The Adelaide Affirmation

We proclaim the Good News: that in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) persons. We believe that as Christians we are called to love our neighbour as ourselves. It is the essence of Christian life to focus on the way that one lives in right relation to God and to one another, through love, humility and compassion. We believe that it is time to end all policies and practices that create barriers and restrictions to the full, responsible participation of GLBT Christians in the life, mission and ministry of the church.
  
We affirm that all people are created in God’s image, as children of God.  GLBT persons are a precious and distinct part of the family of God, struggling to express their faith, spirituality, gifts and love in the world. We stand with diverse Christian witnesses who have studied the Scriptures and Christian traditions and find no rational, biblical or theological reason to deny the full participation within the church of any person on the grounds of their homosexuality.

After due consideration of Scripture and from our diverse life and professional experiences, we see no evidence that homosexuality is sinful or a matter of choice.  It is time to end the mistaken belief that homosexuality is either a disordered state or a sickness, for such belief follows from misunderstanding and prejudice.  It is time to end the use of Scripture to abuse GLBT persons through processes of denial, censorship and restriction. 

We affirm the family as the basic social unit in which we are called to live, love, nurture and care for each. other.  We recognise that GLBT people belong to our families as our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.  We deplore the use of terminology such as "family values" to discriminate against GLBT persons and their families and friends.  We recognise that families may be variously structured and we call upon all families to offer love and nurture to all their members, so that all persons can live in relationships that are loving, affirming and forgiving, free from abuse, discrimination and denial.

We affirm marriage and same sex relationships that are characterised by covenanted, loving relationships that uphold each other through mutual honesty, equity and fidelity. 

We call for equity and social justice within the community and nation and call for an end to all religious and civil discrimination against GLBT persons.

We name GLBT persons as our neighbours and call for an end to intolerance, discrimination and violence towards GLBT people.  We hope and pray that all our churches and people will be constant witnesses to love and respect for all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality or social position. 

We recognise the presence of GLBT persons of faith among us as gifts from God calling us to a greater witness to love in the world.  Through Grace, we pray for reconciliation between persons, families and communities separated by religious and civil discrimination.  We pray for reconciliation between Christian groups who have stood divided by values and beliefs that have led to marginalisation and intolerance of GLBT persons and their families and friends and call the church to work for peace and goodwill.

We will continue to proclaim a Gospel of love in Christ Jesus that overcomes all barriers of distinction and discrimination.

This statement is signed by members of the Christian community participating in the work and mission of the Uniting Church in Australia.  It is open to all persons of faith and goodwill who wish to add their signature in affirmation, either by writing stating support to The Adelaide Affirmation, PO Box 848, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006 or via the Internet at http://fou.uniting.com.au/adelaide.html or by  Email
  
There are 169 signatories as at August 21st, 2006.  View Names of Signatories.

The Launching of The Adelaide Affirmation was via the Internet, November 26, 2003.
Download a copy of the Adelaide Affirmation as a Word Document
EMAIL to register your signature added to this statement.  Please state your title, name, affiliation and address and that you support the Adelaide Affirmation through having your name added to the statement and displayed.
Receipt of your support will be acknowledged by placing your title, name and affiliation in the list below.

List of Signatories: Adelaide Affirmation
Alphabetical Order
  1. Graeme  Adsett , Executive Secretary, Synod Chaplaincy Commission, The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod.
  2. Greg Allen, Member, Leura Uniting Church, Blue Mountains Parish. NSW. .
  3. Welwood L. Anderson, Member UCA Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA; member of Friends of Unity and of Uniting Network.
  4. Lorna Archer member of Rosanna Uniting Church. (Vic)
  5. Jonathan Arthur, Member UCA, West Epping UC, NSW.
  6. Mr John Ball, Member of Fitzroy Uniting Church, Melbourne.
  7. Olivia Ball, registered psychologist, PhD candidate in human rights & elder, UCA.
  8. Janeen Barker, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA; member Friends of Unity..
  9.  Rev'd Dr Jonathan Barker (Deac.), UCA Pilgrim Church, Adelaide; member Friends of Unity.
  10. Rev. Deacon Peter Batten South Port Parks Parish Mission, South Melbourne Victoria.
  11. Ross Benbow, Member of the UCA; member of Uniting Network.
  12. Dr  Marcus Benjamin,  Psychiatrist Melbourne, Member Fitzroy UCA.
  13.  Mrs G. M. Benjamin, Member Fitzroy UCA, Melbourne.
  14. Kirsty Bennett, Aged Care Project Officer, UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania.
  15.  Dr Wendy Beresford-Maning, MACE, member & elder Darwin Memorial Uniting
    Church NT.
  16. Jan Berry - Member of the congregation of the St Ives Uniting Church, NSW.
  17. Peter Berry - Friend of the St Ives Uniting Church, NSW.
  18. Rev'd (Deacon) Mandy Blacker,  UCA,  Melbourne, Victoria.
  19. Mr Michael Boswell, Member Perth Wesley Uniting Church.
  20. Ruth Brown, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  21. J. Buckhorn, Member UCA, Brompton, SA.
  22. Bronte Bunney, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  23. Judith Bunney, Member, UCA, Pilgrim Church, SA.
  24. Rev. Trevor Byard, St. John’s Uniting Church Mount Waverley Vic. Minister Pirie Street Methodist Church Adelaide Jan 1967 – May 1969 and Pilgrim Church (then Union Church In The City) June 1969 – Dec 1971.
  25. Rev'd Beverley  Cameron, UCA, Member of Uniting Network and Friends of Uniting Network (NSW).
  26. Fiona Cameron, Nursing Director, Thursday Island Hospital.
  27. Val Canty, UCA; Member of Friends of Unity; Adelaide.
  28. Colin Cargill, Member UCA Morialta Congregation and Mt Lofty Presbytery, South Australia.
  29. Margaret Cargill, Member of Morialta UCA Congregation, Mt Lofty Presbytery, South Australia.
  30. Rev Richard Carter, UCA Wakefield Presbytery. Secretary Friends of Unity (SA).
  31. Andrew Clark, Member, UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  32. Liah Clark, St Joan of Arc Parish (Catholic), Brighton.
  33. Rev'd Geoff Collins, UCA, Member Friends of Unity; Adelaide.
  34. Caz Coleman UCA Melbourne Victoria.
  35. Michelle Cook Member of Indooroopilly Uniting Church Queensland
  36. Malcolm I. Cowan, Member UCA Pilgrim Church Adelaide; member of Friends of Unity and Uniting Network; former Co-Convenor Uniting Network.
  37. Patrick Curran; Catholic; Erskineville, Sydney.
  38. Mrs. Jane Dale Centenary UCA Qld.
  39. Rev. Alan Dale St. Thomas' Anglican Church Toowong Qld
  40. Mrs Patricia A. R. Dale Member of Mosman Uniting Church NSW. Former
    member of Assembly Standing Committee and Legal Reference Committee.
  41. Nicole Fleming, Member Dubbo Uniting Church, NSW
  42. Rev. Gareth Darlow, Montrose UCA , Montrose Vic. 
  43. Nicki Debreczeni, Member UCA, Ashgrove, QLD.
  44. Revd Kevin Dilks, c/- Wesley Mission Perth, Western Australia.
  45. Peter Dingle, Lecturer, Latrobe University, Bendigo.
  46. Luke Doyle; Catholic; Erskineville, Sydney.
  47. Rosemary Drabsch, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  48. John Dunn, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  49. Rev'd John Dunn, former Moderator WA Synod UCA.
  50. Rev'd Mark J Dunn; UCA Member, Minister, Pilgrim (Doncaster) Congregation, VIC.
  51. Sue Dunn, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  52. Gillian Eldridge, Member UCA, SA.
  53. Grant Erickson, Member, Sherwood UCA Congregation, Brisbane QLD.
  54. Rev'd. Rob Evans, UCA Chaplain, Queensland.
  55. Betty Evans, UCA Member, Queensland.
  56. H. Ruth Farrent, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  57. Kristy Fisher, Student, Univeristy of Sydney; NSW.
  58. Fitzroy Uniting Church Congregation, Fitzroy, Victoria.
  59. Rev'd Bruce Gallacher, Frontier Services, Flinders Patrol, & Minister of Hughenden (Qld) Congregation.
  60. Dr Peggy Goldsmith, Member of UCA at Leura, NSW.  Co-leader of the Wellspring Community in Australia.
  61. Mr Steven Scott Goldsworthy, Janet Clarke Hall, Melbourne, Victoria.
  62. Lisa Graham, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  63. Ms Debra Hackett, Catholic, Dover Gardens SA.
  64. Rev'd Dr Anna Grant-Henderson, UCA member: Parkin-Wesley College &Flinders
    University.
  65. Andrew House, Friend of UCA, St Ives Uniting Church, Sydney.
  66. Sandra House Member of UCA, St Ives Uniting Church, Sydney.
  67. Ruth H. Gray, UCA member; "Tanderra", Camberwell, Victoria (formerly of Beaumont UCA, SA.)
  68. Denise Griffen, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  69. Dr Sharon Grimley, UCA Nambour, QLD.
  70. Lorna Hallahan UnitingCare Australia, Adelaide.
  71. Dr Avril Hannah-Jones, UCA; Janet Clarke Hall, Melbourne University.
  72. Rev'd Chris Harkness Clarence Park Adelaide.
  73. Leslie Hollingsworth, Member Pilgrim UCA, Adelaide, SA.
  74. Barbara Horne, UCA; Co-Chair Friends of Unity.
  75. Jennie Hosking, UCA, member of Friends of Unity, SA.
  76. Heather den Houting; Member UCA Queensland.
  77. Leanne Hutcheson, Uniting Network (NSW).
  78. Bruce Ind, member Morialta Uniting Church, Mt Lofty Presbytery, SA Synod.
  79. Rev Dr Robert Jackson, retired Minister, member of Morisset Uniting
    Church, The Hunter Presbytery N.S.W.
  80. Mrs Laraine Jones, member of Morisset Uniting Church, The Hunter Presbytery, N.S.W.
  81. Rev'd Jason John (Deac); UCA.
  82. Rev'd Wally Johnson, UCA.
  83. Mrs Margaret Johnson, UCA.
  84. Leigh Johnston, UCA Melbourne & United Church of Canada.
  85. Ann Kane (Mrs) member of Montrose Uniting Church, Montrose, Victoria.
  86. Meredith Knight, Elder Pitt Street Uniting Church, Sydney. Interim Treasurer Uniting Network.
  87. Brett Lang, Member UCA, Elder and Church Councillor, Salisbury Heights SA
  88. Lynne Lang, Adherent UCA, Salisbury Heights SA
  89. Jean Leeman, Member, Burwood Uniting Church, Melbourne.
  90. Rev. Allan Leggett, (MOW), UCA; Cootamundra NSW.
  91. Rev. Leanne Leggett (Deac) UCA; Cootamundra NSW.
  92. Rev. Evan J. Lewis, UCA; Ringwood Victoria, 3234.
  93. Margaret M. Lewis, UCA, Ringwood, Victoria, 3234.
  94. Rev'd Dr Coralie Ling, UCA; Uniting Network; former Co-Convenor Uniting Network.
  95. Wendy Longworth, member of UCA, Midland, WA.
  96. Rev'd Harry Lucas, UCA; Margaret River, WA.
  97. Revd Prof Bill Loader, Murdoch University and Perth Theological Hall.
  98. Alan Lockyer, UCA; Elder; Co-chair Unity; member Friends of Unity.
  99. Bryan Long  UCA Surrey Hills 3127.
  100. Malcombe Looker, UCA; Member Uniting Network; Melbourne.
  101. Tony McEwam Member and Elder at the Horsham Uniting Church Victoria.
  102. Ros March, Member West Epping Unting Church, NSW.
  103. Paul Marsh, UCA, Member; member of Unity, S.A.
  104. Phil Martin, Member of UCA, Endeavour Hills Uniting Church, North Dandenong, Vic.
  105. Robert McKinnon, Member UCA Bridgewater, SA.
  106. Emma McKinnon, Member UCA Bridgewater, SA.
  107. Rev'd Dr. Dorothy McRae-McMahon, UCA Sydney; member of Uniting Network; former Co-Convenor Uniting Network.
  108. Rev. Alistair Melville, Uniting Church Frontier Services, Gascoyne Patrol, Exmouth, WA.
  109. Jayne Meulman, Co-ordinator Hunter Child and Family Services.
  110. Jim Miles, Member Adare UCA, Victor harbor SA.,  Member of Friends of Unity, Adelaide, SA.
  111. Mrs Heather Miller, UCA; (previously Secretary of Frome Presbytery - now a member of Wakefield Presbytery) Kadina, SA.
  112. Warren Mossman, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide SA.
  113. Robin Motherway, Member Nightcliff Uniting Church, Northern Territory.
  114. Rosemary Hudson Miller, UCA Perth
  115. Rev'd Dr Murray Muirhead (Deac.), UCA Hawker, SA.
  116. Andrew Obst, UCA, Adelaide.
  117. Winsome Obst, Member UCA, Wallaroo, SA.
  118. David Olischlager, Pittsworth Uniting Church, Central Downs Parish, Qld.
  119. Rev Steve Orme, Darwin Memorial Uniting Church, Northern Territory.
  120. Clare Pascoe, CAVEAS (clergy abuse victim support) founder, Armidale NSW.
  121. Rev Ian Pearson, Minister Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney, NSW.
  122. Dr. Des Perry, UCA Sydney; National Co-Convenor Uniting Network.
  123. Rev'd Elenie Poulos; UCA, National Director, UnitingJustice Australia.
  124. Margaret Ralph, UCA Mittagong NSW.
  125. Judith Raftery, Member, UCA Pilgrim Church Adelaide, SA.
  126. Rev'd Ray Richmond, Member UCA, Wayside Chapel, Kings Cross, Member Uniting
    Network (NSW).
  127. Jonathon Rea, Member Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney, NSW.
  128. Rev Neale Roberts, South Woden Unting Church. ACT.
  129. Pat Roberts, UCA; member Friends of Unity, SA.
  130. John Roberts, UCA; member Friends of Unity, SA.
  131. Dr Roderick Rogers, Member of the UCA, Indooroopilly, Qld.
  132. Barbara Rooks , Member , Ringwood Uniting Church.
  133. Rev. Roger Rooks, member Ringwood Uniting Church.
  134. Rev. Ken Rookes, Strathfieldsaye Congregation, Loddon Campaspe Presbytery, Victoria
  135. Joy Schloss, Member UCA Burleigh Heads Queensland, Secretary Presbytery of South Moreton from Jan 04.
  136. Andrew Shore, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  137. Dr Natalie Sims, Member of St. Andrew's UCA, Brunswick VIC.
  138. Jeff Simpson St. James Uniting Church, Curtin, A.C.T.
  139. Marika Simpson, St. James Uniting Church, Curtin, A.C.T.
  140. Rev’d Coral Cogs Smith (Deacon), UCA, Member of Friends of Unity, SA.
  141. Paul Somerville, Member Paddington Uniting Church, NSW; Secretary of Uniting Network.
  142. Rev Tracy Spencer (Deacon), Hawker Uniting Church, Frome Presbytery, SA.
  143. Rev Dr Peter Stephens, retired minister of the UCA and member of Friends of Unity, SA Synod.
  144. Rev Eric W. Stevenson, Uniting Church in Australia, Ryde, NSW, 2112.
  145. Rev Dr Robert Stringer, Member UCA, Heidelberg Vic 3084.
  146. Warren Talbot, Member of the UCA Sydney; Joint Convenor Uniting Network (NSW).
  147. Elizabeth Teece, UCA Sydney; National Co-Convenor Uniting Network.
  148. Petryn Thiele-Swift, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  149. Jeff Telfer, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  150.  Revd. Geoff Tiller, Uniting Church minister at UnitingCare – Kwinana, Western Australia.
  151. Rev'd Michaela Tiller, UCA; Executive Officer, Uniting Care.
  152. Rev Terry Trewavas, Presbytery Minister, Yarra Valley - Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
  153. Pam Tupe, Member Indooroopilly Uniting Church, Brisbane, Queensland.
  154. Rev David Walker UCA Ararat Victoria.
  155. Joan Walker Member of Ararat UCA.
  156. Rev'd Maureen Walker WA.
  157. Rev'd Vikki Waller, UCA; Executive Officer, South Australian Council of Churches.
  158. Brian Ward, Uniting Church member, Marden, South Australia.
  159. Chris Ward, Uniting Church member, Marden, South Australia.
  160. Daryl Warman, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.
  161. Rev Bob Warrick, Minister of Geebung and Wavell Hts UC, and Chairperson
    Moreton Rivers Presbytery.
  162. Mrs Marian Wicks, Treasurer Frome Presbytery, UCA, Yacka/Gulnare Congregation
  163. Mr Stephen Wicks, UCA Yacka/Gulnare Congregation.
  164. Matthew Wills - Member of Christ Church Uniting Adelaide
  165. Ali Wilson, UCA Albury NSW.
  166. Elizabeth Wood-Ellem, Alphington Victoria.
  167. Ms Georgia Yam, Member West Epping Uniting Church., NSW.
  168. Liz Yeo; UCA Sydney, Co-Convenor Uniting Network (NSW).
  169. Carol Young, Member UCA, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, SA.


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Adelaide Affirmation