FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2005

Metropolitan Community Church
of the Chesapeake

Contact: The Rev. Wayne Schwandt 410-353-5534

"Queer Eye for the Bible" at Annapolis Church

(Annapolis, Maryland) Queer Eye for the Bible - a hard hitting look at how the Bible has been used to control, condemn and hate a multitude of groups over the centuries. This is not a workshop on decorating, fashion tips or cooking based on Biblical texts. The workshop will explore these concerns: How inclusive of diversity is the Bible? What are the texts of terror and hatred saying? Is there room in the Reign of God for all people? Are gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people condemned to hell? What is the Bible's understanding of the role of women in church? How about the imperfect? Are they welcome? Are there gay people in the Biblical narrative? Are friends and family "tainted" by their love and support for them?

From a progressive Christian perspective, using the tools of Biblical scholarship, Pastor Wayne Schwandt will explore the ways in which the Bible can be approached by post-modern people so that it makes sense with our scientific perspective on life. How do we read the Bible with our hearts and our minds? How do we come to understand the Divine vision of human life?

Pastor Wayne is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and a Doctor of Ministry student at Wisdom University in San Francisco, California.

Metropolitan Community Church of the Chesapeake is offering this day long workshop on Saturday, October 22, from 10 A.M. to 4 PM at the Annapolis Friends Meeting at 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis. Lunch will be provided. A donation of $20 for adults and $10 for students is requested.

Reservations are encouraged but not necessary. Please reserve your place at the table by emailing MCCChesapeake@aol.com or by calling Pastor Wayne at 410-353-5534.

MCC of the Chesapeake is affiliated with the Center for Progressive Christianity and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a Christian denomination that ministers primarily, but not exclusively, to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons. Worship services are held on Sunday evening at 6:00 pm at the Annapolis Friends Meeting in Annapolis.