FUSsa-talk Mailing List: Fwd: Religious Institute *Special Edition*

[Robert Tapp (tappx001]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Robert Tapp <tappx001 [at] umn.edu>
> Date: February 16, 2010 10:05:49 PM CST
> *
> 
> A very hopeful set of goals!
> 
> Bob
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>>              From Rev. Debra W. Haffner
>> 
>> 
>> On February 9, 2010, the Religious Institute released our latest 
>> report,Sexuality and Religion 2020: Goals for the Next Decade, in an audio 
>> press conference. I was joined by the esteemed religious historian, Dr. 
>> Martin Marty; the director of women's ministry for the National Council of 
>> Churches, the Rev. Ann Tiemeyer; and the president of the National Council 
>> of Jewish Women, Nancy Ratzan.   
>>  
>> Sexuality and Religion 2020 contends that, despite notable progress over the 
>> last decade - including greater inclusion of women and LGBT people, and 
>> increased attention to sexuality education in faith communities - most 
>> religious leaders and institutions are not meeting their responsibility to 
>> address the sexuality needs of congregants.
>>  
>> The report opens with a new vision: By the year 2020, all faith communities 
>> will be sexually healthy, just and prophetic. It goes on to outline 10 goals 
>> for the next 10 years that will help to achieve that vision. The goals, 
>> listed below, are fully articulated in the report. They call on religious 
>> leaders and institutions to:
>> break the silence around sexuality in congregations and faith communities;
>> improve ministerial training in sexuality issues;
>> provide better pastoral care on sexuality-related issues and sexuality 
>> education for youth and adults;
>> forge multifaith coalitions to promote sexual health and justice;
>> become more effective advocates for sexuality education, sexual and 
>> reproductive health, and the full inclusion of women and LGBT persons;
>> include sexuality in movements addressing poverty, the environment and other 
>> social justice concerns; and
>> mobilize people of faith to advocate for an increased commitment to sexual 
>> health, education and justice in religious communities. 
>> In keeping with these goals, we were delighted to announce that, effective 
>> this year, the Unitarian Universalist Association will require competencies 
>> in sexual health, sexuality education and sexual justice for all of its 
>> ministerial candidates. We salute the UUA for becoming the first major 
>> denomination to take this step, and hope it serves as a beacon for other 
>> denominations.
>>  
>> We also announced the formation of the Faithful Voices Network, the first 
>> grassroots, multifaith network of people of faith who are committed to 
>> sexual health and justice. If the goals outlined inSexuality and Religion 
>> 2020 are to be achieved, energy and activism must arise from within 
>> congregations and communities. Read more about the Faithful Voices Network 
>> below, then go to our website and endorse this pledge:
>>  
>>  "As a person of faith, I support sexual health, education and justice in 
>> faith communities and society."
>>  
>> Sexuality and Religion 2020 grew out of discussions and deliberations at the 
>> 2020 Colloquium, which the Religious Institute convened last July. 
>> Twenty-three clergy, theologians and religious leaders from Christian, 
>> Jewish, Muslim and Unitarian-Universalist traditions contributed many of the 
>> valuable ideas and insights that are reflected in the report. We are 
>> endebted to them for their contributions.
>>  
>> I encourage you to read the report and share it with your congregants and 
>> colleagues. Sexuality is too central to our lives, too connected to our 
>> spirituality, and too potentially harmful for the silence in our faith 
>> communities to continue. 
>