News and Announcements

TAMFS at the 2010 General Assembly

We are proud of what the Presbyterian Church can be: A Church that is alive. A Church where we discover Jesus, and find together God’s path to redemption and reconciliation. A Church that welcomes all people, and celebrates each one. A Church that does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category or status.

This is the Church we want – the Church we need. We believe that this year, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has excluded LGBT persons for the last 35 years, will shake off the past and follow Christ into a new day of love, justice, and welcome.

But we cannot be this Church without you. It’s going to take all of our joy, creativity, laughter, wisdom, love, and hospitality to make it happen.

Join us as the PC(USA) gathers for its General Assembly in Minneapolis, MN on July 1-10, 2010 to help usher in a new era of the vital, relevant, exciting, and welcoming Presbyterian Church. That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS) is bringing together a team of 25 persons, between the ages of 18 and 30, who will be a demonstration of the Church we hunger for, and will inspire, amuse, challenge, love, and call the Presbyterian Church to be the Church alive. If you would like to be a part of this historic work, please fill out the application below by February 12, 2010. Together we can forever change the Church to be a place of welcome for all!

Our Mission:

Called by the life and teachings of Jesus, compelled by our faith, and charged by our conscience, we advocate an inclusive church for all who are disenfranchised: A church that honors diversity and welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons as full members. Full membership includes eligibility for ordination to the offices of elder, deacon, and Minister of Word and Sacrament.

Our Commitments:

That All May Freely Serve commits to actively resist and transform structures and systems of injustice. To join in solidarity in making the connections with those disenfranchised by racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ablebodyism, gender identity oppression, eco-exploitation, militarism, and all other structures of exploitation and oppression through the lens of our social location and focus on the liberation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious prejudice and exclusionary church policies.

How it Works:

Persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome to apply. Applicants are not required to be Presbyterian, but should definitely want to live on the edge of their faith and make a difference in the Church. Applications are due by February 12th, and applicants will be notified by March 8th.

In the Spring of 2010, from April to June, our team will hold regular planning sessions via conference calls and emails in order to imagine and prepare for our work at the General Assembly. During this time (in good Presbyterian fashion) we will study the history of social justice, cross-cultural communication, nonviolent theory, and the struggle for fairness and equality for LGBT persons in the mainline churches. Then, on July 1st, our team will begin with training sessions in Minneapolis. We will prepare programs and develop skills as we learn how to share God’s liberating love with the Church.

Housing, airfare, ground transportation, and meals will be covered. As a show of commitment we are asking each participant to help with raising funds.

Click here
 for a glimpse of how this worked
at the 2008 General Assembly.

Team Member Application

Please answer the following questions and return completed form by email on or before Friday, February 12, 2010 to Cindy Guertin, TAMFS General Assembly Coordinator at cindyguertin@hotmail.com.

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Email:

Best way and time to reach you:

  1. Tell us about your faith journey and/or experience with the church:
  2. Tell us about an experience you may have had with a community or organization working for justice:
  3. What motivates you to work for equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer people in the church?
  4. Some of the areas of our work will be street theater, innovative worship, music, drama, art, media and technology, intentional conversations, sharing our stories, and guerilla acts of hospitality. Which of these are you most interested in, or what other ideas and gifts might you bring to our work at General Assembly?
  5. Please give us two references (May be a professor, chaplain, minister, or spiritual mentor. Include name, telephone number, and email.)