and ‘coming out’ leaders among them, and have continued to work (for nearly 2 decades) for better inclusion. This welcome appointment is one in a long series of steps that Presbytery has taken to value the leadership offered in faithful service by all those who would love God and serve the world God loves.